January 2010

  • Coffee Haiku

    By msarko on 1/21/10 3:13pm
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    French roasted jitters

    Colombian caffeine high

    how international

  • The Latest Espresso Tech: The Slayer

    By erika on 1/20/10 6:04pm
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    All the coffee nerds are salivating over the latest advance in espresso generating technology, THE SLAYER.  I'm sorry, I can't help putting it in all caps.  The machine is called SLAYER.  Grar!

    At a mere $18,000 The Slayer is not the machine for everyone.  In fact, less than 20 of these hand built machines are in use in coffee shops today.  What would lead a coffee shop to pay nine or ten times as much for an espresso machine, compared to typical commercial espresso machines?  Aside from being absolutely beautiful, The Slayer allows for a degree of customization unheard of in today's espresso marketplace.


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  • Burnt Coffee - In A Good Way!

    By erika on 1/15/10 11:43am
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    I was cruising around various other coffee news websites when I ran across an ad for Java-Logs.  According to the ad copy, the Java-Log was invented when their inventor was "flipping through an engineering textbook" and noticed a bit about how coffee grounds have more "energy capacity" than cordwood when combusted.  (By "energy capacity" I assume it means BTUs.)

    The inventor found a way to collect, dry, and compress coffee grounds into a fire log.  At about $3.50 per log, Java-Logs are comparable in price to their competitors like Presto-Logs.  And they are unquestionably better for the environment.


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  • National Hot Tea Month

    By sarajean on 1/6/10 9:01am
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    Hot tea is delicious; if for no other reason, enjoy a cup for this one! I add nothing to my tea (whether black or green, fruit flavored or Earl Grey) but a nice dollop of honey; others like cream and sugar, cinnamon sticks, sprinkled spices and plenty of other additives for a nice kick.

    From almond to chocolate mint, you can pretty much make any tea into a delicious treat—or even a dessert. And whether it’s Amaretto or bourbon, the addition of alcohol can make one tasty tea cocktail as well. Some even enjoy a nice hot toddy while under the weather. Remember, the longer your tea steeps the stronger it will be.

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  • National Gourmet Coffee Month

    By sarajean on 1/6/10 8:25am
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    Whether you’re like Garfield and you can’t start your day without a cup of joe or you simply like to savor the flavor of cup of coffee while out with friends, there’s no excuse to get a cup like Gourmet Coffee Month. Here are a few ways to celebrate.

    Splurge: Once a week go for the gold and order the best coffee your neighborhood shop has to offer.

    Use Those Gift Cards! That’s certainly what I’ve been doing. I’ve been choosing a different variety each day and have been enjoying the ride. Tip: Order a small if it’s a flavor you haven’t tried yet. I’ve had a couple of large coffees that I didn’t enjoy so much.

    Make a Coffee Playdate: Organize a day out with the girls, a coffeehouse performance (music? comedy? poetry?), or just go out alone to a coffee shop and sip a cup as you read, write, or dream.

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  • Green Mountain Loses Its Eco Cred With K-Cup

    By erika on 1/5/10 7:27pm
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    K-Cup PodsK-Cup PodsI have always heard the name "Green Mountain" whispered with awe among my coffee snob friends.  For the longest time I didn't even realize that Green Mountain was a company - I thought it was the name of the type of coffee, like Arabica or Peaberry or whatever.  


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