Princess of Darkness - Ideal Coffee Roasters- Toronto, Canada

Preparation:   Aero Press Coffee Maker

Scores:  Scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being excellent

Aroma:     10
Balance:    9
Flavor:     10
Smoothness:   9

Likes:  Salty
            Savory
            Ripe Blackberries
            Flavorful
            Hint of Hazelnut

Dislikes:
  

Summary:   I purchased the Princess of Darkness coffee beans at Ideal Coffee Roaster in Toronto, Canada when we went to see Danny.  After I returned home I did my taste test and I liked this coffee a lot and actually found it to be more flavorful and complex than the Prince of Darkness.  This is a great dessert coffee that you can add cream and sugar to without sacrificing any of the flavor.  If you get a chance and have to choose.........stick with the Princess!!!  


 
Overall score: 9

Sidamo - Village Coffee Roasters - Scottsdale, Arizona

Preparation:  Aero Press

Scores:  Scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being excellent

Aroma:      4
Balance:    3
Flavor:      2
Smoothness:  3

Likes:  

Dislikes:   Acidity
                 Ashy
                 Bitter
                 Cigarette flavors


Summary:  So far I have been unable to find great coffee or coffee beans in Arizona.  I will keep looking, but I am getting the feeling that this town is still mainly a Starbuck town.  To me, Starbucks doesn't count.

I did not like the Sidamo coffee roasted at the Village Coffee Roastery.  I tried it two different times on two different days and still had the same experience.  It is not clear to me if it is the actual beans that I do not care for or if it is the way they are roasted.

The cafe itself was warm and inviting and it had a pleasant buzz.  It was busy on this Sunday morning and a man was playing a guitar in the corner of the room.  I ordered a Macchiato.  It was just .....  OK.  The lady who took my order kept asking me if I was sure that is what I wanted.  She explained that  most people who come in to the Village think a Macchiato is a carmel type latte with whip cream.  I kindly let the nice lady know that I was fully aware of what a "true" Macchiato is and that would be exactly what I would like to have.

Unfortunately, it didn't taste great and it didn't have any kind of artistic design.   Instead, there was just a blob of milk foam........

Blob

Blob

 

 On a side note.......I ordered a blueberry muffin and it was outstanding.  It was moist and flavorful.  Definitely worth stopping by just for that.   Actually, all of their pastries looked delicious!!! 

?

Overall score:  3
 
***The best Macchiatos I have ever had are in Portland, Oregon and Toronto, Canada.
***Macchiato - an espresso shot that's been dotted with a dollop of frothed milk.
*** Ethiopia Sidamo is grown in the Kaffa region in the Sidamo province of Ethiopia, where coffee was first discovered over a thousand years ago.

Darkness of Divinity - HAPPYROCK Coffee Roastery - Gladstone, Oregon

I See The Moon

Preparation:  Aero Press

Scores:  Scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being excellent

Aroma:    9
Balance:  9
Flavor:     9
Smoothness:  10

Likes:  Dark, Dark, Dark
            Earthy
            Hint of Almond
            Very Smooth
            Bit of Honey
         

Dislikes:  Too Mellow


Summary:  This is a very DARK roasted coffee!!!  It is mellow, smooth and easy.  I ground the beans in my Burr coffee grinder on the #2 setting and used 160* water in the Aero Press to make this unique cup of Joe.  There is not a punch of flavor at the end that you usually get with a medium or light roast, but it is still very enjoyable.  I would definitely get these beans again, although I believe my palate is changing a bit.  


Overall score:   9

*** My next trip to Oregon will include a trip to HAPPYROCK Coffee Roastery.  It sure has great reviews on Yelp.  You can check them out at :

465 Portland Ave
Gladstone, OR 97027

 

HAPPYROCK Sitting on a rock in AZ

 

El Chupacabra - HAPPYROCK Coffee Roastery - Gladstone, Oregon

 

Preparation:  Aero Press

Scores:  Scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being excellent

Aroma:   10
Balance:   10
Flavor:     10
Smoothness:  10

Likes:  Roasted Hazelnut
            Toffee
            Hint of Chocolate
            Sweet
            Savory 
           Very Flavorful

Dislikes: 

Summary:   It doesn't happen very often that I give a "10" rating, but today El Chupacabra easily made it to the top of my list in all categories.  With Danny's help, a new Burr coffee grinder (Thank you Branden, Kathleen, Ramona and Danny) and an infrared thermometer, Danny and I were able to taste test these beans with various degrees of grinds and temperatures. 

The cup of El Chupacabra that was made with the #1 grind (espresso fine) and a water temperature of 145* was much better tasting than the same beans with a #4 grind and water temperature of 170*.  I think that the higher hot water temperature did not allow all the flavor to be expelled fully coupled with a coarser grind.  It had a bit of a bitter taste.  The lower temperature and finer grind produced a more consistent flavor without any bitterness.  Who would have thought????

Danny putting some muscle into the Aero Press

Burr!!!

El Chupacabra is a medium roast that is sure to ignite your taste buds.  These beans are also excellent for espresso......... if you dare!!!


Overall score:    10

HAPPYROCK!!!

Ethiopia Yircacheffe - Intelligentsia Coffee Roasters - Manic Coffee - Toronto, Canada

Preparation:  Aero Press

Scores:  Scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being excellent

Aroma:     8
Balance:   7
Flavor:     7
Smoothness:  8

Likes:   Flavorful
             Salty
             Savory
             Honey
             Tea like

Dislikes:   Lots of acidity
                 Slightly Sour


Summary:   We were visiting Danny in Toronto last month when Danny suggested we walk on over to Manic Coffee in the Kensington Market neighborhood to get a cup of coffee and for me to buy some great beans.  Manic is not a coffee roaster, but they pride themselves on brewing and serving a perfectly delicious cup of coffee.  The cafe itself was small and crowded with youngish people coming in from the cold.  I ordered the coffee of the day and also purchased whole beans called Ethiopia Yirgacheffe from Intelligentsia Coffee Roasters.  It was a bit spendy, but I decided to go for it.

Ethiopia Yirgacheffe is a very vibrant and flavorful coffee.  It will appeal to those of you who like a lighter roast with citrus notes and a little acidic punch.  I made my cup strong with the Aero Press and am glad I did.  The flavors were wild and interesting.  The ending flavors of jasmine and lemon on the palate fooled me in to thinking I was drinking some kind of exotic tea.  It definitely tasted more like a tea than a traditional coffee.  I liked it, but didn't love it. 


Overall score:   8

 

A Beautiful Sunny, Cold and Windy Day in Toronto

                     

Around The World - Ideal Coffee Roasters - Toronto, Canada

Preparation:   Aero Press

Scores:  Scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being excellent

Aroma:  10
Balance:  9
Flavor:   9
Smoothness: 10

Likes:   Smokey
              Low acid
              Dark flavors of chocolate
              Rich
              Flavorful
              Almonds
              Complex

Dislikes:


Summary:    Great coffee!!  Awesome space!!!  Ideal coffee rocks!  It is located in Toronto, Canada and quite the find.  I bought several bags of coffee beans to try and first up is Around The World.  This coffee is, in my opinion, a coffee that will appeal to everyone.  It is a blend of Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, El Salvador (lightly roasted) and dark Sumatran beans.  It will tantalize all your taste buds!  The dark Sumatra ensures that the ending notes do not fall flat.  The lighter roast will captivate your interest and the richness of the Ethiopian Yirgacheffe will ensure that you will come back for more.  I tasted chocolate and almonds with a slightly smokey edge.  I will definitely get this coffee again!

Danny lives within walking distance of Ideal Coffee.  It was fun meeting him there.  It is a small, warm and friendly place where seating is limited.  I think it is a place where you come in from the cold and get a cup to go.  It really is all about great coffee!  We sat inside and each ordered a coffee drink.  Danny had their coffee of the day and I had the most flavorful Macchiato I have ever had.   

 Lindsey was very helpful and friendly!

Couldn't resist taking this picture

Today's batch of roasted coffee

Overall score:  9

* Ideal Coffee roasts small amounts of beans and sells it within one day - you'll never get stale beans here!!!

 

Black Tiger - Coffee People @ PDX Airport - Portland, Oregon

Preparation:  Cuisinart Drip

Scores:  Scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being excellent

Aroma:    9
Balance:   9
Flavor:   9
Smoothness:  9

Likes:
    Dark
    Full Bodied
    Bold
    Low acidity

Dislikes:

Summary:   Coffee People are located at the Portland International Airport past security.  I personally have frequented the one near the "C" gates.   Fortunately for me, that is where I fly in and out of the most.  I almost always buy a cup of their great tasting coffee (100 times better than Starbucks).  Also, I usually buy a pound of whole beans to take home and enjoy.  I have not tried their milkshakes or the Velvet Hammer, but I have read rave reviews and may have to order one to find out what all the excitement is about.


I did a little research and found that the airport Coffee People were never sold to Starbucks like almost all of their other locations.  A company named Diedrich owned them up until 2009 when another company named Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. out bid PEETS and agreed to buy Diedrich for a mere sum of $290 million.  Now that's talking whole lotta beans!

Hey, go for the Black Tiger coffee beans!  As the Coffee People say "GOOD COFFEE.....NO BACK TALK"!


Overall score:  9

Best Single Serve Brewed Coffee - Aero Press Coffee Maker!!!

Cool Coffee Mug From Jane

 In my humble opinion, the Aero Press is an amazing invention!!!  It makes the best single cup of coffee or espresso imaginable.  The clean rich robust flavor is captured from fresh coffee beans in the Aero Press in just a matter of seconds.  No fuss or watching the clock.  It is a quick brew.  And, clean up is simple -  a quick rinse.  There is no doubt, if you just want/need one cup of great tasting coffee, the Aero Press is for you.  It is affordable and can be found online or in stores near you.  Thanks to Danny T.  for this great birthday present.  I didn't know what I was missing.  Now I use the Aero Press almost every day and I take it with me on all my travels.

So, you ask, how does this work?  Well, first you grind some fresh high quality coffee beans and put them in the cylinder.  Then you add very hot water and fill to the top.  Take your stirrer and gently mix up the grounds and water.  It should be foaming at this point.  Then, put on the plunger at the top of the cylinder and push slowly.  The air will push the brewed coffee through the filter.


 Then, Whaa Laa!!!  A great cup of coffee awaits you.  Nifty!  You can push as fast or as slow as you want to create different strengths of coffee and there won't be any grounds at the bottom of your cup or sludge floating around.  So here it is in bullet form:

• Put Aero Press on top of coffee cup
• Add freshly ground coffee beans up to the number 1
• Pour in hot water- I like mine real hot, but everyone is different.  Experiment!
• Gently stir for a few short seconds and let it sit for a few seconds - let it foam and bubble
• Next put the plunger on the top
• Then push very slowly- the air will push the brew through the filter
• Remove Aero Press
• Enjoy an AWESOME cup of coffee!

Who invented the Aero Press.....you ask? 

A Stanford University mechanical engineer named Alan Adler spent many years of research in perfecting the Aero Press.  (He is also the inventor of the Aerobie flying disk)

Factoid:  Aero Press coffee is micro-filtered. It so pure and particle-free that it can be stored for days as a concentrate.  You can cook with it or get creative and use it in other beverages.

Another Factoid:  Long steeping times (french press) extract bitterness from coffee beans.  By the way, French presses cannot make espresso or lattes.

Summary:  It has been said that the Aero Press delivers the fastest, richest and purest cup of coffee anywhere and I have to agree with that!

It takes 30 seconds from start to finish to make a cup of the best coffee ever with an Aero Press!

Lucha Libre - Firecreek Coffee Company - Cave Creek, AZ

Preparation:   Cuisinart Coffee Maker

Scores:  Scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being excellent

Aroma:    10
Balance:   8
Flavor:     9
Smoothness:   10

Likes:  Chocolate
            Easy sipping
            Smooth


Dislikes:
  

Summary:   This full city roast of different Mexican Altura coffee beans is great in the good morning!  I brewed a big pot of this medium bodied coffee and am glad I did because it is easy on the tummy and very smooth.  When the hot water hit the ground beans it frothed and bloomed like a volcano, proving the beans were extremely fresh.  There are no punches or surprises here.  No big flavors that are overwhelming.....just a real nice cuppa Joe.  Personally,  I paired this coffee with a big chocolate mousse muffin from Mimi's Cafe.  I would classify this pairing as a homerun!  Lucha Libre coffee enhanced and magnified the chocolate flavors of the muffin so much so that I almost ate the whole muffin before I could take a picture of it!!!

Overall score:  9


***  Label on bag says:  Dark and Handsome

Sunbreak - Trailhead Coffee Roasters - Portland, Oregon

Preparation:  French Press

Scores:  Scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being excellent

Aroma:     8
Balance:   8
Flavor:     8
Smoothness:  7

Likes:  Caramel
            Toffee
             Hazelnuts
             Vanilla
            

Dislikes:  Slightly bitter and acidy
 

Summary:  I was grocery shopping at Whole Foods and accidentally walked down the coffee isle.  (did I say "accidentally?")   As I gazed at the vast selection of coffee on the shelf in front of me, I ended up deciding on the Trailhead Coffee Roaster's Sunbreak morning blend whole bean coffee.  Their marketing worked!  I liked the brown bag, the picture on the bag and the name.  It just had a true Pacific Northwest feel, not to mention a clearly stamped recent roasting date.  It sold me!

Sunbreak is a blend of two origins.  One is roasted medium and the other dark.  It has all the flavors I like best, but for some reason as much as I wanted to love it........I experienced a slight bitterness that combined with a little too much acid didn't make it to my five star rating.  I will definitely give it another shot with a different brewing process and even try some of their other beans. 


Overall score:   8

***Trailhead Coffee Roasters are very committed to their community and the environment. They donate a percentage of their profits back to the coffee growers and programs supporting women in Africa.  Check out their website for more information.

Rue De La Course - New Orleans, Louisiana

3128 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA

WHERE Y'AT! -   (The traditional New Orleanian greeting)

The Big Easy is definitely a fun place to visit!!!  Walking down Bourban Street last night was quite an eye-opening experience..... By the way, I read that natives never refer to New Orleans as The Big Easy, so if you want to blend in.......... maybe say you are in Crescent City?

Today, we (Steve, Danny and I) decided to take the St. Charles streetcar, the oldest continuously running streetcar in America, and head on over to Magazine Street and explore a different part of town called the Garden District.  It is a great street to walk down and people watch - not to mention the cool shops, bookstores and pubs.  I highly recommend it!  It didn't take long before we came upon......a coffee shop! Now, keep in mind I didn't do any research beforehand, so this was a hit or miss.

                                    

Rue De La Course

Danny was game so we went in and checked it out.  There were lots of youngish looking people inside in deep concentration with their computers sitting at tables lined up as if it were a school house.  It was oddly quiet and a bit dark considering how bright and sunny it was outside.

So, fast forward........Danny ordered an iced coffee.  Curiously, I asked the Barista what kind of beans are used for the iced coffee.  She said, "Iced Coffee Beans".  Then I asked her again, "but what kind of beans are the iced coffee beans?"  Then she said again, "Iced Coffee Beans".   Next, she pulled out the bag of beans and sure enough, they were labeled "Iced Coffee Beans".  (??????)  And that was that.

Danny and I left with our coffee and I have to say that I didn't like my brewed stuff.  It was watery.  Danny's was better, but he did put lots of cream and sugar in his.  Next time, I think I will order something else.  Those iced mochas looked interesting....

We left with coffee in hand and noticed the Bulldog Pub down the block.  It wasn't long before I exchanged my coffee for a different kind of brew.
 

The Bulldog Bar and Grill has more than fifty beers on tap and a hundred more in bottles.  We tried a few and loved the place.  Definitely worth going to!!!!  Great atmosphere!!!!
3236 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA

Stay tuned as I did find a great little coffee place in the French Quarter that would be very easy to miss if you didn't know what you were looking for.  The coffee was outstanding!


***Yat is a dialect of English spoken in the Greater New Orleans Area

Kenya Gichathaini - Heart Coffee & Roasting- Portland, Oregon

Preparation:   AeroPress

Scores:  Scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being excellent

Aroma:  ?
Balance: ?
Flavor:  ?
Smoothness: ?

Likes:

Dislikes:
  

Summary:   Oh, my GOODNESS!  How to rate this coffee???  Impossible for me at this time!  I like this coffee.  Actually, I really want to like this coffee........   It is very, very lemony!  Almost like drinking pure lemon juice.  Lots of pucker and lots of bold citrus intensity!  I know these are great coffee beans and that they have been lightly roasted with care.  But, it is just too bright, acidy, intense and overpowering for my palate. 

Overall score: TBD at a later date....... but, loved the coffee shop and my Macchiato!  Check it out!

Google Maps sent us on a wild journey!

There were twists, and wrong turns and dead ends, oh my.  Finally, the little red riding car got us to our destination where we found a great spot right out in front!

Reflections

. 

 Notice the old fashion record player and albums in the background?

We met Josh the Official Coffee Roaster

(He was really nice and friendly)

Kerri and I each ordered a different Machiatto with a big triple chocolate cookie.  Kerri's Macchiato was made with Brazil and Ethopia Kochere beans and mine was made with Guatamala Santa Clara beans.  It was HEAVEN!  They were both outstanding with different characteristics.  And, the cookie was the perfect accompaniment.  Cristina happily ordered a mug of the brewed coffee and helped us make that darn good cookie disappear in no time!  It was a great morning with best of friends.

Black and Tan - Cave Creek Coffee Company - Cave Creek, Arizona

Preparation:   Aeropress Coffee Maker

Scores:  Scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being excellent

Aroma:     8
Balance:    9
Flavor:     10
Smoothness:   9

Likes:  Salty
            Savory
            Ripe Blackberries
            Flavorful
            Slightly smokey -  in a good way

Dislikes:
  

Summary:  First of all a big thank you to Cindy C. for sending me these terrific beans!!!  Cindy lives lots closer to Cave Creek than I do and I really appreciate what a generous person she is!!!  She is a lucky gal to be able to pop on over to this gem of a coffee and wine bar.....(yes, it is also a wine bar)  I am still trying to get over there so stay tuned!

Black and Tan coffee beans from Cave Creek Coffee Company are a medium roasted blend from Central America mixed with French roasted beans from Indonesia.  They have the big flavor of a medium roast, but the darker French roast beans quiet down the impact and give the coffee drinker (AKA me) an enjoyable, relaxing and tantalizing coffee moment.  The flavors of ripe blackberries mingled with salty and savory pralines cast no doubt in my mind that this is a coffee to remember and serve often.......even if it is just for you!

On another note, this was the first time I have ever used an Aeropress coffee maker and now I am sold on it.  I can't wait to use it again!  Danny gave it to me in New Orleans for my birthday along with some fine coffee beans from Toronto.  Thank you, Danny!!!!  It was easy to use and I just thought it really brought out more flavor from the coffee than when I used the same coffee in my Cusinart drip.  I will have to do an "in detail" post just on the Aeropress......for sure! 

Overall score:  9

*** Tomorrow off to Sedona, AZ !!!

Ethopia Mordecofe (organic) -Stumptown Coffee Roasters - Portland, Oregon

Preparation:   Mr. Coffee Drip

Scores:  Scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being excellent

Aroma:   10
Balance:  10
Flavor:   10
Smoothness:  10

Likes:   Savory
             Toffee
             Flavorful
             Chocolate
             Malt
             Honey

Dislikes:
   

Summary:  I LOVE Stumptown coffee!!!!  I have never tried Ethiopia Mordecofe beans before and now I am a huge fan!  The beans themselves look like a medium roast and they are not shiny or oily.

The roasting date on the bag says August 8 (today is the 12th) and that is perfection!  The fragrance escaped with wild abandon when I opened the bag for the first time.  I knew this was going to be good!

The flavors of malt, honey and soft ripe fruit all come together nicely and they are completely compatible.  There is not a big pucker punch at the end, instead it is a calm and smooth finish.  A delightful coffee to serve anytime.

My actual trek to Stumptown was great!  Kerri and I went to the downtown location (128 SW 3rd Ave.)  I bought my beans to take home, but of course we had to order a "specialty" coffee drink!  I ordered a Coffee Latte with non-fat milk and Kerri ordered a Macchiato.  Oh my, GOODNESS!!!  I thought my Latte was out of this world until I tasted Kerri's Macchiato.  Wow!  It reminded me of the coffee I drank in Sweden.  I will definitely order that next time!  Also, look closely at the work of art in making each of these fabulous drinks....

If you are ever in Portland visiting, I would highly recommend a visit to Stumptown Coffee.  They have several locations......just do a google search and find the one most convenient for you. 

Overall score:  10

Stumptown House Blend - Ford Food + Drink - Portland, Oregon

Greetings!  A good coffee day to you all!!!  Yes, we had a good cup of coffee here at Ford Food + Drink.  Oddly, the sign above the door was missing.....?

The name was on front of the glass door, but the door was open and it was hard to see from the outside.

What was noticeable was the small Stumptown wooden plack tilted against the window and a guy with a cup of coffee.  This is what caught our eye and this is what enticed us to come on in.

My friend Kerri and I took a look around.  This wasn't a true coffee joint, although I think they were trying to be.  They have a menu with food items and behind a window there are plates of cookies and sweet stuff.  Not wanting to turn around and walk out, Kerri and I ordered two cups of Stumptown's House Blend and an oatmeal cherry cookie to share.  A large community table was open so we took a seat.   I still had the vibe that this should be a coffee shop.

The coffee was served in mugs and it was really very, very good.  Whoever did the brewing did a nice job.  Stumptown would be proud.  I am usually leery of coffee made in large quantities and put in a "push pot" but the coffee was fresh, flavorful and steamy hot.  I must say I was disappointed at first when the gal behind the counter said they only serve coffee this one way and that it was the only choice.  (note: NOT a coffee place) Our cookie was very tasty, but on the small side and overpriced! (Has the price of a barrel of oatmeal gone that far up?)  Nevertheless, we enjoyed both.

The atmosphere did not encourage us to feel like lingering so we set out to explore the building.  There was an art exhibit around the corner and a stairway that announced PICKLES downstairs.  Curious, we headed down the cavernous stairwell with anticipation to find this little pickle stand.  There were several people from New York there sampling and talking pickle talk. 

After sampling pickles and other pickled stuff,  Kerri and I each bought a jar to take home and enjoy.

Summary:  It was the unexpected and the company that made this outing fun.  I was not impressed with Ford Food + Drink.  I think that they could improve what they do by focusing more on what they want to be. (They also have a happy hour serving beer and wine)  Maybe start with a nice big sign outside welcoming in their customers......

So, the coffee was good, but I wouldn't go back just for the cup of coffee.  It just didn't all come together for me.  The building itself was cool and the pickles a unique surprise!

***The Ford Building is located at 2505 SE 11th Avenue on Division.  It opened in 1915 as an assembly plant for Ford automobiles, and the only one in Oregon. 

***MoonBrine pickles is owned by Stew Golomb.  He brews his pickles in the basement of the Ford Building and offers tasting daily M - TH from 11 - 3:30.  Be prepared.....they are great!