Coffee notes

Early in November, the NYT ran an article evaluating the different espresso makers on the market (the article is now in archives, but can be looked at here for a fee). The upshot was that, for complicated reasons of power, steam, capitalism, whatever, none of the machines, not even those priced over a thousand dollars, can produce the frothy cup of espresso that you can sip in a coffee house.

I was ever so happy to read that because I do not have an expensive espresso machine (my Italian stove-top costs all of $20) and I am glad I am not missing out on something grand. On the other hand, I really do think that a small latte for $3 is an extravagance and so I do not hit the Ancora-Borders-Victors-Starbucks shops very often. Just occasionally. Like this afternoon.

The warm sun streaming into my living room, a nice cup of take-out latte at my side and an idle moment (one of many today, it seems) led me to the following musings:

What’s wrong with this picture?