Tag: Coffee

Caffeinated Idea

So, there are beer flights–a presentation of small glasses, each glass is filled with a variety of beers to sample.

Wonderful idea. Excellent experience. I highly recommend it.

Now, how does this apply to coffee?

Well, with the advent of so many milks to add to your coffee, what if there were coffee/milk flights?

Caffeinated Idea: Coffee & Milk Flight

  • One type of coffee poured into four glasses.
  • Each of those four glasses has a different milk added.

A coffee & milk flight allows the coffee drinker to sample, taste, comment, and decide which milk goes best with their coffee.

What do you think? Could this work? Could this be a thing?

 

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Minneapolis, MN, USA: Penny’s

So I went to Minneapolis, Minnesota–almost completely unplanned. This kind of haphazard and hopeful way of traveling needs to happen from time to time–spontaneity creates adventure, and adventure turns into fantastic stories.

The fantastic story: I went for romance, how idealistic and ridiculous of me. The happy ending: I fell in love with a city.

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I’m a nerd at heart–history, architecture, and random non-tourist locales are my jam. I’m a different kind of tourist. I’m not one for the stereotypical per se. So my infatuation with Minneapolis is not just with the pristine view of the lakes, or the view of water everywhere, which for a desert lady was definitely a delight, nor is it with the Mall of America. The size of this mall is no doubt overwhelming, and it did have one of my favorite things in the world: an aquarium. I did partake in some of the stereotypical, I went to the Mall of America, but generally my adventures and sight-seeing is little more off the beaten path.

For instance, Minneapolis is home to the Basilica of Saint Mary–the first Roman Catholic basilica established in the United States. Architecture, art, and history are found in such places.

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Not too far from the basilica is this wondrous park filled with art–apparently the Spoonbridge and Cherry pictured below is famous. I had never heard of it, but I loved it. In fact, the whole sculpture garden was beautiful.

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In addition, Minneapolis is home to what is affectionately known as the most beautiful library in the state of Minnesota. Books are beautiful already, put them in place like Minnesota Central Library, and get ready to lose your breath. None of my pictures captured it well enough to post here, but trust me, it was stunning.

Now, in order to walk around the city, in order to keep up with the change of schedule, in order to adjust to a new plan, I needed some coffee. Good coffee. Great coffee.

Lucky for me, Minneapolis is home to quite a number of excellent coffee options.

Now, Penny’s–described as one of the Top 10 coffee places in the city– was my personal favorite discovery.

Penny’s, on 100 S Washington Ave, was right next to my lovely hotel–the Best Western PLUS The Normandy Inn & Suites. I took a mere 10-minute walk and I was surrounded by a stunningly beautiful venue.

The outdoor seating looked wonderful for a nice spring day. I was there during the start of a hot humid summer so I stayed inside as the humidity was killing me. I’m used to dry heat and my curly hair needed a break.

It was good decision to sit indoors–inside was magnificent. There were some high seats right next to large windows, windows for walls, facing the street. Sip coffee, eat delicious food, and enjoy the view. There’s plenty to see in an active city.

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There were also some cushioned seats just outside the proper cafe, nice seats for group discussion or sitting super cozy.

Now, what kind of coffee? I ordered a latte. I was originally going to request almond milk but asked about oat milk, as I had recently heard about its growing popularity. The barista was super friendly, they not only recommended it, they also explained how it was made and how it enriched the flavor. I asked a few questions, there was no line so I felt good about asking about their food and milk options; the barista was incredibly attentive and knowledgeable. A latte with oat milk–creamy, rich, absolutely delicious. Now, I ask for oat milk everywhere it’s available.

As for food, I opted for a sweet treat: a banana nutella crepe. Now, this item hit every note. The presentation of both items was impeccable. The combination of flavors was sweet but not overpowering. It was light but filling.

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Penny’s is an absolute gem in a major city. It helped me start my first day alone, a day of solo travel, on the best footing possible. I cannot wait to go back to Minneapolis, go to Penny’s and have another crepe, and have some more coffee.

If you’re in the Twin Cities, make sure to check out Penny’s–and make sure to get some oat milk in that coffee. 😉

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Coffee Lesson #8

fair trade:

  • identification that farmers, or coffee growers, were paid a minimum (*think fair*) price
    • fair trade standard agreements serve as protection for coffee growers

fair trade coffee:

  • coffee that was produced, and traded, according to fair trade standards
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What is coffee?

My third attempt to answer “What is coffee?”

Coffee is . . .

  • an acceptable drink–any time of the day (me)
  • my valentine (me . . . and a whole lot of other people)
  • essential (me . . . and a whole of other people)
  • my blood type (meme/mugs)
  • the most important meal of the day (meme)
  • the gasoline of life (meme/mugs)

 

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But what about this place?

Let’s be clear:

There are a plethora of options for coffee. Everywhere. Anywhere. There is no shortage of options.

There is great coffee being served in many of these places. Forget the places with bad coffee, or mediocre coffee. I do not care about those places. I need not comment on where they are or who they are–they/we know who they are.

Now, the places serving great coffee. The coffee may taste great, but it may be served with a bad attitude.

I have worked in public relations as a tour guide. I have worked in retail. I have worked as an educator. Relationships are everything. Attitude is everything. Delivery is everything.

A few people have suggested places and I have actually been to some of these locations. Recently someone said what about _____, they have great coffee. I responded in the affirmative, they do have great coffee, but each time I have gone to that place the servers have been rude. Interestingly, this same person responded with: I know! This led to a long conversation on the importance of service.

I try my hardest not to be negative. I try my damndest to consider alternatives. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, and a second chance.

Here, on Cups and Comments, I only want to talk about the great places–the great places all-around. We all have bad days, but if I come back, if I come back multiple times because the coffee is indeed good, and I’m still treated poorly, or spoken down to, or brushed aside, I will not put you here. People need to feel safe and happy while they drink coffee, otherwise it’s way too bitter and nobody likes that.

So what about _____ or _____ or _____? But what about _____? Well I’ll try it; in fact, I’ll want to try it a few times if I have the opportunity. But it has to be a great experience all-around, an overall wonderful place to savor coffee, in order to make it on this forum.

Bring the suggestions, I will always go! But know that I take this seriously–so just because I try it, does not mean I will recommend it. All recommendations come from the heart, from a great coffee experience, from an outstanding overall experience, always.

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Coffee Lesson #7

decaffeination:

  • removal of caffeine from coffee, cocoa, tea leaves, and any other caffeine-containing materials
    • as it pertains to coffee, there are several methods to extract caffeine–these include chemical solvents, carbon dioxide, or water methods

decaffeinated coffee:

  • often referred to as “decaf” or “decaf coffee”
  • coffee that has had almost all of its caffeine removed
    • while decaffeination refers to the removal of caffeine, decaffeinated coffee is not completely caffeine-free–trace amounts of caffeine can and do remain in coffee

 

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