Coffee and Tobacco

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...

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!