I enjoy hand pulled espressos. From the beans, through the machine and tools, onto the process itself, and finally the consumption, everything about them fills me with wonder. Different beans produce very different outcomes. The type of roast can make or break a bean. Many baristas have no idea how important their efforts are to the outcome. Machines and tools make a difference. The hands that use them often magnify their value (or not).
Even more than drinking espressos, I enjoy the process of making them for others. It is a dying art form. While many friends love coffee, few have the opportunity to experience a hand pulled drink anymore. You rarely find hand-pulled machines in commercial environments. At home, convenience usually triumphs! As a result, the process of sharing this with others begins with being unusual. If the receiver is open, the potential for something wonderful is a real possibility.
For those interested, I would recommend considering but there is a warning. It is not something one should do because it is cheaper! In fact, it is probably one of the more expensive ways to enjoy coffee drinks. Starting with great beans, Swiss or Italian machines, and on through the time required, everything about a hand-pulled espresso is expensive.
When to friends were caught in an unjust snare, their friends willing put up bail money. They invested, knowing what followed would cost them. “That night, under cover of darkness, their friends got Paul and Silas out of town as fast as they could. They sent them to Berea, where they again met with the Jewish community. They were treated a lot better there than in Thessalonica.” (Acts 17.10)
Over the past few days, I have gone through a bag of great beans, several quarts of milk, and a few hours standing at a hot machine. When I imagine counting the specifics, all I can see are eager eyes, emerging smiles, and contented faces. I cannot imagine any cost coming close to these, so my imagination never seems find the expense details.
I love espresso’s touch.
