Aesthetics

This week will be focused on the aesthetics of coffee making which comes under the umbrella of last weeks topic on affordance. Aesthetics involves the way you feel when engaged in occupation including the senses (sight, taste, touch and smell).

Aesthetics:
The beauty of producing a coffee such as attention to detail regarding the frothing of milk, the way you pour the milk when it contact's the shot of coffee and how you apply design to the finish product all determines the beautiful aspects of a cup of coffee. The flavour and taste of a good cup of coffee is crucial. To achieve this, the creator uses specific techniques and attention to detail when in the process of making the coffee. To achieve desired taste it is important to reference the individuals likes by understanding their specific taste and preferences such as adding sugar, trim or full fat milk, chocolate or cinnamon, strong or weak. Each barista is unique in the way that they do things and this often impacts on the coffee. If a barista makes a cup without focusing on the milk it is likely to result in a bubbly aerated coffee whereas a barista who takes their time when focusing on milk will produce a more creamy satisfying drink.

Check out this video of coffee art to the extreme! Watching this clip gives me motivation to furthur my skills as a barista. I would love to learn how to do some of these!

http://youtu.be/2oU8IKL4yt4

Spirituality:
When thinking about coffee making and spirituality it is hard at first to reason a connection between the two, but on unpacking this idea it has become evident in subtle but meaningful ways. When making a coffee it is made for someone else either known personally or a complete stranger. This brings a certain connection between both the receiver and the maker. Especially if the barista produces a coffee that is enjoyed by the receiver it is likely they will return or appreciate the effort of the barista, the connection is therefore gratitude from the receiver and a lift of self confidence for the barista. Making a cup of coffee for other staff members or family is often an expression of care or love. It shows that effort has been put into the production of the coffee and that you were thinking of that other person. Making coffee is a notion of accepting and giving.


Health:
Health relating to coffee consumption is known to be quite controversial. It is usually consumed in order to heighten senses becoming more alert, therefore efficient. Although it does increase Blood pressure.

The latest research has not only confirmed that moderate coffee consumption doesn't cause harm, it's also uncovered possible benefits. Studies show that the risk for type 2 diabetes is lower among regular coffee drinkers than among those who don't drink it. Also, coffee may reduce the risk of developing gallstones, discourage the development of colon cancer, improve cognitive function, reduce the risk of liver damage in people at high risk for liver disease, and reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease. Coffee has also been shown to improve endurance performance in long-duration physical activities. Ccoffee is not completely innocent. Caffeine, coffee's main ingredient is a mild addictive stimulant. And coffee does have modest cardiovascular effects such as increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, and occasional irregular heartbeat that should be considered. Studies have been largely inconclusive regarding coffee and its effect on women's health issues such as breast health, cancer, and osteoporosis. But, the negative effects of coffee tend to emerge in excessive drinking so it is best to avoid heavy consumption. (http://www.http//www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/coffee_health_risk)

Coffee can also be viewed as an healthy activity in terms of socialising. It is used alot as a medium for conversation, meeting up with friends, family or colleagues and general social interaction. It is a common occurrence for most people to have a cup of coffee with a friend or in groups, producing a positive social benefit. As for physically making the coffee in the position of a barista it involves moving around (delivering the cups, washing dishes, reaching etc) strength (carting milk, lifting boxes, packets of beans etc) and again socialization with customers and workmates.