Family Rivalry

I probably shouldn’t be telling you this. But there is a rivalry in my family.

And this is why.

Connoisseur

One of us is a coffee connoisseur. With an expensive, consecrated hand grinder, a scale, a sleek pour over kettle, science-y coffee gadgets, fruit-noted beans stored in the freezer until ready for use, and hundreds of hours invested in research and tastings, this person ranks first place in everyone’s opinion, including his.

Consistent

Next-to-highest ranking would be, in overall taste and general opinion, the family member who makes the most consistent pot of coffee. Same beans. Same grind. Same ratio. Trustworthy, great cup of coffee every time.

Frothy

Tied for second is the person with the expensive espresso machine who is never at the mercy of an entire pot of coffee, but chooses exactly when and where to have a frothy cup with freshly ground beans. This person, however, does dip into third occasionally due to his affinity for K-cups.

Button Master

In third place we have a three-way tie: the espresso machine person, another family member I will describe below, and the family member who uses a Keurig and only a Keurig to make two consistent morning cups of coffee, having mastered just the right settings: the “8oz” button and the “strong” button. Not too weak. Not too strong. And only a hint of plastic.

Mystery

The last but not least three-way tie for third is someone whose coffee is shrouded in mystery. A 4-cup pot savored secretly with little fan fare. Is it French roasted? Mixed with cocoa? A combination variety of pre-ground coffee? We may never know.

Brew Suprise

In nearly last place is the person who enjoys the idea and scent of a brewing pot of jet black coffee in the mornings, but rarely follows any measuring protocols and turns out two “good enough” cups in a 12 cup pot from Amazon. Two cups because no one else will drink it. Apparently brew strength surprises aren’t a thing.

Tolerator

Last, we have a newly budding coffee tolerator. Who, after coming to grips with the reality that Red Bulls and Cokes are as bad for you as drinking Windex, gulps the “unrefreshing” hot beverage with grimaces and winces. Yet it’s his preference for gas station coffee, with those abomination creamers in little cups (let the reader understand), that nicks his ranking. But hey everyone starts their coffee journey somewhere.

Who knew recent innovations in coffee would so unevenly grind one person’s dream of sharing a pot of coffee with the whole family, and distill to each person the ability to do coffee in a truly millennial generation fashion.

What’s next? Don’t tell me they’re going to add juice to coffee.

Don’t tell me that.

The truth is, even with the undercurrent of a good-natured, unspoken rivalry, coffee has brought people together for generations, and it’s no different for our family. Whether it’s one-on-one dates, conversations around tables and front porches, warmth outside in fall, (a comfort for introverts in large groups), or time with Jesus in the early mornings, coffee is a central, unifying theme despite different tastes and brewing styles.

In my upbringing, a pot of coffee brewing was like a symbol of love and togetherness; anticipation for long, warm-hearted talks filled with laughter and problem solving. The scent of it in the air, one pot made for all to share, brought with it a sense family is forever. What could a kid want more than that?

I think that’s why I love a good, old-fashioned pot of coffee. Even if I’m not so great at making it.

What’s your favorite way to brew?