Coffee Related Quick Links #2
Here is #2 in a series of ‘???’ quick link posts. Just places I’ve found that I really like and hope for you to enjoy as well.
1. Bloggle.com Coffee and Commentary
2. Espresso Journey The journey from instant coffee to pro barista of a young man in New York City. Interesting. One of the most detailed of a coffee review in photos I’ve seen.
3. Pug Java Um… coffee for people who love Pugs? ha! I like that.
4. Steaming Bean Coffee Company These people need to get on the stick and send me some coffee to review. That Midnight Espresso, Organic French Roast, and Dark Kenya AA sound devine! Nice site too. I’ve included this one for you because you can enter a monthly drawing for free coffee! Just follow the link but look around at what they got while you’re there. It is so yummy!
5. My Espresso Journey Interesting read. 
Espresso Coffee Review on: The Roasterie
First of all let me thank The Roasterie for including the pretty logo espresso cup and saucer with the fabulous beans they sent to me. Believe it or not after all these years and many, many cups of espresso later I never had any good cups for my shots. I guess I never took the time. Well, it had not been more than a few days before they sent this one that I was thinking of starting a collections of them. Behold! My first one to start my collection off with. I sort of believe that you bring to you what is strongly on your mind. The cup is good looking and I am very proud of it. Thank you Lindsey!
Aerobie AeroPress Coffee & Espresso Maker A Review from: Coffee Sage.com
12.11.06-UPDATE: After further testing, I’ve come to the conclusion that I may need to toss my other coffee makers. Once you get the hang of the Aerobie, AeroPress Coffee Maker, you may never want to use anything else. The coffee is rich, smooth, bitter-free, and wonderful! It is all in what is right for you and after playing with it, testing different amounts of coffee, water levels, and how long I stir the water and grounds before I plunge it down, I’ve discovered that it really is the best and freshest cup.
The AeroPress Coffee & Espresso Maker by Aerobie is not a french press! I want to say that it is in fact a single serve coffee maker but actually, I can make several cups with it. It will just depend on how much fine grind you use and how much water. You can make a single cup.
To be prepared to use the AeroPress Espresso Coffee Maker
Using the press is as simple as can be. Your pot is your large mug. You can make enough coffee for that mug or fill it up and have enough for several cups. Everything else you need to make a fine cup is included in the kit. See image to the right. There is a plunger that you will use to press the air through the tube in able to force the water down. The water will be pushed through the filter and the grounds will remain in the tube. I’ve used the device several times now and have not once had any grounds in my cup.
To set it up, just place a filter in the bottom of the Aeropress then using the handy scoop included, place a scoop of coffee (one for one cup) in tube (or chamber). You can do this before or after placing it on top your coffee mug. Once you’ve done that, pour in the amount of hot water you wish to use. Use the stirrer that is included to mix the grounds and water. Stir that for about 10 to 20 seconds. Once you have that the way you feel you want it, place the plunger (or press) ontop the chamber and push. Be careful! Don’t tip your mug over. You will find a lot of pressure present. You can elect to push the air through quickly or slower. The slower the better for a richer cup or espresso shot.
If you use one scoop and only want one cup of coffee, just add enough coffee and the amount of water needed to fill your mug. Otherwise, use more coffee and make as much espresso as you’d like. This press make a fabulous Americano. You will notice the lack of bitterness in this cup of coffee.
The Pullman Tamper — Adding Beauty to your espresso (sort-of)
Normally, if I found I site that peddles coffee items that I enjoyed seeing, I’d just list it in my links but I really had a visual epiphany when I saw these particular tampers. Stop by and give them a look. The Pullman Tamper. It’s a thing of beauty!
Audrey’s Holiday Peppermint Mocha
Audrey’s Holiday Peppermint Mocha
1 espresso shot
1 square (1 oz.) BAKER’S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate
1/2 tsp. x-fine sugar is desired… taste first for sweetness
3/4 cup steamed or hot half and half
1/2 tsp. peppermint syrup.
note: do not use extract if you do not have to. It is too bitter and leaves a horrible after taste
1 peppermint stick
POUR espresso into small saucepan. Add chocolate; cook on low heat 5 min. or until chocolate is melted, stirring occasionally.
Add half and half, peppermint syrup and stir until well blended. Garnish each serving with a peppermint stick.
Egg Nog Latte Recipe :: copycat to Starbucks :: Delicious!
Egg Nog Latte Recipe :: copy cat to Starbucks Egg Nog Latte
Ingredients:
1/2 cup egg nog (Borden is very thick and good and Starbucks uses a local brand according to the area they are in)
1/4 cup whole milk or 2% milk. (recommend whole for frothing)
1 – 2 shots espresso or 1/4 c Espresso Roast coffee (ground and brewed strong)
a sprinkle of ground nutmeg
Instructions:
Combine cold egg nog with cold whole milk. Non-fat milk or soymilk can be substituted for the high-fat milk.
Steam the egg nog – milk mixture until the temperature reaches 145°F. or use stove-top and do NOT scorch. You just won’t have the foam unless you use some sort of mixer to create the foam. Hey, it works!
Egg nog heats and scalds quicker than milk, so watch your heat temperature closely.
Pull your espresso shots and place in mug or pour the 1/4 cup strong coffee in mug.
Fill the remaining room in mug with steamed egg nog mixture. Add extra eggnog foam to the top of the mug.
sprinkle with ground nutmeg.
Pumpkin Spice Latte — Delicious Copycat to Starbucks
Pumpkin Spice Latte ( compare to Starbucks )
Note: if you are using the pumpkin spice syrup, you do not need the canned pumpkin
Ingredients:
1-2 shots espresso (1/4 C. espresso or 1/2 C. strong brewed coffee)
1 c. half and half
1 tb. canned pumpkin :: you may use either whole pumpkin or pie mix
1 tsp. Torani Pumpkin Spice Syrup
Optional pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, or cinnamon.
Directions:
(no espresso machine?)
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Pumpkin Spice Flavored Coffee from Honey Bean Coffee makes a great base, and it’s great cup of coffee all by itself. |
To make a pumpkin latte in your home: In a small saucepan, stir pumpkin puree into half and half. Add the syrup. Heat on medium until steaming, stirring constantly. You do not want the milk to burn.
In a blender on high speed, use whip setting for 20 seconds until foaming. Pour the mixture into a tall glass and pour coffee over the top. Dust with ground pumpkin pie spice or nutmeg.
(with an espresso machine)
Pour syrup in medium mug and pull your shots. Steam the half and half. Add shots to syrup and then add the steamed milk. Dust with nutmeg. Yum yum!
Upcoming Reviews
note: don’t forget to enter our Starbucks good or bad experince contest. It runs until 12.31.06 :: Enter Here
Upcoming Review Schedule
Buzz Bites caffeinated candy
Senseo single server coffee pod system
Shock Coffee done
Starbucks Bottled Frappuccinos
Godiva Belgium Blends:Â Bottled Lattes and Mochas semi-finished
Coca~cola Blak coffee soda blend
Chocolate Espresso Coffee Spoons
Chocolate Espresso Coffee Spoons
You will need:
espresso shot or 2 teaspoons dark instant coffee (last resort, please)
8 oz. White chocolate
8 oz. dark semi-sweet chocolate
Chocolate sprinkles, ground medium roast coffee beans, or colored sugar
12 heavy plastic spoons. (more or less)
In the microwave, or stove top, melt half of the white chocolate in one bowl. (If you use the stove top method, melt on low heat and be careful not to burn.
Using another container, melt half of the dark chocolate and add the espresso shot or instant coffee
The Flavor of Love – Chocolate Candy Coffee
My way of describing ‘the flavor of love’ Enjoy!
Chocolate Candy Coffee
1/2 cup hot brewed coffee + 1 shot espresso
1/4 cup half and half (warm)
1/2 fluid ounce coffee liqueur
1/2 fluid ounce creme de cacao liqueur
2 drops pure vanilla extract / or 1/2 teaspoon vanilla syrup
*1 1/2 squares Bakers Semi-sweet Chocolate (melted)
2 tablespoons whipped cream (for topping)
1 tb. chocolate shavings for decoration
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Starbucks DoubleShot Review
Make sure the The 6.5 ounce can is chilled before opening and watch out when you shake it. Open the tab away from you. It tends to spray a bit.
Starbucks DoubleShot is a tasty way to start the day, enjoy a break at work, or just pour over ice while relaxing. It is not so much that I am a large Starbucks fan but I do enjoy many of their coffees/drinks. This is one of them. It provides a great alternative to actually visiting the local Starbucks barista or bariste for your espresso shots and cream.
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