Thursday, June 28, 2012

CC: Peace Coffee





















Subject: Peace Coffee
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]


A lot of coffee establishments promote sustainability and social justice, but very few seem as entrenched as Peace Coffee of Minneapolis. Created initially by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy to help coffee farmers find a consistent well-paying outlet for their coffee, Peace Coffee operates on what looks like a pretty large scale, always looking to offer coffee that will help the farmer and good ol' Earth. 

But unlike many crusading coffee entities bent on saving the world, Peace Coffee actually has earned a reputation for outputting a good cup of coffee as well, both in their whole beans as well as in their store. Wanting to try out the retail arm in a proverbial arm wrestle, I left a piece of my schedule wide open for a piece of peace, quiet and coffee at Peace Coffee. 

Prancing over to their Wonderland Park location, I found an unmissable blood red brick building with plenty of outside seating and large open windows. Within, the space is spacious, minimal and inviting, with bright colors, an array of places to sit and lots of cool accents (I like the disco ball).

For my beverages, I ordered a pourover of their Guatemalan and an espresso of their Espresso Blend. The Guatemalan proved delicious, with notes of prune, hay, light cocoa and hazlenet in a light/medium body. The espresso, pulled short with dark brown crema, held a peaceful balance of flavors, with blood orange and pepper balancing out with chicken broth, raisin and spearmint. 

I humbly submit that I thoroughly enjoyed my coffee and time at Peace Coffee. If you're in town and you're looking for some great coffee, give Peace a chance. 

Sunday, June 24, 2012

CC: Toby's Estate





















Subject: Toby's Estate 
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]


Back when I first became fanatical about coffee back in 2005, I noticed that Australia seemed to have a lot going on with specialty coffee. Ever since, I've kept a bit of a peripheral eye on happenings down under, hoping silently that one day I could save enough loot to make a full fledged trip to the wonderful land of Oz. 

Yet one need not traverse halfway around the globe to sample Australian coffee culture. When I went to London a year or so ago, I couldn't help but notice the indelible mark the Australians and Kiwis were leaving on the London scene. In a lesser sense, but all the while growing, NYC has been getting its fair share of the influence. Looking to one of the more notable of the Aussie coffee developments, in beginning of 2012, one of the finer coffee operations of Australia set up its North American flagship in none other then Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Toby's Estate is a coffee operation that seems nicely represented in their home continent, where many major cities seem to be brimming with locales where you can pick up a cup or bag of their coffee. Recently, the operation made landfall in lovely Brooklyn in a huge grey brick building with lots of space. While the outside boasts a clean look with large windows, the interior is a vaulted room of warmth, with large shelves boasting curios and merchandise as well as a large seating area with substantial furniture. 

Stepping up to the efficiently running coffee counter, I ordered an espresso of their Bedford Blend and a pourover of their Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, both of which were served with great cheer. The espresso, pulled short with a light marbled crema, smacked of sweet lemons, cocoa, nutmeg, pepper, cane sugar and sourdough; while not too acidic, it held a predominant brightness and sweetness. The pourover of Ethiopian Yirgacheffe delivered a resoundingly delicious brew that rang of milk, chocolate, fluffy biscuit, apple, citron and a bit of seaweed; a hardy coffee with a smooth, medium body.

Needless to say, I had a bonzer experience all around. While it's not exactly a trip to the land of wonder, it's the next best thing so if you happen to be in Williamsburg or nearby, offer Toby's Estate a visit.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Mugged: Ethiopian Yirgacheffe [Rockin' Coffee]







Subject: Rockin' Coffee
Mugged: Ethiopian Yirgacheffe
Rating: 3+ [see key]





The second coffee I slurped of from Rockin' Coffee was their Ethiopian Yirgacheffe. A fair looking medium roast, I sampled it via drip, french press and siphon infusions.

The drip produced a cup noted with wheat, strong malt, roasted fennel, pear skin, chicken and a little cardboard. While a bit of a rough and alliaceous brew, the coffee did prove slightly sumptuous.

The french press fared best, with a bright quality that offered flecks of apple as well as notes of wheat, caramel, fennel and pear skin amidst a brothy undertone.

The siphon infusion proved more savory, with roasted fennel, wheat, pear, malt and broth. A fair brew with a medium body.

All in all, this Ethiopian held a noticed brightness and other positives to its flavor, but the savory and sometimes tough qualities made it a hard coffee to love. Give this Ethiopian a try if you're looking for such a brew.


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


Sunday, June 17, 2012

CC: Rustica Bakery




















Subject: Rustica Bakery 
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]


Like many a small boy, my mom liked to take me shopping and one of our infrequent stops was at a little bakery close to home. An old Italian-style bakery brimming with jelly-filled cookies and old-fashioned pastel cakes, I distinctly remember not liking their treats at all. Why would I want an apricot jam sugar cookie when I could have a Tastykake butterscotch krimpet or a Hershey bar?

Thankfully, a little wiser with age, my narrow view of sweets has faded and I've grown to appreciate the many varieties of baked goods and baking styles. Also with age, I've also come to recognize that any troglodyte can bake a cake, but it takes a master baker to make great pastries. Couple that skill with a quality coffee operation and you have a rare gem found ever sparingly. 

While I was in Minneapolis I happened upon one such gem called Rustica Bakery, an artisan confectionery in Calhoun Village. I had heard their baking praises sung like sweet yodels in the Alps with a possible complimenting harmony that they also slung local Dogwood Coffee with skill of a fine accordion player. 

Making my way over with little challenge in finding parking (twas a busy day), I walked into their spacious cafe. The interior radiated an old world feel coupled with a modern layout, with plenty of sturdy, chic furniture of wood, as well as pleasing lighting and bountiful shelves of delicious creations.

Looking to their coffee, I ordered an espresso of Dogwood Espresso and a Clover brew of Brazil Serra Negra. The espresso, pulled short with even brown crema, held notes of vanilla, pepper, lime, merlot, poppy seed and sea salt; a flavorful and intriguing infusion that left me chipper. The clover brew of the Brazil delivered flavors of roasted lamb, cashew, green apple candy and seltzer amidst a light body, which easily spelled a hearty yet slightly tart brew. 

My coffee experience coupled with a few baked items tucked away for later (all of which proved wondrous) made for a bakery experience that will sit high in my register. Give Rustica a visit if you're in Minneapolis. 

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Mugged: Rwanda [One Village]

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Subject: One Village Coffee 
Mugged: Rwanda Gatare Station Bourbon
Rating: 4+ [see key]




Despite living and frequently traveling around the Philadelphia area, I've had surprisingly few dealings with One Village Coffee. Based out of Souderton north of the city, One Village has often served up decent beans in the times I've found them. Hence when an opportunity recently presented itself to sample their wares at home, I jumped at the chance. 

The first of the two coffees sent was their Rwanda Gatare Station Bourbon, a light roasted, wet-processed coffee that I sampled by pourover, siphon and french press infusions. 

The drip produced a brew that poured out a mild strawberry milkshake, Nesquick, some hay, corn chip, black tea and deep cherry on the back end. The resulting coffee was a flavorful yet mellow brew.

The french press demonstrated strawberry, wheat, a bit of cream and a nice tang of lemon. The brightest of the three cups, this infusion also held the least nuance.

The siphon rallied with more of a honey sweetness as well as heavy notes of cream, bran and twigs, along with flecks of sesame seed, well done steak and scotch amidst a medium body. A much more pungent concoction with a few odd notes, but overall still tasty.

To concisely put it, this Rwandan offered a good coffee that held my interest throughout. Give this Rwandan a go if you can get your mitts on it.  


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