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“…recently, research has found coffee drinking linked with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and some cancers, and preventing the development of cardiovascular disease”

“some compounds, such as the antioxidants found in coffee, may be healthy.”

Now I don’t feel so bad. Source

Found this video illustrating the steps required to make espresso, made by Mark Prince from Coffeegeek.com. I’ve thought about getting a job at a cafe just to learn (and feed my addiction)…

One of these days, when I have the counter-space and $$$$ burning a hole in my pocket.

Rancilio Silvia Espresso machine - $580 and Rancilio Rocky Grinder - $315

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A few photos (I didn’t take) of Yri Cafe, one of the coolest spots I came across in Korea. Filled with art books and magazines, sketchbooks at the tables covered with doodles and poems from whoever sat there before you, and often host to performances, art exhibitions, etc. It fits in well with the bohemian vibe surrounding Hongik university.

The interior is what drew me, as I’d come across their website before visiting the country. Red & chrome chairs, stained and scuffed wood floors, exposed ductwork, rough cement walls, melted candles, artwork on display, shelves of books and other media. Every color, texture, surface, and object — every detail — combining to create a space that begs for exploration. The kind of environment where you’d have to try to be uncreative, try to be uninspired. I think there was even a tree trunk sitting in there. It’s a nice change from the typically boring cafes in the states.

I’m not the only one inspired, check out the user submitted photo gallery on their site. There’re also pretty active message boards, but my Korean isn’t good enough to decipher those. Makes me wonder what kind of community exists around this place, and how it might be reinforced by its virtual manifestation.