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Cultural Café #4: The evolution of warfare – what will it look like? in the future?

Lost in a Cup’s cultural café will talk about warfare, surveillance and how the use of developing technology will effect future conflicts – for better or for worse.

For the occasion we are happy to announce that we are partnering up with Pax et Bellum, a student society which focuses on exploring themes relevant to the study field of ‘peace and conflicts’.

Important to remember that this is a meeting place for people from all walks of life and from different countries so there is no pre-required knowledge needed on the topic as the event is structured in a way to enable conversations based on the material we provide and common knowledge.

Chairing the digital event this time will be Alexander Maxia, founder of Lost in a Cup and Maël Hanon, vice-president of Pax et Bellum.

This event’s Academic speakers:

Pere Brunet

Professor in Software and VR at the Technical University of Catalonia  and researcher at the Delas Center for Peace Studies. His research interests lie in the social implications of science and engineering and on a science-inspired analysis of militarism and terrorism.

Kristiaan Pelckman

Associate Professor at the department of Information Technology, division of Systems and Controls at Uppsala University, His research touches on machine learning, automatic control and different applications of either.

> Don’t forget to save yourself a spot by signing up to the event here!

Never been to a Cultural Café event before?

Here you find all the information on what to expect!!

Questions? Don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Event will be held on Zoom, so make sure you bring your own tea, coffee, biscuits or whatever you fancy.

Event’s hashtags: #EspressøYourself #TechWar

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Black Friday- don’t get lost in a cup!!

Today is ‘Black Friday‘ part of ‘Black Week‘ the day in which all prices of every physical and online store get slashed for the joy of the masses – apparently.

This “tradition” started in the USA and as many things in popular culture it spread to this side of the Atlantic too. In Sweden it arrived fairly late, only the last year or two but now it’s a big thing and countless emails spammed each and every one who had the misfortune of signing up to newsletters from online shops and retailers.

This new phenomenon of Black Friday in Scandinavia is all the most interesting because it encourages people to rush, push and go grab the best deal – something that is not really that common in this part of the world.

Ironically today is the first day of real snow in the Uppsala – Stockholm region with several centimeters which fell over night. I would like to think that it was the old spirit of Janteläget blowing its white dust to cover the country and hinder people from the shopping craze some might have been keen on taking part in.

Those of you who follow carefully Lost in a Cup’s social media might remember from last year that the prices were not slashed and that there was actually a campaign to underline how the whole selling tactic goes against our ethos and way we see the world.

 

 

 

Therefore, even this year Lost in a Cup will have no discounts. But luckily there is lots of snow around here, so feel free to join us in a snow fight instead of doing so in a shopping centre or on our online shop.

Enjoy the snow and don’t get too lost in a cup of black (Friday) coffee. Look beyond!

#EspressøYourself

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The Future of Cafés

These guys in the 1930’s did not order a ‘caramel latte’; it was not on the menu at the time – but might they do that today?

The coffee world is ever changing and in recent years globalisation and big brands have brought the buzz of an expanded selection of coffees and drinks into the mainstream.

If the 80’s and 90’s were all about big chains of burgers and fast food; the first two decades of the new millennium have been all about coffee chains and capsule coffee – what else?

This has been a very exciting process which has seen many parts of the world discover espresso coffee and also American style long milk based coffees entered the high street with added syrups, flavours and whipped cream possibly.

You would not have found this in your local konditori 20 years ago!

This exciting innovation also has a down side, which is the struggle of independently owned cafes that due to difficulties in innovating or lower margins than the big chains often were forced to shut down.

So is it the end of independent cafes?

A typical “Bar” in Italy

I surely hope not! Family-run businesses offer charm and atmosphere that chains can’t! Even if they instruct their staff to write your name on the cup, smile and wish you a nice day it is still not authentic. It’s about history, community and passion.

In my coffee drinking mission I will explore many different kinds of cafes both old and new to see what they are all about!

What works? What doesn’t? What cool ideas are out there? By the end of this I might not be able to write a recipe of ‘how to make the perfect café’ but I hopefully will be able to give a few good pointers!

Follow this series of articles here on Lostinacup and on our social media pages /lostinacup. Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comment section below or by using the hashtags: #TomorrowsCafe #EspressøYourself

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BYOB – Be Your Own Barista

Is it possible to make Café style coffee at home?                                                          

 

Italian coffee has a long lasting and well-known tradition, famous worldwide.

 

It is maybe the biggest example of ‘less is more’ as a tiny espresso contains such a richness in flavour that one does not need a pot-full of it to appreciate its properties.

 

Espresso style coffee has been steadily on the rise in Sweden both in independent coffee shops and big high street names as a growing part of the population appreciates taste and quality over quantity.

 

Could there be a way of making this quality of coffee in your kitchen? Is the only solution for this coffee to reach your sofa or office desk to go and order a take-away cup? Does good coffee have to ‘cost the earth’, both environmentally and economically?

 

In Italy the answer is NO. How about Sweden?

 

A lot of coffee is on the Scandinavian market but not many options are thought out with simplicity in mind, while others have a considerable impact on the environment.

 

That’s why ‘Lost in a Cup’ wants to change things by bringing quality coffee from Italian coffee roaster “La Tazza d’Oro” to your home, work place or social centre.

 

To find out more about the different solutions and to order coffee online and get it delivered to you click here.

 

#EspressøYourself

 

 

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Week’s Drink: Espresso Tonic

Many love a good G&T but have you ever tried an E&T?                                                                            

 

From my experience working behind the bar in Sweden, two of the most popular drinks in clubs are Gin and Tonic or Vodka Redbull, the first chosen for the taste and the second mainly for the energising effect it gives.

 

What if there was a way of mixing those two concepts? What if there was a good tasting drink which could also be energising and also looking good at the same time?

 

The combination of Tonic Water and Espresso coffee might sound odd, it did to me too. However, after the first time I tried it, I was completely converted.

It is a beautiful drink to watch make and super simple

 

  • 2 shots (50–60 ml) of good quality espresso
  • 1.5 dl tonic water
  • 1 lime wedge
  • Ice
  1. Prepare a double espresso and leave to cool.
  2. Fill up a glass (200 ml) with ice.
  3. Squeeze the lime juice on top of the ice.
  4. Pour in the tonic water and gently pour in the slightly cooled double espresso.

 

In my experience you can easily do without the lime, especially if the espresso is good quality. To get the most out of the taste I suggest Arabica 100% if possible or a blend with at least 70% Arabica beans.

 

If you are in a party mode and want to spike it with some Gin many have done that although I have not  tried it so far but I believe it should work; booze and good espresso are a marriage made in heaven. Who needs energy drinks when you have espresso?!

 

 

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The Fika Ritual

Coffee breaks in Sweden are more than a pause, they are a ritual.                                    

 

The word ‘Fika’ is unique to the Swedish language and means ‘coffee break’ or maybe it would be more correct to say ‘coffee ritual’.

This almost sacred tradition involves coffee, something to eat and a good conversation. It offers the perfect setting to meet a friend, a relative or even a date!

Many workplaces endorse the  ‘Fika break culture’ with special dedicated areas which seem more spacious and comfortable than in other countries. It is a key part of the daily routine in which the number one goal is to enjoy the coffee, maybe have a snack and relax a few minutes with colleagues.

Sweden gives the ‘coffee ritual’ more importance than most other countries do and surprisingly this includes Italy! In my experience, Italians give most importance to taste and quality and not to the actual ritual which lasts under a minute, enough time to make an espresso, add sugar, stir and shoot it down. Down south the actual sitting around and chatting is something most Italians would rather do in the evening over an aperitif.