A lot of people consider the Cafe Americano to be a substitute to drip coffee, not so! With an Americano, you’re adding hot water to a single or double shot of espresso. Sure, it may look like drip coffee, but in my opinion, the end result is drastically different.

I like a nice cup of drip coffee every now and then, particularly when I’m having decaf. It’s simple and convenient; I can make a full pot to share and enjoy at my leisure. But, for the most part, I’m on the Americano bandwagon. For me, grinding, tamping, and extracting a fresh shot of espresso gives the resulting Americano a little something extra. It’s a subtle, and some may argue, a psychological difference. But, I prefer adding hot water to a double shot over pouring a drink from the coffee pot.

However, our commercial sales rep, Mark Jackson, makes a great case for drip coffee. He is of the mindset that since drip coffee is ground and formulated for its unique brewing process; it is essentially made for its purpose—producing a great cup of Joe. An Americano on the other hand, according to Mark, is diluted espresso…since espresso is created to produce…well, espresso, diluting it with water means that you may not get “optimal” results. “While some people think you get better flavor and aroma with an Americano, this is not always the case. Quality drip coffee, in certain instances, is the way to go,” Mark insists.

Drip coffee and Americano fans, chime in! Where do you stand on this drink off?

Tho
Writing Department

Five years ago, I had a group of neighbors over for an evening happy hour. As usual, everyone congregated in the kitchen. Suddenly, a dead silence fell over the room as my then 10-year-old daughter, Jordan, walked in, popped a K-Cup into the Keurig machine, and brewed herself a cup of coffee.

I always thought that my street was pretty liberal and open-minded; but based on the faces and reactions, you would think that she had just opened the liquor cabinet and poured herself a double.

The fact of the matter is, despite the preconceived ideas that my friends might have had, the benefits of coffee, in moderation, for children are proven. Research by Dr. Tomas DePaulis at Vanderbilt University's Institute for Coffee Studies has actually shown that children who drink coffee are much more alert; show a marked boost in concentration, and may do better on school tests. Studies have also shown that coffee has helped children with Attention Deficit Disorder stay more focused and on-task.

Dr. DePaulis shared his research and discussed childhood depression with WebMD. In the interview he said, "There recently was a study from Brazil finding that children who drink coffee with milk each day are less likely to have depression than other children, in fact, no studies show that coffee in reasonable amounts is, in any way, harmful to children."

Just as an end note, Jordan has never missed being on the Honor Roll and she is as happy as a 15-year-girl could be…I’ve made up my mind about kids and coffee; what about you? What are your thoughts on the subject?

Eric
Sales Department

Coffee, freezer. Freezer, coffee. The question of whether or not these two should meet has been a topic of contention for many coffee consumers. Say you stocked up of your favorite coffee, what's the best way to safeguard your stash?

Everybody agrees that storing beans and pre-ground coffee alike in airtight containers, such as the Yohki Glass Jar or the Vacu Vin Vacuum Coffee and Tea Saver, is critical to preserving flavor and aroma. The National Coffee Association of the United States also recommends storing coffee in a dark, cool location. They advocate steering clear of over-oven cabinets or shelves that are exposed to a lot of sunlight. But there are two distinct camps when it comes to the idea of giving your beans the deep freeze.

Freezer detractors, including most of Whole Latte Love's Facebook fans, advocate steering clear of the icebox. The environment is just too harsh for the delicate beans, resulting in flavor and aroma breakdown, according to coffee purists. That's not even the worst-case scenario. Have you ever had the unfortunate experience of tasting an ice cube that has been sitting in the freezer for a while? Disgusting, isn't it. Items left in the freezer tend absorb surrounding smells like a sponge. One mistake and fish flavored coffee could be in your future!

In theory, coffee can be frozen. Almost anything can go into the freezer; but like fresh fruit vs. frozen strawberries, in a perfect world, most of us would go with the former. If push comes to shove and you must venture into the frozen abyss, you can minimize the damage by keeping your coffee in an airtight container and away from the door, where temperature variations are the greatest. Whatever you do, only freeze once! Don't freeze, thaw, and then refreeze; that's just coffee flavor and aroma suicide. And, for Pete's sake, stay away from the fridge! Refrigerator temps are not cold enough for water to freeze; the damp atmosphere is about as bad as it gets for coffee beans.

Have you had a freezer experience gone wrong; or have you been successfully freezing your beans? Post your thoughts; we'd love to hear them!

I usually take regional feuds about as seriously as a Sunday morning comic strip. North or South, Tupac or Biggie...If you ask me it all boils down to personal taste. But, that's not to say that geographic preferences don't exist. With that in mind, let's talk coffee!

Leave it to Italy, traditionally recognized as the Godfather of Espresso, to spawn a lasting distinction between regional roasts. Southern Italy is said to be home to the kind of blend that most people usually associate with espresso—dark, oily beans with a bit of a kick to them. As you can imagine, the Northern Italian style is the complete opposite—consisting of lighter roasts and sweeter nuisances. Does that mean when in Rome, you'd be exposed to both styles and end up with a medium roast?

In the States, some have noted that coffee preferences vary by coast. According to Corby Kummer's book, The Joy of Coffee, the East Coast--heavily influenced by Schapira's Coffee & Tea and The Coffee Connection, tends to prefer a lighter roast with just a little bit of sheen on the beans and low levels of acidity. While the West Coast, home to Starbucks' headquarters, usually opts for a darker roast with a more robust flavor.

These generalizations are the product of industry research. However, I haven't noticed much of a difference in my travels. And when you brew at home, you can have whatever roast your heart desires, no matter where in the world you happen to be!

Do you have a favorite roast? We'd love to hear about it!

Tho
Writing Department

Here’s a concept that’ll knock your beans off, Brazilian designer Lucas Vieira has created a unique workstation for the truly java obsessed. The Coffee Office, which bears more than a passing resemblance to a giant mug, comes equipped with wifi access, a/v features, and a touch-screen computer. But, this baby really earns its keep with the built-in coffeemaker, which lets users choose from assorted flavors preprogrammed into the unit. Common spaces, such as malls and airports, have been suggested as potential targets of this espresso-based cubicle.

I like the Coffee Office gimmick fine; I love the thought of being able to brew a cup of Joe from the comfort of my desk. But, this cube seems to lack a major component necessary of a workspace…actual space! Look at it! It’s tiny! If I tried to do any real work in this thing, the “mug-cube” would overflow so fast it’d make your head spin.

Tho
Writing Department