Coffee
The new obsession. It won’t overtake chocolate but it is part of the fabric of my life. I’m not sure when I became a coffee snob but it has been creeping up on me this past decade since I became a novelist and now I’m a sworn addict, which is why I do now deliberately restrict myself to one coffee per day. It would be so easy otherwise to consume several glasses of it and then suffer sleepless nights, or worse, need more to answer a craving.
So that one glass per day has to be tops, which is why I ignore supermarket offerings and have hunted down some favourite roasts from specialist suppliers. It’s why I grind my beans fresh for each pour, and fill boiling water into my glass to heat up, as well as through the group handle so it’s all at optimum temperature to receive the coffee. Meanwhile I use only the freshest milk and I chill my frothing jug overnight every night to ensure the milk is kept at optimum temperature before it is stretched and foamed.
And then there’s the lovely ritual of preparing a latte or cappuccino. I like milk and muscovado sugar in my coffee – I suppose that’s not terribly sophisticated milking and sugaring but it’s how I like it. I’d love to make a macchiato or a short black but when I’m working on a manuscript, coffee is a companion for me. It’s not a hit but a taste experience to be languished over and to aid the creative process.
Dark, rich, sweet, licoricey, chocolatey… these are my descriptive words for how I like my coffee.
I’m totally in love with my new manual machine and grinder. I’m even thinking of investing in a bang-bang to make me feel hugely professional. If anyone’s got good ideas for how to use coffee grinds in the garden, please let me know.
Anyway, here’s where we can talk about favourite roasts, grinds, cafes, equipment, etc. Other coffee aficionados are welcomed with a smile and a clink of the latte glass. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Cheers!
Everyday I head down to Salamance, or greater Hobart if necessary, to have my one, hopefully perfect coffee everyday. Like you, I have my quirks in that I tend to prefer my coffee weak (making all those experts wince) but that’s just how I like it and it makes me happy. I can understand making your own coffee because there’s nothing worse than having your ritual ruined by bad coffee but I enjoy the atmosphere and the people watching. I have minutes ago completed my sixth of your books and was excited to learn that you live partly in Tasmania…and love the winter (mad lady
)…I thought I would share that winter has arrived shockingly early and the cloudy autumn days are making way to crisp, cold, frosty mornings with a beautiful soft blue sky. I hope that wherever you are in the world, this reminds you a little of home. I hope you will return to write soon but enjoy Europe…and their either wonderful or simply horrid coffee 
Hi Juliet
I’m back. But I read your note when I was attending the Coonawarra Arts Festival this weekend, which was brilliant, but I loved your description of Tassie and yes I am yearning to get back as son as I can. You will be pleased to know that I’m starting a new book tomorrow….a fantasy. And I had a beautiful macchiato when I returned home. My son was ready and waiting with it – knowing I’d be desperate!
Fiona, so happy to “meet” you. I was Garage-sal(e)ing today and saw the VERY dramatic title, “Bridge of Souls”, and am now writing to you to say that I, too love coffee and roast and grind my own beans. My favorite blend is equal parts Columbian and Java. So simple and rich.
I live in a little town on the coast of Oregon. We have a tiny Starbucks, but it is in the local Safeway. What a laugh! Nevermind, I have traveled around some and know whereof you speak. And I can recommend the “Coffee Toffee Pie” served up at the Coos Bay Pancake Mill here in town. It is the finest mix of coffee and chocolate and cream and other magics I have ever-so-happily devoured! I bring a piece home and make my special blend of coffee(black) and, voila, I’m a properly grateful girl. Now, all I have to do is crank out 9 or 10 fabulous novels and I can be like you. All my heroes are authors, I don’t know how you do it.
Until soon,
Paris
Hi Paris
Great to hear from you and thank you – coffee toffee pie – has inspired me as I should tell you that I love to bake! Get on with your writing – can’t think of a better combo than good coffee and a good book!
hi fiona, I was at the Byron bay festival (the one who asked you the question about whether you write from chapter one to the end!)…really enjoyed your descriptions of how you write! Ah coffee! My obsession. Must only be one a day (like you) and for that reason it must be superb! I’m a double shot skim flat white 3/4 filled. Luckily my local cafe knows me and I don’t have to keep saying it in front of others inviting well-deserved ridicule. I sometimes lie in bed the night before and think about that coffee and look forward to it! If I get an average coffee or one with too much milk it can – and does – ruin my day! Last year we spend 8 months in italy. Really what it was, I think, was 240 coffees (and a few camparis, but that’s another story) connecting us geographically from the top to the bottom of Italy. thanks for your straight talking about writing, I could completely relate. I feel more inspired to charge on with my first attempt (at 47 years of age) of my novel. I quit being an architect (or at least quit architecture with clients) to write full time and I have never been happier. cheers Fiona
Hello Sharon
Thanks so much for coming along to the panel. I’m sorry that I can’t remember which one and I’m hopeful next time I attend I can come along as a general writer rather than specifically fantasy. That said, I had great audiences, terrific feedback and a lot of fun with all of you. Thank you for letting me have that fun and especially for that more direct approach. I know some people might consider it flippant and I did try to walk the tightrope of being entertaining and pragmatic while not insulting my fellow writers either on the panels or in the audience. To hear you all chuckling only threw fuel on the fire of course! Coffee…yes, indeed. My facebook page is full of rants about bad coffee and I am tempted to start a shame page for cafes that just don’t care enough. the word barista is used far too easily! I am very specific about my coffee but I can’t really explain it – I can make it when I’ve got my fully manual machine fired up and can control roast, grind, pour, temperature, froth, blah blah. Most of the time someone behind the counter is doing a million other things or talking to someone else about their party night and not paying enough attention to my coffee!! Aaargh! I agree, can ruin my day as I allow myself one and it’s my treat and so I look forward to it. You get weak, milky glug and the disappointment is enormous. What I am doing is naming cafes that do it well….that make their coffee with pride and a bit of affection. Best coffee – Italy. I do agree. Even in a drab old train station in the middle of nowhere you get a good coffee. We have no excuses!
Had two great strong skinny lattes in Byron….both over breakfast (perhaps I was gagging for it after long walks) – Beach House Cafe I think it’s called on Clarke Beach and up at Harvest restaurant just outside of Bangalow. I bought sone Byron Brokenhead Road beans and some Zendveld’s Reserve 01. Fingers crossed.
All best, stay discipline, stay true to your manuscript, finish what you begin and don’t give yourself excuses. I don’t know where you live but I’m running Masterclass workshops in Canberra, Hobart and Melbourne (Melbourne to be sorted) this month on behalf of Writing Australia. I think Hobart is full. But you don’t need me…just trust yourself.
thanks for the encouragement fiona! It means something coming from you as I relate to the “just get on with it” philosophy…as I am a doer, an organiser and border line obsessive compulsive who loves routine! I relate to the certain number of hours a day, and keeping nights and weekends for family , friends and life in general. I am in bangalow…and for future reference can recommend Ate Cafe in Bangalow as the best coffee around. cheers, and all the best to you!
As I first met you when I was a barista at the coffee shop in Borders Rundle Mall (before it became a Gloria Jeans) I too am a coffee snob.
If it’s not good coffee then I cannot drink it.
When you are back in Adelaide head to Briccone in Rundle Mall, Pultney Street end. They serve Di Bella Coffee. It is the best coffee I have tasted. I was going to open my own cafe earlier this year, and they were to be my supplier. Be sure to ask which blend they are using that day. My favourites are Premium and Modena.
You will also find a cafe at the central markets that serves Di Bella – they tend to serve Modena.
Last I heard they were going to open a roasting house in Adelaide, but not sure if they still are. Their main roasting house is in Queensland.
Check out their site: http://www.dibellacoffee.com
Enjoy. We will have to have a cup together soon