It’s
time for you to stop without feeling the need to »go«. You
are about to experience your everyday espresso-coffee break in a new way
— not just »drink and go«, but »drink it slow«.
This experience of extended time and space will consist of a ritual that
will have you going through each step of producing your own espresso-coffee,
or better yet, your own slow-coffee.
Traditions have always bonded and solidfied communities. In the Arabic
culture, the gathering of family and friends is one of these time honored
traditions. The preparation of coffee and the accompanying ritual expresses
the host’s love, respect, and appreciation for his guest. Hours
pass during one of these sittings. Stories and experiences of times past
exchange between young and wise, friends and new acquaintances.
You dip and run your hand through various batches of coffee beans. Now
grab a smooth handful and make your personal blend. Allow them to jingle
into the barrel that sits atop an open flame. Await the waft of coffee
aroma rising and filling the space.
While you evenly roast the beans, rotating them around in the barrel,
the symphony of browning coffee beans circulates past your nostrils. Crack
one bean open between your fingers. Sniff its coffee perfume.
They are ready!
Suddenly, you make a stunning revelation — the obsession to coffee
was never in its taste, but in its scent. You realize that the cracked
bean was only an appetizer for the fragrant feast that is yet to come.
As
you start to turn the hand-operated grinder and the blades start converting
the beans into a powder, wisps of aroma overtake you. The ocean of fragrance
now marinates your soul. Pouring the brown powder into an espresso machine
symbolizes that your »work« will pay off in just three minutes.
While you anxiously wait to taste your first cup of slow-coffee, each
granule moistens in the water and then blossoms its dark coloration. Finally,
the fountain of life — the heralded drink known as espresso-coffee
— is ready to quench your anticipation!
Slow-coffee is best enjoyed and savored amidst love of life and friendship.
Therefore, as you revel in your first sip, you notice the others next
to you reveling in the same soulful experience. Through the coffee ritual,
each participant is stimulated to communicate and interact with the other
»co-workers«. Resulting in newly formed friendships and a
pastime that focuses on living rather than just »passing time«.
The table as a whole clearly presents the stages in the coffee making
process. Yet, each smaller table (stage) can be rearranged to allow each
participant to experience another stage.
Instructions and explanations of each stage’s purpose and its accompanying
equipment are found on each table.
Additionally, a coffee sommelier is available to further assist the coffee
making process and communicative atmosphere.