Mrs Filter Kaapi

This one is for you!

For years, Amma has whipped this frothing morning fix for all of us. None of us volunteers to make this first fresh batch because it can and never will turn out just the way she makes it. The right amount of the freshest decoction goes first. And then the frothing boiling milk, right off the stove. Add sugar and do the tumbler-dabara jig in Amma's hands wonly. All set. Yenjoy.

These days, thanks to my jetlag, I am usually up at ungodly hours and I patiently, if not noiselessly, wait for the crack of dawn when Appa sets the stage..he gets the coffee filter going and sets the milk on the stove. Right at the time the milk starts to boil over, the magician is ready to do her trick. She will peek in eyeing me checking email while getting ready for my morning walk and comment snidely...'What now? Waiting for the coffee like a kaaka?'. I will look sheepishly and nod whole-heartedly.

And then I get served the best thing to start your morning with...filter kaapi. Most of my friends make it a point to visit my place just to indulge in Amma's kaapi. My Paati would make a beeline for our place for a breakfast date just for the accompaniment to breakfast...a second round of Amma's filter kaapi.

So I figured, what better way to start her off on Mother's Day than a serving of her own speciality? Here's for you Ma.

Happy Mother's day!