Remember… "the art of coffee"

Illustrative photo: T. Nguyen

Every Sunday morning, a few close friends would come to his rented room for tea and coffee. Seeing everyone arrive, he spread a mat on the floor, went to the stove, added charcoal, and lit a fire. I helped him bring down the thermos, tea set, several coffee filters, glass cups, and a bowl of sugar. I also set out the packet of Do Huu B'lao tea and the pre-ground coffee he usually bought at Tan Dinh market, which he kept on the bookshelf.

He boiled water, poured it into a thermos, and then boiled another pot. He carefully rinsed the teapot and cups with boiling water before adding the tea. When the first pot on the stove had thawed, he rinsed the coffee filters and cups with boiling water and put coffee powder into each filter. When the water started boiling again, he poured the remaining boiling water from the thermos into each filter, but only enough to cover the filter plate. He said that doing so allowed the coffee powder to expand evenly, and the second boiling water would release all the coffee's flavor.

The tea was served, and he poured a cup for each of us, raising his glass to begin a peaceful morning. While waiting for the coffee to drip, we enjoyed our tea and discussed books. He said that the tea ceremony is the process of appreciating tea and discussing the philosophy of life. He said we were not only practicing the tea ceremony but also the "coffee ceremony." The basic rituals of the tea ceremony are "Harmony – Respect – Purity – Tranquility," and we have them all. I interrupted him, saying it wasn't enough, because we were missing… a beautiful woman. We laughed heartily.

Looking back, the way coffee was brewed and enjoyed was a kind of philosophy, because sitting there meant only camaraderie, without a trace of greed, anger, or delusion. If I were still in my thirties, I would start a "coffee philosophy" business, and I believe many people would support me, because everyone longs for a moment of tranquility amidst this busy life.

(Entry 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).

Graphics: CHI PHAN

Source: https://nld.com.vn/nho-ca-phe-dao-19624032118285964.htm