I always try to be a generous and considerate host. If you come over, I’ll bring you water, refill your beer, margarita, or whatever we’re drinking. But if along the way, whether you’ve just sat down or are four beers in, you almost set your drink down on my coaster-less glass coffee table, “Bllhagiwyhwaitwaitcoster!” is what I’d blurt out to stop you. Even when I’m drunk. Even when I’m in the other room. Even if you’re about to take your drink back. Because an evening with friends is just an evening. And those stains on the rim? You’ll never be able to save that.
It wasn’t always this way, but I can’t pinpoint exactly when my rollercoaster obsession began. It’s certainly not the fault of my parents, who have been casually arranging cups and mugs filled with condensation-prone beverages on their sturdy teak dining table, handcrafted in Bali, ever since I quit drinking. Maybe it’s because my boyfriend’s wooden coffee table, which he bought from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, was the only place he could eat and drink in his last apartment. It might be partly because I’ve been spending significantly more time at home eating and drinking since my illness flared up. Maybe it’s because I’m a Virgo.
Despite this, I am now all for coasters. There is a pile on the coffee table, a pile on the kitchen table, and one on my desk. There is not a single place in this house where you can put a cup without first bumping into a pile of coasters. This is what a home should be like, in my opinion. Why? Because the stains on the edges of cups are destined for student desks. The rim stains are a problem for those who don’t care about the longevity of their furniture. It doesn’t have to be something expensive—I bought my desk on Amazon and it has legs that fold out and click into place. But I still want it to look pretty!
In my experience, not all coasters are created equal. For one, they can’t be so pretty or expensive that you wouldn’t dare pour a drink on them. That would defeat the purpose of the coaster. I’ve also learned that some materials are very poor at absorbing moisture. Wood, for example. Wooden coasters look nice, but if your drink is very cold, the coaster will collect water, making a mess every time you pick it up. Sometimes I find myself putting a napkin on a wooden coaster, but that kind of defeats the purpose. The same goes for hard plastic coasters. We want absorbency, not hassle.
That’s why I like the Graf Lantz Merino Wool Coasters, which look great and are super absorbent. It’s not a miracle, really. According to the official website, wool is the most absorbent of all natural fibers – I just Googled “hydrophilic,” which means “attracts water molecules.” So scientifically speaking, these are the most absorbent coasters on the market. They come in a variety of colors, are simple, durable, and stain-resistant. Graf Lantz also makes matching coasters and trivets. It’s like a lightweight Merino wool blanket has fallen onto my kitchen, making my countertops even more spotless.
Writing this, do I start to worry that one day I’ll be so old that I’ll have to wrap my couch in plastic bags? You might ask: yes, it’s interesting. But for now, I just hope everyone grabs a coaster before they put down their beer.