—a slick, golden-topped performance piece in a demitasse, pretending to be the pinnacle while hiding its cracks.
The surface gleamed a golden crown,
A flawless top, no flaws to drown.
It promised skill, it promised class,
The apex served in tiny glass.
You lifted it, you took the sip,
And felt the balance start to slip.
The crema clung, but underneath
Was acid sharp and clutching teeth.
A trophy cup, but not for you,
Its beauty built to cut right through.
The best, they said. The peak, the art.
You tasted it—and tore apart.
You drained it fast to hide the frown.
The crown can’t help when kingdoms drown.
📜 Crema of the Crop – The Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 oz Ristretto (dense, rich, and loudly proud of it)
- ¼ oz Demerara Syrup (sweetness to smooth its self-importance)
- Garnish: The thickest crema you can coax—unbroken, golden, slightly smug
Instructions:
Pull ristretto slowly for a thick crema. Stir in syrup just enough to pretend it’s approachable. Serve in a gleaming demitasse on a saucer polished to mirror shine. Place it in front of someone like it’s an award. Watch their face shift mid-sip.