Mom's cup of coffee

Those were the days when my house was under lockdown because it was in the COVID-19 affected area of ​​Di An city, Binh Duong province. My daily morning routine of drinking a cup of coffee suddenly stopped because we couldn't go to a cafe, so my mother became the impromptu "barista".

The coffee my mother brewed for me was made from coffee beans grown by our family in Ea H'Leo district, Dak Lak province, which they then roasted and ground themselves and sent down. It might not taste as good as coffees mixed with premium beans to enhance the flavor, but it was surprisingly delicious at the time because it satisfied my craving, and most importantly, it was brewed by my mother's own hands.

A loaf of bread and a cup of coffee in Thu Duc City (Photo taken on the morning of March 8th)

Every morning, sitting on the porch with the door slightly ajar, I feel a strange sadness in my heart. The street is deserted, not a soul in sight, everything is silent, as if life has slowed down. I sip my coffee and reminisce about the days when the streets were bustling with activity, hoping that life will soon return to normal.

This morning's coffee might taste better, but it's March 8th, and it reminds me of my mother's coffee from those days. In my mother's coffee was love, care, and especially, she knew I was addicted to coffee, so she would brew it with extra care, making it richer and more flavorful. I might be able to recreate that taste, but that atmosphere will never be there again.

In Ho Chi Minh City, it's very common to see someone sitting with a cup of coffee and enjoying a sandwich; sometimes it's even considered a refined pleasure for many. It's the same for me; I enjoy the feeling of watching the bustling crowds go by and then getting ready for a new day full of energy.

Or, in the morning, sitting with friends, sipping coffee and enjoying a meat sandwich while chatting lively about new plans is also wonderful; the coffee acts as a connection, bringing people closer together.

*This entry is for the "Impressions on Vietnamese Coffee and Tea" contest, part of the "Celebrating Vietnamese Coffee and Tea" program, 2nd edition, 2024, organized by Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/ly-ca-phe-cua-me-196240330200726305.htm