Page 21 - Balvihar january 2024

Mom chuckled, "This calls for a deeper conversation over invigorating coffee, my inquisitive
one."
"Why not check out the new café in town?" Arjun suggested.
Off they went to the newly opened 'Cherish Cafe' — the Coffee House where Mom's eyes
widened at the menu featuring not three, not four, but ten different coffee flavours.
"This is quite a revelation," Mom exclaimed. "I've spent my life knowing just one flavour of
coffee."
Arjun, seizing the opportunity, began his coffee lecture. "Espresso is like a shot of pure caffeine,
no milk in the mix."
"No milk?" Mom raised an eyebrow.

"A latte, on the other hand, is like your homemade cuppa
– espresso with a generous pour of steamed milk, a
dash of frothed milk on top. And if you're feeling fancy,
the Cappuccino is an equal trio of espresso, steamed
milk, and froth. It's a flavor-packed experience."

“I wonder if there is a sweetened version,” pondered
mom.

“Affogato is a dessert-style coffee where a shot of hot
espresso is poured over a scoop of vanilla ice cream.”

Curiosity sparking in her eyes, Mom queried, "Is that
your favourite?"

"Actually, Mocha is the bomb. Espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate, topped with a dollop of
whipped cream. It is a sweet symphony of flavors."
"But I wonder if all this variety ends up diluting the essence of coffee?" Mom pondered.

Arjun shook his head, "Not at all. At the core of each flavour is our good friend, Espresso – the
soul of coffee, freshly ground and bold. Variety caters to different tastes while keeping the
essence intact."
Mom grinned, "There you have it, my brewing maestro. The tapestry of India's harvest
celebrations is no different from the diverse coffee flavours.
Each a unique blend, yet all rooted in the same essence."
"Wow, Mom, you've stirred up quite the concept," Arjun
grinned back.
14 January
th
Lohri, Pongal

– Sridevi Krishnan

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Balvihar - January 2024