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

With spring in the air, it's time to break out the grill and enjoy the weather. This year, the coffee's not just for drinking; it's time to think outside the cup. Check out these creative recipes; they're sure to have your guests buzzing.

Simple Coffee Chicken BBQ Rub

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoon of coffee
• 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Directions:
Mix all the ingredients together and rub the mixture onto the chicken pieces. Let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least three hours. Grill the marinated chicken over indirect heat.

Pork Java Rub

Ingredients:

• 1/3 of a cup of coffee grounds (medium grind)--use pre-ground coffee or grind your own whole bean
• 2 table spoons of brown sugar
• 2 table spoons of kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon of chili powder
• 1 tablespoon of fresh ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon of garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon of cumin

Directions:
Carefully mix all the ingredients together and apply to your favorite cut of pork. Make sure you pat the mixture well into the meat before grilling or smoking.

Some say it's a Lutheran tradition, others claim it's a Scandinavian or Norwegian thing. Regardless of origin, egg coffee isn't very well-known in America. Yes, I said egg coffee. Curious? Check out the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• ¾ cup ground coffee (stick to coarse or medium grounds)
• water

Preparation

Begin by boiling nine cups of water in a saucepan. While your water is being heated, mix the coffee and egg together, along with ¼ cup of lukewarm water. Once your water has been brought to a boil, pour the egg-coffee mixture into the saucepan; if necessary, turn down the heat to prevent the contents from boiling over. After 3-5 minutes, remove the saucepan from the stove and pour in one cup of cold water. Let the coffee settle for 10 minutes then pour the contents of the saucepan through a strainer; serve and enjoy!

At your next holiday gathering, don't ask guests if they want coffee and eggs; ask if they'd try egg in coffee!

It sounds odd, but it's not really that strange if you think about it. Coffee and beer (generally the darker styles) actually share a lot of flavor or aroma characteristics. You can have beers or coffees that are bitter, chocolaty, smoky, sweet, or any other of a plethora of descriptive terms for even the slightest unique flavor notes.

So why not combine the two great tastes that go great together? There are micro and craft brewers that offer beers infused with coffee or that simply showcase coffee flavor tones without actual coffee in the brew. Check out Brooklyn Brewery's "Intensified Coffee Stout" or Lagunitas' upcoming Cappuccino Stout. For something with coffee notes but no additional brew in your brew ;-) check out Stone Brewing's Smoked Porter.

If there are any others out there that, like me, like brewing both espresso and beer, you can always make your own brew-within-a-brew...brew. Just take a darker style beer recipe or kit (porter, stout, etc.) and add about 16 oz. of freshly brewed espresso into the wort before you pitch the yeast. Then comes the long, hard wait for fermentation...but you can relax and enjoy many a homebrew (espresso or beer) until it's ready for bottling.

-Milan
Whole Latte Love Technical Support

Finally!! The warm weather is here and people are out and about. For those of you in a four season location, this is a very exciting thing. Winter seems all too long here in upstate NY. I know for myself at least that I love a nice cold beverage to beat the heat. And lets face it, the usual hot cup-o-joe that gets me through the winter just doesn’t cut it.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m completely addicted to espresso and anything to do with it, so seeing numerous commercials for iced latte and cappuccino drinks really gets my mouth watering. And after spending my daughters college savings at the various coffee shops I came up with a few recipes of my own to help my bank account. I hope you enjoy…..

Chilly Espresso

Start by brewing a double shot of espresso and pour into a cocktail mixer. Add three ice cubes and any flavoring and shake well. Pour into an empty glass. If you pour slowly you should be able to create a nice, long-lasting crema on top of the drink.

Americano Cool Down

Brew a double shot of espresso and mix with an equal amount of water in a cocktail shaker. Add three ice cubes and flavoring and shake well. Take an empty glass, add ice to the top and strain your mixture into the cup.

Arctic Latte

Pour a double shot of espresso into a cocktail shaker with an equal amount of milk. Add three ice cubes to the shaker and any flavoring and shake well. Use about 5 ice cubes and blend in a blender until ice is crushed. Add crushed ice into empty glass and pour the contents of the shaker into the glass.

To mix it up a little on the weekends add a shot of your favorite coffee liquor. Just be sure to stay responsible. Enjoy!

Kris
Whole Latte Love Sales