Coke lattes?

Found this article in my late night web browsing. Coke's attempting to launch a Starbucks knock-off. I can't say I'm surprised but I just wish the day had not come so soon.
Those of you in Toronto, be wary.

CC: Corvoca Coffee

What's a Coffee Commentary?


Subject: Corvoca Coffee
Location visited: Deptford, NJ
Free Wifi: no
Rating: 3+ [see key]




*Updated 5/29/09

Another exotic treat to the South Jersey area: a drive-thru coffee bar. This place I was introduced to by a friend, though I didn't believe him at first. I've heard of drive-thru espresso before but never in our region.

So my friend guides me there (it was a little off my beaten path), to Cooper St in Deptford, next to the Burger King and down the road from the Deptford mall. I had to admit that the grab-and-go aspect is nice, especially since this place is kind-of on the way to my parents as well as down the street from my girlfriend's.

Having spoken with the owner a bit, he seems to know his stuff. Though the drive-thru feature makes it hard to get to really know employees, they mostly seem to know what they're doing. The espresso beverage quality is decent, though I have an espresso-wise friend who doesn't really care for their espresso (you'll have to be the judge). Oddly, I've never had their coffee (a phenomenon I'm not sure I can explain) so I can't really comment on it and the tea is Tazo (a good choice).

Overall, I would recommend the place if you're ever near Deptford (though you might need to get directions from the website). It's quick, convenient (pretty broad hours though no late-nights), and the quality seems to be a priority. In an area oddly lacking decent coffee houses (one recently closed down near by), Corvoca is a welcome sight.

Updated 5/29/09

This update is part of my going back through and updating many of my earlier posts that have not the same criteria that I currently look for. Corvoca overall has a leaning towards a dark coffee that proves bitter more often than flavorful. The espresso has been in my experience long shots and over-pulled. I will probably update this again soon as I have not been in some time.

CC: Crescent Moon Coffee & Tea

What's a Coffee Commentary?

Subject: Crescent Moon Coffee and Tea
Location visited: Mullica Hill
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]


Updated 11/14/17 (at bottom)


It's very rare to see a gem like Crescent Moon in the Philadelphia area. This coffee house I ran across about a year ago and ever since I've been in love.

One good sign of a promising coffee house is the vision behind it. Not only members of the SCAA and various coffee/espresso task groups, they eat, sleep, and breathe quality in coffee and tea. From what I've seen, the employees have been extensively trained in many aspects of coffee and tea, especially in coffee roasting and quality espresso preparation.

The owners encourage their employees to be the best of the best in the business and will do what it takes to get them there. As a result they have some of the most dedicated employees. Not only did one of their baristas win the Mid-Atlantic Barista Championships (with another placing in the top eight) but they also have employees specializing in roasting and making a life-long career out of it.

As far as the coffee goes, I dare say it's unmatched. The emphasis on quality, variety, and consistency amazes me.

The espresso also hits the spot superbly. The espresso blend holds such a full body, the baristas know how to pull a perfect shot, and the drinks are created well.

For cocoa fans, I highly reccomend the hot chocolate (made from blocks of imported Ecuadorian cocoa).

The tea is Republic of Tea, nothing too original or off-the-charts but usually proves to be a good cup.

A final area of commendation is the attention to socially responsible commerce (such as fair trade, relationship coffees, etc.) but not at the expense of quality. Most organics or fair trades I have tried have come out stale or bitter (of course it's rarely the farm's fault, more the roaster or the coffeehouse) but all the organics and fair trades I've had at CM taste no different then the others.

Overall, I can easily expound CM exceeds most coffeehouses. This kind of quality isn't found much in the Philadelphia area and as it can be seen in local media and coffee circles, this place is going places. If you haven't stopped by, make sure to do so.


Update 11/26/07
Over the past couple of years, Crescent Moon have seemingly undergone a lot of changes. It seems they've taken a step back from barista competition and has sought instead to go wholesale with their beans. Now you can get their coffee in most NJ and Philly Whole Foods locations.

As far as the coffeehouse goes, seems like everything is still pretty superb in quality.


Update 5/29/09
To further streamline all of my earlier posts to match my current criteria of a review, I would like to elaborate on my many experiences with Crescent Moon. The coffee has routinely knocked my socks off, as their consistent roasting excellence always impresses me. My current favorite is the Raccoon Creek (wonderfully bright and sweet) and the Guatemalan Chajul (nice spicy, chocolate flavors). The espresso has maintained a decent quality through the years, as the Breakneck proves to often have a rounded bittersweet taste with a nice hang on in the aftertaste.


Update 5/18/11
Added long overdue second location in Sewell to map and this review. Same great products in a little smaller of a store.


Update 11/14/17
A long overdue update. The Sewell location is out of the picture, but Mullica Hill is still going strong. Much of the coffee now swings to the darker roast level of medium, with no real light roasts to speak of anymore. Nonetheless, they do a fairly bang-up job of delivering good coffee to the masses. Still worth a stop!

CC: Starbucks...

What's a Coffee Commentary?

Subject: Starbucks (aka Charbucks) Coffee
Location visited: Various
Free WiFi ? : NO
Rating: 1+ [see key]

Ok, I’m really going to try and be objective here. I’ll put aside my disdain for how they run small, viable coffee establishments out of business with nothing but a well-publicized yet rather blah product. I am not going to rant on how they often claim to support responsible and social action for their coffee purchasing and yet their actions seem to show otherwise 1 2 3. Oh, and I won’t even go into how they lead thousands of people astray, the masses thinking “oh, I know good coffee and it's Starbucks.” But I guess I should give you my evaluation of the chain.

First, I shall share my positive comments. I must say, their interiors are nice. And from what people tell me, their more sugary, milk-shaky drinks (mocha caramel frappuccinos) taste pretty good.
And on a side note, I loooooove people who say they love Starbucks coffee and they only drink things overladen with chocolate, caramel, and whipped cream.

Now a couple critiques. First of all, the coffee has always, no matter where I went, been a charred-black, disgusting brew. Before giving up on Starbucks, I can recall just throwing coffee away because my mouth couldn’t take the misery. As many of you know, this bitter, hellish taste comes from over-roasted coffee bean, a Starbucks signature. As a home roaster, I can tell you that oily black beans were never meant to be used for good coffee. e-v-e-r.

Secondly, there’s a difference between competition and crushing independent businesses with sheer juggernaut force. Ever notice in NYC that there are Starbucks across the street from each other? And as some would say, most people don’t know much at all about good coffee, hence why most people drink what looks popular.

Basically, I would render the same feelings as these folks: “…there are only two kinds of people who say they like Starbucks coffee: those who like dark strong bitter coffee, and those who are trying be a part of the coffee craze.”

To wrap it up: Spend you’re money elsewhere

An oldie but a goodie on coffee health

Browsing through an archive of articles by Ken Davids, I stumbled upon this article back from last May that made me appreciate coffee a little bit more.