Cream and sugar are standard fare for some when it comes to coffee, but could your java benefit from a little salt? A good cook will tell you that salt can inhibit bitterness as well as underscore sweetness in certain foods. Think salt on a grapefruit. Now, apply this philosophy to coffee; most coffee drinkers note that bitterness is an undesirable quality and an impediment to great brews. If salt works with food; why not a cup of Joe?

Believe it or not, salt is commonly used in traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremonies. But, it's a more modern interpretation of salted coffee that's making waves. Taiwan-based chain 85C Bakery Café has created the recipe for an unusual drink--sea salt coffee. The company's best-selling beverage, this drink is made with hot coffee, chilled cream, a layer of foam, and a pinch of sea salt on top. Before you dismiss this concoction, perhaps I should mention that 85C Bakery Café has trumped Starbucks to become the biggest coffee chain in Taiwan, thanks in part to its tasty and creative menu items. The franchise also has locations in China, Australia, as well as a storefront in Irvine, CA.

I'm certainly intrigued. What are your thoughts on salt coffee? And, what is the most exotic ingredient you've added to a cup of Joe?

Tho
Writing Department

My friends and family know I’m a huge fan of the TV show LOST. I was excited and sad to see a show that I have never missed for six seasons straight finally come to an end. The twist and turns presented each week always made for great conversation at lunch. It was intriguing to discuss the previous episode and hear how my co-workers interpreted it.

So, before bidding a final farewell, I thought it would be fitting to discuss what the heck they did on that island for coffee?

It wasn’t until Season Two that we were introduced to the others and the small houses that had electricity. Surely with electricity they had to have a coffeemaker. Did they have coffee that was 30 years old down there, stored in a standard coffee can with DHARMA etched on the outside? I have to admit; I wouldn’t care how old it was, as long as I could enjoy my six daily cups of coffee.

In Season Three, we did see one coffee scene. Ben captures Kate and while explaining to her that “The Others” were not savages he uses a Bonjour French Press to make coffee.

If it were up to me, the writers would have had Sun growing coffee beans. Just think what they could have accomplished if they had caffeine every day! Perhaps I should have sent them a Handpresso. Handpresso makes unique handheld espresso machines that do not require electricity to operate. You simply pump it up to pressure using simple bike-pump technology. Once the machine is up to 16 bars, add ground coffee or a coffee pod and brew the perfect shot of espresso! The Handpresso Wild works with ESE pods and the Domepod can brew ground coffee. Only one challenge; where would they get the coffee or ESE Pods? Perhaps Jack could have placed some in his bag as he was returning to the island after enjoying several years in society?

What do you think they should have done for coffee? What would you do if you were stuck on an island?

Tracy
Sales Department

As anyone knows traveling can be a very tiresome experience, especially at the end when all you really want to do is go home. My husband and I had an amazing trip to Paris, but after five days we were ready to come back to our family. Unfortunately, the ash cloud from the nearby volcano was not going to make this an easy task....

We started our adventure home on Sunday morning, arriving at the airport the recommended three hours before the flight. This is where the fun began. Upon entering the airport we were faced with a line that came outside of the terminal, this line was for US-bound flights. We waited about two hours before arriving at the security checkpoint. Once we made it through security we arrived at our gate and waited some more, before learning after six hours of sitting around the terminal, that the flight was cancelled. The ash cloud had struck again.

We were transported to a hotel, fed, and told to meet in the lobby at 4:30AM for breakfast. After four hours sleep, I arrived downstairs for breakfast, which consisted of three croissants and some brown water described as "coffee."

The airline bus was scheduled to pick us up by 6:00AM to take us to the airport for our 9:00AM flight.  It didn't come until 10:30AM, and then only to tell that our flight had, once again, been cancelled. It took another 2.5 hours but we were switched to another airline carrier. This is when life started to look good again. We were transported to the airport and went to our gate. Upon arriving, we were told once again that our flight was delayed. At this point I began wonder if I was ever going home.

I decided to spend some time and search out coffee during the delay. To my amazement I found an oasis right in the airport. Before my eyes, was the most beautiful Illy café I have ever seen. It was complete with a three-group-head La Marzocco machine and a real barista!

I looked at the menu and they offered a Cappuccino Viennois for 4.20 euros. I decided to give this a try. The drink was perfect; it was a Cappuccino with a double shot of espresso and the sweetest whip crème I have ever tasted. The Cappuccino Viennois helped me wait the additional six hours for our flight. We finally arrived in the United States that evening after 9:30PM. Unfortunately, it would take another day to get back to our hometown. I hope everyone enjoys the photos from the oasis I found in the airport. Check back for more on my experiences with coffee abroad.   

If you've had a travel nightmare take a turn for the better due to great coffee, or if your trip was ruined thanks to bad java, share your story here!

Has the old guard finally passed the torch... err cup? USA Today recently wrote a piece on coffee service at the ritzy Four Seasons hotel chain. In a move that would make Miss Manners fuming mad and sick with the vapors, management has decided to add a to-go cup to its graceful coffee tray.

Now, in addition to a delicate cup and saucer set, Four Seasons guests will find branded to-go cups next to the fine china and silverware. I, for one, really don't care what my coffee comes in. As long as the coffee is fresh and there isn't a hint of artificial flavor in my cup, I'm a happy camper. But the change at the Four Seasons certainly begs the question... What do you prefer your cup of Joe in and why? Do you like the elegance of a cup and saucer set, the convenience of a to-go cup, or the coziness of a simple mug? From a portable thermos to a sippy cup, no matter what you take your java in we promise not to judge!

Feeling angry, aggressive, or irritable? Jump on the bandwagon and blame it on a cup of Joe! "Coffee Rage" is, well...all the rage in Great Britain. Symptoms are said to range from mild twitchiness to full-blown temper tantrums.

The prevalence of coffee shops and home espresso machines has done a lot to usher in this new malady and pop culture is really running with it. Musicians Robbie Williams and Dave Grohl have both made headlines with coffee-related difficulties. Grohl for a caffeine overdose; and Williams checked in rehab last month for an alleged 36-espresso-a-day habit. Even actor Hugh Grant is getting in the action saying, "I get Coffee Rage. It comes after drinking Nescafe. It's the world's most delicious coffee but I get foul—really foul—an hour later."

First of all...36 espressos a day? Really? I hate to state the obvious, but 36 of anything a day is bad news bears. Only about 5% of the population is said to be afflicted with "Coffee Rage," but I do wonder how much of that 5% consists of logic-deficient people.

So, what are your thoughts? Is "Coffee Rage" the 2010 version of an actress claiming "exhaustion," or could there be something to this?