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Showing posts from 2020

Did You Get Your Magic Cup Yet?

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  Last month, Starbucks introduced the holiday season drinks, a bevy of artisanal ceramic mugs, the Holiday Blend coffee beans, and the new color-changingcups . They start off green, and turn red when hot liquid is poured in. Regardless of how you celebrate the darkest days of winter, we all need a little magic in our lives. Even in the best circumstances, magic is a good thing, but now at the end of 2020, magic is much needed. I’ve always wondered about the science behind color-changing cups. The new magic cups at Starbucks are a perfect example of thermochromism and heat-sensitive paint. Thermochromism is the property of certain materials to change their color in response to a change in temperature. In this case, heat-sensitive thermochromic paint contains pigments that change color based on temperatures of about 60 degrees and above. Considering that hot coffee is usually served at temperatures of at least 90 to 100 degrees---and higher, serving coffee in these cups automatically

Wake up and Smell the Coffee: Why Does Coffee Smell So Good?

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  Everyone knows what “wake up and smell the coffee” means. If you have ever smelled coffee---(and who hasn’t?) then you understand that just the act of smelling coffee has a stimulatory effect. “Wake up and smell the coffee” is an American idiom that was first used in the 1940’s and later popularized by the advice columnist, Ann Landers, in the 1970’s. Drinking a cup of coffee is a whole-body, sensual experience that engages all the senses. You can hear the hiss of the water being extruded through the coffee-maker’s boiling-water pump, before being forcefully drizzled onto the waiting grounds. You can see, taste, and even touch the coffee (careful it’s usually hot). But nothing compares to smelling coffee first thing in the morning. Like many people, I am acutely sensitive to the smell of coffee. From smell alone, I can get a sense of how earthy, floral, spicy, sweet, bitter, or bright the coffee is. Why is the smell of coffee such a distinct phenomenon? Coffee is a plant (full of

Come and Have a Cuppa Joe With Me

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Right now, the name “Joe” is trending. Literally, ‘Joe’ (and ‘Kamala-“)-emblazoned t-shirts, shot glasses, and mugs can be found in abundance on Amazon. In addition to being a committed coffee-drinker, I also collect coffee mugs.  From a business perspective, using the ‘cup of joe’ meme on mugs is marketing 101. And quite frankly everyone appreciates a nice mug for Hannukah or Christmas. I honestly don’t use the term “cup of joe” very much. Maybe I’ve used it once or twice, but it’s a nice turn of phrase and I like it and the democratic spirit it embodies. If someone asked me to explain why coffee is sometimes referred to as ‘joe,’ I would have to go with the “average guy” theory. According to that theory, coffee is the beverage for Everyman/Everyperson (every Joe on the street) and that connotation is 100% positive. But there are other theories behind the term “cup of joe”. In 1914, the Secretary of the U.S. Navy, Josephus ‘Joe’ Daniels banned alcohol from all U.S. Navy ships. Shortly

The Solace & Stimulation of a Flat White on Election Night

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 November 3, 2020, is as good as any to drink a flat white. It also happened to be Election Day here in the US. In fact, today, the day after the official voting day, is as tense as yesterday, as there is no winner declared yet. There are many ways to deal with tension, but this tension has morphed into a collective existential crisis, an orgy of angst, an explosion of concern for the future of this country, and quite frankly, humanity itself. How does one quell that type of tension? Well, the reality is that we are left to our commonly used devices---biking and walking; yoga and wine; listening to NPR or watching MSNBC; chatting and ruminating; praying and meditating; various types of social media interaction; or enjoying a simple evening walk with hot flat white lattes in hand. Last night, my friend, Dana, and I opted for that low-key approach. While our approach may be considered low-key, a flat white is recognized as a high-impact type of espresso-based beverage. Specifically,

Pumpkin Spice Lattés: ‘Tis the Season! (Better Get Your PSLs While You Can)

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Happy November! Fall 2020 is well underway! What that means is that we should be embracing pumpkin spice lattés, with exuberance and without embarrassment. When Starbucks introduced the iconic pumpkin spice latte in 2003, it quickly became a top-seller---encouraging other coffee chains, like Dunkin’ Donuts, Krispy Kreme, and McDonald’s to jump on the pumpkin spice latté caravan. What exactly is a pumpkin spice latté and does it have any real pumpkin in it? A Starbucks pumpkin spice latté is made with espresso, milk, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. But the most important thing: There is real pumpkin in Starbucks pumpkin spice lattés---something that didn’t happen until 2015. Despite the hater backlash against PSLs, sales continue to soar. Since their introduction, almost 425 million PSLs have been sold and happily consumed worldwide, generating revenues of more than $1.5 billion. For most people, drinking a pumpkin spice latté is part comfort, pa

Happy International Coffee Day 2020

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 F ive years ago, the International Coffee Association celebrated the first International Coffee Day. In addition, many countries have their own National Coffee Day (the United States and many other countries celebrated this day on September 29 th ). Some other countries that celebrate National Coffee Day on September 29 th include Australia, Belgium, Canada, Ethiopia, Ireland, India, Romania, South Africa, Sweden, Pakistan, and others. Other countries celebrate on different days---usually around the end of September or beginning of October, but there are exceptions. For example, Indonesia celebrates National Coffee Day on August 16 th ---a tradition started in 2006. Indonesia is the 4 th leading grower of coffee in the world, after Brazil, Vietnam, and Colombia). Coffee is so respected in Indonesia that National Coffee Day is the same day as National Independence Day, which was first celebrated on August 16, 1953---8 years after Indonesia’s Proclamation of Independence. Coffee

Who is Juan Valdez and why I drink instant coffee

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Instant coffee gets a bad rap. But like it or not, instant coffee---a freeze-dried, powdered concentrated form of coffee--- is coffee. And like other types of coffee, it is full of antioxidants. The obvious downside for many people, however, is that instant coffee has a different flavor profile than traditionally brewed coffee. But that does not mean that it can’t be good. In fact, there are now second- and third-generation instant coffees that have gained a following.  However, this post is NOT about the most au courant instant coffees. This post is about an old-school, first-generation instant coffee. Specifically, Juan Valdez Café instant coffee (which I recently received as a gift from good friends). The Juan Valdez Café brand represents coffee produced by Colombian Coffee Farmers---500,000 strong, who are devoted to continuing a coffee-growing tradition that many say produces the best coffee in the world. Amazon reviewers tend to rate Juan Valdez Café coffee with 4.5 to 5 stars (

Nestling in at Nat’s Nook in Vineyard Haven, MA

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In late August, in any little town in Martha’s Vineyard, finding a coffee shop or café is generally not a problem. The island abounds with coffee-drinking options, from very basic coffee you get at the market, to sublime experiences featuring lavender lattes and other epicurean pleasures. But 2020 shifted the paradigm, favoring coffee-serving establishments with outdoor seating (and wifi of course). So one day in late August, I ended up spending an afternoon at Nat’s Nook (38 Main Street, Vineyard Haven, MA—open from 9 am-3 pm) where I nestled in a shade-covered nook, surrounded by earthy maroon walls, shade canopy from large, sheltering trees, patio seating, and just the right amount of sunlight peaking through. The main menu selections include sweet and savory crepes; Rao’s coffee, espresso, and tea; baked goods and bagels from Pain D’Avignon. There are also vegan and gluten-free options.  And then there are the little add-ons that bring the crepes to life---nutella, apple butter,

To grind or not to grind--taking time to think it over

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  Some things are the kind of things that I only think about on vacation. Whether or not to grind fresh coffee beans versus buying pre-ground coffee is one of them. For me, morning coffee consumption is driven, in order, by need, convenience, habit (is that the same as need?), and, of course, taste/experience. Given my priorities, grinding my coffee ahead of brewing is not on top of the list.   Full disclosure: Despite my reputation as a coffee connoisseur, I don’t habitually grind my coffee. Yes, I have a grinder, but sadly, I have not created a structure in which habitual coffee-grinding works for me. But the evidence is in---grinding coffee is a game-changer. Perhaps it is time to level up. While on vacation this past August, I contemplated this very issue, using Google as my guide. One post from Coffee Confidential was very convincing. Further research only confirmed my hunch that grinding coffee fresh, just ahead of brewing, was the key to getting a great cup of coffee---not j

Can you drink too much caffeinated Zabar's coffee? Can't decaf get a little love?

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Last week, I celebrated my birthday. Honestly, I didn’t expect much from my ‘pandemic birthday,’ given the challenges of getting together in groups, but it turned out to be an amazing day. My friends showed up for me in a big way—and when they showed up, they showed up with coffee. (Thank you, friends.) So now that my birthday is over, I have a lot of coffee to drink, and I am 100 percent sure that I can handle it. For the last few days, I’ve been drinking Zabar’s coffee. Zabar’s, located on the Upper West Side of NYC, is well-known for its bagels, smoked fish, soups, and cheeses. It is touted as New York’s best Jewish Food emporium, but for many people, the coffee is the real draw--- Zabar’s sells 8,000 pounds of coffee per week. Owner Saul Zabar is an avid cupper, who personally taste-tests small-batch samples, especially from the light roasts, before the coffee is made available to customers. While watching a video of Zabar taste-testing the coffee and spitting it out,

Smoky sweet or light and floral, doesn't matter---coffee is good for your genes

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I drink a lot of French roast coffee. It is my go-to brew when there is any doubt involved, or when I’m brewing coffee at home for guests. I like its depth and its smoky-sweet quality. I like it with skim milk that has been steamed and mixed in. I like it at any time of day. French roast is considered a prototypical dark roast coffee. In default situations, this double-roasted, dark brown coffee, with its shiny surface epitomizes the best of the dark roast drinking experience. There are also lots of good light and medium roast coffees. If you want a more caffeinated brew, go for the lighter roast coffee. I used to think that the darker the roast, the stronger the coffee; but in reality, the lighter the roast, the shorter the roasting time, which results in a more caffeinated brew, with bright, fruity, herbal, flavors. It’s definitely fair to say that lighter roasts have more complex flavors. Light, medium, and dark roasts are ALL good for you Whichever roast you prefer, c

Starbucks: the (quietly grand) reopening---btw, are you a manufactured morning person?

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When Starbucks closed due to the pandemic in mid-March, it hit me hard. I reasoned that if Starbucks was closing, then things must be serious, and indeed they were serious---and still are. What is it about Starbucks?   First of all, Starbucks is everywhere. However, their power in this market is about more than size. It’s also about scale, branding, and ethics. As of early 2020, there were roughly 30,000 Starbucks locations around the world, nestled into pretty much every nook and cranny of planet Earth. Everyone recognizes the logo and what it stands for---coffee and other hot drinks, with some snacks and a la carte food offerings, a place to sit, free wifi, community with other people, and the right to sit peacefully without being disturbed. Starbucks also has the distinction of being the largest buyer of certified Fair Trade coffee in the world. Early on, Starbucks branded itself as a “third space”---a place between home and work; a place to think, to read, to wo

Chock Full o’Nuts: good coffee and ethics, but no nuts & an interesting Parkinson’s connection

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The first thing you should know about Chock Full o’Nuts is that is does NOT have nuts in it. It may seem obvious to people familiar with the brand, but it has been such a source of confusion that recently the folks at Massimo Zannetti Beverage Company added a statement on the container: “100% PREMIUM COFFEE, NO NUTS, JUST COFFEE.” Wouldn’t it be easier to simply change the name? Maybe, but with such a rich heritage dating back almost 100 years, it would be a loss. When William Black opened his nut business in NYC (at Broadway & 43 rd ) in 1926, he had 18 shops; however, when the Great Depression hit, nuts were considered a luxury---but coffee was still essential. In 1932, Black revamped his nut shops, and started selling a cup of coffee with a sandwich for five cents. By 1953, Black was selling his coffee in supermarkets under the “Chock Full o’Nuts’ name, and two years later, his brand became America’s #1 selling coffee. Over the years, it has been the official coffee o

Surprise take-out coffee from Panera—precious like gold

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Conventional wisdom says that “it’s the little things that make life worth living.” Like walking in the park in the middle of May on a sunny day—a little thing that is not such a little thing anymore. That was me on Saturday, walking, relishing the solitude, and enjoying the sunlight. There is something magical about the quality of mid-May sunshine. It makes everything feel celebratory and new again. The only thing that was missing was a nice cold cup of iced coffee. Every year, I contemplate what it will be like to drink my first iced coffee of the season. The temperature needs to be at least 70 degrees (Fahrenheit), and the weather needs to be sunny. Otherwise, there are no rules—because, of course, under normal circumstances, there are many coffee-buying options. Unfortunately, these are not normal circumstances, and because of the lockdown, Starbucks and most other coffeehouses are closed. Given that we are roughly six weeks into this situation, I’ve accepted the fact t

Drink Wicked Joe's B corp coffee--make the world a better place & live longer

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Wicked Joe Organic Coffee, based in Maine, is a family-owned business and part of an elite club---one of 3,301 certified B corps, businesses that are committed to using their economic success as a force for good in the world. Unlike companies that focus solely on producing benefits for shareholders, B corps are primarily purpose-driven and focused on creating benefits for all stakeholders. Wicked Joe's is part of that community. According to the company, their mission “is to roast epic coffee in a manner that is kind to both the earth and the farmers who painstakingly grow our tasty beans.” In a 2018 Fair Trade Impact report, Wicked Joe documented $210,000 in Fair Trade premiums that went directly to the coffee farming communities that it partners with for reinvestment—above and beyond standard business profits. And is the coffee epic? Yes, I tried it and it’s wicked good coffee, with excellent branding. In fact, Wicked Joe's branding primarily focuses on it

Misguided brand loyalty & why Fair Trade makes sense

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There was a time in my life when I spent a lot of time walking down the street in NYC looking for coffee to carry around, or trying to decide where to drink coffee, or contacting other people to see if they could join me for coffee. However, if someone suggested going to Peet’s Coffee, it was like a big question mark for me. To me, it was some boho-branded west coast coffee. At that time, Starbucks was my go-to favorite. Ironically, Starbucks is also a west coast brand, out of Seattle---roughly 12 hours away from Berkeley, the birthplace of Peet’s. I maintained this rigid brand loyalty for some time, until I made a conscious effort to try different coffees. That effort was partly a function of trying to save money on coffee. One day Peet’s was on sale, so I bought three 16-ounce bags of their Colombian brew. I was surprised that I liked it so much. I especially liked the dank depth of its darkness, with its bright aftertaste. Why had I been so unyielding in my attachment to Star

Pandemic eating: How sweet it is

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Several times in the last month, I have acted on an uber-aggressive instinct to buy and hoard comfort foods. In fact, every time I’ve forayed out to the market, decked out in nitrile gloves and a blue-and-white mask, my first thought, after toilet paper, has been sweets---cinnamon buns, black & whites, babka, banana bread mix, shortbread cookies, and the list goes on. I’ve gone from coffee and toast in the morning, a salad for lunch, and a basic dinner (often courtesy of Chipotle when working late) to a new routine---breakfast, followed by a piece of chocolate from that fancy box I bought on Amazon and stashed in the pantry, followed by Black Forest gummy bears or mandarin-flavored Hi-Chews, and then maybe a little bit of romaine with dressing (me attempting to inject some nutritional virtue into my day), and finally more sweets. Melitta Bentz, early 1900's Turns out I’m in good company (Facebook feed and all). In fact, it’s a foregone conclusion that e