Kona Blends

I usually do not prefer "blends" when it comes to coffee, because they are not really conducive to getting a "KICK" out of a particular region. However, for some reason I find Kona blending a bit of an exception, since it's "guaranteed" to come from the same region: the Hawaiian Islands. The title-link this time will give you some more background on the region, from our friends at Coffee Times.

Now, usually for good Kona one will probably be asked to pay anywhere from $15-23/lb., depending on the income bracket of your county of residence. So naturally, I decided not to go with that and paid $8 for my local grocer's brand.

It was worth the shot. The nose is smooth and floral, and the sip packs a slightly nutty, more fruitful flavor than I expected. Pineapples (seriously), magnolias, sweet grass... you know, that kind of thing. I also get a little bit of cane sugar (yes, without putting any in the cup - I always taste things "black") and banana leaf. Kona has a very balanced take, and is far smoother than some of the "rougher" African regions. Besides, for the thoughts of lazing on a kayak in a bay off the coast of Kauai, they can have my $8.

All the best,
Michael

Memorial Quote

I hope everyone's weekend was a smashing success. I had plenty of fun myself. I also spent Memorial Day thinking mostly about war and the absence of it. After thinking about it in this fashion Sunday evening, there's a quote I'd like one to ponder, if willing. Until then:

QUOTE FOR PONDERING
"Memorial Day is about honoring our dead. It seems to me that the best way to honor our dead is to keep our youth from dying by the same cause."



All the best,
Michael

Exploratorio de Peru

Yesterday on my way home from a meeting I purchased some new coffee at Trader Joe's. Originally, this grocer's trip grew out of a sheer need for dairy products. But once there, I found myself intrigued to try another varietal.

Today I opened the canister for it. Power off the nose, immediately. I am referring to the shade-grown, organic, fair-trade Peruvian "Cafe Femenino". Initially, I had dryly resigned to the fact that I had just been backhand-insulted by the company for purchasing a "feminine" product. Not so. Apparently, this coffee comes directly from an all-women organization of farmers that ensures quality treatment of those working women, including a living wage. I'm all for it. What I didn't expect further was the smell of the beans. Here are some attributes I sniffed up:

banana tree, spiced lavender, heavy cream, palm bark, dark chocolate, stout, daffodil, kahlua, oyster shell, almond, sand pebble

Naturally, this makes it a clever burst of sensory arrangement. It also makes for a decent purchase, at $6.99 here in L.A. I would recommend it, highly.

-Michael

Newness

Also, we have some new "friends" and "Steeping" links. Be kind; reinvigorate their hit counts. :)

-Michael

Ideating

Listen up, Thou O Coffee Purist,

Just because something is excellent in its most raw form does not mean that nothing shalt be added unto it.

Therefore, I have not opposed the idea I had this morning while eating my usual breakfast: I would like a genetic patenting process started for blueberry-tinged coffee. Yes, blueberry-tinged coffee: refreshing, unusual, smooth and just about the highest antioxidant bomb this side of eternity. You'll feel like Hiroshima's unfortunately more fortunate twin. I promise. Sort of.

-Michael

Finally, extraordinary Joe

Hello Caffeine Freaks!
Looks like a new and great development in the world of coffee. Follow the link to read the SF Chronicle article. Great places to indulge yourself in super premium coffee (if you don't mind that annoying yuppie liberal SF wannabe intellectual crowd).

-Green Cadillac Caffeine Bergesen

Coffee Thoughts

Today, I like it.

That is all. ;)


-Michael

The Via Media, for Tea

As some of you may have realized, I just revisited a few teas (Russian Caravan, and Lapsang Souchong). Something that hit me this morning was that the flaws in each one might be compensated by way of a blending. This is particularly amusing because I always happen to naturally incline to a combination of supposedly opposing things, so the idea is far overdue. :)

So, I put one tsp of each in my pot this morning. Result: good. Not better than I expected, but better than I had originally thought. Further blending, including of other combinations, will now commence. I think I'll have more to say about it with time...

All the best,
Michael

Proof...

... that the royal lineage was never based on looks and/or demeanor:





All apologies, Ms. Sutton.

Rusko Revisited

The Russian Caravan came out again for me this morning because, as Joe knows, it is an awfully good taste when one is sick. Since I feel a bit under-the-weather, and Cole is more tired than usual, I think it's good to take a tea-precaution. ;)

Russian Caravan tea (see post made 1/11/08) is a solid middle blend of black teas, supposedly formed by Russian traders on their way back from the Indian Region in the early Medieval period. It turns a crimson color immediately, but does not necessarily require milk to enjoy fully. A bit of pepper comes through, which signals decent care in processing.

Instead of Peet's, the title-link this time will take you to a smaller dealer who offers this same blend. Enjoy! :)

Lapsang Revisited

Disclaimer: This happens to be one of those days where everything seems a bit too "delicate", or I feel a bit too "rough".

After a mutually botched attempt to trade the Lapsang Souchong with Joe at a friend's child-birthday party in the Santa Barbara region (which rocked, by the way), I managed to try the Lapsang again. This time, the cup contained milk. Noticing the external quality that may indicate my problem with this leaf, the tea did not much darken the milk. The milk looks more like it would with a green tea, than a black one. Hence, either I am continuously under-steeping it or the tea, because of it's unique processing, is much more delicate than even a usual black tea. I usually over-steep, in general. Thus, cheerful news:

***
Dear Green Tea Lovers,

If you love it more via negativa because black tea is too strong for you, this tea is a good "gateway" towards appreciating the bold, terse qualities of the processed leaf. Please try it with my compliments.

Sincerely,
Sir Tea and Mr. Obtuse McStuffs (a very American Beagle)
***

My apologies for the surrealism; I'm listening to John Lennon. The title/link this time will take you to Adagio's stash of this leaf variety.


All the best,
Michael

New Links

Below the usual Tea & Coffee list, you'll find my late bluegrass kick's notable songs, as well as a few stations I've put together. I have a problem with bluegrass now; it's like caffeine, Cole and God, apparently: I can't stop talking about it. My apologies. ;)

Bluebottle Coffee Co.

Bluebottle Coffee Co. (see "Weekending", 23 April)

Mmmmm.... like little blue bottles of smooth toffee-nut delight... without the use of glass.