January 2012

Turning Coffee Grounds into Clean Energy

New technologies could repurpose plant waste

 

If we're to believe the Dunkin' Donuts marketing slogan, all of America is already powered by coffee. If only that were as true as it felt. While many of us may get most of our morning boost from the good old grounds, America itself still runs on nasty, earth-destroying sludge. Those trucks that transport your beans to your local grocery store burn up gas on a daily basis, and chances are the electricity that powers your coffee maker isn't even sourced from an environmentally friendly place. Most of our power is not so green. But what if we could get actual--not just metaphorical--energy from the same coffee we drink each morning?

Lattes…and Beer

Starbucks has responded to the competition of entities such as McDonalds and has decided to try something new. A handful of stores Starbucks stores in the greater Seattle area have started serving regional beer and wine, along with a gourmet artesian menu. Some of the criticism is that the caffeine brings people up and the beer and wine bring them down.

Starbucks Supports Gay Marriage

Makes me want to go buy more coffee right now!
I know that Starbucks-bashing is a vigorous sport in many circles, and I get that. Personally, my own feelings on the company are more moderate. But I think even the Starbucks-bashers may take pause from learning that Starbucks has officially endorsed gay marriage.
 
Starbucks has long been a gay-friendly company, from the earliest days. The company began offering its benefits to same-sex domestic partnerships 20 years ago, when it was virtually the only company to do so. And now Starbucks has unexpectedly joined ranks with Microsoft in an official corporate letter to all Starbucks partners, explaining that the company is backing "Washington State legislation recognizing marriage equality for same-sex couples."

Caffeine Boost or Morning Ritual?

I look forward to my morning espresso drink. My two mainstays are lattes and Americanos. My choice for the day just depends on whether I want to taste the beans or need something with a touch of sweetness. I’m hopelessly addicted to caffeine, it’s true. I look forward to my morning drink and it helps me brave the morning. Some of it is that I need the caffeine to keep a headache from forming. I wonder how much of my love of my morning espresso is simply the ritual of it.  

Starbucks' New "Blonde Roast"

To be perfectly blunt, these people don't hate your coffee, Starbucks. They hate YOU.
Oh Starbucks, why must you bow to peer pressure? Why must you try to be all things to all people? First you started serving what are basically milkshakes, in order to capture the "non coffee-drinking fatass" crowd. (P.S. I myself am a fatass, so I'm allowed to use that word.) And now you are trying to cater to people who think your coffee is "too strong."
 
You know what we call people who think your coffee is "too strong"? Chumps. Punters. Whiners. Babies. There are a lot of terms you could use. But I assure you that one thing we would never call them is "coffee lovers."

Instant Espresso – Use Only in an Emergency!

I remember a time last year when my espresso maker broke. I was no longer able to make my beloved Americanos and lattes. I really wasn’t in a place to replace it right away and I wasn’t even sure what to buy next. I live near some great coffee places and so I just bought my espresso daily. But, it got spendy and sometimes I just wanted to make my drink at home. I then stumbled across instant espresso.