Showing posts with label Saratoga Springs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Saratoga Springs. Show all posts

Friday, March 20, 2020

Kru Coffee




Subject: Kru Coffee
Location: Saratoga Springs, NY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

While Saratoga springs is known best for its horses, the area also possesses a beautiful history and lovely town. I recall my first visit over a decade ago while driving through the area and ever since have desired to make a detour when traveling nearby.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Mugged: Costa Rican Tarrazu [Uncommon Grounds]

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What does "Mugged" mean?


Subject: Uncommon Grounds
Coffees Mugged: Costa Rican Tarrazu Fair Trade and Organic
Rating: 3+ [see key]



Even though I expect it, mid-January always hits me with its lack of fun weather and as of late, excessive deadlines. Usually within these times it's the little things, such as a decent coffee new to my tongue, that seem to have a greater, much-more-appreciated oomph.

Given this fact, it was a nice surprise to have received a pound of Costa Rican Tarrazu from a recently reviewed coffee roaster and cafe, Uncommon Grounds. The coffee came in a large paper bag, filled to the brim with a medium roast edging on dark. I brewed the coffee via drip, siphon and french press.

The drip, brewed first, birthed a brew rich in dark chocolate and with hints of pumpkin and cloves. A bit of dark bitterness emerged as the cup cooled, having a moderate effect of making the cup less sweet and more peppery.

The french press also presented a nice dark chocolaty cup with chipper notes of spice and a developing bitterness. The french press seemed to have a much more deep and earthy taste to it.

The siphon had the least bitterness of the three yet it was more one dimensional as well, with all the spotlight on the rich chocolate and only small cameos of earthiness and bitterness. The siphon consistently produced the smoothest body of the three methods.

Though I can't say this was the best Costa Rican coffee I've ever had, it proved to be among some of the better. Whether you frequent the cafes of Uncommon Grounds or you're looking for a decent Costa Rican online, give this one a try.

note: coffee was provided free of charge and the above review is objective feedback.

Sunday, January 03, 2010

CC: Uncommon Grounds

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject:
Uncommon Grounds
Location visited: Saratoga Springs, NY
Free WiFi ? : yes

Rating:
3+ [
see key]


How I've overlooked Saratoga Springs all my life, I do not know. To me, it meant a distant race track and some mineral water, but a recent trip into town illustrated a more copious sampling of opportunities than I thought probable.

Of course, I was also pulling blindly for a good coffee experience, this time from a place called Uncommon Grounds, what seemed like my best hope in town after much dead end research.

My entourage and I pulled up in front of the shop amidst a bustling Saturday morning crowd. Uncommon Grounds resides in a large white brick building with a large awning and alcoves ripe for outside seating in nice weather.

The interior was quite behemoth in scope; a large space with a faux-courtyard (or faux-house depending on your view) in the middle with lots of seating in and around it. I made my way to the crowded counter off to the left and ordered a drip of their house blend (they roast their own coffees) and an espresso. The house blend was birthed out of one of their many pump pots; a slightly old, slightly bitter coffee that had bits of tart berry and a relatively smooth body (i.e. mediocre cup). The espresso, pulled of a medium volume had a lot of crema, a chocolate milkshake-ish taste and consistency, followed by a tiger-sized bite of bitterness on the back end. The tea was free leaf.

Before I had ventured to Saratoga Springs, I read on a forum somewhere that given the beauty and draw of the area, Saratoga Springs needs a great coffeehouse. I would venture that given some overhaul, Uncommon Grounds could be that place. If not, the field seems ripe for a savvy newcomer.

If you happen to be in town, try out Uncommon Grounds.