The World of Coffee

[bedir than average]

Features | PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California

A story on the increased interest in high-end at home espresso equipment

[Nocahoma]

It's not as demonstrative without the pictures, but my issue of Esquire this past month had Barry Sonnenfeld using his monthly gadget column to extoll the virtues of at-home espresso makers.

The link is here: Esquire:Feature Story:The Brewmasters

[bedir than average]

Science & Technology at Scientific American.com: Starbucks plans switch to growth-hormone-free milk

Trans Fat Free and now soon to be bGH free as well

Great move.

[DCFan]

Originally Posted by bedir than average

Trans Fat Free and now soon to be bGH free as well

Great move.

Good move by Starbucks but there's no reason at all for the dairy industry to be using that when we have a surplus of milk as it is.

[TheDreadedFoosa]

Coffee makes me a mite nervous when I drink it mm hmm

[yh*]

Despite being a loyal Starbucks fan (at least once a day, almost every day of the year), I must admit that I have a soft spot for Caribou as well, and it partially stems from a beef I have with Starbucks.

My usual drink is an iced Americano.
Starbucks makes it in this order:
water -> espresso -> ice

Caribou, on the other hand, does:
ice -> espresso -> water

No difference? Not true...the way Starbucks' drink book tells Baristas to make it leaves the "iced Americano" lukewarm much of the time. I think the reason they do it in that order is to keep the plastic cup from warping when the hot espresso hits the ice, but lukewarm drinks are not so great.

[Top Cat]

Originally Posted by RotatorCuff

It's been a good month or so since I started posting in this thread and Starbucks continues to give me a half a cup of foam in my "no foam" latte.

They honestly don't have a clue as to what they are doing.

Actually I'm surprised, most lattes at Starbucks are devoid of foam anyway.

[bedir than average]

Hard to say "most" when I doubt you've been to more than .1% of stores

[bedir than average]

Starbucks Leads Coffee Industry In Paying Premium Prices For Sustainably-Sourced Coffee @ Vending Market Watch News at AMonline.com

Starbucks Coffee Co. announced that the average price per pound it paid for all its coffee increased from $1.28 in fiscal year 2005 to $1.42 ($3.12 per kilogram) in fiscal year 2006. During the same period the industry average "C" (commodity) market price was $1.04 per pound ($2.28 per kilogram). Additionally, Starbucks announced that the coffee the company purchased through its independently verified coffee sourcing and purchasing guidelines, known as C.A.F.E. practices, increased from 77 million pounds (35 million kilograms) in fiscal year 2005 to 155 million pounds (70 million kilograms) in fiscal 2006, 53 percent of the total coffee purchased by the company. This represents a year-over-year increase of 100 percent.

Fair Trade vs Comprehensive purchasing practices, looks like we've done fairly well. I won't personally be satisfied until we can get 100% of our coffees from CAFE practice certified sources. But doubling the amount in a year is a great thing.

[bedir than average]

http://today.reuters.com/news/articl...3-healthNews-2

Even more important than that though are the health benefits of Coffee. Gotta like that, pain reliever.

[dlb]

BTW, bedir, I tried a french press of Arabian Mocha Sanini at my local Starbucks today. You are right; this is an exceptional brew. Sweet with nice overtones of fruit, a strong but pleasant acidity and just a touch of earthiness to keep it all together. Makes me wish I could drink the full-strength stuff more regularly.

[bedir than average]

Glad you continue to enjoy the Sanani. In a few months we'll have another sun-dried coffee out that you will enjoy as well.

Today I'm drinking some of our Christmas Blend, as I got too much of it over the Holidays. The smooth roast, rich body and hint of spice went well with my fresh baked french bread with a brie like cheese that I had. (it had just a bit of bite). A good compliment really.

[bedir than average]

Today's cup is fresh roasted Guatemale Casi Cielo which can be found normally only in fine dining resteraunts like Canlis or BOKA. The Chefs at Canlis originally helped the Coffee department design this two estate coffee from the Antigua region.

It has layers of flavor...carrying cocoa notes, lemony acidity with herbal tones that get stronger as the cup cools. Medium bodied with a darker roast than a typical Guatemalan it is a multi-functional coffee that makes a good espresso, press, or brew. Canlis even offers a tasting flight with each method.

I have paired this one with cheeses, chocalately deserts and a lemon-pesto chicken. Likely goes well with quiches, omelets and most AM pastries as well.

[DCFan]

MSN.com Health & Fitness on the pros and cons of coffee.

[bedir than average]

Yemeni coffee, - Offers in world markets rise - business - Yemen Times

Yemeni coffee is now up to 3.50$ a pound for green beans. That compares to the C rate of Arabica of 1.04$, and the FairTrade and Starbucks average of 1.42$.

So dlb that's why its a few dollars more expensive...but oooh that is a quality bean. Sun-Drieds are the best.