cut me some slack

Lately, with all of the usual holiday activities, a sick child, etc., I've been a little lazy in getting more coffee to review. To make matters worse, I've again resumed my Starbucks Via instant coffee habit. I drank through a box of the Holiday blend packets and am now on the Italian Roast blend. My local Starbucks was totally out of the Holiday blend, which was quite a disappointment.

That being said, I do enjoy the Italian Roast Via mix. For an instant coffee, it has a deep, rich, hearty taste. The Italian Roast is my instant coffee choice in a pinch.

Bean Rating: 4 out of 5 (although, if this were fresh gr0und it would be more like a 3.5 out of 5).

10 ways to tell if you drink too much coffee:

1. you answer the door before people knock;
2. juan valdez named his donkey after you;
3. the only kitchen appliances you own are made by Mr. Coffee;
4. you ski uphill;
5. you get a tax deduction for all the coffee you bought;
6. you get a speeding ticket even when parked;
7. you speed walk in your sleep;
8. you haven't blinked since the last lunar eclipse;
9. for vacation, you visit the Maxwell House;
10. you're so jittery that other people use your hands to blend their margaritas

Java - a little bit of this, a little bit of that

Java Estate is coffee produced on the island of Java (who wouldn't want to live there, right?). The Indonesian prhase "Kopi Jawa" refers not only to the origin, but also used to describe the strong, black, very sweet coffee.

I purchased a half pound of the Java Estate blend from La Java coffee house, in Green Bay, WI. This is pretty far from my normal taste preferences, but hey, I turn 35 in a few weeks, so it's time to shake things up and start that mid-life crisis a little early.

The best way to describe this blend is "chocolate earth." It had a slightly spicy initial punch, but the earthy and chocolate undertones lingered a while. I'd describe this blend as a medium to slightly full bodied cup, of medium acidity as well.

While this isn't driving my taste buds to shout to the heavens, it is decent for a change of pace.

Bean rating: 3.75 out of 5.

'Tis cold outside

I made a pot of Brazilian Sweet Yellow Coffee this morning and realized how much I missed this one. Sweet Yellow is made from a mixture of several varietals (bourbon, catoise and caturra). The coffee is very sweet, super smooth with lots of happy high notes. It is a light roast with a medium body. It does not have an overpowering acidity and does not have a lingering aftertaste, so your co-workers do not have to fear the dreaded coffee breath monster.

I purchased this coffee from La Java, located in Green Bay, WI. If you are ever there, make sure to check out their new location on Lineville Road. I hear they have some killer soups and sandwiches, not to mention fantastic coffees.

Bean Rating: 4.80 out of 5.00 (near perfection)

Indonesian Flores

Flores is a small island located off Indonesia. The milling tradition is wet-process. This process uses water at the mill to transport the seed through the process, which allows for the removal of defects to float to the surface. Wet processing often produces a brighter, cleaner flavor profile, with a lighter body than dry process coffees.

The Flores coffee was sweet and floral, with a good, syrupy body and a clean overall cup of coffee. Flores coffee als has uses in espresso.

I thoroughly enjoyed this blend. I purchased this half-pound at EVP Coffee of Madison (www.evpcoffee.com) and highly recommend both the blend and the coffee house.

bean rating: 4.75 out of 5 (near perfection).

Kenyan AA

The last of the Kenyan (different from the Kirinyaga already blogged about). This Kenyan blend has a distinctly bright acidity and lingering aftertaste. The aftertaste is dry and somewhat winy (not like a toddler or nagging signficant other).

Regarding Kenyan coffee, it is estimated that 6 million plus Kenyans are employed in some capacity in the coffee industry. The high plateaus plus acidic soil create perfect conditions for coffee growing.

Bean rating: 3.5out of 5. I enjoyed the initial acidic punch, but didn't really care for the lingering aftertaste. this is the kind of blend that gives you the dreaded coffee breath.

Kenyan Kirinyaga

I picked up a half pound of this "dark roast" from Victor Allen's and am enjoying it as I type. This coffee starts off with a fruity/sweeter hint and then graduates to a darker flavor. The taste lingers and kind of swirls on the palate for a while. It is quite a complex cup of coffee. It takes some time to grow on you, but once it's there, it sticks around like a long lost friend.

Bean rating: 4.5 out of 5

random coffee facts

1. coffee is the world's second-most traded commodity (to oil);
2. coffee trees can only be grown where there is no winter frost;
3. Only 2 types of coffee plants are actually cultivated - Arabica and Robusta;
4. The average yield from 1 coffee tree is 1 roasted pound of coffee;
5. Brazil is the world's largest producer of coffee;
6. No coffee is grown in the US, except for Hawaii and Puerto Rico

new entries

Coming soon...just picked up a couple of half pound bags from Victor Allan. I think that will be my first VA review.

Grounds for Change

Grounds for Change specializes in 100% Fair Trade coffee. They are a certified organic coffee roaster. During the recently held Java Jive event, I won a pound of Mexico Cafe Femenino. No, this isn't feminine coffee, rather it is coffee grown by women. It is a medium roast, with a bright and clean finish. Low on the acidity totem pole, with a nice initial punch.

Bean rating: 4 out of 5

when I'm too lazy

when I'm too lazy to pre-grind the beans and then microwave the water and wait for the coffee press to finish brewing, I'll hit up Starbucks every once in a great while. I enjoy their Pike Place blend. Some might say it is too acidic, but I kind of enjoy the bitterness. It really seems to pep me up in the morning.

Don't forget

Today, September 29, is National Coffee Day!

Java Jive cont.

On a whim, we bought some raffle tickets at the Java Jive event. Normally, for me, this is just giving money away. I haven't won any sort of raffle event in at least 5 years. However, I WON! I won a stainless steel coffee press and a pound of fair trade coffee from Grounds for Change grown by women (the event is held to benefit women after all). I did not try the coffee yet, but I did make a pot of Atomic Brew which I am presently enjoying. Freshly ground beans and a french press still create the best coffee flavor...much preferred to an automatic drip machine which I ordinarily use.

15th Annual Java Jive

One of the charitable causes we contribute to is the Dane County Rape Crisis Center. Every year they host a coffee tasting event called Java Jive. This year was the 15th event. It is held at the Brinks Lounge in Madison, a very nice looking bar that I hope to visit some day. The event is highlighted by a silent auction and wonderful brunch. But, the highlight is the coffee tasting. This year's event featured coffees from: Ancora Coffee Roasters, Cargo/Ground Zero Coffee, Indie House, JavaCat, Johnson Brothers Coffee Roasters, Macha Teahouse, Michelangelo's, and Washington Hotel Coffee Room.

We had our 3 year old daughter with us, so sampling opportunities were limited. I started off with the Atomic Brew from Cargo/Ground Zero Coffee. Where to begin, as this is my most favorite coffee. First of all, it has a higher caffeine content than a regular cup of coffee. Second, it has the lighter finish and subtle acidity that I adore in a wonderful cup of coffee. Quite simply, this is the best and I need to start making the 20 minute drive more frequently to load up on this. Bean Rating: 5 beans out of 5!!!

My next cup was the House Blend from Java Cat. After the Atomic Brew, this was a huge letdown. It was relatively smooth, but had an earthy taste (i.e. like dirt or a barn floor). Thankfully, I only had a half cup to finish. Very disappointing. Bean Rating: 1 bean out of 5.

Smartly, I went back to the Atomic Brew for my last cup for the road.

All monies raised this day went to the Center. They do noble work.

Breakfast Blend - Steep and Brew

For those of you with small children, or after a long night of being out, that first cup of coffee in the morning is crucial. It can be the difference between a good day and a downright awful day.

I must hedge my comments in this review by stating I bought already ground beans in a local grocery store (the horror and shame, right?). Generally, breakfast blends are designed to be lively, satisfying and uplifting. Usually, these blends are more acidic and light to medium blends.

The Breakfast Blend from Steep and Brew is just ok. Perhaps a freshly ground bean would lift the rating. But I certainly would not go out of my way to buy this blend.

Bean rating: 2 out of 5

Guatamalan coffee

Picked up some Guatamalan blend from Steep and Brew. According to various coffee websites I peruse, Guatamalan coffee is known as some of the more flavoral and nuanced coffee in the world. The blend I pickedu up was a medium roast/intensity, but with terrific body and very balanced flavor. It had somewhat of a smoky/earthy flavor, definitely not any chocolate or citrus undertones.

Bean rating: 4 beans out of 5

Johnson Brothers Coffee Roasters

I stumbled upon the Johnson Brothers Breakfast Blend while dining last week at Sunprint Cafe in downtown Madison. It was, quite simply, one of the best breakfast blends I've ever experienced. Light, aromatic, smooth and somewhat citrusy, it was delicious. I highly recommend this. For some reason, the breakfast blend is not available on their website, but you can contact Alex, their sales guy, and he can hook you up.

Bean rating: 5 out of 5 (superb)

Starbucks Gazebo blend

The Gazebo Summer Blend from Starbucks is advertised as being ideal for iced coffee , but it makes a tasty daily brew. It is moderately strong, but crisp. It has a light citrus/fruity undertone. I would describe this as medium acidity. On a side note, Starbucks Via came out with instant iced coffee. It is the same Via system, but the instant iced coffee is the coffee crystals plus added sugar. It is highly delicious.

Bean rating for Gazebo blend: 4 beans out of 5
Bean rating for Starbucks Iced Via: 5 beans out of 5

It's summertime!

It's finally feeling like summer, and as I'm want to do when it is hot, I tend to favor lighter and crisper, dare I say it, fruity/citrusy coffees. There, I said it and I'm comfortable with it. Seattle's Best, which is owned by Starbucks, has created a Beach House Blend, consisting of Latin American beans. It is advertised as being refreshingly mild, citrus flavored, sweet and delicate aroma and smooth finish. Ordinarily, I'd prefer to shop at a smaller roaster, but I was in a pinch, having had to pick up the latest Henry Aaron biography written by Howard Bryant at our local Borders bookstore. I was running low on beans and grabbed Beach House. There was something comforting in its familiarity. This coffee is crisp and light, perfect for in the morning. I've also used this blend to make iced coffee, for which it is better suited in my opinion.

Bean rating: 2.75 beans (out of 5)

Rwandan coffee

I tried a blend from Rwanda. A little history on Rwandan coffee: at one time it was seen in the US as an either high-end coffee or low end commercial grade. Everything used to be shipped to Belgium. Rwandan coffee is usually only Arabica in nature, and is grown by small scale farmers. The blend I had was of medium intensity, with a restrained brightness of taste. The body was complex and somewhat dense, but not overbearing. All in all, the taste and finish was very clean. I didn't notice any earthy or chocolate undertones, which is good because I do not like those types. The blend was purchased from La Java coffee roasters in Green Bay, WI.

Bean rating: 3.75 beans

Hawaiian Kona Coffee - Best in America?

kona coffee is cultivated on the slopes of Hawaii (the big island). The reputation is such that Kona coffee is among the most expensive in the world. Hawaiian weather is perfect for coffee growing (what isn't Hawaiian weather perfect for?).

Kona coffee beans are classified in 2 types according to seed. Type I beans consist of 2 beans per cherry, flat on one side and oval on the other. Type II beans consist of one round bean per cherry (known as a peaberry).

My review is of the Type I bean. Kona coffee has tons of flavor, balance, and full bodied taste. It, for the most part, does not contain any subtle taste undertones. It is a dark roast, but not too dark and definitely not smoky or burnt. This bean when brewed is extremely smooth and easy to drink. Perhaps the best thing about this coffee is the aroma it gives off when brewing, filling your home with a wonderful, aromatic smell.

In a rush

Ok, I'll admit, I had the house to myself last weekend and ended up doing quite a bit of painting. The manual labor sapped my energy and made me very lazy. I also needed some groceries. So, did I make 2 stops or 1?

One of course. I went the easy way out and got pre-ground coffee from a grocery store (gasp, shock!).

Metcalfe's Market has a large coffee selection. I went with the Costa Rican Tarrazu blend. Costa Rican coffee blends are like Switzerland...very neutral, middle of the road in its taste qualities. It is very balanced, very mild, very clean, but not boring. To put it simply, it has coffee flavor that you'd expect. It's not blowing me away by its pure awesomeness (Kung Fu Panda pun intended), but it's not making me hurl my cup against the wall in frustration either.

Bean Rating: 3.5 beans

Sumatran

Review of the Sumatran blend from Steep and Brew:

Sumatran coffee beans are some of the heaviest, smoothest, and most complex coffees in the world. The majority of Sumatran coffee is marked Mandheling or Lintong. (Source: www.coffeeresearch.org). Regular Sumatran coffee is earthy and spicy. It is full bodied, light on acidity, and definitely tasty. I give the Sumatran 4 out of 5 coffee beans. Hey, I just came up with the bean rating.

pretty pleased with myself.

Morning Joe

Starbucks and MSNBC have paired up to promote their Morning Joe Blend. Alas, this is not a new coffee blend, rather Starbucks simply renamed their Gold Coast Blend as the Gold Coast Morning Joe Blend (gotta love those cross-marketing possibilities). In case you didn't know, Morning Joe is a morning news show hosted by Joe Scarborough on MSNBC. This coffee is very intense and full-body in flavor. It has a very robust and bold coffee taste, without the bitterness or acidity of most bold blends. This is a great blend for that first cup of the day.

Steep and Brew

it's been a while since we've gone to Green Bay, so now in time of coffee needs, I made my way to Steep and Brew to tide me over. I went with one of the "snappy, full bodied" blends from Costa Rica. I was very happy with the purchase. Not an overly expensive blend ($8.50 per pound), but it has a rich full true coffee taste.

roast your own

I'm considering roasting my own beans at home. If you're interested in how the process works, check out www.burmancoffee.com.

Honduras coffee

Hondurans know what they are doing when it comes to roasting beans and producing a fine coffee. Very rich in taste and full of traditional coffee flavor, lightly acidic and medium bodied. A fine drinking coffee. This is a definite repeat purchase.

Packer Blend

When in Green Bay, drink as the Packers do, or at least I'm led to believe. I picked up this tasty breakfast blend from La Java. Unlike the actual Packers, this coffee is smooth, doesn't leave a nasty aftertaste in your mouth, and is good to the end.

I'll be leaving later this year for my comedy tour.

coffee trivia

here is some coffee trivia for you and look for a new coffee blog posting next week.

1. Bach wrote a coffee cantata in 1732
2. the first wholesale coffee roasting house opened in the US in 1790
3. Arabs are generally believed to have been the first culture to brew coffee
4. espresso is so important to daily life in Italy that its price is regulated by the government
5. the average annual coffee consumption by the American adult is 26.7 gallons, or 400 cups

my apologies

to those criticizing the lack of postings lately. I've built up quite a stockpile of beans and must work my way through them. I've learned my lesson. No more 1 pound bags...Nope, only half pound bags for me. I'll be able to turn and burn more inventory that way. Take care and good luck finding your way to the bottom of a great cup of coffee.

Newman's own organics

Unbeknownst to me, in addition to making great salad dressings, Mr. Paul Newman also dabbles in coffee. Newman's own is roasted by Green Mountain Coffee and each blend is Fair Trade organic coffee.

This morning I sampled the Newman's Special Blend. This blend is a mix of medium and dark roast, creating a full-bodied, yet low acidity, blend. The Special Blend was very smooth, with little lingering after taste and possessed a delicious, albeit indistinctive, taste.

starbucks cafe verona

starbucks bills this coffee as having dark cocoa, roasty sweet undertones. I didn't note too much cocoa flavor, but I did enjoy the roasty sweet undertones. I don't think I'll put this blend in my regular rotation, but as something different, and a gift from my wonderful assistant Mary, it was not too bad.

Victor Allen Hazelnut

Victor Allen is normally in the top 3 for area coffee shops in the annual Best of Madison selections. While I am preferential to Steep and Brew due to their wider selection of beans on hand, Victor Allen is an acceptable substitute. Victor Allen beans are usually found at most grocery stores in Madison.

Today, and in deference to my wife, I brewed up a pot of Hazelnut. Flavored coffee wise, Hazelnut is as far down the branch I will travel. My wife loves flavored coffee. Hazelnut is a happy medium for us. This coffee from VA is very tasty, with a creamy and true hazelnut flavor.

For a larger roaster, VA is not a bad option.