Continuing on with the random observations and inquiries generated by the java-injected brain ... for the low, low price of 2 bucks you too can become a coffee mischiever.II. Languishing over language: Tasting quality versus quantity
Whenever my friend Terry, a chef and self-proclaimed foodie, is in the coffee house the conversation will inevitably turn toward culinary delights. As he and fellow free thinker Tom W compared notes on cooked books, I had to interject a bit of mischief — not wanting to be left out of the fun despite a lack of subjective interest and relevant intelligence. And so it was that I met their Gourmet with my Gourmand.
What you may ask is the difference? Gourmet describes a person who appreciates fine food and wine, with an emphasis on the quality of the meal consumed — a good variety of discrimination. A Gourmand is also a lover of good food, but the word has the implication of someone who is more concerned with consuming mass quantities — a gluttonous fondness when taken to the extreme. In many ways, I fall into the latter category due to certain penurious tendencies; preferring a filling meal to an expensive one. I can, however, display fits of snobbery about some food and drink — wanting my pasta served al dente and my ale good and hoppy.
Digging into the root of the two words, I found a dash of irony to add to the stew pot. Both words derive from Grom, a Middle English word for valet or servant, presumably the fellow in charge of procuring the wine. So it is that those who embrace the gourmet life of high-class habits, are carrying on the best traditions of indentured servitude — ever slaves to good taste.
For those in the neighborhood, an opportunity to sample some quality food in ample quantities will avail itself shortly as Terry showcases his skills in a jumbalaya cook-off to benefit charity on July 26th at the No Exit Café (6970 N. Glenwood Ave., Chicago). I'll provide more details on that later.
My bean-soaked brain is quickly losing its edge, but I might just have one more post left in me before I crash into uncaffeinated sleep ... stay tuned.
2 comments:
My what a toasty posty! Wonder if there is wine flavored coffee? Would that be a Gourmet or a Gourmand Barista? Heck Java Mate, Cupping (a method coffee tasters use to evaluate a coffees characteristics) and wine tasting already share several similar terms! Perhaps you and I can open a Bistro called Wining and Grinding! Sorry, “No Sour Grapes Allowed, But Lots of Spilling The Beans Welcomed”! Thanks Francis, for serving my coffee addiction with these Triple (Three shots, for those for whom a double just doesn't offer enough of a jolt) posts!!!
Gourmet if you have one cup; gourmand if you have two :). I think you need to do a guest shot or two on my blog, with such a wonderful contribution as that. I will have to do some reasearch on coffee connoiseurs -- thanks for the link. I love the name "Wining and Grinding," and your slogan ... will it be a virtual bistro or the real thing?
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