A Reviving Cup of Coffee

I was several hours into a long journey on an unfamiliar route when a sign on the outskirts of a small town invited me to 'Stop, Revive, Survive.' I chose to take this as an instruction rather than an invitation and when the roadway widened to become the main street, as it does in so many Australian outback towns, I began looking for somewhere that might serve a half decent cup of coffee.

'Ye Olde Coffee Shoppe' did not seem a likely prospect until I noticed the advertisement for my favourite Italian brand of coffee on its window. The decor was cheap reproduction antique but my confidence was buoyed by the highly polished espresso machine occupying pride of place on the counter.

"A long black and a slice of that homemade carrot cake, please."

I was pleasantly surprised. While it was not the best coffee I have ever tasted, it is up there on the short list of outstanding brews partaken in unexpected places. While waiting for my second cup, I began to ponder how my appreciation of coffee has changed since I was introduced to it back in the 1940's while still in my teens. Back then, the only coffee I had ever tasted was made using coffee and chicory essence which my mother added to a saucepan of warm milk. Fortunately, she only served this when we had visitors and Dad and I were obliged to look as though we were enjoying it. Perhaps this is why I have never taken to cappuccino, preferring to avoid the milk by sticking with a long black. However, the coffee and chicory essence was much appreciated as the flavouring of her coffee cake.

Good coffee came to Australia along with the waves of post World War II European migrants, particularly the Italians. While they took some time to extend beyond the major cities, espresso machines can now be found almost everywhere in the country without actually supplanting the preference of older Australians for 'a good cup of tea'. However, for convenience in their homes and offices, many drink instant coffee. For myself, after I retired, I vowed only to drink it in emergencies. At home, I use finely ground real coffee and one of those plunger devices.

It seems that Corporate America has discovered that Australians drink coffee and one of the large chains has begun to follow in the footsteps of the burgers, pizzas and chicken legs, with another reportedly close on its heels. I suspect that one of their marketing problems will be whether to change the flavour of their coffee or try to change the taste of their customers. Time will tell.

I was reminded of the anecdote told by the lady in a slow food take-away on another road while we waited for her to finish making the delicious looking beefburgers which would be our lunch.

"Sometimes," she said with a smile, "My husband goes into one of those big hamburger places and orders one of the burgers illustrated above the counter. When it is delivered he opens it, looks at it, then hands it back saying, "I want one like the one in the picture, please."

It will be impossible to do that with a cup of coffee.