Posted by Nicole on March 7, 2009
I picked up this Adina Organic Double Espresso Drink at Cost Plus World Market the other night on a whim – and a recommendation from the cashier. The drink was chilled perfectly from the refrigerated case and I was able top open it right away. It is smooth, creamy with a good coffee flavor and a distinct note of vanilla. I was surprised that the espresso flavor didn’t overpower the other elements of the drink, given that it is the “double espresso” flavor, but that is all the better in my book. The drink was perfectly balanced, and while it delivered coffee with a bit of sweetness, it was very refreshing.
Two things I really like about this drink are (1) that the ingredients are fair trade and (2) the ingredient list is very simple. The coffee beans, evaporated cane juice and vanilla are all fair trade. The only other ingredients are organic milk and pectin (from fruit, which contributes to a smooth mouthfeel). Quality ingredients obviously make a quality drink – a drink that I’ll definitely have again.
Posted by Nicole on March 5, 2009
An affogato is a traditional Italian espresso-based treat that you’ll find on the menu at many Italian restaurants, as well as at many cafes serving espresso and other coffee drinks. The full name is really “affogato al cafe” or “drowned in coffee,” in Italian. The name really suits the dessert, as it consists of a scoop of ice cream/gelato with a shot of hot espresso poured over the top.
The basic recipe is subject to an almost infinite number of variations – using different coffee drinks, different ice cream flavors and different ratios of the two items. Other desserts/drinks can also be made “Affogato-style,” which means that they have a shot of espresso poured over the top. Starbucks made the name fairly common by offering affogato-style frappuccinos, with the option to add a shot poured over the top of the milkshake-like drink.
You can make it at home with your favorite coffee, just brew it extra strong so you only need to pour a small amount over the ice cream. Start with vanilla, as it really suits the coffee, but feel free to experiment with chocolate or coffee-flavored ice cream, as well!
Posted by Nicole on March 4, 2009
Starting this week, Starbucks is rolling out a new value-inspired concept for breakfast: breakfast pairings. Essentially, these pairings are all food plus beverage combinations that give you a discount over the price of the two items purchased separately. The combinations include:
- Tall Caffè Latte paired with:
- Starbucks Perfect Oatmeal, 100% whole grain goodness made-to-order with three conveniently portioned toppings, including dried fruit, nut medley and brown sugar; or
- Reduced-Fat Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Cake, a moist buttery cake with a cinnamon swirl center topped with a cinnamon crumble.
- Tall Fresh Brewed Coffee paired with:
- NEW Artisan Bacon Sandwich, a flavorful bakery-style sandwich made with a parmesan egg frittata, smoked bacon slices, and Gouda cheese on a perfectly-baked hand-shaped artisan roll; or
- NEW Artisan Ham Sandwich, a delightful combination made with a parmesan egg frittata, three slices of Black Forest ham, and mild cheddar on a perfectly-baked hand-shaped artisan roll; or
- Sausage Breakfast Sandwich, a tasty teaming of sausage, egg and mild cheddar on an English muffin; or
- Reduced-Fat Turkey Bacon Breakfast Sandwich, lighter option featuring reduced-fat turkey bacon, cholesterol-free egg, and reduced-fat aged white cheddar on a multi-grain English muffin.
Each of the pairings is just $3.95, and you could end up saving as much as $1.25 on an order by picking the combination over separates. Not a bad deal. If you want a mocha, or vanilla latte, or something instead of a plain latte, you’ll just be charged extra for the addition of syrup to the breakast pairing. You won’t have to miss out on the deal entirely.
Posted by Nicole on March 2, 2009
In the fairly small town of Vassalboro, Maine, a new coffee shop opened its doors last week. A topless coffee shop. The owner, Donald Crabtree, said “I know what people want. People like nudity, and coffee is profitable.” He certainly makes a good point, but the combination still is a highly unusual one to introduce.
The coffee shop has 15 employees – 10 women and 5 men – of all ages (over 18, of course) and body types, “from skinny to big-boned women” and every one of them works topless. The owner says that the place is doing well already, even in an otherwise slow economy, largely because people are really cheered up by visiting the store. Of course, since the shop has only been open for a week, there is no telling how the coffee shop will do once the novelty wears off. If it does well, we might start to see similar venues open in other locations.
