Spring Semester Revision Notes, 9: Great Coffee, Half-Dozen.

1. Being able to make great coffee is a study in the essence of mastery: what can initially appear a hassle becomes a joy in itself as expertise, positive ritual and flow state is developed.
2. Great coffee needs four things: the right bean, the right delivery mechanism, the right cup and the right environment.
3. The right bean is your choice. Like great cheese, great wine and great music it is individual and it can change dependent upon mood. To learn, find a good, local coffee shop with real baristas and choose a quieter time and ask them for help. A real barista will be delighted to do so;  return the kindness by purchasing your beans there.
4. The perfect delivery mechanism for mere mortals is the french press. It's remarkably straightforward to use, to wash and to experiment with and perfect your brew. You can get unbreakable ones to take on your travels. Leave the hiss and hydraulics of the real Italian espresso machines to your coffee shop where the size and volume will ensure an expertly delivered cup which is hard to do with low volume and smaller machines; the scaling simply doesn't work. Did you say capsule? If you won't respect your palate, please respect the planet.
5. And the cup? You seek a surface from which not one single atom will be transferred to that brew of the gods. Paper and plastic may be acceptable at 0545 when on the go but they hinder a perfect taste. Metal may be fine for that camping brew where you are happy enough to have something which is hot and stimulating on that cold morning. But for perfection: china or glass.  And although in the morning a little warm milk is appropriate to ease that powerful beverage into the body the majority of occasions dictate coffee alone or maybe simply lengthening with some hot water.
6. And the environment? The best is one where the coffee is part of the equation rather than simply an addition. It is not remarked upon, but without it something would be missing. And so while writing your book to look up, pause and take a sip. Or to brew two mugs in the back of one of the last Land Rover defenders on a deserted beach and sit and drink with that man or woman who initially was someone who irritated you so much but somehow crazily you seem to be falling in love. These are suitable environments; there are of course many more. This is why we study. 

And if you missed a class (er, it was noted):

1: Productivity Dozen

2: Presentation Dozen

3: Selling Dozen

4: Work/Life Balance Dozen

5: Your Magnum Opus, The Book Dozen

6: Personal Wealth

7: Building a Career You Love Dozen

8: Always Learning & Learning Fast Dozen

Assessment is clearly continuous.