by walts » Fri Oct 29, 2004 2:22 pm
Hi. Must just tell you this. Many years ago I was a Missionary to Seamen, with the accent on Foreign. On boarding a large frieghter, I had the pleasure of being invited into the ships galley by a lovely Portuguese cook. Before I even got my feet over the step he was asking me to join him for coffee. Being thirsty I readilly accepted his offer and watched with interest as he ladled coffee grounds (two heaped tablespoons) into a tiny Jezve (Ibrik). There was an almost equal amount of sugar and then water to finish it off. The Jezve was placed almost reverently on the galley stove and we began talking.
As we talked I couldn't help noticing the Jezve. It was bubbling and frothing away like a dervish. I kept hoping that he would soon take it off the stove, as suddenly awakened thoughts of stewed tea kept coming into mind. But he seemed oblivious as to what was happening. Anyway, to cut a long story short, he did evemtually take the Jezve off the stove and delicately poured out two small mugs of thick, very very aromatic coffee. The colour of the brew was very dark and I was very apprehensive of drinking it. But knowing that to offend could lead to some unpleasantness and the loss of a friend. I did drink the coffee.
As an avid tea drinker I found the coffee terrible. It had an almost anaesthetic aroma and the taste was so strong as to defy adequate description. Sweet? Yes, but bitter too and it clutched my throat like the old man of the sea. Before I was halfway through the drink I was feeling very light headed. In fact after thanking the cook for his hospitality and bidding him farewell, I had no need to walk down the long steep gangway, I floated down. It was several hours before I fully recovered from that experience.
Ibrik? Jezve? It is a great tool and I think that I might even buy one should my state pension stretch to it, but leave it boiling on the stove for nearly an hour, no way. Enjoy it. Regards. Walt.
Bialetti Brikka 2 cup Mokka Pot.
Rival.PP25. Popcorn roaster.
Krups. GVX2 Coffee Grinder.