Coffee Journal

40 Days Without

2010-02-18T09:11:00.001-08:00

I know it has been a long while since my last entry, and I'm so sorry! My husband and i have just moved across the country and we now reside in the beautiful state of Colorado. I'm hoping that now things are beginning to settle down, I can start writing about coffee again.

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday and each year, I give up something (fast from something if you will) for the season of Lent which lasts 40 days leading up to Good Friday. I always try to choose something that I will really and truly miss - something I have everyday. Last year I gave up sweets. Any type of dessert or sweet snack food I went without. It's always good to challenge yourself and I found that it not only helped me to focus on my faith and prayers, but I was healthier too!
This year I think it's only going to be more of a challenge. I'm on day two without coffee and already feeling the effects. I feel incredibly sluggish. It's difficult because coffee (like most people) is something I start each day with. I don't down cups and cups of it, but it is my little jump start in the mornings and part of my daily routine.

So, my intention is to keep blogging through this experience - the good days and the bad. I know that with the spiritual benefits, I will also rejuvenate my love for coffee. I mean, isn't that what they say? "Absence makes the heart grow fonder."

Bounty Latte???

2009-09-04T11:17:00.000-07:00

Commercials are supposed to be dumb and ridiculous, I get that - but the recent Bounty Paper Towels commercial I saw the other day was just silly.
The couple was talking about making their favorite latte drinks at home to save money...
It was cute little scene with a man and his wife in the kitchen. With an cheesy smile on his face he makes this big mess while steaming his latte- but of course you're going to have a big mess when you try to make a latte using his methods!
First of all, he made the espresso and then added cold milk to it to steam all at once together- yuck! It's so important not to overcook the espresso or you'll end up with that awful bitter taste.
Second, he was attempting to steam them together in a ceramic latte cup. No wonder he had hot milk and espresso flying all over his kitchen! Where is the metal steam pitcher?

Bounty may have done a good job of cleaning up this mess - but the whole thing could have been totally avoided AND the latte would have been better than most chain coffee joints if he had done two simple things:
First, steam the milk in a metal pitcher. This will allow you to get that creamy frothy milk that is so smooth with a little foam on top.
Second, DO NOT steam your milk with the espresso in it. Always steam your milk first - before you make your espresso. After your milk is steamed, then you may add it to your espresso.

Follow these simple steps for a delicious at-home-latte that won't leave you searching for Bounty. :)

http://www.coffee-illuminated.com/making-espresso-at-home.html
http://www.coffee-illuminated.com/how-to-steam-milk.html

Coffee & Cholesterol?

2009-09-02T08:06:00.001-07:00

A good friend of mine recently approached me with a question about coffee and the effect it has on one’s cholesterol. As far as I knew, most of the health effects coffee had were positive ones. It has been shown to prevent heart disease, it has a good amount of antioxidants in it, and most importantly it helps with happiness – who doesn’t love a good cup of coffee?
Her mother suffers from high cholesterol and was told that the French press coffee she loved may be hurting her more than she realized. Supposedly, the oils (which do not contain any fat) in the unfiltered coffee were pretty bad for those with high cholesterol. I did a little digging and reading up on the subject and the most consistent answer I found was that, sadly, the French press has some pretty negative effects when it comes to cholesterol levels. If you have no problem with your cholesterol to begin with, it's practically harmless (or at least not bad enough to give it up) but for those with health issues, it can be dangerous. Those in the group studies who drank French press coffee had significant increases on their cholesterol levels, while those who drank coffee that was filtered in an auto drip machine had almost no change in their cholesterol levels at all!
Unfortunately, as any French press fan would know, the quality of taste from filtered coffee hardly compares to the rich fullness of pressed coffee. Fortunately, I was able to offer a solution that could serve as a good compromise – filtered coffee that still had a full and rich flavor. There is a brewing method called the Chemex that makes a very flavorful coffee. It's a drip process, but the filters are a little different - and I suggest using the organic paper filters which doesn't add traces of chemicals or bleach to the brewed coffee.

You can read all about the Chemex here:
http://www.coffee-illuminated.com/chemex-coffee-maker.html

The taste is very comparable to the French press, but it does use a filtering method. An added bonus is that it looks pretty and is perfect for entertaining. In my opinion, it's easier to clean too!
If you have high cholesterol and you’re searching for a brewing method that doesn’t compromise on quality and taste – the Chemex may be just the solution for you!

Coffee for a Good Cause

2009-05-14T11:52:00.000-07:00

Who says that coffee can’t be used for good? Besides the face that coffee has been shown to reduce your risk of heart disease among other benefits, what about its ability to effect the world for good on a grand scale…
Follow me here: Many people drink coffee, especially in the mornings. I would go as far as to say the majority of America relies on coffee to get them started each day- whether they opt for good coffee or poor coffee- they still drink coffee. Many of these people may drink coffee numerous times each day, and they may be willing to shell out 4 or 5 dollars for a latte several times per week. What if I told each of these people, if you are willing to buy some of the best coffee on the market and make it fresh at home, you could help to abolish slavery around the world! Would they go for it?

You can! This month (May) Storyville Coffee is giving 100% of their profit to International Justice Mission. No, it’s not a typo- 100%. Think of what a difference that can make in the lives of women and children who are being sold into human trafficking rings around the world? You can make a difference just by enjoying delicious coffee.

Read the following Coffee Journal entry for my personal experience brewing Storyville Coffee.

Storyville

2009-05-14T11:43:00.000-07:00

I have had an experience that was too good not to share with my fellow coffee lovers… Storyville. It’s not a place, well, not physically. In a sense though, if you can imagine yourself retreating to a place where your worries become hazy and hard to recall, and there is a brand new day ahead that you’re anxious to start because its prospects seem to have endless possibility, then that would be Storyville. Storyville may seem like a place when you experience it, but it is in fact coffee- amazing coffee at that!

A company based out of Seattle, Washington has dedicated itself not only to providing seekers with an unforgettable cup of coffee, but also ensuring that they have the best experience possible with each sip they enjoy. They commit their time and resources to quality, presentation, and education. Education, really? Yes, when you purchase Storyville coffee, it comes complete with a short DVD course which teaches you how to get the most out of every freshly brewed bean.

When I prepared my first cup of pressed Storyville coffee, I knew it was going to be a pleasant experience. After all, this coffee had to be pretty darn good if the company only felt the need to make one single roast: “Prologue” it was called- a great name for the entity that would help to ring in a new day. “Epilogue,” their decaf roast would come later- before bed. When I opened the half pound bag of coffee roasted only days before it reached my door, I could smell the aroma of a perfectly selected and roasted batch of beans. It had a slightly sweet and incredibly rich smell.
I began to boil my water, and just as the little bubbles started bouncing off the bottom of the pot did I start to grind my beans. Immediately after they went into the press, I slowly poured the steaming water over the aromatic grind. It seemed like forever waiting the carefully calculated 4 minute period before pressing the coffee. When the timer indicated the end of the exaggerated waiting period, I smiled at my husband and I knew we were in for a wonderful treat.
The coffee was the perfect burnt caramel color as I poured it into the ceramic mugs. I wanted to take my time and dive in all at once.
I took my first sip slowly, being careful to notice the details that brought out the character in my first cup of Storyville. I think the word that first came to my mind was, “prefect.” The coffee had no bitterness, with just a hint of acidity- the right amount to give it that bright snappiness without the sour taste. I continued tasting…”Is that plum? And…hints of dark chocolate…” The combined aroma and taste had a rich, bold characteristic with a dark and delicate fruity undertone. It’s not often that I am able to recognize the character of my coffee so easily, but here I was after the first sip wrapped up in the warm goodness that was Storyville. I enjoyed each sip right to the last drop and I must say, it had me captivated the entire time. You can’t find coffee like this just anywhere. It’s one thing to satisfy your craving for a good cup o’joe, but this? This was more than a good cup of coffee; this was an experience, one that left you with an unexplained sense of happiness and confidence. This is what I picture when I say that I need coffee to start my day- not because I need a jolt of caffeine, or a placebo effect to get me going, but a “Prologue” to my day, one that excites, refreshes and encourages me. One that says, “Hello day, what do you have in store for me?"

Storyville Coffee

A Chocoholic Dog

2009-03-17T10:29:00.000-07:00

Not too long ago, I was approached by an author to write up a few little things to feature in an upcoming book. (Be looking for the promo on my site in the fall!)
One little story of mine she found particularly amusing about my Labrador "Evie", so I thought it would be nice to share it with you all:

A Chocoholic Dog

Shortly after I met my husband we celebrated my birthday. The first thing that he found out about me was my love for coffee followed my by love for chocolate. Being an insightful man, he bought me a box of dark chocolate covered espresso beans. I like to say it was then that I knew I was going to marry him.

At that time I had 2 Labrador retrievers, one yellow (Evie) and one Black (Jewel). Evie has always had a particular knack for getting herself into trouble. She got lost one time for nearly a day- come to find out she had chased a squirrel under the back porch and gotten stuck. The time she and Jewel got out of the back yard she convinced Jewel to cross a busy road- resulting in a broken leg for Jewel. And she has always been the one to grab food off the counter when no one is looking… including chocolate.

It is common knowledge that chocolate is not good for dogs. It can make them very sick, and in some cases, kill them. Not Evie… She has consumed chocolate on several occasions with no reaction. She is a special dog.

Now, after I had received the dark chocolate covered espresso beans, I put them in a “safe” place in my room to enjoy occasionally.

The very next day, I returned home from work, went to my room to change, and there on my floor was the box of chocolately beans… empty!

I screamed “Oh no!” and with that Evie was hiding under the bed looking ever so guilty. Even though she had gotten into chocolate before, I was worried this time. The whole box was gone (It was a good sized box) and this time it was a mixture of dark chocolate (Lots of cocoa) and espresso beans.

I watched her so closely. She didn’t show any signs of discomfort… she didn’t even get sick. She did however show an amusing display for the next 24 hours. Usually she is very laidback follows me coming to rest in whatever room I decide to stay in for the time being. Though, after her binge on chocolately espresso, she just ran around the house in short spurts at top speed. Then she would lie down, pant like crazy, recover, and just when you thought she had calmed down, she would do it all over again. She drank water like she hadn’t had any in days. She was incredibly hyper and energetic. I had never seen her quite that animated before or since the incident.

She was normal after that day, but now whenever I buy chocolate covered espresso beans, I’m sure to hide them in a more dog resistant spot… above the fridge.

Caribou Latte

2009-02-10T14:15:00.000-08:00

If you ever talk to me about coffee, you know that I am not a big supporter of large nationalized coffee companies. I like to support the smaller, locally owned coffee joints, and if they roast their own coffee- big plus! It really comes down to service, unique atmosphere, barista expertise, and the quality of coffee.

I did have a rather pleasant experience at Caribou Coffee this past week. I go into Caribou every once in a while as it is the closest coffee spot to my home. This particular time I was meeting a friend there and I arrived a little early. Usually, I would order a regular coffee or iced coffee since the baristas there are a little… inexperienced. More often than not my latte is not made to order and is almost always lukewarm in temperature. I decided to give it one last chance and order a latte anyhow.
The customer in front of me had ordered a cup of tea and she requested a mug. I had no idea that these large, corporately owned shops still even used ceramic mugs! Well, this made me a little excited. I ordered my latte extra hot and in a mug. When it was given to me, I topped it off with a little bit of cinnamon and it was perfect!
If you don’t know this, let me tell you: lattes are ALWAYS best served in a ceramic mug. The process of constructing a latte goes much smoother this way. If you ever have the option and you’re planning on enjoying your latte “for here” then be sure to have it made in a mug.
This experience was a good one for me, and it restored just a little bit of confidence that maybe not all commercial shops are as big and scary and awful as I think- after all, the Caribou latte was perfect!

Coffee and Tobacco

2009-01-27T13:01:00.000-08:00

I recently accompanied my husband on a business trip to Martinsburg, WV. What is in Martinsburg you ask? Not a whole lot. It’s a quiet place… they do have a mall, and a Wal-Mart but nothing extraordinary there to see. It was a nice time for me to get away, explore the outdoors with our dog, and write for the website.
While I was there, I found the need to pass time while my husband worked with his client. What better time than to search for a local coffee spot and check it out?

As I drove around the historic district of Martinsburg (which was very pretty) I passed a place called “King Street Emporium- Coffee and Tobacco.” I’m not a big tobacco person, but my husband is a cigar aficionado, so I thought, “Why not?”
I walked in and found myself in the company of the shop owner and three older men, all smoking cigars and probably wondering what a girl like me was doing in a cigar shop.
I proceeded to look around, and I noticed a wall of shelves that held jars of coffee. I asked the shop owner about his coffee and he informed me that it was from a local roaster. With this information, he was already earning coffee credibility with me. Next, I decided to try a latte. He had an espresso machine on the opposite wall where he himself prepared espresso drinks for customers. There was nothing fancy or complicated about it. He wasn’t behind a counter, there weren’t fancy logo cups, and he didn’t wear an apron. Something about his simplicity and casualness made me happy.
I tried the latte and there were two things I liked and noticed right away. First, it was hot. Thank goodness. I know there is a certain temperature milk should be for espresso drinks, but rarely do I receive a drink at most shops that is hot enough…usually it’s a lukewarm experience. This latte was the prefect temperature. Second, the espresso was excellent. I didn’t ask for any flavors or sugars and I loved how smooth the drink was. The latte was not too bitter and had a nice complexity.
Then, it was on to the cigars. I don’t know much about cigars, but I know a few brands that my husband likes and so I asked the owner to make a recommendation based on that. We only spent two minutes in the humidor and we picked out a cigar he was confident my hubby would like. I paid for my purchases (which included 1/2 lb of dark roast coffee) and made my way out the shop, stopping only once more to pet the shop cat who was very friendly.

All in all, it was a good experience. It was enjoyable, comfortable and different and I left with a smile. If you ever find yourself in or near Martinsburg, WV, make your way to “King Street Emporium” for a latte and a cigar. I hear that coffee and tobacco compliment each other well.

King Street Emporium

Dinner, Theater, and a Twist...

2008-12-07T15:13:00.001-08:00

Recently, my husband surprised me with a wonderfully romantic night out to dinner and a live show. I have been asking him to go to the theatre for some time and he found a comedy show (Defending the Caveman) that we both really enjoyed.

Dinner was at a French restaurant that came highly recommended by his coworkers. The food was very yummy and dessert looked especially promising. I figured at a restaurant like this, they were bound to serve a good coffee with dessert. I was impressed when I ordered the coffee and it was brought out steaming in a little single-serving sized French press! (Anyone who knows me knows this is my favorite way of enjoying coffee)

I thought it might be fun to try and put my coffee knowledge to use and guess what type of coffee they brewed. The smell was not as full as I expected and when I tasted it, it had a lot of flavor but little body and more acidity than I cared for. After a few guesses, I decided I would solve the mystery coffee by asking our waitress what they brewed. She was a nice young lady with a thick accent and she was very confused when I asked her- I guess she isn't asked that question too often. She politely said she didn't know but she would go and find out for us. She was gone quite a while and when she returned she explained, "I asked another waitress and she didn't know so I went to the boxes in the back to check the label. It read something like (mind this was in her thick accent) 'Folgzerz.'

I thought about it for just a second and raised an eyebrow... "You mean Folgers?" "Yes, I believe so... I do not know where it is from." Then she handed me the phone number she found on the box and said I could call to find out where the coffee is grown. Still a little shocked and unsure if she meant Folgers (after all, she did mispronounce it horribly), I thought it couldn't hurt to give the number a call and settle this once and for all. My husband is so wonderful; he just sat patiently and waited for me to figure this out. Sure enough, I was listening to a recording for Folgers ordering office.

Let me say, I wasn't angry or really upset. The coffee didn't taste horrible- serving it in the press allowed much of the coffees flavor and oils to come through as opposed to brewing through a filter. However, I was a bit surprised. Here we were at an acclaimed French restaurant with great food and to compliment their tasty desserts they serve Folgers coffee? Not what I would have guessed. If they had picked something like a dark French or Italian roast coffee, it would pair so well with the rich chocolate cake, or maybe a Mocha-Yemen with a creamy dessert.

I feel like the attributes and characteristics of coffee are so often overlooked as a trivial thing- and to some people, it is trivial, but why go to the effort to make the most of a main course with a fantastic wine pairing and then get lazy with dessert. I say, go all the way and make the entire meal exceptional from start to finish. Coffee can make the difference between chocolate cake and a rich delectable dessert to savor and enjoy!