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8/1: LOVE LETTER TO THE ELECTRIC KETTLE

If you know me you know I am a beverage person through and through. So this is a deeply heartfelt and meaningful memo on the joys of the electric kettle.


 I have used this cheap, relatively universal thing at least four times every single day since arriving here in New Zealand. 

Americans aren't really known to be tea drinkers. We take our coffee strong and in large quantities from the coffee pot (or we get it XXL and uber-sweet from Caribou, Starbucks, or Dunkn').
We wait far too long for the water to boil on the stove. 

The electric kettle has changed my life(style). It boils water in a matter of minutes. Instant noodles? You got it. Making anything on the stove? Save 10 minutes by boiling your water in the kettle first. Tea steeps faster. The mornings are soothed by the gurgle of the "Jug". 

When I got here I knew my coffee routine would need adjusting. Back home I was drinking on average a pot a day (approximately 8 cups), which is far too much coffee for many, especially those who are younger than 25. Kiwis drink their coffee in the form of espresso, or from a french press (known here as a plunger). They'll have one or two small coffees and call it a day. Oh, and coffee creamer is not a thing here. Use milk and sugar. (i admit that i miss my Great Value hazelnut creamer from time to time.)

Here is my new and improved hot beverage routine:

I've been drinking a lot of instant coffee. Heat up the kettle, scoop of granules, mix, enjoy. 

I've been using the plunger, just a small one person rig. Couple scoops of grounds, heat up the kettle, let it make love for 7 minutes, plunge, enjoy. 

My coffee routine is so important to me. It's a little piece of order that makes my day complete. The electric kettle has added to this routine by making it easier.

Oh, and i've been replacing the other cups of coffee I would usually drink back home with tea. The tea here is cheap, and flavorful, and soothing. (unlike the expensive watery crap back home.) Peppermint, Earl Grey, Sleepy Time tea with Chamomile and Blackcurrant and Passionflower. 

when I get home I will immediately be purchasing an electric kettle. It is a fixture of every kiwi home for a reason.


the flat Jug, placed between the pantry and the sink.
(I put a cheugy instagram filter over it to make it seem lovely and special.)



love, 
ellie






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