NvB: Bored in Brno?: Ancient Czech Blend

Ancient Czech Blend

You're probably thinking I get a commission for all this product placement, but I don't. :(

Today's feature is Jihlavanka's "Ancient Czech Blend." It's coffee. The package clarifies below, in case you weren't sure what was in the bag, "genuine Czech Turkish coffee." A blurb on the back of the package suggests that, for "preparing a really strong genuine cup of Turkish coffee, the Ancient Czech Blend is absolutely ideal." Since this is bound to confuse some shoppers (I haven't met any Czech Turks in Tesco recently who might explain), the packaging includes a helpful serving suggestion (displayed at left): white cup and saucer, black foamy liquid. The white plumy thing is supposed to indicate, "serve piping hot."

I normally drink tea in the mornings, but it is nice to have coffee around. Being a graduate student I have inclinations toward coffee snobbery--actually it's not a matter of taste alone, buying instant coffee doesn't really cross my mind when I'm at the store in the U.S.--but, as the beverage post revealed, I have resorted to instant coffee here. There are practical reasons for this. It is, one, rare to find a large selection of whole-bean coffees in any store here. Most (if not all) of the downtown Tesco's coffee selection is instant; the rest is pre-ground. And, two, coffee-making equipment is not available either. I didn't even see filters while I was there this afternoon.

This was explained in icon form on the back of the Ancient Czech blend. Recommended preparation: 1) Add seven grams of blend to empty cup. 2) Pour in 100-degree liquid (water?). 3) Look at cup?

Now I seem to be set. I don't have (only) imitation powdered coffee but the real thing. But there is one problem. I can't drink it. I have no cup to match.

Tags: food, packaging, czech

Posted 24 November 2005 at 21:06.

The Blog

What is "Bored in Brno"? a) the best Czech movie of 2003, b) a blog about Brno (the Czech Republic's second largest city) and my adventures in and observations of south and east Moravia. I usually post about music, arts, culture, and stuff in Brno; or, I talk about whatever; or, I may bore you.

There's a Czech saying about how you are a new person for every language you learn. Here's your chance to experience Czech vicariously and to become your new self, now conveniently available in English translation. (Or at least something reasonably close to English.)

If you have questions, suggestions, like what you see, or you're just plain bored, don't hesitate to leave a comment or e-mail me.

The Blogger

A graduate student in music and anthropology writing a dissertation about music in Moravia, the eastern third of the Czech Republic. At some point, the Czech Republic's "second city" (that would be Brno) captured my attention, and I've since been blogging about events, arts, music, and other stuff—basically whatever interests me in and around the cityscape. I'm not living in Brno now, but I keep up with the cultural pulse from afar as best I can.

More about Brno, Me, Euro-Czech

Comments:

Karla said . . .

Hmm, where did I get my filter? The kitchenwares at Tesco or the drogerie at Kotva?

But if you get used to drinking turkish coffee, that will be extremely Czech.

11:02 PM, November 24, 2005

Anonymous said . . .

I wouldn't be all that afraid to drink instant coffee once in a while. That's all Aunt Ruth would drink and she lived to be almost 102. Enjoy!

9:31 PM, November 28, 2005

I can't help but inquire what else Aunt Ruth did to improve her longevity... Frequent polkaing?

9:49 PM, November 28, 2005

» Post a Comment