Specific and Special Stuff –
Don’t go with the Crowd – Make up Your Own Mind
You are Special Enough to have Your OWN Opinion
Walked across a busy intersection of the outdoor mall to get a pound of Quatamalan San Sebastian coffee.
“Which one?” A very young woman in a dramatic red dress at the cash register turns to look to the board where the coffees are listed. I repeat and added, “One of the Americas (coffees).”
Beneath the frame you see the reflections of the leaves in the glass wall
She asked a tall slender man with glasses in his late forties to get the coffee beans. Something in her voice told me she wanted to let him know she was boss.
“For which size of coffee press?” Gave the measurement by holding my hands apart.
“About this size. Why?”
“That’s a 1.3,” more to himself.
Then he turned his face in my direction. “Because the size determines the amount of beans you need for a cup of coffee.” He bent down to add some more beans.
“You make it a science,” I declared.
“It’s not mine.” He smiled, “I just follow it.”
“Could you please grind it? Mine is broken.”
“Absolutely!” He continued while putting the beans in the grinder, “Al Peet came from Holland in 1956 when he developed the coffee and tea shop. That was when the coffee here was horrible.”
a coffee cup we saw in Upstart Crow, a coffee and bookshop in San Diego with a similar atmosphere as at Peets.
I nodded (remembering the colored water my American friends made and called it coffee).
“He was Dutch? I am too.” I volunteered, “He probably developed the coffees because in Holland a morning on one’s job is unthinkable without a coffee break!
He poured the grind in the paper bag.
“Now I like this kind, I’m kind of wary to try another,” I chat.
He narrowed his eyes while he thought for a moment. “Maybe you would like the anniversary blend. Some of similar components are in this blend – some from New Guinea, Nicaragua and some other.”
“Oh but right now, am first going to use the Quatamalan.”
As an afterthought, “You know what? I am going to give you some of the anniversary blend, enough to make you a cup of coffee (more like 4:) ). “Oh, thanks!” I received the small bag.
On the patio hubby noted, “Customer service, Jesh!” also referring to the $2 discount or free small drink sample when purchasing coffee beans.
I happily smile, “It certainly is!” Grab my knitting work while plopping on the chair. Hubby nods and opens up his Ipad.
Patio of Peets
Now I come to think of it, I never saw that man back in the store. Not even on the same day and time of the weeks following.
They have also a variety of teas to drink, because Al Peet, the owner, preferred tea over coffee. Am not an expert, but Oolong tea is the best and priciest tea we drank in China. Peets has two kinds. Of course, they also have Dutch cocoa to take home.
At first, I only knew about Starbucks. I was all too happy because their coffee tasted much better than the ones in the big grocery stores.
I began to compare when my daughter once noted that she liked Peets coffee, because their coffee doesn’t have such a burnt taste. Then I read in two articles a half year apart, they were one in eight companies in the whole nation lobbying for something that is a misnomer. One in eight, not eighty, or two hundred – that sends a message!
Half a year later I ascertained they were against a company who was forced to abide against something they believed.
I was done.
Am not against them. Their coffee is good, but I want to buy from a company that is not politically involved, but just sells coffee, or whatever food or drink.
Am happy to drive to a Peets Coffee an hour away to enjoy the coffee as well as the knowledge about the products the people who work there, display.
That’s why I came here. For a cup of coffee
and a Coconut Almond Bar.
Do you drink coffee or tea?
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P.S. This post is also Specific and Special Stuff (click on right top to read what that’s about). If there is someone who would benefit from reading this, you have my permission to copy and print this post.
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