Written by Today we celebrate espresso which is basically coffee brewed by forcing a small amount of nearly boiling water under pressure through finely ground coffee beans. It’s thick and packs a caffeine punch (though less than a big cup of coffee due it’s miniature size) and has crema on top, which is a lovely layer of creamy foam.
This little doodlewash is of a ROK Presso manual espresso maker which requires no electricity. To mimic its simplicity I only used Burnt Sienna and Neutral Tint with a few spots of white gouache. I saw this when looking for things to add to my Christmas wish list, but hesitated because it sounds a bit complex and I’m not sure my little girl muscles would have the requisite strength to press properly. But the idea is still very intriguing to me, so who knows, maybe one day I’ll give it a try.
Philippe and I prefer to use our Nespresso machine with little capsules in various varieties. We each have one after dinner as part of our routine, just after Philippe takes Phineas for his final walk. It’s a lovely way to end the day, assuming you’re not one of those folks who can’t sleep with even a drop of caffeine before bedtime (don’t worry, if you ever come round for dinner, we also have decaf available).
Espresso was at first only popular in America with Italian immigrants in the larger cities. The national craze didn’t really take hold until Starbucks came along and popularized the so-called “second wave” of coffee consumption. Though established the same year I was born, Starbucks didn’t arrive here until the late 90’s.
I’ve always loved coffee, so I was really excited when I entered a Starbucks for the first time. I remember ordering a medium coffee and the barista asking me, “Do you want a flavor?” to which I replied, “What? A flavor? Sooooo… it will taste like coffee?” She looked puzzled at first and then giggled and said, “No silly… so it won’t !”
This was insane to me. Why would someone want to disguise the flavor of coffee? If they didn’t like it, they just shouldn’t be drinking it. But the trend had begun and soon I would hear friends saying, “I want some Starbucks” when we were out and about. I was just happy they had stopped calling it coffee, as they happily walked back to the car with their 700 calorie diabetes-inducing drink while mocking my 5 calorie “boring” beverage.
But today is a day for all the real coffee lovers to come out of the closet and have a drink! Pour yourself a little espresso and enjoy the bitter sweet goodness that only comes from the real thing. Deliciousness in a cup that comes with just a little crema, and not a bit of whipped cream.
Great drawing. I bought my husband a ROC coffee maker and he loves it.
That’s great to hear! I’m totally thinking I need to get one of these! 😊
Oh Charlie O! I can only imagine your growing Christmas wish list! You are so funny! The only one with one longer might be me! HAHA! I am VERY easy to buy for LOL! Your doodlewash is awesome as ever and makes me want an espresso! Your evening routine sounds so lovely and charming. 🙂
Awww thanks Jodi!! ❤️😃 I’m actually super easy to buy for because I just like to open gifts. I’m like a little boy when it comes to them. It’s actually surprised I don’t still throw the gift down and play with the box. 😊😊
OOPS! Hit return before I wanted. I wanted to be sure to say – “but it’s not about the presents!” LOL! I was just teasing! As I’m guessing you are too. We are blessed in so many ways – right – just to have those we love around. 🙂
Oh wait…it’s not about presents?! 😳 ohhhh… well…this is awkward. Lol Just kidding…it’s actually about the loved ones and of course, the food!!! 😉👍🏻
LOL! 🙂
That is a fine, fine drawing. That machine sounds like an awful lot of work. I’m with your on the boring coffee. Although I have become fond of half and half in a freshly brewed cup. I’ve been debating getting a new machine and people seem to like those Nespresso deals. I hate to contribute yet more plastic to the landfills, however.
Thanks so much Kirk! Yeah…this machine seems hard! Though I may give it a try one day. Nespresso does have a recycling program, but it’s not super easy depending on your location. Makes darn good espresso though! 😉
Thanks, Charlie
Awesome doodle wash Charlie. The chrome finish is nicely done. I had coffee with friends today, and we didn’t even know we were celebrating. 😍👯
See?! Sometimes these days just get celebrated naturally! Hehe Thanks so much Sharon!! 💕😃
I couldn’t possibly partake in such a celebration, as you know… 😉 but nevertheless, I can appreciate your drawing. Another masterpiece, Charles. The coffee looks so real!
Thanks Jacob!! Yes…I was certain this day would not be one that works for you! Hehe… International Tea Day is December 15th though! 😉👍🏻
Woo!! Well, truthfully that could be any day of the year here, really… I’ll just have to squeeze a few more mugs in that day. Tea party!
Wonderful painting, the chrome, the espresso…so detailed I can almost smell the lovely aroma…sigh. Thank you for sharing.
Aww thanks so mu Haunani! I really wanted to try some chrome after doodlewashing a spoon. 😊Hehe… I’m thrilled you like it! 💕😃
Great art piece! I’m a true coffee lover so I appreciated your drawing and story!
Excellent! So happy to hear that my friend! 👍🏻😃Coffee is wonderful!! Hehe
Beautiful doodlewash! Again, I’m amazed you used only two colors!
I love coffee! I was introduced to espresso in the late 80’s by my friend’s husband who is an Aussie (of Italian descent). He made the best gnocchi and espresso! He also taught me how to prepare a lamb roast.. I love coffee and I drink it all day. 😊
Thanks Kari!! 💕😃Yeah…I’ve been interested in a crazy limited palette for these last couple doodlewashes. And yay! Glad you’re an espresso fan! You now have me craving lamb roast though! 😳🍴
great painting of this seemingly complication contraption. My husband LOVES coffee. I can do a cup in the morning with milk and sugar. Cannot do Starbucks. I loved this line of yours: “700 calorie diabetes-inducing drink”. That is so true!
Hehe…thanks Carol!! 💕😃 Yeah, this contraption seems both cool and too complex, but I’ll report back if I ever manage to try it. 😉
That’s hilarious! You guys and me and hubby must be the only people on this continent who enter a Starbucks and order a plain coffee. 😀 We have a French Press for making coffee, so your pictured manual contraption would probably suit us just fine! 🙂 Beautiful doodlewash…such a graceful form!
Haha… Thanks Teresa! ❤️😃 Yeah, we use a French Press for morning coffee and a little Saturday after lunch pick-me-up! I told Philippe the price of this one and he didn’t really respond, which means we’ll likely be sticking with Nespresso. 😊
Hah! My hubby is also the master of not responding to something he doesn’t care for, too! 😀
Lol…good to know I’m not alone there! 😉
Oh darn and I had an iced latte today. Lol
There’s espresso in the bottom of that, so you’re sort of there Teri! 😉👍🏻lol
Phew!
Most excellent Doodlewash Charlie! 🌟🌟🌟 As much as I like coffee, it does not like me. 😳 So I had to give it up and become a tea drinker. But every now and then I have to have a Mocha at Starbucks! Hehe! ☕️
Thanks Jill! ❤️😃Oh no!! Coffee isn’t playing nice with you? That’s terrible…but as long as you can sneak in a mocha every once in awhile, life is pretty good then! Hehe…Mochas are wonderful! Especially in the winter. 😊
Peppermint Mocha’s are a FAV during the holidays! ❤️
This is the day for me! We may have no Starbucks and no good grocery stores in our neighborhood, but once the Millennials started moving in, one of them opened a great little coffee shop (and also a bar…). They may not cook, but they know about coffee.
And that looks like a great little machine. No electricity! Technology is amazing. (K)
Wow, beautiful rendering! I love coffee and this makes me so happy. I’ll have to come back periodically to enjoy your espresso maker, it is perfection. I hope you get this for a Christmas gift, it looks so cool!
Thanks Cathe!! Glad you liked this doodlewash! 💕😃 Yeah…I think it would be super cool, but it’s a little pricey, so not sure it will make the cut! Too many other things I want! Lol 😊
Yes! Fly the flag for espresso and say an emphatic NO to buckets of frothy milk with something brown mixed in! Lovely drawing, great machine and another delightful post.
Awww thanks Michael!! So happy to know you fly the same flag! 😉👍🏻 I see those buckets of frothy stuff and think…have a milkshake already people!! Lol
Mmmm…I want that. I love this one, Charlie! Nice work. 🙂
Awww thanks Nancy!! ❤️😃I’m glad you like this! Just doing a cup of espresso seemed too dull. Lol 😊
How did I miss this being a serious coffee addict too! I love your drawing 🙂 I use either a stove top espresso pot or my latest addition an aeropress for my daily fix!
Thanks!! Awwww I love knowing you’re also in the coffee addict camp Tori!! Hehe! Yay!! ❤️😃
Yay for regular old boring coffee! I’m one of those people at Starbucks that orders a regular talle coffee with room for cream. Of course I’m usually in line behind a bunch of other people who are ordering those complicated, expensive, time consuming beverages! Never fails. 😬 Love your Doodlewash especially the glass cups and the reflections on top of the coffee. Fabulous!!
Awww thanks!! I’m so glad you liked this, Nancy! 💕😃I was worried that I couldn’t make espresso an interesting drawing 😊hehe… And yeah… One of my Instagram pals said they should have an “express lane” for regular coffee drinkers which I think is a brilliant idea! Lol
Ooo! Me too! Let’s get on that.