53
EN
of the Thinker and Chess Players”, which
sharpens the mind and kindles the plea-
sure in disputing, could spread unrest,
which the authorities feared - and imposed a
ban on coffee. This idea fell on good soil in Eu-
rope as well, but coffee had to overcome many
other obstacles as well. On the one hand, the
health-promoting actions was seen, but on the
other hand there was concern about the de-
leterious side-effects, such as renal dehydrati-
on, emaciation as well as erectile dysfunction.
But, coffee as a pick-me-up accommodated
the needs of the upcoming modern bourgeois
society for efficiency - clear heads were nee
-
ded, and soon enough there was no stopping
anymore. Even Pope Clement VII blocked the
attempt of an ecclesiastical ban on coffee after
having tasted the brew saying: “This Satan’s is
so delicious that it would be a disgrace to lea-
ving it to the infidels.”
Coffee houses
and coffee parties
One coffee house after the other opened its
doors in the European metropoles, and large
enterprises were set up whilst drinking coffee
- last but not least, however, lead to rebellious
machinations as well.
Although women were forbidden to visit
coffee houses at first, they discovered the
almost addictive drink by and by - and soon
coffee parties had established which in a
similar way served as information exchange.
Slowly but surely, after having penetrated
counting houses and coffee houses, coffee ad-
vanced into the kitchen. “In homework” it is
brewed (sometimes also ground) - and for this
purpose there is a huge choice of preparation
devices for coffee lovers, who not only want to
pour water over their favourite drink and strain
it.
In order to foster comfort and quality at the
same time, coffee machines were invented.
And today this development has culminated in
the espresso machine which is intended for for
private use, such as the contessa of Graef in
shapely design - a very special piece of decora-
tion for kitchen counter at home.
“Many a woman has fallen
in love with coffee so much
that if she knew that she still
could have coffee to drink
in purgatory, she would not
even dream of wanting to go
to paradise.”
(Christian Friedrich Henrici)
“It is not exaggerated to refer to coffee as elixir of
life (...). It makes people wide awake and efficient;
it has a social function and brings people together;
it has created an entire culture and a market which
continues to grow and invents new segments perma-
nently.
Coffee is the fuel of achievement-oriented society, the
most popular beverage, the only narcotic accepted at
every time of day which is available everywhere.”
(Süddeutsche Zeitung, 24th December 2015)
Summary of Contents for contessa
Page 47: ...47 DE ...
Page 48: ......
Page 49: ...Operating instruction Espresso machine contessa ...
