Coffee talk

It is a beautiful but cold Saturday morning when I begin my long walk.  My eyes water as the cold breeze hits my face.  Today I will make my way to the "mountain" and take about 2 hours to walk to the top and then hike for about 2 more miles across the ridge and back down--a typical Korean exercise.  When I finish I go to my favorite coffee house and relax to a special brew of any number of selected coffees: Brazilian, Kenya, Columbia Supreme, Tanzanian, Guatemala, etc.    I can spend as little as 4,000 (Approx. $4) won or as much as 20,000 won per cup.

Coffee is a strange thing in Korea.  When we first arrived all we could get was the Korean type, a weak coffee powder with cream and sugar all conveniently placed in a paper stick that you simply break open and add to hot water.  That is still the common style here in most places.  A complimentary cup of coffee after a meal looks more like weak brown tea in a small cup and tastes like sweet hot water with milk.

Things are changing.  Many coffee houses have gone up near our university.  The names are interesting and sometimes amusing like "Angel in-us" coffee house.  How about TomNToms coffee, Rotiboy Buns and Coffee, Awesome Place, and Lower Gardens just to name a few within a 5 minute walking distance?  Since most coffee houses do not open until 10 or 11 a.m., you have to settle for McDonalds for the early cup.
My favorite (above picture) is Coffee House 5th Story.  By the way, it is on the 1st floor.
 
Bonnie loves this place because of its atmosphere-- its quiet and it offers drinks similar to smoothies.  I think my waiter is either fond of me or just curious.  Because this place is a 15 minute walk from KNU, we never see any other westerners.  He always offers me a free refill with a different brand than my first cup.
Notice how he slowly pours the hot water (exact temperature since there is a thermometer in the pitcher).  He only moistens the freshly ground beans and literally counts for 20 seconds.  Then, he very slowly pours the hot water over the wet grinds.  As he does so, the whole mixture fizzes like an Alka-Seltzer tablet in water.  It is interesting to watch.  Then, after he exactly measures the amount in milligrams, he pours a small amount into my cup and asks me to approve the strength.  Once he gets my approval, he leaves me to enjoy my cup of coffee with 2 cookies.
 
Since he always insists on giving me a refill,  we repeat the whole process. This coffee is so strong I can hardly drink it. I take small sips which is unusual for me.  I usually gulp my coffee.  I then walk and jerk my way home from the high caffeine surge.  It is quite a buzz.

Well, for you coffee lovers, this may have been interesting.  If you come to Korea you can get a good cup of coffee now at a premium price.  If you buy the beans, say (200 g, under 1/2 lb), it will cost you from 10,000- 20,000 won.  Is all of this worth it?  Ask Bonnie.  She gladly spends the money rather than live with me without my coffee!  Oh, my favorite brands so far are the Columbia Supreme and Tanzanian.  I asked the waiter his favorite, he said, "Cat Dung Coffee."  True.  I looked it up on the internet, very expensive!!!  No thanks!  I would prefer a good cup of tea instead!