Monday, October 5, 2009

A Few of My Favorite Things...Coffee

I love coffee! I love it with lots of milk, no sugar and I'm happy with it hot or iced, but iced -- and sitting at a cafe in Paris -- is my favorite. My best coffee memories are actually in Italy. One is the best iced coffee service I've ever had at a hotel in Rome in 1982. The ice was served in a silver bowl. The coffee was great and the setting was so elegant. Another memory is any cappuccino service in Rome. From classics hotels to the corner cafe, the coffee was great. Always served in a china cup, with a big swirl of steamed milk. I tear up just thinking about it.




My favorite mug
I bought it just seven years ago on a wonderful October trip to Italy. The mug came from a ceramic factory in Ravello, a lovely town on the Amalfi coast. This was the trip of the fabulous cappuccino and endless gelato. It was a beautiful and delicious trip.
And what prompted this string of memories of coffee? Tonight I was a winner in the Starbucks Via Challenge. I successfully guessed which cup was Starbucks brewed and which cup was Starbucks new Via instant. I pass a Starbucks about four times in various places on my way home and at the last one succumbed to pop in and try their new instant. It was good, but a little pricey for everyday consumption. That's my thought on Starbucks generally. Also one of the resolutions I made on that 2002 trip to Italy was to drink cappuccino only in china cups, and with a few exceptions your coffee-loving Buttercup has kept that resolution.
Wishes for for many happy memories to come!

6 comments:

  1. AliMayesOctober 6, 2009 at 2:09 AM

    I must agree with you that the Italians serve the best coffee(my favourite though is a strong espresso) but you have to try their hot chocolate - in a tiny cup and thick and unctuous like the finest chocolate sauce and totally irresistible!!!
    Ali xx

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  2. I'm mostly known as 'MA'October 6, 2009 at 8:48 AM

    I love my coffee and Starbucks is good but I only get it at the grocery store and brew my own. None of their shops are located around here.

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  3. AmritaOctober 6, 2009 at 12:03 PM

    Coffee 's my fave too. But we drink tea more often.

    I like my kaffe with lots of milk and a little sugar...it should be strong.

    I like it cinnamon or chocolate flavoured too.

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  4. Chatty CroneOctober 6, 2009 at 8:05 PM

    Your first paragraph - I could have written. Ditto - we could be great friends.

    I love coffee.

    I love sitting in little cafes people watching -especially in another country.

    Andy Starbucks - I pass by and think I'm in Heaven.

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  5. k and c's momOctober 6, 2009 at 10:51 PM

    Ahhh! Pumpkin Spice Lattes are in Starbucks. That makes it really fall for me! (PS: My Vegas trip is Nov. 12...maybe we'll cross paths in Italy over cappuccinos!) Loved this post.

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  6. RitaOctober 11, 2009 at 7:04 AM

    You read my tea blog, so you know I am not a really a coffee drinker. Suprise! but I just bought a French press and I discovered a smooth cup of coffee( with a wee bit of cream).
    Sage/Rita

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Thanks so much for stopping by. I love to have visitors.