Dozens of "The Zen of ______" books are available today. From The Zen of Cats to The Zen of Wooden Kayak Building, if it exists, then you can Zen it. Cuban coffee is no exception. The Japanese Green Tea Ceremony (JGTC), a ritual that Buddhist monks developed centuries ago, was the original Zen of Tea. Today in Japan, the practice has settled into a social event for the upper classes, and consequently, it has lost much of its spiritual usefulness. The Cuban Coffee Ceremony (CCC) is loosely based on the JGTC and, as a discipline, can stimulate you spiritually.

In practice, Zen uses the conservative approach of following procedure step by step. To the strictly Western mind, this makes the CCC look like an exercise in anal retention: it has too many prescribed steps for an otherwise simple task. However, from an Eastern perspective, this discipline can have spiritual value: it can wake you up in many ways.

The CCC has three functions. Most obvious is to make a cup of coffee. The second is less obvious — for its health benefit. The third function is Zenish: it trains the practitioner to focus experientially on the Now.

I've divided the Ceremony into three parts: Tools and Ingredients, the Procedure, and the Zen of Cuban Coffee. After that comes Afterthoughts and Post Notes on Zen. Here we go!

Tools and Ingredients

Like all ceremonies, you will need tools. This section lists what you will need. You can ad lib with them first if you want, but then settle into a regular pattern. For details on health benefits, I've provided footnotes and links.

Here's what you will need:

• Cuban Coffee: Use finely ground, almost powdered Jamaican beans, or buy a pre-ground brand, like Cafe' La Llave, Cafe' Pilon, Bustelo, or some other Spanish-named brand. I've experimented with Turkish coffee and found it to taste a little smoother. After opening the package, store the coffee in the freezer in an airtight container. Unlike tea, which lasts forever, coffee will go stale in a few weeks.
  
  
• An Espresso Maker: You can buy a two-cup stainless steel model for under $20. Avoid those made of aluminum.
  
  
• Espresso (demitasse) Coffee Cups: Use a demitasse cup for style - or be square, mon.
  
  
• Ceramic Cup: Use this for preheating the water in a microwave. This is Zen for the West: it speeds up the process of slowing down. (Ironically, those who "don't have time" to perform this ceremony are the ones who would benefit most from it!)
  
  
• Water: Spring or bottled water is usually best, unless you are OK with tap water.
  
  
• Xylitol: This is the sweetener. See the footnote on this amazing product. Stevia is OK too, but it's not as beneficial as xylitol. Use sugar as a last resort, but avoid aspartame (marketed as 'NutraSweet,' 'Equal,' and 'Spoonful').
  
  
• Chocomine: This new and allegedly improved form of chocolate is good for you! As alternatives, use unsweetened chocolate, cocoa, or carob. Note that the addition of chocolate technically rules out this drink as authentic Cuban coffee. Other factors, like not using 30% sugar, eliminate it as well.
  
  
• Note: a recent study by the National Institute of Statistical Studies has shown that a few people may "not like chocolate." However, the authors were quick to point out that in the real world this may not be true.
  
  
• A Teaspoon: You need a small spoon for stirring.
  
  
• Cream: Use organic cream if possible. It tastes better, and it lacks the antibiotics and hormones that pollute most commercial brands. If you want to be decadent, use heavy whipping cream. ("What! Is he crazy?") Soy works too, but the fat in cream helps protect the stomach from the acidity of the coffee.
  
  
• A Special Storage Area: Store all items together, except the refrigerated coffee and cream. You can use a plain kitchen shelf, but if you want to, you can decorate it. Always keep it clean and tidy, and treat it with respect.
  
  
• The Counter: This is the area where you prepare the coffee. Whether you use a kitchen counter or a table, treat this space as a sacred ceremonial area. Honor it, and keep it clean.