0.1g Precision vs. The Handle-Less Metal Cup: An Office Hot Chocolate Saga

Picture this: It’s the morning of 15 May 2026. The morning light is hitting the office pantry, and a quiet battle of physics, metrics, and pure stubbornness is unfolding over a simple mug of hot chocolate with milk.

I managed to snap a quick picture of the aftermath. The designated measuring spoon and cup sitting on the counter, freshly used.

The Clash of Methods: Scale vs. Spoon

My boss wants one thing above all else: absolute taste consistency every single time. Fair enough. But different people have entirely different takes on how to achieve liquid perfection.

Because of a certain unavoidable occupational habit of mine, I prefer the ultimate defensive standard, a digital weighing scale dialed down to a crisp 0.1g precision. No variables, no margins for error, just pure data.

Instead, the mandated corporate protocol in our pantry relies on volume: the classic scoop-and-pour via measuring spoons and cups.

The Spout Solution (That Was Promptly Rejected)

Seeing the glaring operational inefficiency of his setup, I tried to step in and optimize the workflow. I bought him a sleek, 1 oz (30 ml) measuring cup equipped with a dedicated pouring spout and a heat-resistant handle. It was a flawless piece of engineering designed for seamless liquid transfer.

Did he use it? Of course not.

He stubbornly insisted on sticking to his self bought 55 ml stainless steel cup. No spout. No handle. Just a raw, unyielding cylinder of metal.

When Thermodynamics Fights Back

"Well, let hard-headed people learn the hard way."

The inevitable structural design flaw manifested almost immediately. When you pour boiling water into a handle-less, single-wall stainless steel container, basic physics takes over. The metal becomes instantly, fiercely hot to the touch.

The subsequent complaints about the cup being "too hot to hold" were entirely predictable. Sometimes, you just have to step back, let the laws of thermal conduction do the teaching, and enjoy the show while your pulse stays at a calm, rested baseline.

The Final Verdict

At the end of the day, whether you are calibrating your morning fuel down to the exact micro-gram on a digital ledger, or stubbornly sacrificing your nerve endings to a handle-less metal cup, the objective remains the same.

Until the next pantry debate, happy brewing, and may your hot chocolate always hit that perfect, consistent sweet spot. Even if you have to burn a thumb to get there.

Making asam boi drink with the correct asam boi ingredients

This is taken on the evening of 21 February 2025. Where I managed to make good tasty asam boi drink. After using the correct ingredients. 

The look of tasty asam boi drink of mine.

Among the used ingredients. Slices lime and lemon.

I add 9 unit salted plum into 500 ml warm water.

The look of used lemon and lime.

Was unsure between these 2 dried plum for asam boi drink. When selecting it in the shop earlier.

The correct asam boi type for asam boi drink. Even ask for verification from the shop owner.

Until then, have fun enjoying good asam boi drink.

My self made asam boi drink

This is taken last noon of 19 February 2025. Where I managed to make asam boi drink.

The look of the asam boi drink with ice cubes.

The look of used ingredients on the bottom of the jug.

The initial ingredients. Which I use 1 pack of 4 unit asam boi, 69.9 gm chopped lemongrass and 7 unit of spearmint leaves (5.1 gm). Then I add 450 ml warm water.

I do add lemon juice, lime juice and calamansi juice.

It was tasty for me. But my colleague said it is too sour and too much lemongrass. 

Until then, have fun in making your own asam boi drink.

Salted plum for asam boi drink

This is taken on the evening of 20 February 2025. Where I managed to buy salted plum. As one of ingredients to make asam boi drink later.

The look of asam in this asam boi drink. 

The look of the bought salted plum. After asked the seller for confirmation. 

The initial selection before deciding which asam to buy.

Bought Phoenix plum to satisfy my craving. Since it has been long before covid19 for me to eat asam.

Until then, have fun in buying the correct asam for your asam boi drink ingredients. 

My tasty and pretty sirap bandung soda drink

This is taken on the noon of 27 February 2025. Where I managed to make sirap bandung soda drink. It is tasty and pretty. No lumps or clumps.

The look of used ingredients.

Until then, have fun in making your own sirap bandung soda drink.

Making asam boi drink for lunch

On 24 February 2025, I successfully prepared an asam boi drink for lunch time.

Preparation Process:

1. Salted Plum Soaking:

- Used 11 unit salted plums, weighing 45.9 g in total.

- Soaked them in 990.1 ml of warm water.  Around 45˚C to 55˚C.

2. Citrus Juice Addition:

-Used 55.5 g of lemon slices and 16.5 g of lime slices.

-Juiced the lemon and lime, then mixed the extract with the salted plum mixture.

-Added an additional 200 ml of water and blended the mixture again for consistency.

3. Final Touch:

-Incorporated 3 tablespoons of brown sugar for enhanced flavor [1].

Feedback & Observations:

-My colleague found it tastier compared to the one I made last Friday night during a stay-back session.

-Two other lecturers, who were also having lunch in the pantry, enjoyed the drink and refilled multiple times, confirming that the total water volume was sufficient for four people.

Conclusion:

The asam boi drink turned out well, with balanced flavors and an adequate serving size. Looking forward to making more refreshing variations in the future!

Disclaimer:

This drink is best consumed within one day of preparation for optimal freshness. If refrigerated, it should be consumed within two days due to the use of fresh citrus juice, which has a limited shelf life and may lose its quality over time.

Reference:

[1] My favorite type of brown sugar https://serinurulbeauty.blogspot.com/2023/10/my-favorite-brown-sugar.html

My Beanies instant coffee drink flavor Creamy Caramel

The look of Americano that I made using Beanies instant coffee drink flavor Creamy Caramel.

The look of the unwrapped instant coffee from Beanies in flavor Irish Cream and Creamy Caramel last morning of 18 October 2023.

I prefer Beanies instant coffee drink flavor in flavor Irish Cream more.

Until then, have fun enjoying good instant coffee at home.

The look of matcha premix that I consume

This is taken on the morning of 8 May 2024. Where I managed to unboxed the received matcha premix.

This package consist of 1 kg matcha premix. I already discover the correct ratio to make it up to my taste. Which also satisfy my caffeine intake. 

At the moment I drink it before 9 am. Then coffee before 12 pm. Then second matcha drink before 3 pm. So far, I am stay awake and well focused. 

Until then, have fun enjoying your matcha drink.

Making roselle juice

This is taken on the noon of 26 July 2024. Where I managed to process the harvested roselle fruits to make juice.

The look of the roselle fruits with its tree in the morning. Harvested it after breakfast. 

The output after simmer for 4 hours and 45 minutes under temperature 60°C.

The look of added rose flower petals in the roselle petals.

The look of the 744 ml roselle juice in the lab fridge on morning 28 July 2024. From total of 26 roselle fruits.

The look of the packed roselle juice to my customer as free gift. Since she bought the last sisir/sikat of yellow pisang awak from me.

The look of yellow ripe pisang awak.

The look of the set for customer. Left it in prayer room cabinet after Zohor prayer.

Positive review from my customer on the roselle juice. 

My blended mengkudu (noni) with mango juice

This is taken on the morning of 28 July 2024. Where I have the energy to process the ripe mengkudu (noni) fruit. Which I blend it with purple mango fruit.

Where I used 54.7 gm mengkudu (noni) fruit. Add peeled 53.9 gm purple mango. With 50.1 ml room temperature water. Blend all. Then strained it to drink.

So far, it is more watery than usual. Maybe because mango fruit is full of water.

Until then, have fun in drinking blended mengkudu (noni) with mango juice.

Making vitamin C drink from freshly harvested roselle fruit petals and pink rose flower

This is taken on the morning of 20 August 2024. Where I managed to harvest 8 roselle fruits and 1 pink rose flower. In order to make fresh vitamin C drink. I brew under temperature 60°C for 4 hours time.

Until then, have fun in brewing good vitamin C drink.

My thick Americano drink

This is taken in the noon of 30 June 2024. Where I managed to test 1 recipe Americano drink.

8 gm moccona espresso style 10.

10.48 gm brown sugar.

343.94 ml water used.

The one in the pictures is the undiluted part.

Until then, have fun in making your thick Americano drink as per your preference. 

My drink of Frenché Roast Indulgence with Hazelnut Latte

This is taken on the noon of 26 May 2024. Where I make my drink from a pack of Frenché Roast Indulgence with Hazelnut Latte.

The look of the drink after adding 153 ml hot boiled water. After putting in the content of the sachet of 23 gm inside the mug.

The look of the bought pack of Frenché Roast Indulgence with Hazelnut Latte last 24 May 2024.

Until then, have fun enjoying a good premix coffee drink.

My lemongrass (serai) drink for my sore throat

This is taken on the night of 25 May 2024. Where I make lemongrass (serai) drink. Using the harvested lemongrass (serai) stalk.

I used the short knife to cut it [1]. And the back handle of the short knife to flattened the stalk [1]. A good improvising way to reduce amount of to wash tools.

Until then, have fun in drinking a good lemongrass (serai) drink to sooth your sore throat. 

Reference:

[1] My short knife https://serinurulbeauty.blogspot.com/2024/05/new-short-knife-for-cooking-assist.html

My self made noni juice

This is taken on the evening of 3 June 2024. Where I notice that the noni fruit harvested last 31 May 2024 already started giving the ripe pungent smell. After a quick check, I am able to see that noni juice is good to be taken for easier night sleep. Therefore the experiment is done.

Total output is 8 ml.

The look of the used 1 noni fruit weigh 73.8 gm and 1 lime fruit weigh 43.3 gm. 

I am able to drink it in 1 shot as it is. Drinkable for me. It was advised to drink in the morning. I still have 1 more noni fruit and 1 more lime fruit for tomorrow morning experiment. Which is advisable to drink in empty stomach and 30 minutes before breakfast. Where I do drink just now with empty stomach. Will update later the outcome.

Until then, have fun in using fresh fruit for your supplement. 

My matcha drink in early morning

This is taken on the morning of 10 May 2024. Where I have successfully found the best ratio of matcha drink up to my taste.

I add 25 gm matcha premix. Then add 3 gm brown sugar. Add 10 gm chia seeds. Lastly add 199.6 ml hot boiled water.

The look of well stirred matcha drink of mine.

One of my girlfriend asked me if it taste good. As she cannot take even matcha cake. Well, I am venturing more healthier option. Where most is quite bland. Need to be creative to satisfy my own taste buds.

I do drink coffee around 10 am before go into gardening plot to do work.

Then I drink matcha drink 3 pm.

So far, I am able to function well. Able to focus better. Still in self experimental stage.

Until then, have fun in experimental good self-made matcha drink.

Drinking match drink for my caffeine boost

This is taken on the morning of 9 May 2024. Where it is second day of me consuming matcha drink. This time I remember to add chia seeds.

The look of the matcha drink before I stir it well.

The look of chia seeds inside my matcha drink.

I put 10.1 gm chia seeds with 25.3 gm matcha premix. Which then I add 208.3 ml hot boiled water. 

It taste just nice.

I started to consume matcha drink to get better caffeine boost for the day. Since caffeine in matcha. After reading that matcha can keep me feeling alert for much longer than coffee. Coffee is known for providing an instant energy kick that reduces sleepiness and fatigue [1]. Similarly, matcha contains caffeine. However, this beverage may boost your energy at a slower pace than coffee [1].

It is still in experimental stage with matcha at the moment.  As I do notice that I have jitters when I consume more than 2  cups of coffee drink per day. Which I do found it is not a good thing for my health. Especially for my driving and study focus.

Until then, have fun in enjoying good matcha drink at the comfortof your home as morning boost.

Reference:

[1] Matcha versus coffee https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/matcha-vs-coffee#pros-and-cons