My Love Affair With Coffee — From A Five Year Old’s Perspective

I have a confession to make — kids, please don’t try this at home.

When I was about five years old, my parents decided to pack up our belongings and move abroad — in other words; we headed to my dad's lovely hometown in Greece. Its location was on a small island called Epiro.

It was a complete culture shock for the whole family. I went from having a lovely home with a pool, lots and lots of friends — to a structure made out of white sandstone on a large block of land. Unfortunately, the only toilet in this village was a hole in the ground (and yes, this brought on my OCD obsession big time!).

People would always stare at us because we were the “foreign people” in town. We looked strange and out of place from the regular village bunch. Even though I was young, I always felt violated by their controversial stares, which seemed to go straight through my soul.

What I found astonishing at five was how my gorgeous grandmother spent her days attending to the family farm and all the animals.

I would help her gather the eggs, feed the animals and watch her labour endlessly in the sun, picking all the veggies for our meals.

I thought she was a cropping genius. It was the first time I became aware of the “Paddock to plate concept”, & it was fascinating.

I spent my days attending the local primary school down the road and rushing home to help grandma with the animals and crops. It was a simple life, and although my teenage siblings hated it, begging my parents to pack up & go back home, I loved every minute of it & wanted to stay.

But, I had a secret, which I promised my aunt I’d never tell a soul.

She would take me to the local supermarket, tell me I could have any doll in the window. Then, when I would pick my favourite doll, she would buy it and take me to a secret place. This was her hiding spot. The place no other soul knew about apart from me. I think she liked me because I was named after her — but what I came to work out is that we had a bond that was different from my other siblings.

This small place she would take me to had a tiny stovetop with very modest settings. There was one small, round table with two chairs opposite one another. Her table cloth was a pretty handmade doily. It felt like something went on in here — but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

Little did I know she had a bit of a family secret she led me into.

“Now Angelica, what I do for you, you mustn’t ever tell any of your parents. It is our secret, and I know you will greatly appreciate what I have to share with you. Do you promise me you will keep this as our secret?”

I was so young, but the excitement in my little heart couldn’t handle the suspense. I immediately replied, “Of course, Aunty, I promise I won’t ever tell mummy, daddy or my brother and sister anything.”

And with that, she smiled and proceeded to make me something unique on the stove. She knew I was telling the truth.

The room filled with a distinct aroma, one that caused all my senses to buzz. “What are you making Aunty, it smells yummy.” With that, she smiled and replied that she knew I’d love it -and it was a surprise.

All of a sudden, she arranges the tabletop with some beautiful saucers and porcelain cups. Then, she poured the beautiful aroma filled liquid into those stunning porcelain cups. I watched every single movement she made right up until she brought her secret creation to the little circular table.

Next to the cups, she has a little Turkish delight — a custom tradition accompanying the secret brown beverage.

I take the porcelain cup by the handle and take a sip. It’s sweet, hot, delicious, and very strong, but I instantly fell in love at first sip. This tasted amazing, and it gave me a bit of an energetic charge. What is it?

“Now remember Angelique, when you are done with your coffee, you must put it upside-down on the saucer, turn it three times and leave it there for a few seconds. Then, when the time is right, I will tell you to lift it. Then I will read your cup and tell you your future.”

Are my eyes wide open? “Future? Wow, can you tell me what’s going to happen to me when I grow up?” I say instantly, as fast as I can.

I look at her in amazement, thinking how lucky I am to have such a charmingly clever aunty sharing this secret with me.

“I sure am, but you have to make sure you don’t tell your parents, ok?” She warns me, but that smile and warmth in her eyes lever leave her.

“Yes, I promise I won’t say anything — please, can you read my cup now?”

She smiles at my innocence and bewilderment that I’m so interested in what my future holds. At that moment, all I wanted to do was to absorb her every word. I was dying to know about the future. What would I be doing? Will I be rich? Would I still live here and be with all of my cousins? Will I go back home and see all my friends again? All these questions whirled around in my little five-year-old brain.

The two of us together in that little room, where she must have read thousands of peoples cups. She didn’t take my siblings inside. Instead, she decided I was the one she wanted to share her secret with. Maybe it was because I was so young, innocent, and eager to grab anything exciting and unknown. Perhaps she always knew I was a little bit spiritual myself.

These moments between the two of us continued when we stayed in that little village until the time came to return home again.

When we left, I cried. Will I ever come back to the secret place with my aunty?

But I never returned, and she passed away many years ago — yet I still remember our special moments.

From the moment that beautiful liquid touched my soul. I became obsessed with a cup of fresh, strong brewed coffee. The love of coffee has never ended for me — and probably never will.

Not a day goes by when I don’t thoroughly enjoy a beautiful cup of coffee, minus the cup reading to go with it. I wish I could go back and remember the things she told me. I wish I could remember what my cup predicted when I grew up.

That fond memory will stay with me forever, now 37 years later, I still remember the excitement of our coffee date and cup reading.

I didn’t tell my mum or siblings about the coffee and cup reading dates with my aunty. I was petrified of getting her and myself into trouble. I think I loved keeping the loyalty of our secret hidden. I appreciated the sharing of something so sacred and spiritual with her. I knew she loved it and enjoyed reading other peoples futures — I’m so blessed she chose to read mine.

Why not experience the sacred moment with a person you love. Take out the old coffee brewer and make that cup with as much love as possible. Share your dreams, future and feelings over a cup of goodness. Those memories will last now and forever.

What is coffee to you?