A Change in Brew

I am a natural lark. The mornings bring about the most elevated version of myself as my productivity spikes while simultaneously inducing a meditative state. My creativity peaks during this time and my mood (from a wholesome perspective) is at its finest. I will routinely opt for an earlier night in, to allow for an earlier wake up call; the earlier I wake up, the more in control and ultimately fulfilled I feel. I tend to wake up between the hours of 5:00 am - 6:00 am comfortably and upon waking, recognize a hyper-sensitivity to my surroundings while I mentally sift through the components of my day. Fueling this process, is the catalyst for all morning wonder; coffee.

Like upwards of 99% of all humanity, I share an affinity for coffee. I prefer light roast, as my tolerance for caffeine is quite high and I rather enjoy experiencing the particular coffee bean to its fullest flavor. Ziggy and I have been toying with different origins to experiment with and our most recent is a bean from Peru that he picked up at one of our local joints, Empire Coffee in Hoboken, NJ. We grind our own beans with an amateur, one-setting grinder (soon to be replaced by one with greater depth of complexity) and both have a well groomed devotion to the substance. As of lately, we have switched our daily brewing method from the conventional (yet lackluster) coffee pot, to a pour-over method of brewing with our new Chemex.

Pour-over begins, most simply, with freshly ground coffee that is compiled nicely into a filter which sits on a holder/glass jar (often called a ‘pour-over dripper’.) Hot water is poured directly onto the grounds, where it then moves through to produce extractions of coffee flavors below into the serving vessel. It’s rather easy to use. Ziggy and I have found that 500 ml of water to 50 grams of grounds works well for us, but we certainly alter this equation should we fancy a stronger/weaker cup or if we happen to be brewing a large quantity. After bringing the water to a boil and dosing the grounds into the filter, there are a few things to be mindful of. The first step is a real treat; as a small amount of hot water is initially poured over the grounds to allow for blooming to occur; a quick bubble and release of carbon dioxide from the beans that enhances the flavor of the coffee (let this do its thing for 30 seconds.) Carbon dioxide will release for about 2 weeks after the beans have been roasted., so this is a great testament to the freshness of the roast. Afterwards, begin to pour another time to saturate the entirety of the grounds. Pour in a circular motion, beginning from the outside and working your way towards the center. Don’t fill the filter too closely to the rim with water and allow ample time for the extraction to take place. Continue this as your work your way through the remainder of the water. Once complete, remove the filter, serve into the drinking vessel of your choice and enjoy. Ziggy takes his coffee black, with two sugars. I prefer black - or with a splash of almond milk and usually over ice.

Pour-over coffee requires a bit more attention than switching on a coffee pot and going about your business - which is exactly why I am infatuated with it. For something as beautiful as a cup of coffee, most mornings don’t provide it the love it deserves. This method of brewing has encouraged I slow down… I tune in and I remember to remain aware. While productivity lines my mornings naturally, as stated before, as does mindfulness. Coffee, especially in the United Sates is served to the population as a necessary component of maintaining a fast momentum BUT there are endless alternative and cultural aspects of coffee, preaching an opposing message of serenity and stillness that are still very much alive. Coffee can be an after dinner night-cap. It can be the essence of bringing individuals together, or a beautiful independent moment. It resembles absolute, pure joy, especially when prepared with time and care.

When I use my Chemex, I have to be present. I notice the weight of the grounds, the volume of the water and what unfolds during each stage of the brewing process. My hands are in the creation… I am wide eyed in participation and I am in control. Not only am I focused on brewing a good cup of coffee, but I am smelling the aromas as they waft through the open filter and into the air… I am hearing the slow drip from the water moving through the grounds and bouncing onto the glass beneath… I am feeling the steam gently soften my chin as my eagerness leans over the top looking in to watch the magic and every part of me is in the process.

I am orchestrating a symphony.

Mentions:

Chemex

Empire Coffee

8:32

I’ve sage-d the apartment; my heart and soul of a cat and her male, audacious companion (claimed by my roommate) have been staring into corners lately, evoking an uneasy yet truthfully unbothered personal wonder of what else (or who else) lurks within our space. Perhaps nothing, perhaps everything… such is life. There are empty mason jars scattered around my shoulders, having once been filled with water, craft beer and Cafe Modelo’s Espresso Dark Roast (certainly depending on the time of day) to which I find poetic and filled with purpose, although currently empty. My wet nails, freshly coated with a lustful yet poised crimson red leaves faint but visible trails on my white keyboard protruding a lack of patience and the scent of this afternoon’s tequila soaked outing oozes from my parted lips to meet the Glass Animal induced rhythm coaxed through my speakers, soothing my current ambiance of existence. I am calm and comfortable, although a slight crick in my neck aches as I lean against the multi colored couch cushion behind me... adjusting every so often with hopes I soon slide into an evergreen state of lounging glory. Filling my focus are ideas of new jewelry designs, financial burdens and the scent of my boyfriend that grazes my hair. Perhaps chocolate, as well.

I am all of who I am at this moment; sensitive enough to notice the breeze of cool February air skimming the skin on my arms by means of the cracked living room window while all the while, feeling as vast as the ocean’s capacity of macro-image movement and as specific as its surface salt water froth. My breasts feel tender, my newly pierced nose aches truthful self expression into the forefront of my face and I question if I’ll ever write anything interesting enough for anyone to inquire about or intentionally pick up to meander over. There are multiple tabs open on my computer and even more open in my brain. Strands of decorative, ornamental lights line the ceiling of which I stare up to and my cat (the ‘psychedelic-spiritual-visual-medium-ghost-seeing’ one I mentioned before) has just leaped onto the coffee table below my sunken soles to join the contents of my environmental, explanatory prose with a quite enjoyable interruption.

I am here; seeping into a pile of observatory points and rubbing the cool skin of my moisturized feet onto one another with appreciation for the relationship I have with myself. I am currently looking forward to tomorrow morning’s solitude and the transition of consciousness to slumber; all with expectations of vivid dreams that leave lingers of inspiration for a colorful start, come 6:00 AM.  

That’s all, for now.

As always, ample gratitude for your presence.

-K

Non-negotiable

Certain individuals are born carrying minds as vivid as the blues swimming through the ocean’s waves and with thoughts as fine as thin blades of grass. They are guided by eyes as wide as the outstretched branches covering the Earth and the images that float around inside of their souls bounce from one side of the human vessel to the other, catapulting sequential rhythms of electrical impulses that ache to be released.

These individuals, are the Creators; born dancing inside of a sphere that guards an imagination the world has deemed only fitting for childish dreams, where colored sounds dangle like leaves and the wild unlocks to run free.

The Creators feel certain motions from an early age, like scattered pieces of sounds that sing under the skin. The presence of the sounds serve as a catalyst for the individual to begin experimenting with the outside World in search of a home for the noises that weave between their body and soul.   

While young, the Creators are the outsiders, the outliers and those often found moseying through reality, losing track of time with wandering ideas that float from cloud to cloud as their visions begin to expand. The Creators are natural leaders, as what they will go on to bring into the World has not yet been conveyed by the masses. They find, with a magnetic and compelling pull, a sanctuary in the craft of creating visual, auditory or written expressions that stimulate the senses to incredible depths. These creations depict the details of what they are witnessing behind the walls of their eyelids... allowing those on the outside to delve into the inner workings of the Creator, experiencing what courses through their veins.

For the Creators, transforming ideas into works of art is an irrevocable component of who they are; visions are constantly taking shape and the wheel is always spinning. Inspiration lurks in what is commonly unseen, it covers the floors and it oozes out from the cracks in the sidewalks. The creation process occurs as naturally as their instinct to breathe and as they exhale, so does their magic. Creators understand that nothing is merely as it appears to be. They work with depth and with an eagerness to connect meaning to a surface, awakening those not yet aware to acknowledge the presence of layers, the presence of purpose. The insight that their work illuminates, showers a melodic unity that reminds us that we are moving as One. Slow down and feel the connection we all share.

The beauty in this World is abundant… we, the Creators, will show you.