Cassandra Gardiner returns with this week’s offering. Guest opinion articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication. NB: Whilst preparing Cassandra’s feature for publishing, I enjoyed a punchy little number called Marmalade Expresso! Ed
My first treat of the day and only vice, smooth, luscious on the tongue, instant gratification, straight, black, strong coffee.
When we go away I have to bear in mind my coffee habit. Will fresh coffee be available, it not I pack my own. Quite happy adding coffee to a cup of boiling water, stirring and after a minute or so the granules sink down whilst it brews – I think of it as a Turkish coffee, although my first time it was served this way was in Thailand.
Riverbank coffee stop
Arriving on a little island, Koh Pang Ngan, having eaten a large slice of chocolate cake – rare in these parts – we’d trundled off with our back-packs. A river crossing our path, ended the road as the landscape turned to sea and jungle. On the riverbank was a little shack cafe, with a few, low wooden stools and tables outside. Enquiring within, the owner explained ‘no more road only boat’.
We came to realise waiting for a passing long-tailed boat, flagging it down and hiring it, was our only option. So we sat drinking coffee. Thick, sweet, made with evaporated milk, ground coffee and hot water, served in a short glass. About an hour and half later a ‘ruea hang yao’ came by taking us to a group of secluded huts, each kitted out with a basic bed and mosquito net, set around an open wooden eating area. The Blue Moon bungalows situated on a white sand beach, nothing else but sea and coconut trees.
Private, indulgent, pleasure
Savouring coffee is a mix of relief (hmm coffee!), a pick-me-up (yes the caffeine), flavour and a few moments of private, indulgent, pleasure.
My current particular preference at home is a Co-op after-dinner blend; it’s rich, smooth and not bitter. Out on the Island I can only say it can be a tough call, my choice would be a Cafe Nero (which isn’t here) or ideally a local independent.
Surprisingly the cafe in Puckpool Park serves a mean coffee.
To read more of Cassandra Gardiner‘s work, visit her blog.
