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)