Day 19 Droplet | The Beginning of a New Story

My first encounter with coffee was in my early childhood, a memory so distant it's almost uncertain.
Because my father would grind beans and brew coffee with a coffee maker on weekend mornings, I learned the name of that drink before I even knew green tea or black tea.

I started drinking coffee myself when I was in middle school, when I began struggling with sleepiness.
Canned coffee with a resealable lid was my companion when heading to cram school.

Even after becoming an adult, I always kept instant coffee at home. It ranged from budget-friendly packs bought at the supermarket to drip bags received as souvenirs.

So, when I received a gift catalog one day, I ordered a coffee maker. I developed the habit of buying beans. Eventually, the coffee maker was replaced by one with an electric grinder that my husband won at a company bowling tournament.

I thought my fulfilling coffee life was complete, but then, one day, a change arrived.

“TABBY's COFFEE ROASTER” released a collaboration product with “Nan no Hanashi desu ka,” aptly named “Nan no Hanashi desu Coffee.”

I had to drink it, no matter what. Thankfully, online ordering was available.
I immediately jumped to the sales page and, just as I was about to add the product to my cart, my hand stopped.

I could choose between “ground” and “beans.”

Beans would have been fine. Freshly ground coffee is delicious, after all.
However, I intuitively chose “ground.” And then, I ordered a stainless steel coffee dripper online.

If it's ground, I can brew it easily every morning.
I can immediately make it a companion for my writing.
At first, my feeling was just, “It's faster to drink if it's already ground.”

Once the coffee grounds and the dripper arrived, the day of my “Nan no Hanashi desu Coffee” hand-drip debut finally came.

This coffee is the most special of the special. Usually, I just pour hot water into a drip bag until it overflows, but I wanted to brew this as carefully as possible.

First, a small amount. Just enough to bloom the grounds.
Then, another small amount. Little by little, bit by bit.
Drip, drip, coffee droplets fall from the tip of the cone.

It was a sight I had never seen before.
You can't see such a delicate scene with drip bags placed inside a coffee cup or with an electric coffee maker.

While reading the enclosed shop card and story, I watched over the water droplets as they transformed into coffee, drip by drip.

The first coffee I properly (?) hand-dripped was made from Rwandan beans I had never tasted before, and it had a fresh, refreshing, and heart-clearing flavor.

I still often drink coffee made just by dissolving powder in hot water, and on weekends, I grind beans to enjoy a home café time with my husband.

The quiet time of hand-dripping that has been added to that is still something just for me. It is a precious ritual that colors my writing.

I am participating in Rin Kiki's project!

#noteDeNoelLetter