French Kids Eat Everything (And Yours Can, Too) by Karen Le Billon - A Book Review and Taste of Parenting Wisdom

Karen Le Billon's book takes us on a fascinating journey into the world of French child-rearing and healthy eating habits. But don't be fooled, this book's insights aren't just for parents; they're for anyone who's ever sipped a cup of coffee. We see a parallel between teaching children to appreciate food and helping adults appreciate coffee. Think of Le Billon's child-rearing advice as a metaphor for adults embarking on their coffee explorations. We want to nurture a coffee culture where folks don't just gulp down a brew but savor every drop, understanding and cherishing the intricacies of their cup, much like the French do with their cuisine.

Le Billon's book emphasizes the importance of caring about the food we eat and instilling an early appreciation for it in kids. Similarly, we believe adults could care about the coffee they drink much more if given an opportunity to do so rather than bombarding them with George Clooney advertisements. This means learning to distinguish between the good stuff and the not-so-good stuff, just as we would love for more people to be able to recognize the difference between specialty grade coffee beans and run-of-the-mill capsules.

In our quest to cultivate a genuine coffee culture, we recognize a vast gap between the potential of coffee and what it often becomes for many consumers. Just as the French value mealtime traditions and preparation, we've noticed that people often overlook the time and effort that goes into crafting a perfect cup of coffee. This might explain the popularity of super-automatic machines and their capsules.

The majority of coffee drinkers are settling for subpar, cheap, and hastily prepared brews that serve merely as a caffeine fix. They're like kids reaching for a sugar high, missing out on the nuances of specialty coffee. This is why you see Robusta gaining traction.

In summary, we aim to create a coffee culture where folks appreciate every aspect of their cup, from its origins to the preparation process, and view it not as a mere caffeine jolt but as a rich, nuanced experience. We want coffee aficionados to know first-hand that they're partaking in something truly exceptional. And who knows, maybe we can inspire the French to view coffee with the same reverence and sophistication as they do their beloved cuisine. After all, both coffee and food are meant to be savored and celebrated.