Another cup m' dear?

Deja Brew: The feeling that you've had this coffee before. ~Author Unknown

A woman's work is never done! Throughout the day that appears the case as we lurch from one task to another; some enjoyable, some essential, and some pure pleasure.

For an obscure reason it oft falls upon me to fill the coffee canister that sits on the bench alongside the sugar cannister and the tea cannister. Sugar and tea canisters seldom need refilling, which reflects the drinking habits of this household. As I emptied the last of the contents from the second last 500g tin of coffee that lives in the larder, its aroma wafting upwards brought back memories.

I was raised in an era when tea was the drink of the masses. My Mum, usually the most careful of grocery shoppers purchased tea regularly, but each Christmas a bottle of coffee and chicory essence found its way into the cupboard. Neither of the men in the household were coffee drinkers; in fact my brother preferred tea all of his life. My introduction to coffee began long, long ago at a moment in time that is lost to my recall. There was a ritual. Coffee was scarce; coffee was expensive; therefore coffee was not to be wasted. The rich essence of chicory and coffee was poured onto the spoon that was immediately placed in the cup. Boiling water from the kettle that stood, close to boiling point for much of the day, on the hob of the coal range. The resulting drink was cooled with a drop of milk. Nothing smelt as wonderful as a hot cup of coffee; the fact it was a special treat weighing heavily on the senses. There was no need to have a home-baked biscuit or scone as accompaniment; freshly made slices or fruit cake did nothing to enhance the deliciousness of a cup of coffee.

Today the aroma drifting from the open tin of coffee as it is transferred to a cannister still delights the senses. I have heard that several cups of coffee a day are injurious to health ... but we all need one vice in life, and if coffee is that only vice, who really worries?

Anyone for coffee?