The aroma. The taste. The ritual of the preparation, and the anticipation. It’s more than just a drink.
Coffee is an integral part of cycling and cyclists lifestyles. But, like Campa versus Shimano, or white socks versus black, the way we imbibe the magic bean can be just as polarising.
We received an email from a reader with a suggestion for The Rules. Rob infers that anyone partaking in a soy-based brew, or a ‘lite’ milk additive, should be ceremonially beaten. “Harsh but fair” he believes, such as we always imply with The Rules.
Already I am receiving unflattering, downright tempestuous emails from my fellow Keepers regarding my soy intake confession. Yes, I unashamedly admit to this ‘foam pas’ and will accept any abuse like a man. A soy-drinking man, dammit!
But no matter how you enjoy your bean, there’s one thing for certain; coffee is good. Some say it should only be consumed black, sans sugar, in a ceramic cup. Others, like Rob, suggest it can be enhanced with a small amount of milk, i.e macchiato. While everyone has different tastes, I’m sure most of us would agree that caramel, butterscotch and excessive amounts of foam, sprinklings and flavourings have no place in any cup.
I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…
Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…
The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…
Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…
This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…
I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…
View Comments
If you guys are ever in Northern Sicily let me know. Ill direct you to the best bar/pastry shop on the island. this is a picture of the pastry part.
@mcsqueak
Yes - that's all we use at home. That plus a grinder and a supply of good beans and you're set. We have a small one for a single espresso, a medium sized one for camping, and a very large one for mornings. They're a bit like bikes in that respect - the ideal number being n+1.
@RedRanger
One of my friends is taking his family to Sicily for a month shortly. I'm sure he'd welcome details. Cheers.
@RedRanger
Yeah, I've read they are really popular in Italy, but I've never really seen them used here. Most people have those "fancy" machines that seem to find their way to the back of the storage closet, probably because they are a pain to clean and pull a good shot.
@Steampunk
I'm going to have to try to condensed milk thing, sounds awesome. Here on the west coast with the influence from immigrants from Hong Kong, I've had a drink several times called "milk tea", which is tea sweetened with condensed milk. I've also had a similar thing with coffee. Very tasty.
I also read the piece about your coffee shop, sounds like an awesome place to have in the neighborhood!
@G'phant
where is he going to be? this place is owned by my pops and is just outside Palermo.
@mcsqueak
Those little beauties are all one needs at home. As RedRanger mentioned, keep an eye on it otherwise they can burn the coffee.
G'phant has given a beautiful entree into the world of coffee. And yes cannoli with an espresso? Too much too soon.
Illy and Lavazza are quite good, though I think Lavazza is a little over-rated. My personal favourite is from a company here in Sydney - Belaroma. One of their owners actually travels to Italy to train Lavazza people so I've been told. I've been in the industry for a long time, as a chef and a cafe owner so I've come to appreciate, and IMO, know a good coffee supplier/roaster/barista when I taste one.
Has anyone tried the Vietnamese style coffee's? They make a mean coffee using a small filter over a cup or glass; puts hair on your chest that stuff - black as night, as bitter and strong as you would find anywhere in the world and then finished off with a dash of the condensed milk, sensational and keeps one going for half a day. One of the many excellent influences from the French and Portuguese they have made their own.
Just stay away from the Gloria Jean's (Starbuck's etc) of the world. The Golden Arches of the coffee.
@G'phant
Sweet, glad to hear it works well for you. I guess it's another thing to add to the Amazon shopping list, along with that electric razor...
@RedRanger
Dunno. Will find out. Cheers.
@G'phant
This place is called La Foresta. In the town of Carini. Carini is maybe 15km west of Palermo. Ask for filippo gallina and tell them Julian is a friend.
@il ciclista medio
Thanks for the tips!
Yes, Starbucks is not acceptable except in a pinch. I'm not such a coffee snob to say I hate them, but I'd rather support an indy shop.
I have a few places I'm going to try for a good espresso roast bean. Besides trying my hand at beer brewing at some point, I'd also like to dabble in micro roasting my own beans.
@RedRanger
Thanks. Will pass it on. If a Kiwi called Frank and his family stop in later this year, Filippo will know why...