Mexican Chiapas

I used up the last few beans from the Uprising last night to pull a ‘detergent rinsing shot’ after the backflushing. Bag 1 of 6 consumed. This evening I opened up the wonders of another Dean’s Beans offering: “Mexican Chiapas”. This blend is a single origin, I believe, from the Mut Vitz cooperative (a community in resistance in Mexico). It is, like the Uprising, a very smooth blend. Unlike the Uprising, however, it’s a low acidity, medium-bodied blend. Great flavour but I did miss the brightness and bite of the Uprising. No added sugar necessary but a tip of milk did enhance the flavour.

Flush Out

Instead of pulling shots this evening I decided to give Silvia a good clean out. In addition to the thorough rinsing, wiping and scrubbing that Silvia undergoes after each use, she should also engage in a process called backflushing every couple of weeks. Here is where we pretend to forget that I’ve owned Silvia since May. Today was the first time I conducted a backflush on my machine. Not being a very techy person, I am always reluctant to play around too much with my electronic gadgets and appliances. After finally getting the backflush over and done with, I realise my fear was unfounded. Poor Silvia could have been flushed out weeks ago!

Process:

Backflushing is essentially a backward flow of water through the machine.  A blind filter (poreless filter- or plastic insert) is put into the portafilter to prevent water from running through as it normally would.  Special detergent is put into the blind filter, the portafilter is locked into place and the machine is switched on.  5 seconds on, turn off, get the phoosh and puck of the backward flowing dirty water, and repeat 5 or 6 times.

Being in a gadget-inspired adventurous mood, I decided to attempt filming this process (or parts of) on my new BlackBerry.  Filming was the easy part.  Getting the video off the BB and onto the computer and then onto  this Blog was an entirely different matter!  The trials and tribulations I bear for the sake of blogging-  such a martyr  ;o)

Anyway, have a look at my video clip but please do bear in mind I’ve got a loooong way to go in the video arts discipline.  By the way, that Folgers Coffee container you’ll see in the video... it’s an old container I use to store my fresh beans.  No pre-ground Folgers for me thank you!

To shed a bit more light on the Silvia cleaning process, I’ve also included a YouTube clip from SeattleCoffeeGear that shows the backflushing process in more detail.  Watch and be enlightened. 

Caffeine is better!

Coffee And Your Handwriting
German scientists from the University of Regenburgh's Department of Experimental Psychology found evidence to suggest that the caffeine content in coffee could improve handwriting. Researchers gave subjects 3.0mg and 4.5mg of caffeine as well as placebo pills. They found that the group that was given the highest dose, the equivalence of 2-3 shots of espresso, showed marked improvement in handwriting speed and fluidity. The findings suggest that psychomotor skills may benefit from a bit of caffeine. If you're scribbling chicken scratch, as opposed to readable notes, maybe you should take time out for a coffee break.

 

Heart Health
Contrary to conventional wisdom, consuming coffee may be good for your heart. According to findings, presented at the American Heart Association's 50th Annual Conference, people who consumed one to three cups a day reduced their risk of being hospitalized for cardiac dysrhythmia by 7%; drinking four or more cups a day lowers risks by nearly 18%.The study followed more than 130,000 people and found similar risk reduction associated with drinking coffee among a number of groups including: men, women, Caucasians, and African Americans. Time to warm up the espresso machine and drink to good health!

Articles courtesy Whole Latte Love: http://www.wholelattelove.com/articles/coffee_factoids.cfm 

 

 

Decaf... but Why?

Images taken from:

image 1: http://auburncoffee.com/news-updates/page/2/
image 2: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPX5V4Nho4nxd12ncY52ngnRUO7mf0AUS8ik37pXPnS_pJ1DLQg911rTmdaL3tthazpHylsSYJBLFlW2VNkA4XGphgFRLVYzg6cf6W9s64LMb__goNWLzDLkI1mQkDTYOh73RyCPT2wcs/s400/decaf-coffee.jpg

Busy Cup

Perfect Cup was open for business yesterday evening- or so it seemed.  We had a steady stream of delightful visitors to our home who were all happy to try some coffee.  I served up 5 cappuccinos (made from the People's Daily) and 2 fresh brews (from the Uprising). Great practice for the shop indeed! I only wish I had gotten more latte art hearts into those cups.  Final Verdict: Everyone was pleased with their cup.  Proof: No one added any sugar!

Uplifted

A good night's sleep + excellent fresh brewed coffee = One very happy, super refreshed person.

Even LaLa was inclined to indulge in some Uprising this morning.  She came for a "little taste" and then tried to take my coffee mug to finish it off!  I guess the power of the fresh brew transcends all ages.

Zzzz…

“A day without coffee is sleep.” I read that somewhere a while ago and after going a day without coffee, I most definitely agree. Actually, I’d like to embellish that statement… “A day without coffee is like death!” Today was Little Feet’s 3rd birthday party and Husband and I had undertaken cake duty. After baking three sponge cakes yesterday, we had to frost them all (in keeping with the party’s construction theme) this morning. A belated wake-up time led to some minor delays and a lot of flustering around the kitchen. No time to make morning coffee. By mid afternoon the cake was finally taking shape and was ready to be shipped off to the party. We got ourselves ready, piled everyone into the car (including LaLa who is visiting from St. Lucia for Little Feet’s party) and packed the cake to go. We forgot to make afternoon coffee.


I was like the living dead by this time. No coffee in my system and no chance to get a cup. I thought for sure I’d make a quick, not too strong cup when we got home after the party. But the clogged kitchen sink demanded a trip out to SuperPharm for a bottle of DrainO. I gave up on the coffee. I don’t even know how I’m still awake… barely awake though. First thing I’m doing in the morning is making myself a big pot of Uprising!

Mobile Cup

saturday.24.july.2010

Perfect Cup was on the move last night. Husband, Sister-in-law #2 by Seniority (Husband has 5 sisters), the French Press and I went out delivering coffee to those in caffeine need. Our ammunition: the freshly ground Dean’s Beans Uprising blend- a smooth Vienna-roasted blend of Bolivian, Nicaraguan, Peruvian and El Salvadoran beans. Armed with several mugs’ worth of supplies we marched off to Sister-in law #4’s house, where friends and family were preparing for a Clothes-ing Down Sale. The Uprising was a welcome addition to the preparations.

The aroma won over the troupes immediately but the real test was in the taste. Uprising is not shy on flavour. It’s a bold, hearty, full-flavoured blend with just a hint of chocolate. It is most certainly a smooth brew. The troupes noticed the smoothness immediately. A few had their coffee black, a couple with only a tip of milk and others did add milk and sugar but in far less quantities than their usual. Mission Accomplished!

Santa’s Visit

friday.23.july.2010

It was like Christmas in July yesterday! I just didn’t know which way to look or what package to open next. As I mentioned before, the Dean’s Bean’s had arrived and had to be sorted. I also had to collect my Amazon order which included Susan Zimmer’s I Love Coffee (Watch this space for fantabulous decadent espresso based treats!); my new Bodum Pavina double wall thermo-glasses (which are two ounce shot glasses for espressos- makes it easy to see how thick and deep the crema really is) and my latte art milk pitchers (20oz and 12oz). What a happy day!

BlackBerried Blogger

I've done it.  I've finally given in.  After months and months- over a year even- of procrastination and excuses, I've finally surrendered to the lure of the BlackBerry.  I maintain, however, that I have done so for purely noble reasons.  I have agreed to be ever reachable and totally connected only so that I can access Blogger! That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Let's pretend now that I wasn't so busy playing with my new toy yesterday that I forgot to publish a post.
On another topic, the Dean's Beans are here.  I will be opening a pack later- any one of six to choose from.  Yum!

People’s Daily

Luscious mélange of molasses, chocolate, dried fruit and vanilla with a nutty, creamy syrupy finish… The Social beans have arrived.

This espresso blend is called People’s Daily and was the same blend that we used on the barista course in Toronto… the same blend that introduced me to the wide, beautiful world of pure, unadulterated espresso.
Father Dearest delivered the beans right to my door. Straight to the Silvia, in fact. No sooner was he in the house than were we getting the machines fired up to explore the fresh roasted goodness of the People’s Daily. Nothing beats the taste, aroma or gorgeous, silky crema of fresh roasted beans! Who’s coming over for some? Hurry. Offer only available while stocks last.

Clever Coffee Beans

Want to know how clever you are? Supposedly, according to medical experiments, this coffee bean picture below is a dead giveaway [I'd love to know where these so-called medical experts originate from- how come you never see these types of articles signed by Dr. So and So?]. If you can find the Man's Head in the picture within 3 seconds, your right brain is more developed than normal people. If you can find the Man's Head within 1 minute, your right brain is developed normally. If you can find the Man's Head within 1-3 minutes, your right brain is slow in reacting, you should eat more protein. If you can't find the Man's Head in 3 minutes or more, your right brain is a disaster . .. extremely slow in reacting. This is not a trick question- there really is a man's head somewhere in there...
[Message me for a hint if you need one!]

www.surfersam.com/friends/coffee.htm 

My Turkish Husband

I've been feeling under the weather for most of this week.  Despite waking up after 12 noon today, I have absolutely no energy- not enough even to make a cup of coffee.  Enter fantastic Husband.  Husband has just made me a delicious cup of French Press-ed Italian Roast (with only minimal supervision).  He even got adventurous and made himself a caramel latte (of sorts).  How very Turkish of him!  Thank you, Hun.

The Mystery Blend

saturday.17.july.2010

Chicken empandas, chocolate cake and the mystery blend coffee drink. Thank you Taryn's!  Taryn's is a Venezuelan cafe on Mucrapo Road that serves up yummy Venezuelan treats.  If you go into this cafe just order a coffee.  Don't try to dictate a cappuccino or café latte or regular brew.  Just leave Taryn to prepare whatever she likes.  It tastes good!  First she pulls a shot made from her mystery magic bean blend, then tops it up with rich foamed milk.  I guess it's more like a café latte.  Whatever it is- it tastes great!.

Arabica vs Robusta

friday.16.july.2010

Still waiting for my beans.  The Social beans have arrived but can't be collected until Monday.  The Dean's Beans should be arriving on Thursday. So what's the big deal about the Arabica beans anyway?  Why exactly are they so much better?  Here are just a few reasons:

• Arabica beans grow more slowly than Robusta and this allows them to develop more complex, full flavours.
• Beacuse Arabica beans generaly have more flavour naturally they can be enjoyed as light and medium roasts.  Robusta is sometimes overroasted to compensate for lack of flavour.
• More flavourful beans allow for less coffee additives such as sugar and milk.
• Arabica beans contain less caffeine- so you can drink more of it!

Sexy Chemex?

Can coffee brewing be sexy?  I was just looking at this video from Intelligentsia's website on Chemex brewing [click here] and thought "that looks so hot".  I've also had a high fever for the last two days- so I wouldn't be surprised if that was the cause!  Anyway, have a look at the video.  Even if it's not sexy at the very least it's quite cool.

I Need my Beans!

The much adored and celebrated bag of Black Cat espresso has run out. Actually it ran out about a week ago; and the equally venerated El Machete is also no more. Orders have already been placed for an espresso blend from Social (the fantastic company that provided the excellent beans used at the Toronto Barista course) and regular coffee blends from Dean’s Beans (an environmentally and socially responsible roaster out of Massachusetts). I’ve been practicing with Hong Wing and Waitrose French Roast in the meanwhile. Although neither of these bean packs is freshly roasted, they have been providing more than adequate cappuccinos. Good taste, but nothing beats the fresh roasted! Only a few more days!!!

I'm an Inc!

Perfect Cup has been incorporated!  Approved documents to be collected on Monday.  Now all we need is a location, some equipment and something else... oh yeah... cash!  :o)
All in good time.

Football and Cake

Germany lost yesterday. At least my favourite team made it to the semis. To cheer myself up, and it being the evening coffee hour, I baked a lovely sponge cake and topped it with fluffy marshmallow frosting (made by Husband himself). The cake went down a treat served with some yummy cappuccino!
My number two team: The Netherlands!

Rosie Rosetta

Rosetta practice has begun. Little Feet, Little Brother, their parents and Husband’s Friend were all over this evening so I got lots of practice in- under the ever watchful eyes of Little Feet, of course. Here’s how it went.
6 Cappuccinos:
      2 hearts
      1 heart- with stripes
      1 half rosettta
      1 kind of whole rosetta
      1 whole- but really faint rosetta
Not a bad start at all to the new shape. If I can keep this up, maybe I’ll be able to master it by next week!
Have a look below at the pictures of the better rosettes.

From Heart to Rosetta

I've managed to get some pretty decent latte art hearts over the last week. Still working on the texture of my crema to create a better base for the heart but all in all it's shaping up nicely.  I'm trying to work my way up to the rosetta, which is possibly the most classic of latte art shapes.  See the youtube video below from kingseven to get an idea of how the pros do it.  They make it look deceptively easy! 

The Notary Public

Hopefully by the end of this week Perfect Cup will be a fully registered company in the territory of Trinidad and Tobago. To register a company here, there are a few forms to fill out and a few Government and other offices to visit. I’ve already completed the name search and reservation and today I did my Declaration of Compliance, which required a visit to the Notary Public’s office. It was a very interesting experience.


Duke Street in Port of Spain is home to many a Notary Public / Commissioner of Affidavits. I needed one of these distinguished folks to vouch that my documents were indeed true and correct. At about 8:20 a.m., Husband and I finally arrived at 106-108 Duke Street after repeatedly circling the block in search of an elusive parking spot. I suppose we must have looked a bit odd standing around gazing at name plates on office buildings trying to decide which one to choose. I was just telling Husband that maybe we should try one of the offices whose not-so-worn name plate suggested it had been established sometime post World War II as opposed to prior, when we were approached by an elderly man offering assistance.
“Yuh looking for a Commissioner?” We must have stared at him blankly for a second too long.
“A Commissioner… to do ah AffidaviD?”
Husband nodded.
“Go on here.”
He not so ceremoniously ushered us into a not so well-lit, but large, doorway. Perhaps had it not been for the incessant flow of passers-by we would have been a tad more concerned for our safety. The gentleman disappeared as we started our way up what must have once been a rather grand staircase. At the top of the stairs we were greeted by an enormous, mostly empty, perfectly rectangular ballroom-type space. There was even a raised platform at the far end of the room which held an oddly dignified looking dining table. Dignified, I suppose, in contrast to the worn and battered carpet and discoloured, damp, drooping/ falling ceiling. There was a random collection of well-used office chairs hospitably displayed and laid out to form a waiting room of sorts, in one half of the expansive room. The ‘ballroom’ offered a very comfortable temperature. I could not decide if this was due to the high ceiling, rainy conditions outside or the seven fans surrounding the waiting area. What an interesting place.

Husband and I eventually ventured a seat on the furniture provided while we awaited our turn. Thankfully this was not long in coming. The Commissioner, Ms. Joseph, surfaced from one the ancient and battered offices facing the waiting area to summon her clients. She was quite a pleasant lady, even if just as ancient as the office and not quite what we were expecting. I had pictured a stern, elderly lady all French-rolled and suited up. Instead a sprightly Ms. Joseph greeted us in her floral pants suit and sneakers. Yes, nice bright white sneakers! I thought it was quite cute. However, with brilliant efficiency, the lovely lady had me signed up and out her office within a few short minutes. Short and sweet… could not ask for more.

Husband and I exited the building keeping one eye out for the gentleman, fully expecting him to ask for a commission of sorts for directing us to the Commissioner. We never saw him.

Next stop: Articles of Incorporation.

GOAL!

Wow!  What a game for Germany.  That put a real kick-start to my day.  Even better than the El Machete!

Oh My Heart…

Perseverance is rewarded! I got the latte art heart! The espresso was good (crema could have been better). The milk was just right and the heart was most definitely recognizable! There's still a long way to go but at least progress is being made. With more practice I should be able to move on to the rosetta soon. Have a look at the pics below.