Filter Coffee has changed my life.

How’s that statement for a little hyperbole? Let’s be honest though, I’m not exactly known for my understated reactions. I LOVE everything, or anything positive WELL AND TRULY CHANGED MY LIFE!!!

This morning as I walked into one of my few local haunts (oh how life has changed. The local haunt is no longer the pub), I didn’t even need to order my coffee: The barista just knew my order. It’s not that I’m at this place everyday, but he shared with me that he “remembers all of his Filter drinkers”. Previously I was a snobby Flat White or Piccolo drinker – always analysing the texture of the milk and savouring the rather full feeling a Large Flatty would impart. But, something changed and I started drinking black coffee. Long Blacks were the way, and I quite enjoyed knocking back one or two, but I never really found the same satisfaction at the end of a good cup.

Enter Grimace and his love of Filter coffee. What an influence on me he can be. Now, don’t let the stereotype of bad (American) filter coffee cloud your judgement… If you don’t mind drinking your coffee sans milk, and you have access to a barista who knows what they’re doing with decent beans, then I’d highly recommend giving it a go. It definitely helps having a barista who is an Aeropress champion, but not necessary – I even manage to punch out a decent cup, on an aeropress, using the right beans.

I’m far from an expert on the matter, not really knowing or understanding at all why the taste is so good – but, it is and it has always reminded me of a good wine or Gin: The flavours smoothly cross over the palette, finishing with a lovely desire for more.

And while there is nothing like a good mug-o-joe to sit and savour the flavour, it is also an apt time to sit and acknowledge the simple ritual of coffee. I love any chance to reflect on life and so this morning I sat down for some good old introspection. After a double school and daycare drop off, I was in desparate need of some down time. It was in this downtime that I was able to identify what has changed for me in quite a small timeframe – I’m no longer in the popular flat white crowd; I’m a memorable filter drinker. I don’t takeaway coffee as often as I used to – I’d rather sit for a pause in my day, and let the ritual play out. I’ve also found I’m no longer as reliant on coffee to get my day going – sure, it helps that the kids are a little older these days.

There have been a few big things that have changed in my life recently, things that I anticipated, things that I certainly didn’t – learning how to run and the realisation of goal setting, the loss of my mother in law and a new job being far closer to home, all encompassed by an ever-changing family dynamic with the little people discovering more and more. But, the one thing that I savour the most, is that lovely abundance of smooth flavour in the ritual of drinking my filter coffee 🙂