Father's Day
June 15th is Father's Day.
As the rainy season begins to approach, I suddenly recall my father's back. Father's Day, arriving in this season where we long for clear skies, is a special day filled with a quiet calm and a slow, permeating sense of gratitude.
Every year, I ponder what to give, but this year, an idea came to me.
What if I "gave time" to my coffee-loving father?
With that thought, I imagined several scenarios, picturing how my father spends his time.
Supporting the Busy Rhythm of Morning
My father still rushes to work every morning. Imagining him like that, I sometimes wish he had more time to relax.
I once saw a French press at a cafe. If he had one at home, even for a short time, he could enjoy delicious coffee and feel a bit more at ease.
After some research, I became interested in HARIO's "HARIO Cafepress Slim". Its double-layered filter is said to firmly catch coffee oils and fine powder, allowing for a smoother, clearer taste. And since it can brew up to 4 cups at once, he could enjoy it with family or friends on holidays. Hearing that it can also brew tea, my imagination expanded to my tea-loving mother using it too.
What attracted me most was the combination of hairline-finished stainless steel and heat-resistant glass. Its simple and beautiful appearance seems to suit my somewhat quiet and particular father.
For everyday "home time," something that feels good in the hand
When it comes to daily essentials, I want to choose items that feel comfortable in the hand.
On days with a little more time, I'd choose Kalita's "SS Kettle 700". It's designed with careful consideration for ease of use, featuring an easy-to-grip double-walled handle and a spout that allows for easy adjustment of water flow. The smooth texture of the stainless steel, combined with its rounded shape and straightforward design, gives it a warmth that somehow reminds me of my father, and I'm sure he'll cherish it for a long time.
And for the dripper, I'd choose the "HA185 Dripper", a Hasami-yaki product from Hasami Town, Nagasaki Prefecture, which boasts over 400 years of history. The beautiful luster of the white porcelain, its smooth feel in the hand, and the exquisite balance of its thickness are unique charms of Hasami-yaki. It pairs perfectly with other coffee equipment and seems ideal for everyday use. Furthermore, due to the high thermal conductivity unique to porcelain, preheating it beforehand can stabilize the temperature, which is said to bring out the rich flavor and aroma of the coffee. It's also characterized by its ability to deliver a deep taste with less bitterness.
The brewed coffee goes into HARIO's "V60 Barista Server 360". It's a simple and practical coffee server designed for ease of holding, stirring, and pouring. To beautifully showcase the color of the coffee, there are intentionally no measurement lines or prints on the side. The transparent body of the heat-resistant glass, with its charming plumpness and refined beauty, highlights the sight of each drop falling.
Giving the gift of such a time, as coffee slowly fills the server, is also wonderful.
Refined Beauty
A coffee-loving father might sometimes choose special beans, different from his usual daily cup.
That's when I found coffee equipment that embodies the craftsmanship of Tsubame-Sanjo in Tsubame City, Niigata Prefecture, which I wanted him to be particular about using.
Tsubame-Sanjo is a town with a history of metalworking dating back to the Edo period. Its technical prowess is highly regarded worldwide, proudly bearing the regional brand "Made in TSUBAME." This brand, which can only be used for products that meet high quality standards, is the crystallization of meticulous work and skill by artisans.
Kalita's "WDS-185" is a stainless steel dripper filled with the techniques of these Tsubame-Sanjo artisans. Its flat bottom and three-hole structure help reduce inconsistencies in taste caused by pouring methods, a welcome feature that allows even beginners to brew consistently clear-tasting coffee. Moreover, being made of stainless steel, there's no worry of breakage, and it's easy to clean as odors and oils are less likely to remain.
The slender spout of the "Drip Pot Slim 700SS" draws a curve like a crane's beak. This "crane spout" is the true essence of the Drip Pot Slim 700SS. It allows for the crucial action of "slowly pouring from the center" in hand dripping, and because it pours quietly, it is said to be optimal for bringing out the delicate flavors of coffee.
The solid texture and beautiful finish of the metal are functional and free of unnecessary elements. It truly possesses the reliability of a "tool" and will undoubtedly elevate my father's daily coffee time.
Giving a Meticulous Coffee Time to a Busy Father
Precisely because of busy daily lives, adding a little "meticulousness" to ordinary moments can make a difference. My father, who prefers practical things, might initially laugh and say, "You don't need to be so elaborate." But I'm sure once he uses it, he'll realize its quality.
After much deliberation, I chose "Made in TSUBAME" coffee equipment as my gift this time. I felt that this Tsubame-Sanjo series would be perfect for my father, whose passion for coffee beans is growing stronger.
A gift for my father is also a gift for my mother. It would be wonderful if not only my father enjoyed it, but also if the whole family could use it and share warm moments together.
May your "thank you" to your father also take shape on this special day. Please find the perfect gift.
