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…

Moka Pot Latte

monday.13.september.2010

I'm warming back up to the Silvia.  However, I decided to pay a little attention to the Moka Pot first.  I pulled out the Dean's Beans Italian Roast Espresso again (such a deliciously well-balanced blend), ground up the beans, filled up the Moka Pot and put her on the stove.  In another pot, I mixed together some full cream milk and some semi-skimmed (gotta watch that figure!)  I got the milk to a mild, foamy boil then poured it into the mugs.  Each mug was topped off with about 3 ounces of Moka Pot espresso.  Admittedly this was no Silvia processed cappuccino but it was still rich, foamy and delicious!

Date Night

The Coffee Powers-that-Be worked a miracle last evening and arranged for me to get home by 5 p.m.  Wonder of wonders.  Being a loyal and atoning barista to my poor neglected Silvia, I went straight to work on the cappuccinos.  The Dean's Beans Italian Espresso Roast was pulled out and a chilled box of full cream milk was opened.  While Husband got a delicious soup boiling away, I warmed up Silvia and put the beans to grind.  Silvia's and my date night had been pushed up!

Such a darling machine.  I was rewarded with a near perfect double shot, which I split into two for the cappuccinos.  Even the Milk forces were with us.  I pulled out my 12 oz pitcher and got some beautiful foamy milk that helped produce two little hearts.

Oh Silvia, how I missed you!

Italian Espresso Roast

Of the 6 bags of Dean's Beans that I ordered, one was an espresso blend.  The Italian Espresso Roast was the star of this evening's cappuccinos.  Chocolate was most definitely the strongest flavour note present in this very darkly roasted  blend.  Not a bad espresso at all, but I must admit that I still  prefer the People's Daily from Social.
As we're on the last bag of espresso, replacements should really be ordered soon.  I'll probably try out Caffe Fresco (from Pennsylvania).  I hear their Brazilian Dattera is quite a winner!

Esmeralda update:  The bag is on its way out of North Carolina, heading south towards Florida.

Moka Sumatra

Father Dearest high jacked the last of the Moka Java beans.  I guess this is okay as I did forget to send him a portion of the Mexican Chiapas.  Anyway, Bag 3 of 6 of the Dean's Beans consumed.

Last evening I opened up Dean's bag number 4: Moka Sumatra.  Like the Moka Java, the Moka Sumatra is a full-bodied smooth blend.  The overriding notes are rich, sweet and chocolaty, with a hint of vanilla essence.  The Moka Sumatra does not have the bright acidity of the Moka Java but its dark roast does present a more than adequate bite.  The silky smooth chocolate finish of this blend made a delightful cup with no added milk or sugar.