It's Friday!

Happy Friday!!!!!

It's the weekend.  This morning Husband decided to share in a cup of coffee as a reward for not having any for over a month.  😀 His utter bliss at having a morning cup was delightful.

We had the People's Daily from Social Tea and Coffee.

"Luscious melange of milk chocolate, cocoa, caramel, cherry with a creamy syrupy finish. Our flagship espresso hails from Brazil and Colombia"

The flavour profile lives up to its description.  The first hit is of the rich, robust chocolate and the syrupy mouth feel is left behind.  I had my caffeine boost black while Husband had his as a latte.
I think I'll try out an iced latte later with this same blend.

Enjoy your weekend!

Roasted Almond Tea

I guess the hot drink of choice can't always be coffee.  Poor Husband is actually on a caffeine hiatus for a little bit.  He should be back to joining me in the joys of a morning cuppa soon enough.  In the meanwhile, we've been trying out various caffeine free alternatives.  Well, I've been looking (and tasting) and he's the one drinking the full cups.

So far our favourite has been the Roasted Almond from Social. The tea's description explains the flavour notes are from sweet, roasted, caramelised almonds.  Sweet apple pieces and beetroot complete the taste experience. The tea smells divine.  You can actually smell the almond and apple.  The taste is mellow and a delight to the tastebuds.

It may not be coffee but at least it's tasty!

Beautiful Sunday

Hope you're having a 'brewtiful' weekend!

Some Coffee Lovin' Facts

Hope your weekend was a relaxing one and that you're ready to go for the week ahead.  If you didn't catch up on enough sleep, at least you've got your faithful friend, coffee, to fall back on.  Don't worry. You're in good company as coffee drinker numbers are on the rise.

As some of you know, Father Dearest and I did our barista training in Canada.  We try to keep up with what's going on in the world of specialty coffee via news and alerts from our Canadian friends.  Thought I'd share some coffee stats from the 2016 Coffee Drinking Study (2017 results will be available next year).  The results show that there is an increase in people drinking specialty coffee, you now, the kind you can get at Perfect Cup.  Here's a snapshot of the infographic.

For more details you can check out this link.

Have a great week!

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Coffee Thoughts

The morning cup of coffee has an exhilaration about it which the cheering influence of the afternoon or evening cup of tea cannot be expected to reproduce.   

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

This could have been written just for me, it hits the mark.  I wake up every morning with an excitement, determination, incapacitating need to get the kettle going and brew my first cup.  I wouldn't give up the comforts of my afternoon tea, but the sense of anticipation is definitely less!   

How do you feel about your first cup?

Café Cubano

I was preparing a lesson for one of my Latin American Studies classes where the students will be exploring various aspects of Cuban history.  While reviewing my notes, I started thinking about Cuban culture: dominoes, cigars, bongos, rumba and coffee.  You know it had to go back to the coffee!  Anyway, have you ever had a Café Cubano?   Get your Moka Pot out for this one, as that's one of the easiest ways to make this sweetened coffee drink.

A Café Cubano is essentially a sweetened espresso shot.  Set aside a teaspoon to two teaspoons of sugar in a small jar or glass.  Using a darker roast coffee e.g. Italian, load up your Moka Pot and put it to work its magic.  Once the spout of your Moka Pot starts releasing the espresso, use a spoon to siphon out two teaspoonfuls.  Beat the sugar and coffee together.  Beat it hard and don't rush the process.  This step creates the espuma (a creamy foam made of coffee, sugar and air), which is the hallmark of Café Cubano.  Once you've dissolved all the sugar and have created a nice creamy espuma, mix in the remaining espresso from the Moka Pot.  Pour into an espresso cup and drink immediately.

The Espuma (photo courtesy Saveur Magazine)
 

 You can see how to make your own sweet, Cuban espresso in this video from Saveur Magazine.

  Saludos.

Silly Sunday Coffee

Hi Coffee Lovers,

Remember to follow your dreams... coffee can help with that!

Happy Sunday!

The Chorreador Revisited

I've been away from my blog for years but today I had an incredible inspiration.
Almost 5 years ago I posted about the Costa Rican Chorreador (The Chorreador).

Today is my first day of a week long trip to San José, Costa Rica.  A couple of hours ago my hostess served me some fabulous coffee made from her chorreador.  The coffee was perfect! No need for sugar or milk.  It was black coffee perfection.

Then, I got this niggling thought that I had seen this before and that it should come as no surprise to be served coffee from a chorreador in Costa Rica.  After 4 years of being absent from my blog, I looked it up and there it was.  My post talked about the daily use of the chorreador in Costa Rican homes.  Well now I have experienced it in all its perfection.  I can't wait for my morning cup!

It figures I would get inspiration to blog the very same week I'm supposed to be living, breathing, speaking only Spanish!!!

Hasta pronto mis amigos.

And we’re off!

wednesday.5.october.2011

We’ve launched! Friday 30th September was our tasting day! The Pro did make it into the shop on Thursday evening after all. Installation was a fairly painless affair with the steely Dawson at the helm. Taste testing began right away much to the delight of all in close enough proximity to smell the glorious coffee filled air. We fiddled around with the milk trying to find just the right one to best complement our espresso house blend; and our taste testers were more than happy to sample and offer opinions.

Special thanks to all our friends and family who came out on Friday evening to the official coffee tasting and ‘soft launch’ of Perfect Cup Espresso Bar. We spent a very busy but exciting and entertaining evening serving coffee drinks and chatting with everyone. We were actually too busy to even take pictures! Thankfully, our friends at YTP snapped a few pics for us!

I must admit it was quite surreal standing there on Friday looking around at all we had accomplished. Our coffee shop is finally a reality. Thanks to everyone who offered encouragement, support and help over the last year. We greatly appreciate it :o)

We still haven’t decided on a definite opening date. It should, however, be sometime next week. We’ve got to wait for our next shipment of coffee to land and we are still waiting for our signage!!!! Once we’ve got those two biggies out of the way there’ll be no holding us back. In the meanwhile, Father Dearest continues to familiarise himself with the DC Pro and our friends continue to drop by to sample the coffee. I’ve gone back to the world of work, where I try not to spend all day thinking about Coffee Bean or my cosy little shop and all the yummy coffee that lives there. Speaking of which, can someone deliver me a latte… please?????

Waiting Game

Our darling DC Pro still hasn’t been tucked into its new home. We’ve been trying to free it from the airport since Tuesday morning. We needed all sorts of clearance and had to fill out numerous forms and meet with several different clerks and officers. (Nothing unusual actually, but time consuming nonetheless). I believe we’re towards the end of this tedious process now. Keeping our fingers crossed, Father Dearest should be able to collect it within the next couple of hours. Only then can we begin the more enjoyable task of installing and playing with --- umm--- oh --- I mean working with the Pro. In the meanwhile, we wait… and wait... and wait…

Facebook Launch

We've launched our Facebook page!!!
As our opening date draws ever nearer (and as I whittle away at my poor nails), Perfect Cup's online presence is being expanded. Check us out at Perfect Cup on Facebook.

Other cafe updates:

• The DC pro is due any minute. Really wish that minute would arrive sooner rather than later. (Ring phone Ring)
• Some of our decorative pieces are in.
• Some opening day gastronomic goodies have already been ordered.
• Coffee from Social is on the way!

Lots of work still ahead!  Will keep you updated as things progress and I have a chance to actually sit at my computer for more than five minutes at a time  :o)

On target, on target… stay on!

Phew! It has been a looong two weeks and looks set to be another long week and a half ahead. Perfect Cup espresso bar is moving full speed ahead despite a few hiccups here and there. Hurricane Irene did have an impact, after all, and our darling Evolution machine was damaged. However, a new Evolution Pro was sourced and is now most definitely on the way to its new home. Keeping fingers crossed to have that baby in the café by the weekend or thereabouts.

Sister-in-law # 2 has been hard at work on our graphics. We now have artwork for all our signage… and most beautiful artwork it is! Anyone looking for a topnotch artist give Creative One a call! (message me for contact details :o)

Shopping for furnishings continued throughout last week. Cushions, table cloths and napkins are all being made; artwork is being framed; and the menu is being finalized. Father Dearest is currently in Toronto with the roaster and will be returning on Monday with Dawson; and then our work with the coffee and the Pro really begins.

Keeping fingers crossed and sending up prayers for a Friday 30th opening date. Will keep you posted.


The beautiful DC Pro!



The Expobar

tuesday.20.september.2011

Father Dearest has flown off to Toronto for a week to finalise all shipping and coffee selection details with our roaster; and to do some café shopping. While I’m overseeing things on the shop preparation front, I decided I’d also step up my latte making practice during this week before the Evolution arrives. Father Dearest decided that my Rancilio wasn’t up to the task of heavy duty practice. What an insult to my poor faithful little machine! Although, in fairness, I’ll admit that the Rancilio really doesn’t allow for more than 2 very good shots in a row.

So, Father Dearest took his beloved Expobar out for a spin and brought it to my house. I’m currently playing landlord to two espresso machines, two coffee grinders, two French presses and several bags of coffee. Mother Dearest now has a delightfully clear kitchen counter top and I have a veeerrrry cluttered one. Husband would complain about this lack of space except that he’s being plied with sample lattes every day. Poor long suffering man…




The Expobar- newest member of my kitchen counter



Perfect Branding

Perfect Cup’s logo is ready for unveiling. Thank you Sister-in-Law Number 2 for this fabulous emblem. Our gorgeous new logo will also be featured on our website and Facebook page. Stay tuned for the launch of those pages as well!

Oh Irene!

While many little children were off to their first day of school today, Coffee Bean spent his first two hours at daycare without any parents (or grandparents or great-grandparents). Not quite sure how I managed not to call in to check up multiple times. I only called in the one time. Thank goodness for coffee shop distractions!

On the shop front, we got some quotes for our signage, sorted out web domain names and got more info on the status of our Evolution. Seems like Hurricane Irene has affected us after all. The warehouse that houses our machine (which was happily waiting to be shipped off to its new Caribbean home) got flooded out during the hurricane. Thankfully no machines were damaged, but shipping schedules have been affected. So, now we wait… and hope that our Evolution can still make it down in time for an opening date at the end of September. *nervous nail biting continues*

Sunday's Child?

Coffee Bean was in a joyously happy and cooperative mood this morning, which allowed Husband and myself to have a relatively lazy Sunday morning. By relative I mean waking up at around 6:30 a.m. but being allowed to go back to sleep until at least 8… a far more civilized wake up call for a Sunday! Coffee Bean even allowed us to watch a movie, while he happily played with his fluffy dice and Mr. Snuggie blanket.
Celebratory coffee: French pressed 1922 Mocha Java, of course!

Mocha and Java

saturday.3.september.2011

Yesterday was Coffee Bean’s first day at nursery :o( Well, it was more of his first visit to nursery, if I’m completely honest. Husband and I took him over to meet his new Aunty and to check out his new daytime abode, before we send him packing for an entire day. On the bright side he seemed very interested in his new playpen and the other kids immediately claimed his as one of their own. As a matter of fact, a particularly precocious 2 year old demanded to know why he was leaving after only a few minutes. She had to be reassured that Coffee Bean would be back to play on Monday.

While Coffee Bean was examining his nursery Father Dearest was collecting our newest coffee selection: a Counter Culture offering by the name of 1922 Mocha & Java Blend. I’m not sure why they’ve labeled it 1922, but there is certainly nothing old about this Mocha Java coffee! The fresh and fruity notes of dried cranberries are the first to hit the palate and are followed by a rich chocolate and caramel finish. A full-bodied blend that when prepared just right, in my trusty French Press, was an absolute delight to the senses.

I can’t say if the Counter Culture Mocha Java was better than the Dean’s Beans version. Maybe I’ll have to order another batch of that one to compare…

Sneak Peek Pics

Here are a few pictures of the cafe so far.  Just a little sneak peak, a teaser really :o)
I'll be sharing some photos as the work continues and the finishing touches go on!

Committed

There are baby steps and there are big steps. There are commitments and there are Commitments! Well, another big step and giant commitment made to the Perfect Cup café today.  Father Dearest and I booked and paid for the airline ticket for barista and course facilitator extraordinaire, Dawson. Our lovely Canadian friend will be coming to Trinidad during the last week of September to install and configure the beautiful Evolution.  Looks like we’ve got an opening date coming up; *nervous finger biting begins*…