Word of the Day: Xanthinophile

A xanthophile (from Greek xanthë, 'blonde') is someone who loves the colour yellow. (This should not be confused with 'xanthophyll', from a Greek word meaning 'leaf-yellow' and referring to the pigment in yellowish leaves). However, my WotD is 'xanthinophile', someone who loves xanthine-containing preparations.

A xanthine is one of a small group of alkaloid molecules which are naturally formed in the body. However, the methylxanthines are stimulants that block sleep signals and thus keep you alert; they include theobromine (in chocolate, cacao, cocoa), theophylline (in dark chocolate, tea), and caffeine (in coffee, tea). They alleviate asthma and, as a huge number of modern scientific studies show, are boosters for almost all aspects of human health and well-being (the old word was 'wealth', but that's been corrupted).

Xanthinophiles are therefore people who love coffee, tea and/or chocolate and other preparations that are chemically related to these.

The Lactic Heresy

"We knew in part, and yet we partook in part," saith the heretical, often with pride, as is the way of the heretic. But as the servants of the Bean have said in ages past and for now, it is best we drink as through a glass darkly - for to make either the excrescence of bean or the essence of leaf pale with the milk of goats is heresy, and of no benefit to the body or soul. Even the science of the secular doth agree.

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See also The Theobromine Schism, Caffeinism, and Coffee - A Meditational Triptych.

Caffeinism

Principles of Caffeinism

From the Ground you come, and to the Ground you will return.

Basic Principles

1. The Bean is One, and Many.
2. The Manifestation of the Bean is most often through the Ground.
3. The Excrescence of the Ground contains the Essence, which inspires the Mind, stirs the Heart, and brings Life to the Body of the Consumer.
4. The Essence is dispersed, and the Bean is consumed, but the Consumer will return.

Pure Forms

1. Espresso: The concentrate (or consecrate) Excrescence of the Ground, which is closest to the Bean; it is produced by the mediation of the Steam, which courses through the Ground and emits the Essence after a specific Time and at a specific Temperature.
2. Americano: The watered Excrescence of the Ground; it is born in Steam and diluted with Water, giving a weaker Flavour and a longer Finish. It originates from the Heathen, who although possessing Power, have little Taste, and no Strategy for making an Exit.
3. The Turkish Heresy: It does not divide the Ground from the Essence, but mingles the two and requires the Discernment of the Consumer to separate them. In that Respect, it resembles its Origin, always unsure of its Place between Asia and Europe.
4. The Question of Sugar: Only the impure of Heart are drawn to Thoughts of Sugar; the addition of the Colourless Crystals adulterates the Essence and weakens the Heart; yet, it is true that the Colour remains the same—even if Brown Crystals (oh, the Impurity of it all!) are used.

Examples of Heterodoxy

1. Con Panna: With a minor Head Adornment of whipped Cream; this Perversion is equivalent to the Practice of Gilding the Lily in Art; that is to say, adorning that which by its very Nature needs no Adornment. It might very well in this Respect, require Atonement instead.
2. Macchiato: With steamed Milk and diluted with Water; a kind of mixed Baptism is involved that confounds the Substance and weakens its Power. There are few things worse, and yet, a Starving Man will eat Anything.
3. Cappucino: With its Rituals of major Head Adornment with Cream and yet more Adornment with Shavings of Chocolate and immersion in Milk, it is a wonder that Cappucinists do not also sing while they drink or bow down to Cows.
4. Mexicano: This is true Paganism, involving a Foundation of Chocolate (that great rival of the Bean) and Head Adornment of Cream and also Shavings of Cinnamon Bark; one might as well not be partaking of the Bean at all.

We who live to serve, live to serve Coffee. We who serve Coffee, serve a higher calling. We are not Tea People.


Further Reading: A Coffee Meditation