For the love of good coffee

Ah, coffee…..no finer drink has ever been created than that of a steaming cup of java….

Anyone who knows me – even in the briefest of senses, knows that I adore my coffee and that I simply cannot live without at least two cups of this fine beverage each day. Sometimes I drink more, sometimes less (depending on how wild-eyed and hyperactive I need to be on any given day.) The fact remains that my body has become so used to the instant hit that caffeine gives that I find myself suffering withdrawal-like symptoms without it.

Like a drug addict denied their high, I get cranky, angry and downright intolerable if I cannot have at least one cup of coffee during the morning and afternoon. So much so in fact, that I have had to resort to creating my own barista station at home for when I cannot make it to my favorite local coffee shop  – Costa Coffee, before you ask. Approximately one whole kitchen worktop is covered in more high-tech equipment than a crime lab. I have more coffee-making gadgets than most cafes, there is literally no tool known to man that is not in my possession, including the following:

Espresso cups, Costa cups and saucers, chocolate shaker and stencils, Starbucks mugs, cafetiere, tamper, filters, milk frother, milk jug and thermometer, syrups, two-dozen different types of ground coffee…..ok, you get the picture don’t you?

I also have one of these little beauties which has pride of place in my kitchen:

Delia, the little machine that could.

Not only does this lady look fabulous in red, she makes a damn fine coffee too. Through many attempts with this elegant piece of kit, I believe that I am slowly teaching myself the art of making a bloody good coffee. My first few goes were definitely nothing to write home about, looking and tasting more like muddy water than coffee. Like writing, the art of creating a good cup of coffee is through sheer determination and practice alone. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try and try again!

Not content with coffees, I have branched out into making family and friends all manner beverages, some more ghastly than others. Yet the fact remains that Delia and I will forever be united in our quest for making the perfect cup of java and long may our relationship continue. Until I get my hands on of these bad boys, that is…..

The man of my dreams…..

Then it’ll be time for you to pack your bags, little Delia. You better hope that this isn’t sat under the Christmas tree tomorrow morning….

Merry Christmas folks, thanks for reading and supporting my blog!