Cabeuser's Blog

IF you have been following my blog for any length of time, you have probably read about our sojourns down to Cajun country to visit my dad’s side of the family. Those monthly trips provided us with an education about our Cajun culture and allowed us to enjoy a life quite different from the one to which we were accustomed. 

Maria, Perry, Leona, Lura,Floyd Dallas, AnnaLea

There were numerous cousins, adventures down to the bayou, and good times in Houma. There were also hours of conversation around the kitchen table near the old Chamber’s stove. On that stove sat the old French Drip coffee pot that churned out multiple pots of coffee a day and kept the remaining amount to simmer until the last few drops were consumed. We spent many an afternoon sitting on the creaking wood floors listening to the adults speak French and drink dark thick coffee in their cups. On many occasions, my Cajun grandfather would bring out his accordion and play long, slow harmonies that were always punctuated by the traditional “Aieeeeeeeee” that all Cajun songs tend to include. The children were always offered Cafe au Lait (coffee with hot milk) and we sat with the adults sipping our coffee with lots of sugar along with the milk. My mom needed to have that hot cream or milk to temper the bitter taste that the coffee had acquired from sitting on the stove so long. She was quite a trooper, as she had no idea what the quickly spoken French words meant and she endured hours. (Fortunately, there was always a good meal in her future.) This gathering around the kitchen was tradition and facilitated the stories being passed on from generation to generation. There were the stories about my dad’s dog, who waited for him while he was gone in the service. The adults documented their stories about swimming the bayou to go to school, some of the sisters becoming maids to help the large family, and how the family grew and made their way in South Louisiana.

These old Miracle Maid coffee pots which you could find in many homes, were very heavy and became popular in the early 1950″s. A more coarsely ground office had to be used because of the process of brewing. Ground coffee was placed in the inner liner which was manufactured with hundreds of tiny holes which allowed water to seep through while retaining the coarse coffee grounds. The inner liner had a thick wire handle used to drop or lift the liner from the coffee or water. The main part of the pot was heavy duty cast aluminum and included a secure fitting top. It was essential that the coffee pot was completely cleaned after each use to get the most “delightful” cup of coffee, according to the Picayune Creole Cook Book.

There were two ways to make coffee with the pot. First, there was the method of pouring boiling water through the inner sleeve over the coffee grounds while it was lifted from the bottom. This allowed the hot, boiling water to drip through the more coarsely ground coffee beans. The ratio of ground coffee to water was approximately 1 tablespoon to 1 cup of water but many enjoyed it stronger! The end product was captured in the heavy outer container, which could be kept hot on the stove until the coffee was used. The other method of making coffee involved using the pot as a French press, hence starting off with heated water in the main part of the coffee pot and lowering the grounds into the liquid. After a period of a few minutes, the inner liner was lifted out and the remaining liquid allow to drip into the pot. The coffee was ready to go! 

I am fortunate to have my Mom and Dad’s old coffee pot. Not only does it remind me of our roots but also brings back many fond memories. It has survived two major hurricanes and had to be dug out of what was left of our home. This coffee pot has made thousands of cups of coffee for neighbors, friends, teachers, oil field workers, and relatives. It has also come in very handy during several power outages in recent times. Being the prepper that I am, I always keep ground coffee on hand, just in case. During Hurricane Ike, we had no power for 5 days but we did have coffee! That old coffee pot kept the neighbors caffeinated and me very happy. Ah, the simple pleasures in life! My inherited coffee pot is at least 73 years old, missing the handle and top, and shows some serious wear but it can still make a mean cup of coffee! Check the internet because you can still find an old antique like this and it could bring you joy, too. A hot cup of coffee and some good conversation, C’est bon!