CC: Jaho Coffee & Tea

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Jaho Coffee & Tea

Location visited: Salem, MA
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 4+ [see key]



Few cities hold onto their negative past (on purpose) as well as Salem. The witch trials of old bear many a harsh reminder (such as how frenzied fear can cause people to kill their neighbors), yet aside from the power of learning, the power of tourism holds even larger sway. It is to this that I owe my several visits to the town.

This last trip, I had more on my agenda then the local history, as a local coffee establishment called Jaho Coffee & Tea had captured my attention with rumors of good coffee. After taking in some of the puritanical sights, we made our way to the old maritime wharf where the coffeehouse rests. The cafe is a multi-leveled shop with an array of seating and a lounge-like atmosphere.

Of Jaho's coffees (they roast their own), I tried their Rwandan via drip. A medium roast, it sampled saucy, sweet, with a bit of ginger and a noticeable stale/cardboard quality (pretty obvious to be from an old pot). The espresso, prepared short and with a good head of crema, displayed bright and bitter contrasts up front, a little chocolate, some salt, sugar and a tinge of five spice. The espresso seemed prepared fairly well and the espresso blend decent (though both seemed like they had more potential then how it showed up in my cup). The tea is Mighty Leaf.

In wrapping up my experience, I found Jaho to be at least a fair coffee presence and at best, not well represented that day. Yet another place to wait to revisit for a more definitive ruling.

If you're in town (hopefully not for a trial), try the brew at Jaho.

CC: Blue Horse Coffee

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Blue Horse Coffee

Location visited: Pittsburgh, PA
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 4+ [see key]



Too often, coffeehouses seem locked into small retail spaces with no parking. Sure, the reasons can be rooted to lots of things like wanting to be trendy, needing cheaper rent or a fear of minivans. But in my simple observations, we exist as a country deeply in love with personal transportation and suburbia, thus it would seem to make sense for more quality cafes to move out of the city.

While I was in Pittsburgh, I was pleased to find the area had one such specimen right off Washington Rd/Route 19 in a cute shopping center mostly to itself. Blue Horse Coffee was its name, a venue that had lured me with news of superb coffee from Counter Culture as well as some skill with the portafilter. The building itself towered with high ceilings and was adorned inside with a Native American fashion (emphasis on horses) including lots of blues, tans and adobe.

This particular morning, the cafe was practically empty and so unimpeded, I ponied up to the counter and ordered a cup of their house, Crooks Corner House Blend, via drip, as well as a double espresso. The Crooks Corner backed in with notes of caramel, sunflower seed, cocoa, some almond (both in nutty and bitter characteristics) and some noticeable staleness. While the coffee had a good amount of positives, the bitterness and stale aspects definitely took away from it. The espresso, pulled small/medium with thin crema, proved a little too hot off the extraction and held flavors of bitter chocolate, lemon, sugar and a dark body. It seemed my espresso was average. The tea is Two Leaves and a Bud.

While I am happy to find another example of a well-respected suburban cafe, I was not floored with their coffee infusions (Counter Culture's product is usually up on their quality control). I either hit Blue Horse's baristas on a really bad day or they have a loyal following of over-hypers. I hope to make it back (relatively) soon to give it a second try.

If you happen to be in the area, give Blue Horse a ride; maybe you'll have better fortunes.

CC: Roast Coffee Company

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Roast Coffee Company

Location visited: Milwaukee, WI
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]



My final stop in lovely Milwaukee was a place called Roast Coffee Company. Having need for a good coffee stop for the road, Roast seemed like a fitting final stop for my short time in Milwaukee, as they have displayed their yearning for excellence through hosting numerous Barista jams over the years.

Roast occupies a street-corner cafe near the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee campus. Inside, the cafe possessed a very mellow atmosphere, with lots of earth tones, a copper ceiling, an older tile floor and oodles of seating.

I ordered a cup of Rwandan 100% Bourbon (from Anodyne Coffee Roasters) via pump pot. The coffee proved sweet, like a honeycrisp apple with hints of grain, caramel and a medium body, though it also had a stale quality that reduced the cup to less than wonderful. The espresso, a quality short pull with nice crema, smacked of dark cocoa, a little lemon, sugar, cinnamon and chocolate milk on the end. The tea is Rishi free leaf.

Despite the older drip, the experience at Roast seemed to be splendid. I left a happier man then whence I arrived. Give Roast a swirl if you're nearby.

CC: Penny University

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Penny University

Location visited: London, UK
Free WiFi ? : no
Rating: 6+ [see key]



Unique ideas often come with unique possibilities. When Square Mile Coffee opened up new kind of coffee venue, one centered on the coffee like a Porsche in a showroom, it definitely made for a new concept. Instead of patrons coming to a cafe for a quick cup-to-go or to sit and utilize the WIFI, this venue would expertly showcase coffee much like a Magic Bullet commercial (just replace the corny "1...2....3" sales pitch with pure coffee nerd-dom).

This new type of coffee display was dubbed the Penny University, situated in a small retail space in Shoreditch where the furniture was minimal and the coffee is all infused sans-espresso machine (i.e. they filter, siphon...just not espresso). Upon my visit, the place was brimming much more like a cocktail party, with the patrons energetically engaging the baristas in coffee banter (versus the typical keep-to-yourself environment of a cafe).

After studying my options, I caught a barista's attention and ordered a filtered cup (brewed in a Hario) of La Linda Tolima from Colombia. It was made with great care and then with additional grace, was presented in a perfectly-sized glass carafe with a ceramic cup. I noted some nice chocolate flavors, a little caramel apple, some grass, cashew and a bit of cream. The coffee proved deliciously balanced and well-infused.

As for other coffee options, they do different brew methods and also offer a plethora of coffee merchandise (including whole beans) but as I mentioned, they don't do espresso.

Yet as with most rarities, the Penny University will be disappearing as of July 30, 2010. As hinted in the press release, it seems this concept may resurface elsewhere but the current incarnation will definitely expire in but a few days. I simply thank my fortunes that within the limited window of their 3 month existence, I was able to sample the spectacle.

Thus, keep an eye peeled for Square Mile Coffee happenings and in the meantime, try out one of the many cafes in London brewing or pulling shots of Square Mile.

CC: Diesel Cafe

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Subject: Diesel Cafe

Location visited: Somerville, MA
Free WiFi ? : no
Rating: 5+ [see key]



Most coffeehouse spaces within urban environments tend to be getting smaller and more chic with each passing day. I've been to quite a few spots where 'standing room only' would be a generous claim and one place that I had to literally hold my coffee above my head so it wouldn't spill. Now, I will weasel into a bear den for good coffee, but occasionally I like large, open spaces. And Diesel Cafe in the Boston area had much more then open space; they had the seating of a truck stop.

Diesel Cafe is a cafe located right off the Davis T stop (north of Boston) nestled amidst a cute main street area. The front of the cafe opens up in nice weather, which made space for the line of customers moving into their industrial, choc-full-of-local-and-vintage art space.

Diesel serves up Intelligentsia, one of the few spots in the city not serving up local beans. I ordered a cup of the New Guinea via drip, a brew that proved bright with notes of sweet potato, celery, a little unsweetened cocoa, a bit of a dark body and a little staleness (had been in the pot too long I think). The espresso, Intelly's Black Cat blend, was pulled short with fair crema and had the flavors of sweet chocolate milk, lime, a prominent saltiness, cola and some merlot. Overall, the espresso didn't sample like usual Black Cat, but it was still decent. The tea is free leaf.

After camping out in the cafe for a little while, I developed a decent impression of the joint. Sure it could use a few minor refinements (the lighting wasn't the best and the drip shouldn't taste stale) but in the end, it was a good experience. Give Diesel a stop if you're in town.

CC: Star Lounge Coffee

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Star Lounge Coffee Company

Location visited: Chicago, IL
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]



Sadly, transparency in people has become more and more a unique rarity, like a responsible oil company (oh smack!) or a cheerful velociraptor. But I caught myself an unprecedented glimpse of such a cryptozoological specimen at a local cafe in Chicago (with a kicking lunch menu), where the young barista confided in me that the cafe's coffee was lackluster and that if I was looking for good coffee, to check out a place called the Star Lounge. As I recovered from my initial shock of such a disarming recommendation, he readily sketched down their web address and with strong enthusiasm, encouraged me to check it out if I wanted to try some amazing coffee.

Well, I certainly wanted to try out some amazing coffee so I suggested the spot as a rendezvous for meeting up with a gaggle of colleagues. In the waning hours of daylight, we made it to the Star Lounge, shimmering in a slightly older storefront on W. Chicago Avenue. Up the stairs to the slightly-elevated-off-the-street viscera (inside), I stood amidst a bustle of patrons nestled amidst orange walls, wood floors, an old bar and some snazzy furniture.

As I stared at their menu, I learned that though Star Lounge roasts their own coffee, they use the name of Dark Matter for their roasting operations (I do love an appropriate astronomical pun). I ordered their Burundi via drip, a juicy yet beef broth-ey coffee with notes of Earl Grey tea and a subtle grassiness in an overall smooth cup. The espresso, pulled short with a pleasing crema and velvety mouth feel, tasted of lemon, dark cocoa, sugar cane and a bit of bitterness. Both the coffee and the espresso proved pleasing with only a tad too much bitterness in the espresso. The tea is free leaf.

In departing, I thought the honest barista's recommendation was not too far off. Star Lounge seems like a great local place looking to refine with time; with a few minor tweaks, the place could really earn a name for itself (especially if all their clientele are as fervent as the chap I first met). If you're in the vicinity, shoot over to Star Lounge.

CC: Flat White

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Subject: Flat White

Location visited: London, UK
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]



How my mouth has watered to try out the coffee of London. To my blessed fortune, I found myself heading there for an extended layover just a few weeks ago and in the months preparing, I made sure to plot an appropriate course of coffee visits (as well as some normal UK tourism).

London has been transforming over the years as a city known for high tea to a city leaping to new heights in coffee quality. Superb operations haven been popping up, World Barista Champions haven taken up residence (and business ventures) within the city and other numerous events have made London a city up and up in coffee development. Much like the San Francisco Bay area and NYC, London is making strides in coffee wonders.

But one unique aspect to the London coffee story that I haven't seen in the States is the influx of Australian and Kiwi (New Zealand) coffee establishments. Operated by skilled baristas, their presence has brought the culture of the flat white to the UK. Appropriately, the Kiwi cafe called Flat White on Berwick St was one of my stops in my short time in London.

Meandering through London town on a Sunday morning, Flat White was one of the few places open. After an English breakfast at the Mediterranean Cafe next store (not a fan of the baked beans personally), I made my way over to Flat White. The cafe is a small venue, with two benches outside and tables bordering the white-and-red interior walls, all with a cozy and chic feel.

The coffee served is from Square Mile Coffee, one of London's premiere coffee roasters gaining recognition not only on their side of the pond, but also all over the US. Flat White sticks to an espresso-based menu, not serving any other method of coffee extraction (no filter, press or siphon).

Given the lack of non-espresso based coffee options, I stuck to simply ordering an espresso, as I usually don't evaluate milk-based drinks since the combo adds more complexity to the evaluation equation (though I'm confident in my ability to decipher quality with my capps). The short-pulled espresso teeming with mahogany-colored crema gave off sweet lemon, sugar, butter, a bit of cinnamon, a hint of caramel, pineapple and held a smooth body with little to no bite. To say the least I thought it was delicious. I believe their tea was assorted free leaf.

Given the difference in culture, I found the espresso still the same lovely beverage I love back home. If you happen to be in the area, definitely give Flat White your patronage.

CC: Barismo

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Barismo

Location visited: Arlington, MA
Free WiFi ? : no
Rating: 6+ [see key]


Though I've been quite a frequent acquaintance of disappointment, it always hits me anew when I walk up to a coffeehouse only to see it darkened with an unexpected CLOSED sign. Usually it's thanks to a silly holiday or special event but every once in a while it's something more ridiculous like "eh, we just decided to take the week off."

But ah the euphoria of when it's a false alarm and the cafe is only closed because the sole barista had to run a quick errand. Such was the situation I ran into in my visit to Barismo, a small shop and roaster in Arlington that has earned itself strong bragging rights on quality coffee production. The cafe is a tiny, lab-like space with their two drum roasters in the back and their counter in the middle with plenty of space to mill about and sip your coffee (i.e. this is not a place to camp with your laptop but more a place to talk coffee with the barista).

I ordered myself some shots of their Soma Espresso and a cup of their Guatemala Puerta Verde via V60 cone (aka pourover or filtered). The Soma, pulled short with a nice crema, had a nice brightness, notes of jasmine, soft pretzel, chocolate and a medium body (I would say it was spot on for me). The Guatemalan put forth flavors of nougat, chianti, tobacco, vanilla and a tinge of bourbon. I would also say this splendid coffee proved as sweet and balanced as Barismo touts. The tea is their own.

While I can't say that I see similar styles of this kind of cafe popping up much (people sure love their wifi and comfy chairs), I personally would take Barismo over most coffeehouses any day. Make sure to stop in when you are in town.

2 week break

Greetings to all, whether you're a faithful reader or a sudden visitor!

In light of the fact that I am in the process of moving and at the same time, out of the area with limited internet access, I wanted to let you know that I will probably not post until July. I might be able to find a moment to throw in some content here or there, but I figured just in case, I'd go with worst case scenario.

But once July begins, expect things to be back to normal with a flurry of new coffeehouses and coffee experiences!

In the humblest gratitude,

Bill

CC: Voluto Coffee

Subject: Voluto Coffee 

Location visited: Pittsburgh, PA
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]



UPDATED 04/29/14

Yet another city often bypassed in my history (mostly during family vacations when I was a wee tot) was the city of Pittsburgh. It's sad (and joyous) to say that my first actual trip just recently happened, as I had a long weekend to spend in town with friends, enjoying some baseball and local sights.

Of course, coffee stops made the list of attractions and there were quite a few. Much like Pittsburgh has been one of the few old industrial cities of the America to really bounce back, it seems their coffee scene has also been atypical in the number of acclaimed coffee places to have emerged.

My first stop was a relative newcomer to the scene called Voluto Coffee. Located in the Friendship area of Pittsburgh, the cafe is part of a residential building, with Voluto trumpeting huge windows and a nice array of modern-esque outside seating. On the other side of the glass, the cafe continues the modern look, with a gorgeous array of furniture in an 'honest architecture' space.

The coffee comes all the way from British Columbia via 49th Parallel. I had myself an espresso (49th's Epic) and a cup from their pump pot (I believe it was french pressed originally) of the 123 degree W Longitude blend. The espresso, pulled short with beautiful crema, displayed notes of vanilla, strawberry, cream, lemon and sugar. The barista did a great job with the extraction and the bright espresso was delightful to slurp. The 123 degree W Longitude blend produced a light, grassy, tart apple coffee with hints of tobacco, orange and honey; a great coffee throughout. The tea was free leaf.

As the first cafe on my expedition, I was greatly pleased with Voluto. Stop in.



UPDATED 04/29/14

Voluto is now a location for Commonplace Coffee. Still a win as for quality. 

CC: Alterra Coffee

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Alterra Coffee

Location visited: Milwaukee, WI
(Alterra at the Lake location)
Free WiFi ? : sometimes
Rating: 6+ [see key]


How I love a warm day along a lake, especially when its relatively tranquil and I can count the number of noises on one hand. Aside from a chipper leprechaun handing me his pot of gold, the only thing I that could add to such a nice location would be a well-placed cafe.

Of course, Milwaukee (one of my new favorite cities) boasts an Alterra Coffee location in a converted flushing station along Lake Michigan. When I first laid eyes on its beautiful architecture, exterior park-like grounds and wondrous placement along the lake, I knew this place must be a gold mine even if they served aged puddle water and horse cheese. Inside it got even better, with a gorgeous atrium consisting of multiple levels of rustic furniture and the most merchandise I have ever seen for one coffee entity.

Alterra has been on my list to try for some time, as they've managed to elude me through my many travels. After waiting amidst the late morning coffee rush, I ordered myself an espresso (I believe of their Espresso Toro) and a drip of the Ethiopian. The espresso, pulled short with a nice marbled crema, held notes of blood orange, cocoa, a cranberry-based cocktail, a little portabello and a speckle of sage. To put it simply, it was good espresso, though it leaned a little sour. The Ethiopian coffee demonstrated a grassy cup followed with honey, grape, some earthiness, a bit of a saucy aura and some spice cake. As for my experience with Ethiopians, this coffee had much less acidity than I would expect, but other than that, it was good. The tea was free leaf.

Not able to hang out long, I would have say my trip to Alterra on the Lake was almost without blemish (their no free WIFI after 12 PM caught me at a slight inconvenience). While the selection of amazing coffee in Milwaukee is intimidating, if you don't need WIFI, this place has a location that will make you weep with elation, so do stop in.

CC: Knockbox Cafe

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Knockbox Cafe

Location visited: Chicago, IL
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]


Of the many things I've seen in quality Chicago coffee, the one thing that impresses me is the loyalty to local roasters. I've been to a number of coffeehouses in the Windy City and thus far, I only see a dire love for the likes of Intelligentsia and Metropolis.

Adding to my repertoire of such establishments was a place in Humboldt Park called Knockbox Cafe. In my travels around the city, the streets leading me to Knockbox definitely didn't strike me as a place a random tourist would happen upon but more a space where locals enjoy their daily coffee (i.e. it was largely residential). Upon arriving, I also noticed the exterior of the cafe was under a bit of construction, with a big piece of plywood over one side of the corner, though the remainder of the exterior looked spiffy. Inside, the cafe trumpeted a huge counter area, a high brown metal ceiling and large colorful walls surrounding a spread out sea of seating.

Knockbox is a Metropolis Coffee purveyor, proudly toting the roaster not only in their cafe but quite visibly on their website (a refreshing sight, given the ridiculous trend amongst some cafes of either masquerading a roaster's coffee as the cafe's own or withholding the roaster because its a "trade secret").

I purchased a cup of medium roasted Peru as well as an espresso. The Peru displayed some asian pear, a bit of almond, some pepper, a molasses-like sweetness and a tingle of grain; a good, pretty balanced cup though I felt the brew was a bit off. The espresso, pulled short with a nice crema, held a strong dark peppery flavor as well as some nice notes of bright acidity, cocoa and a little bit of celery. A decent pull though I can't say I was in love with the blend (I believe it was Metropolis' Redline Espresso, a blend better marketed for its performance in milk). The tea is free leaf.

After ingesting my coffee and a quick boardgame with friends (they had a nice selection), I was on my way, pleased with my Knockbox interaction.

Whether you live local or you're passing close by, give Knockbox Cafe a visit.

Mugged: Estate Blend [R Dalton Coffee]

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What does "Mugged" mean?


Subject: R Dalton Coffee
Coffees Mugged: Estate Blend
Rating: 3+ [see key]



Boy does spring really jump into summer! I've been running to and fro with work and life's transitions seemingly nonstop with no sign of it slowing.

Today, my task was to get back on schedule and do some blogging that I've been backed up on for some weeks. R Dalton Coffee, a coffee company that sells Guatemalan coffee exclusively it seems (in 6 pack quantities), sent me two of their coffees to try out and today was the day to get the reviews out. First up was their Estate Blend, a blend of coffees from various R Dalton estates.

Brewed in french press, it displayed dark flavors (a little overtly bitter) as well as a bit of lime, dough, cherry, grass and oregano. A decent showing but it didn't knock my socks off.

The drip was not as dark (though still dark with bitter notes) with the lime, dough and cherry as well as a little honey. A bit better of a coffee infusion.

The siphon was still dark (this time not in a detrimental way at all) with the lime, dough, cherry and grass all displayed well in concert. By far, the best cup.

Putting it all together, I enjoyed this Guatemalan blend but I feel that it was a little too dark for the coffee's beans though I also suspect that there could be other factors (such as lack of freshness). Give R Dalton's Estate Blend a try if you're looking for a decent six-pack of coffee.

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

Mugged: Filadelfia Estate [R Dalton Coffee]

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What does "Mugged" mean?


Subject: R Dalton Coffee
Coffees Mugged: Filadelfia Estate Genuine Antigua
Rating: 2+ [see key]


The tough part with crops seems to be that the quality can differ from year to year. A prize-winning harvest one year can produce a mediocre output another.

Such seems the case with the second coffee I got from R Dalton Coffee. Their Filadelfia Estate Genuine Antigua had won awards and has a self-proclaimed reputation for greatness. But the coffee I received didn't seem to do as well as the accolades had lead me to expect.

In brewing it via french press, the coffee had notes of cloves, honey, pepper and really bitter cocoa. A dark coffee that didn't hold a lot of flavor but wasn't bad.

The drip was darker, with more pepper, cloves, honey, bitter cocoa, a little caramel and some earthiness. Also not a bad cup.

The siphon produced a similarly dark coffee, with bitter cocoa, honey, pepper and a bit of sourdough. Once again, a dark cup with not too much else to it.

Given the hype, I really thought this coffee would do better. Sadly, it seemed the darker roast (plus maybe the crop itself) lent only to a fair coffee this round. If you're in the mood for a modest Guatemalan, try out this one.

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

CC: Velouria Espresso

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Velouria Espresso

Location visited: Jamaica Plain, MA
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 4+ [see key]


If I were to have a second middle name, it would be Ambition (my current middle name is Persistence). Sometimes ambition is good but sometimes ambition leaks optimism where realism is needed (especially in bleak circumstance). Mostly, such times usually speak of me trying to get from point A to point B quicker then the law would allow (fortunately, enough speeding tickets as a teenager have whittled my ambition to functioning within the limits of Uncle Sam).

It was this last second ambition that twice drove me to Velouria Espresso, a cute cafe in the Jamaica Hill area of Boston, right as they closed (I hate that feeling of just missing something). So the third time I had the chance, I gave myself a little more time and lo and behold, my ambition and persisitence paid off.

The cafe externally does not hold much except big windows and a nice awning, but inside, the small space is utilized well to hold several pieces of seating and a welcoming tan and black ambiance. In my research of Velouria, I had noted the existence of a Clover but sadly, it was down the day I arrived; so I went with a cup of George Howell's Vasenda Colombian (their house coffee) and an espresso.

The Colombian, filtered, had flavors of minestrone, a nice earthiness, some sunflower, cherry and an overall smoothness. The coffee sampled well but it failed to blow me away (hard to say if it was the coffee or the brewer that lacked). The espresso, George Howell's Daterra Espresso blend according to the barista, was pulled medium/short and topped with blond crema. The flavors included a bit of cardboard, dark bitter chocolate, some lime, hints of cinnamon and a dark aftertaste. I would guess some of the negative aspects were due to barista style and in the end, it was a fair espresso. The tea is free leaf.

As I wrapped up my visit, I was already (ambitiously) thinking of making another trip as I don't feel I showed up on a good day. Velouria had a lot of the makings for a great experience but little things seemed to get in the way. Alas, such is the nature of first impressions.

If you happen to be in the area, I'd be curious your thoughts on Velouria Espresso.

CC: Anodyne Coffee Roasting Company

What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Anodyne Coffee Roasting Company

Location visited: Milwaukee, WI
(Kinnickinnic Ave location)
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Having little experience with Wisconsin, I was somewhat surprised when I drove into Milwaukee and found nothing alluding to cheese or Pabst Blue Ribbon. What I did find was what seemed to be a pretty happening city right on gorgeous Lake Michigan.

Driving on a beautiful spring day, I had my sights first on some morning coffee and a little bit of work in a local establishment called Anodyne Coffee Roasting Company. Having heard rumor of their dedication to quality coffee, I blazed a hasty route to their South Kinnickinnic Avenue location which sits proudly on a street corner in what looked like a cute neighborhood.

Inside, the counter and roasting area sit as a peninsula in the center of the shop with seating on both sides, all very aesthetically complimented by local art and knickknacks. To bring it to the next level on this particular day, a pair of older gentlemen were jamming on an accordion and trumpet off to the side (an AMAZING addition to the atmosphere).

After sizing up a spot to work, I ordered myself a cup of Rwandan and an espresso. It could have been the blazing rays of exterior light streaming in, but the Rwandan hit me with a little sunshine (yeah, I know it's not a flavor) as well as bright pomegranate, butter, grass, sunflower seed and a tinge of habanero (a splendid light roast). The espresso, pulled short with marbled crema, held notes of lemon, cinnamon, chocolate, apricot and sugar with only a mild bitterness; a great beverage pulled by skilled hands. The tea is Rishi.

After a productive morning and some delicious coffee, I left with a much stronger appreciation of Milwaukee and of their coffee. When in the area, pop into Anodyne.

Mugged: Classic [Superba Coffee]

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What does "Mugged" mean?


Subject: Superba Coffee
Coffees Mugged: Classic
Rating: 3+ [see key]




Don't judge a book by its cover. Mom, grandmom, great grandmom and Thomas the Tank Engine all spouted that cliche in hopes of teaching me to not judge people by what they look like on the outside, but who they are inside. I would say their efforts plus years of humbling experiences panned out with my skill with people.

Yet I wonder if Thomas would let out a whistle of disappointment if he knew how I openly judge real books by their covers...and food...and drinks...and even coffee (I admit it!). Now before you regard me as shallow, allow me to elaborate. I still greatly value the content and product, it just blows my mind that someone can allow an ugly design to be placed on their product.

Thus in receiving Superba Coffee's Classic blend, I was very attracted to the snazzy box enclosing the pound of coffee. Despite my admiration of the exterior, I put it to the side and put their Classic blend to the classic tests of french press, siphon and drip.

The drip surfaced sweet cane sugar, a little bourbon, caramel, bits of cinnamon, chili powder and pretzel dough. A coffee with a lil bit of bite but all together good.

The french press presented sweet caramel and Coca Cola, bourbon, bits of cinnamon, lemon and graham cracker. This coffee had a little less bite and a lot more sweet notes.

The final brew a la siphon proved a tad tamer. It conveyed predominantly sweet cane sugar, caramel, lemon and Coca Cola; a fair brew.

In getting through the whole "book" I can say I was fairly pleased with the total package. If you enjoy a decent coffee with a nice package, try out Superba's Classic blend.


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

Mugged: Oren's Special Blend [Oren's]

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What does "Mugged" mean?


Subject: Oren's Daily Roast
Coffees Mugged: Oren's Special Blend
Rating: 3+ [see key]



House blends pique my interest. Most coffeehouses have one and it would seem that the sole reason house blends exist are to be the default drip coffee experience for an establishment. When I walk into most places, their house blend is at least one of the coffees on tap (if not the only one), which tells me that coffeehouses are putting a lot of stock into their house blends. In a world of choices and varied tastes, this boggles my noggin.

My most recent experience with Oren's Special Blend, the house blend for Oren's Daily Roast, brought many of these thoughts reeling in. The second coffee of two sent to try out, this coffee is blended in thirds, one third a french roast. Given the color and composition, I deduced that this coffee was probably produced to cater to a dark roast fan's desire for those bitter notes but not too bitter to drive off people who like their coffee a little brighter and/or smoother.

After these brief moments of conjecture, I began my sampling, brewing my first cup via drip. The dark notes did not fail to arrive noticeably, mostly in the form of really dark chocolate and lemon pepper, with some accompaniment of nutmeg and grape. A fair brew but not stellar.

The french press held the same dark chocolate as well as some grass, some mango, buttermilk biscuits and nutmeg. This cup fared a tinge lighter and did sample a notch better.

The siphon pulled out more of the sweetness, with mango and molasses headlining followed by the dark chocolate, buttermilk biscuit and grass. This cup was the smoothest and least bitter.

To answer my earlier hypothesis, this coffee did seem to straddle the dark and light coffee realm, though as someone who leans away from the darker coffees, I can't say I would go out of my way for it. I would venture that Oren's must attract a greater population of darker coffee drinkers, so if you happen to hanker for a semi-dark blend, give Oren's Special Blend a dial.


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

CC: Brothers K Coffee

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Brothers K Coffee

Location visited: Evanston, IL
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]



Sometimes it feels good to get out of the routine and do something a little different. I had one such day in Chicago where I had a good chunk of time to kill before my first engagement so I made my way a little north of my usual travels to Evanston for a morning cup of coffee and a little down time.

For the coffee, I headed to a Metropolis-slinging place called Brothers K Coffee. The coffeehouse sits in a maroon-awning-ed, stone structure on the Main Street of this North Shore town. Amidst the high ceilings and old tile floor, the cafe was buzzing with a morning crowd. After wading through the line and ordering, I found myself a spot at the bar along the window and set my eyes to my bounty.

I ordered myself a cup of a medium roasted Sumatran as well as an espresso. The Sumatran held a bit of sauciness, hyacinth and lime with some bits of apple, molasses and whole grains (a pretty good cup). The espresso, pulled short and with a nice crema, had the flavor of Christmas (like a cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg combo), light cocoa, a little whiskey and overall, a nice brightness and bitterness balance. The tea is free leaf.

After some time at the bar next to a wee lad sipping a latte with his mum (this past year, I've seen a lot of kids getting lattes), it was time to begin my day and I have the Brothers K to thank for the good start. I can heartily sound that I enjoyed my experience and would recommend a visit for any who traverse north of the Loop.

Mugged: 100% Colombian Supremo [Don Francisco]

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What does "Mugged" mean?


Subject: Don Francisco's Coffee
Coffees Mugged: 100% Colombian Supremo
Rating: 5+ [see key]




Many people seem to mix up Juan Valdez and Conchita (his faithful donkey) with a certain coffee giants. I can hardly blame people for the mistake as I myself fell prey to the confusion that some coffee commercials display when they have a Valdez-ian figure promote their product. But the truth exists that Juan is the symbol for Colombian-produced coffee and has no ties (I believe) to certain companies.

Accordingly, I was happy to see Juan and Conchita on a bag of 100% Colombian from Don Francisco. This particular bag was one of their whole bean coffees that like their Kona, seemed to have promise of potential.

I broke the beans into the usual three types of brews (drip, french press and siphon) and here follows the results.

The french press displayed a bright Fiji apple, minestrone, a bit of cocoa powder, nuttiness, a little wheat and some sweetness. The coffee really displayed a light body and a tremendously smooth cup.

The drip had a similar result with lots of initial brightness, some sweet wheat, undertones of cocoa powder, a little lemon and nuttiness. Still a great, light-bodied coffee.

Keeping it consistent, the siphon held the same apply brightness, some light grass, cocoa and nuttiness. The body here was a little more tea-like but still had the same kick and delicious qualities.

While I'm sure Juan and Conchita will have their faces slapped on many other Colombian coffees, I think that they both would be proud to be featured on this bag. If you happen to be looking for a good Colombian, give this coffee from Don Francisco a sip.


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

Mugged: French Roast [Don Francisco]

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What does "Mugged" mean?


Subject: Don Francisco's Coffee
Coffees Mugged: French Roast
Rating: 3+ [see key]



By and by, it seems that the hands that produce good coffee also can produce mediocre. I know that some people really prefer their coffee to be super bitter but how are we going to get away from this fad of over-roasted coffee if roasters of all types (I've seen it in most coffee roasters) continue to propitiate the habit?

One such recent situation I can point to would be Don Francisco's French Roast. In sampling their other whole bean coffees of Colombian and Kona, I felt both to be really tasty. Clearly they have no issue producing a decent quality coffee (one of the main reasons to darkly roast a coffee is to cover up defects) so my deduction came to that they're simply catering to a the niche of people that think themselves hardcore when they ask for the dark roast. Alas...

But all that aside, I still strove to evaluate this coffee objectively and so, I put it through the tests of french press, drip and siphon.

The french press produced a coffee with dark chocolate, pepper and some subdued cherry. The darkness of the coffee really cloaked a lot of the flavors here.

The drip delivered a more earthy cup with the subdued cherry still weighted beneath the dark, bitterness of the coffee.

The siphon came out with similar dark characteristics, more cherry, some broth and pepper. With this one you could see the potential of the coffee squirming against the roast level.

As you can deduce, the coffee gave what was predicted; a coffee with some possible potential buried beneath the bitter qualities of a dark roast. I will say that as far as dark roasts go, this one was by no means abhorrent as there were still other flavors present, so if you are looking for a darker coffee, try out Don Francisco's French Roast.

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

Mugged: Nicaragua COE [Oren's Daily Roast]

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What does "Mugged" mean?


Subject: Oren's Daily Roast
Coffees Mugged: Nicaragua Cup of Excellence Los Achiote
Rating: 4+ [see key]


Given the constant coverage of coffee in New York City these past years (such as $12 cups of coffee, Westerners bringing their roasting operations east, etc.), it's easy to forget about places that have been in the area for much longer then New York's late-coming obsession of quality coffee.

I got a shipment from Oren's Daily Roast, a coffee company that's been around since the 1980s and remains a place that I've managed to miss in my occasional rushings around the city (busyness tis a poor excuse). Of the brace of coffees sent, I spun the proverbial wheel of destiny (I spin it for such occasions) and began with Oren's Cup of Excellence from Nicaragua Los Achiotes.

I kicked it off with a filtered brew of the coffee. The result displayed a saucy, rock candy, IPA-ish coffee with bits of caramel, nougat and some wheat grass. A good cup with a bit of a bitter aspect.

The french press was darker, producing a whiskey-esque bitterness and sweetness, some dark chocolate, a little hops, a little grass (less then the drip) and a tiny bit of tea rose. More bitterness and a heavier body in this infusion.

The siphon birthed a more of a caramel, bran-like child with the sauciness of the drip as well as the flavors of wheat grass, nuts, hops and grapes. The least bitter and smoothest of the three methods.

Overall the coffee held to a good quality, though it didn't really strike me as Cup of Excellence level product (for me, the bitter and saucy facets weren't the most enjoyable). Nonetheless, if you're aiming to try one of Oren's Daily Roasts, take a crack at this COE from Nicaragua.


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

CC: Crema Cafe

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Crema Cafe

Location visited: Boston, MA
Free WiFi ? : no
Rating: 6+ [see key]



Regardless of all the hype, Cambridge is one happening scene. I've been to the area several times and each time I find something interesting.

This trip, it was specifically Harvard Square and a very conveniently-located coffeehouse called Crema Cafe. Positioned right off the T stop in a simple concrete building, this teaming cafe seemed to be quite the local hotspot (especially with the warm weather). Walking through the open front, the cafe opens into a skinny but tall space with the counter to much of the left, a loft in the back and despite an abundance of quality furniture, a pretty packed joint.

Crema serves up George Howell's various brews, of which I had a cup of the Costa Rican La Minata (drip) and their house espresso. The La Minata had characteristics of a bright, juicy apple and a little guava complimented by dark chocolate, roasted tomato and a light oregano. A smooth coffee with a beautiful combination of flavors. The espresso, pulled splendidly short with a nice head (aka crema) and velvety body, held deep chocolate, raspberry, sugar cookie, rum and a tinge of tobacco on the back. Both coffees really represented not only great coffee but good mastery of methods. The tea is free leaf.

Given the delightful experience at Crema, Cambridge remains a favorite haunt when I hit old Boston town, with Crema now on the list of reasons to return. Thus, if you happen to be in the area, give Crema a stir.

Mugged: Various [Don Francisco]

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What does "Mugged" mean?

Subject: Don Francisco's Coffee
Coffees Mugged: Sumatra, Breakfast Blend, Espresso and Decaf 100% Colombian
Rating: Espresso is 1+, and 2+ for the rest [see key]

Sometimes when people send coffee for a review, they include unexpected other coffees. Sometimes it's pleasantly welcomed and other times I scratch my head. This most recent shipment from Don Francisco's contained four bags I definitely wasn't expecting of pre-ground coffee that left me puzzled (why would you send pre-ground coffee for a review?). Were the coffees not completely bereft of freshness when they reached me, those coffees actually could have been tasty. Alas...

Thus, wanting to be transparent and a good steward of that which I agreed to do (review the coffee they sent), I made the task of reviewing the four coffees via drip and french press (as it was pre-ground to a finer setting than I would use with my siphon, I left these coffees out of the glass bulb) as fast as I could from the time I unsealed the packing...and here's the long and short of it.

The Sumatra, via french press, produced a dark cherried cup with a good bit of bitterness and a weak body. The drip produced less dark of a cherry, some walnut and less bitterness.

The Breakfast Blend drip held nutty notes, bits of apple, jasmine, a tinge of fig and lingering darkness. The french press held more of a darker taste, some cherry as well as the fig and jasmine.

The Espresso via drip was dark and bitter with but a little black currant showing some brightness. The french press was lighter, with less darkness and less currant. By far the least flavorful of these four coffees.

The 100% Colombian Decaf in drip form held some almond, bright apple and a smooth texture. The french press was a little darker, with the same apple and almond.

Overall, I would venture that for pre-ground coffee, three of the four weren't half bad (the Espresso was really lackluster) though I still don't understand why people still buy coffee chopped for them (it's like buying apples pre-sliced).

Thus, while I can't recommend these coffees, I would venture to try Don Francisco's whole bean offerings.

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

Mugged: Verona Blend [Kahve Koffee]

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What does "Mugged" mean?


Subject: Kahve Koffee
Coffees Mugged: Verona Blend
Rating: 3+ [see key]




As sad as it may seem, when I see a coffee with an Italian name, I become slightly trepidatious of its quality. That's not because I hate Italian coffee; it's simply that all of the Italian coffee I've crossed has been either massively over-roasted or extremely stale (too many poor roasters trying to cash in on the rich and reputable coffee history of Italy).

Thus, I freely admit that when I received a pound of Kahve Koffee's Verona Blend (I assumed named for the northern Italian city of old) I almost rolled my eyes. Opening the bag displayed a mixed coffee blend of medium to medium-dark roasts (the website spouts that it mixed light and medium roasts).

But my infusions of drip, french press and siphon disintegrated some of my concerns. The french press did produce a bit of a darkness but it held a lot of complexity. There was bits of granola, peanut butter, light cocoa, garlic pepper and an overall sweetness. The darkness seemed to favor the front, the nuttiness the middle and the sweetness on the end.

The drip produced a cup that had a combination of tastes more similar to Dr. Pepper. The coffee was a little less dark and held tinges of granola, cocoa and garlic pepper. The sweetness was a bit stronger here and overall, this brew was much smoother.

The siphon was akin to the drip, similar in its Dr. Pepper taste and its facets of cocoa and nuttiness. There was some vanilla here and though the darkness was still present, it seemed to move to the back and display more subtlety.

Kahve's Verona overall made a good impression but the bitterness plus a mediocre quality made this coffee only so-so. Thus, I wouldn't go as far as to say that Kahve has reconciled my skepticism of Italian-named coffee blends, but its helped me on the road of hope (note that I have nothing against good Italian coffee...just the bad stuff bringing down Italy).

If you are on the lookout for a decent Italian-dubbed coffee blend, sample Kahve Koffee's Verona Blend.


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

CC: Phoenix Coffee

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What's does "CC" mean?

Subject: Phoenix Coffee

Location visited: Cleveland, OH
[East 9th Location]
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 4+ [see key]


Driving on a massive road trip, you tend to make stops where you know people. I mean, why waste a perfectly good geographical anomaly when someone you actually enjoy spending time with is a stone's throw away?

Well, I can vouch that my one colleague knows how to capitalize on such opportunity. While driving through Cleveland, I mentioned the idea of a needed coffee stop and he countered with the prospect of his father making a stop into said coffeehouse to meet us for coffee. Not one to complain of such a heart string tug, we agreed upon a place called Phoenix Coffee for the rendezvous.

Now Phoenix Coffee was no blindfolded pick; of Cleveland's coffee scene, it seems that Phoenix was a well-respected place to grab decent coffee. The East 9th location we arrived at moments later after a little mapping; a nondescript brown brick building situated in the city proper of Cleveland, the coffee shop had little to separate it except some signage and a row of windows on one wall. Upon initial sighting of the interior, it struck me as a place that had been around for awhile as the decor was red and vintage, but not so much in the hip way (turns out they've been around since the early 90s).

With the father not arrived yet, I proceeded to order myself a cup of their self-roasted (Phoenix roasts their own coffee) Ethiopian Yirgacheffe and a double espresso. The Ethiopian was a bright coffee with a bit of a saucy flavor and a dark body; it seems that it was a little stale but beyond that, it didn't hold a whole lot of distinct flavors (maybe a bad infusion). The espresso fared little better, with a blond shot pulled short that held an initial bitterness, some sweet cocoa and vanilla with a bit of peach making a brief showing. The shots proved to have a little too much bite and while I can't say it was horrible, I would say it could stand to improve. The tea is free leaf.

After I had finished my drinks, I went outside to move the car as we had managed to earn a parking ticket (they are quick in Cleveland) and meanwhile, the father-of-the-colleague arrived. They talked and bonded and upon my arrival, I had missed the whole experience all together (*tear).

As for Phoenix Coffee, it was a decent coffeehouse that I feel may have been a poor experience that day based on micro factors (barista skill, time of day, etc) but nonetheless, tis no excuse. Hopefully my next visit will prove better.

If you're in Cleveland and in need of decent coffee, try out Phoenix.

Mugged: Kona Blend [Don Francisco]

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What does "Mugged" mean?


Subject: Don Francisco's Coffee
Coffees Mugged: Kona Blend
Rating: 5+ [see key]




Time and time again, I hear of friends and associates not being able to find a good Kona blend. Though in my opinion heinous, it seems that some roasters seek to use the Kona name for its brand possibilities rather than for its coffee quality.

But then there are some roasters that use Kona paired with other good coffee to make a great blend. Such is the case with Don Francisco's Coffee out of LA, a coffee roaster that seems more at home in a grocer's aisle then a local coffee house. I was offered the chance to try a few of their coffees and taking in the Kona first; whole bean, of a medium roast and smelling delicious.

I first infused this coffee via french press, with the ensuing brew embodying a cup of pecan pie with notes of cocoa, flowering grass and fig. The body was smooth, milky and overall delectable.

Next up, via drip, the pecan pie roared in again with more flowering grass and cocoa. Also with a nice smooth body, there were a lot of similarities to the french press.

The siphon gave the darkest potion of the three, with much more rich chocolate following the pecan pie. Fig was noticeable along with the presence of flowering grass. Another smooth, quality cup.

As my first experience with Don Francisco, I was delighted with this Kona Blend. If you are looking for a Kona blend at a decent price, give this one a try.


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