Coffee’s long history is filled with legend and ritual, helping solidify it as one of the most beloved beverages in history. Looking back to its origin in Ethiopia, coffee was prepared as a part of a ceremony, and was an important social event for the village. In more modern times, coffee houses served as a place where intellectuals could sip cup after cup of the brew while discussing politics and more with each other.
These days, the coffee ritual has transformed to a point where obtaining and consuming it is more of a habit and less of a ritual. Today, most Americans opt for a quickly-obtained coffee enjoyed alone, and on the run – often brewed from a pod or by a hasty barista seeking to serve the next customer in line.
The Return of the Ritual
As any coffee professional will tell you, it is the process of brewing coffee which truly can add to the experience. But our grab-the-coffee-and-go mentality pulled us further away from the time-honored ceremony of brewing and drinking the coffee.
Luckily, the tide may be turning – again. “The ritual of brewing is re-emerging everywhere,” explains Matteo Alessi, great grandson of the founder of the Italian Design House, Alessi. “And in my view,” he says, “it is linked to the fact that each of us, everyday, is under increasing pressure, and therefore feel the need to ‘unplug’ for a few minutes.”
And to partake in this growing desire to ‘unplug’ for a few moments, more consumers are returning to traditional brewing methods that require a more hands-on approach. These methods, which include the pour over, French Press and mocha pot, all require a bit more tending to than simply pressing a button, thereby creating a wonderful ritual that captures the true essence of the beverage.
“The coffee ritual is essential,” adds Alessi. “Instead of simply pressing a button, if you are involved in the process of brewing your own coffee, you will have a much better experience. By doing this, you can create your own beverage, tweaking it based on your preferences, and really take some time for yourself.”
That’s exactly what I have been doing. I’ve been brewing pour-over coffee every morning for the past 2-1/2 years. It is a habit that didn’t take long to create, and a ritual that I’m happy to have undertaken. I value the coffee more, I enjoy the experience, and actually pay more attention to the process of brewing coffee in this way. I’ve gone from fast to slow, which is a welcomed change in my crazy, fast-paced life. My morning coffee ritual is one I truly enjoy, especially since it is my only quiet moment in the day.
Here we take a look at three brewing methods that allow you to unplug from your daily life, and enjoy reconnecting with the ritual of preparing and drinking coffee.
Pour Over
There has been a resurgence of interest in preparing coffee at home using the Pour Over method. This is definitely being driven by its popularity of this method being used in cafes. While the process may seem intimidating, it certainly isn’t, and Melitta is making it easy for consumers to create that cup at home in a simpler way. As the inventor of this method over 100 years ago, Melitta is dedicated to helping consumers create a great experience. Coffee is a highly personal ritual and pour-over brewing allows you to customize to your taste preferences.
