Sunday, August 3, 2008
In Case of Emergency: A Guide to Gourmet Coffee In a Pinch
If you've been drinking coffee that doesn't taste like it could double for car oil long enough, the thought of being forced to drink a sub-par brew could be impossible for you to comprehend. But sometimes, situations arise that force you to make compromises. That's why I'm writing a series of "In Case of Emergency" posts. This way, when you find yourself in an area where there is not a Starbucks around for 100 miles, you can make a choice that will quell the voice of your inner coffee snob.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
The "Cool as Coffee" schedule
Caffeine cravings can strike any time of the day. While almost everyone has a cup of joe at 7 a.m. before running off to work, those of us who are truly addicted have to get their fix more than once a day. Unfortunately, coffee cravings can strike at any time of the day, and it's not cool to be seen drinking hot coffee at 3 in the afternoon.
If you're looking to satisfy your coffee craving and look good doing it, follow this "Cool as Coffee" schedule.
6 a.m. to 9 a.m.: Black coffee. Everyone is still rubbing the sleep off of their eyes and trying to kick off their day. Don't order (or make) anything fancy because nobody will be paying attention.
11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.: An iced espresso drink or an iced coffee. It's the middle of the day, far to late to be drinking a hot cup of coffee. Instead, cool down with a cold beverage. And make sure it's in a clear container so everyone can see what you're drinking. Drinking iced coffee at the right time makes you look pretty damn cool.
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.: Americano, either iced or hot, depending on the weather. It's enough espresso to get you through the rest of the day without killing you at night.
From 6:00 p.m. on: Either a hot mocha, a macchiato, or a latte. You don't want your coffee keeping you up all night. These drinks are all milk based, and warm milk helps get you ready for bed.
If you are really addicted, however, you'll go with your favorite drink at any time of the day and disregard any of the "Cool as Coffee" suggestions in the post above.
If you're looking to satisfy your coffee craving and look good doing it, follow this "Cool as Coffee" schedule.
6 a.m. to 9 a.m.: Black coffee. Everyone is still rubbing the sleep off of their eyes and trying to kick off their day. Don't order (or make) anything fancy because nobody will be paying attention.
11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.: An iced espresso drink or an iced coffee. It's the middle of the day, far to late to be drinking a hot cup of coffee. Instead, cool down with a cold beverage. And make sure it's in a clear container so everyone can see what you're drinking. Drinking iced coffee at the right time makes you look pretty damn cool.
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.: Americano, either iced or hot, depending on the weather. It's enough espresso to get you through the rest of the day without killing you at night.
From 6:00 p.m. on: Either a hot mocha, a macchiato, or a latte. You don't want your coffee keeping you up all night. These drinks are all milk based, and warm milk helps get you ready for bed.
If you are really addicted, however, you'll go with your favorite drink at any time of the day and disregard any of the "Cool as Coffee" suggestions in the post above.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Matteos (Klamath Falls, OR)
In Klamath Falls, a coffee lover's options are fairly limited. Klamath isn't exactly a large city, and coffee lovers are lucky to find any establishment that resembles what "big city folk" call a coffee house.
So when a local youth pastor (and a fellow coffee addict) decided that the town needed more places for his youth to hang out at, he decided to open a shop (strategically located close to the local college) for people to congregate, enjoy gourmet coffee and listen to live music on the weekends.
Matteos is located next to Blockbuster on Campus Drive in Klamath Falls, Oregon. The atmosphere is completely different from the rest of the town. A giant painting created for the cafe hangs from one of the walls and antique chairs surround the tables. The Barista is at the back of the shop and sells pastries and newspapers to compliment the coffee.
Speaking of coffee, Matteos offers a house brew and a French roast. When I last visited, I felt both brews were rich and smooth. However, I felt their French roast needed more body and that the house brew could have been a little smoother.
Matteos serves delicious mochas (sweet but with a strong espresso taste) and a host of other drinks. They give their customers a lot of freebies including free coffee refills, coffee beans and wireless Internet. Because of the lack of wireless spots in Klamath, free wireless helps set Matteos apart from other spots in Klamath.
Come for: the coffee house atmosphere, a rarity in Klamath Falls.
Stay for: The mochas and the free wireless internet.
So when a local youth pastor (and a fellow coffee addict) decided that the town needed more places for his youth to hang out at, he decided to open a shop (strategically located close to the local college) for people to congregate, enjoy gourmet coffee and listen to live music on the weekends.
Matteos is located next to Blockbuster on Campus Drive in Klamath Falls, Oregon. The atmosphere is completely different from the rest of the town. A giant painting created for the cafe hangs from one of the walls and antique chairs surround the tables. The Barista is at the back of the shop and sells pastries and newspapers to compliment the coffee.
Speaking of coffee, Matteos offers a house brew and a French roast. When I last visited, I felt both brews were rich and smooth. However, I felt their French roast needed more body and that the house brew could have been a little smoother.
Matteos serves delicious mochas (sweet but with a strong espresso taste) and a host of other drinks. They give their customers a lot of freebies including free coffee refills, coffee beans and wireless Internet. Because of the lack of wireless spots in Klamath, free wireless helps set Matteos apart from other spots in Klamath.
Come for: the coffee house atmosphere, a rarity in Klamath Falls.
Stay for: The mochas and the free wireless internet.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Hello
I am hopelessly addicted to coffee. As I write this, I'm sitting at a coffee house drinking an iced mocha while typing on my iPod touch.
But I'm not just a coffee addict, I'm also a coffee critic. I critique black coffee mainly; no sugar or creme added. I like espresso and mixed coffee drinks (also known as "fufu" coffee), but nothing beats a thick, smooth black blend. I love coffee houses and hope to feature them whenever I visit them for the first time.
But I'm not just a coffee addict, I'm also a coffee critic. I critique black coffee mainly; no sugar or creme added. I like espresso and mixed coffee drinks (also known as "fufu" coffee), but nothing beats a thick, smooth black blend. I love coffee houses and hope to feature them whenever I visit them for the first time.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)