Whole Latte Love Blog

In Defense Of Robusta

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:16:00 -0500

I've been guarding a secret all this time. At the risk of being shunned by my co-workers and loved ones, I'm going to bite the bullet and just say it: I like Robusta. (Dramatic pause for effect) Oh, come on, guys...We're still friends, right? I can explain.

I am well aware that Robusta has an inferior reputation, compared its celebrated Arabica cousin. It's everything coffee is not supposed to be, according to the experts: harsh, over-caffeinated, and lacking in flavor and aroma. It's the java nation's equivalent of a cheap date.

While Arabica and Robusta share a metaphorical family tree, they are two entirely different species of coffee. Genetically distinct, Robusta has 22 chromosomes, half the number found in Arabica beans. Robusta plants are also reputed to be hardier and easier to cultivate; perhaps a part of Arabica's allure stems from the plant's delicate nature--the fact that it is difficult to grow definitely contributes to the coffee's exclusive rep.

In the pre-super-automatic-espresso-machine days, most of the world's Robusta was grown by European colonies. As a result, France, Italy, and England became exposed to the beans (both Arabica and Robusta) on a regular basis. The United States, on the other hand, imported most of its java from Latin America--no Robusta there! Over time, American palates became accustomed to Arabica beans; this started a trend that would take Arabica to its place in world coffee dominance.

I can honestly say, I've only ever been exposed to 100% Robusta on my trips to Asia. Thailand, India, Vietnam, and the Philippines still have robust Robusta markets. My favorite cup of coffee, to date, has been filtered Vietnamese Robusta, served with condense milk. I've also heard a number of people, accustomed to Robusta, lament that Arabica is too weak. Certainly, Arabica is in no danger of loosing its prominence in world markets, I'm just saying I don't mind a little Robusta.

Alright, let me have it. What are your thoughts on Robusta?

p.s. The sentiments expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect Whole Latte Love's views. I fully expect to be banned from using the office Expobar!

Tho
Writing Department

The Bitter Truth About Coffee

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:06:00 -0500

An old friend of mine drowns his coffee in creamer and sugar; three creams and eight sugar packets per medium cup, to be exact. Always one to give in to his sweet tooth, he'd much rather consume diabetes in a cup than "bitter coffee." I'm not talking about over-extracted espresso here, folks; just your run-of-the-mill cup of Joe.

Some coffees are naturally bitter, even if brewed to perfection. But, what causes that bitterness? General misconceptions blame caffeine; but the truth to the matter is only 15% of the bitter taste is a result of the caffeine content.

Surprisingly, antioxidants are the perpetrators! That's right; the very ingredients that make coffee good for you may be causing the brew's bitterness. Chlorogenic acid lactones, found in light to medium roasts, and phenylindanes in dark roasts give coffee its bite. And, the darker the roast the more likely you are to notice bitterness in the drink.

Some people say bitterness balances out coffee acidity. But, if you're not a big fan of the taste try sticking to light or medium roasts. It's much healthier than having a cup of sugar, with coffee on the side.

Do you take your coffee black or with sugar? If you add sugar to your coffee, how much do you use?

Tho
Writing Department

Need A Caffeine Fix? There's An App For That.

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:09:00 -0500

I can't help but notice, it's been a while since my last tech blog. In fact, I'm pretty sure the last time I wrote something, my shiny new iPhone G3 was only a glimmer of a possibility rather than the shiny distraction I may or may not have with me at all times. Many people attest that their most important brewing tool is their frothing pitcher, or a bottomless portafilter. I'm a little nerdier than that...I have to say it's my iPhone.

I'm crazy, you say? Crazy for technology, I say! Where else can I time my shot, practice grinding and tamping, or even locate a great cafe, all in one place? I'll say it— for anything coffee, there's an app for that.

It seems, all sorts of companies are getting on the app bandwagon. Lots of these apps are free, and the rest won't cost more than $0.99 to download. The app that started it all for me was the Espresso Drinks app. You may have seen the espresso drinks chart poster before— this version is strictly mobile. All you do is tap on the drink you want (from espresso to caffé mocha, there are 9 basic drinks to choose from). The chart will flip over to reveal a larger, detailed drink icon with approximated ingredient amounts labeled "espresso", "steamed milk", etc. If you're a coffee novice with any version of the iPhone, this is definitely the app to get you started.

Even if you're more of a one-touch coffee maker user, there's an app for you. Fans of Nespresso single serve espresso machines will appreciate the Nespresso Stock Checker. Keep track of your Nespresso capsules, and always be ready to brew.

What's your favorite iPhone espresso or tea app? Let me know, and maybe I'll review it next time!

Rachel
Web Department

Going Green with Your Morning Dose of Caffeine

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:02:00 -0500

Going green may seem complicated, but you can start saving the planet first thing in the morning, just by making a few simple changes to your java routine. Many coffee houses across the country are encouraging caffeine junkies to bring their own mug and save some change. If you bring your own mug to your local café, you may be able to keep the change on your purchase. Want to keep your hands from feeling the burn while drinking your coffee? There are now-earth friendly alternatives to the tried and true cardboard coffee sleeve. The EcoSleeve is an alternative made from 100% biodegradable and recyclable materials. These cost effective and durable sleeves can be purchased for home or business use here. If you want to go green while brewing your own coffee at home, a quick change will help save Mother Earth. Purchase wooden coffee stirrers that are biodegradable instead of plastic ones. If you want to eliminate coffee clutter in landfills all together, pour your cream and sugar into your mug first. The hot tea or coffee will automatically mix with your cream and sugar--no stirring required. If you already have a green thumb, go green with your gardening habits. Don't throw your used coffee grounds in the trash, mix them into your potting soil to act as a fertilizer and keep unwanted pests away. With just a few small changes you can enjoy your cup o'Joe and join the go green movement as well. Lori
Customer Service Department

Coffee Goes Solar

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:03:00 -0500

In a world trying to go green, from electric cars to eco-friendly fashion, brothers Dave and Mike Hartkop are making their mark with a kitchen staple. In 2004, the siblings created a solar-powered coffee roaster--made from an old satellite dish, mirrors, and a broccoli steamer. Their vision has since grown into Solar Roast Coffee, the only "commercial solar-thermal coffee roaster in the world"--replacing gas burners normally found in traditional roasters with a large solar reflector, capable of generating 900 degree Fahrenheit temps to bake the beans. The resulting coffee is carbon neutral, 100% USDA Certified Organic, and eco-friendly. Solar Roast Coffee currently has 12 different kinds of coffee--ranging from the ever-popular Sumatra to the exotic Bolivia Organic. Given that the coffee culture is steeped in tradition...Are the rituals of roasting too sacred to mess with or are you willing to give Solar Roast Coffee a test sip? Tho
Writing Department

Collagen Coffee... Really!?

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:33:00 -0500

When it comes to my coffee, I expect a great many things: great flavor, aroma, and crema—all at the right temp. Most importantly, I've come to rely on that jolt of energy that comes with a good espresso. But, coffee can only do so much right? Evidently, according to Nestle, I should be asking much more of my java. Jumping on the nutria-cosmetics (aka ingestible beauty products) train, the company has launched its Nescafe Body Partner Collagen line. Targeted towards women, the instant coffee comes in small sachets containing skimmed milk and, get this, 200 grams of collagen. The concoction is currently being sold in Singapore along with the rest of the Body Partner line including soy and high-calcium premixed coffee blends. This isn't the first time collagen has been introduced into a grocery store staple. In 2006 Eiwa, a Japanese sweet maker, unveiled a marshmallow made with 3,000mg of collagen—which the company claimed offered the same benefits as filler injections. However, health experts question the effectiveness of ingesting collagen. There isn't much scientific evidence to support the notion that consuming the substance would improve the appearance aging skin. What do you think? Any chance you'd give this Nescafe line a try if it made it to your local grocery store? Tho
Writing Department

Regional Preferences: Battle of the Roasts

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:45:00 -0500

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

Addicted To Simplicity

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:09:00 -0500

I'm known around the office as the Coffee Queen. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm crazy about my coffee and will most times see me with a cup in hand. Trust me when I say that if I don't get my morning latte, my mid day cappuccino, and my "right before I pick up the kids" espresso, I'll go crazy. I know... I've got a serious problem. But, it's not just the fact that I'm drinking the caffeinated beverages and allowing them to soak into my system to keep me going, I actually love the taste. A good quality flavor and aroma are very important to me. With that said, I recently had the privilege of testing out the Keurig B70 coffee machine. I'll admit that I was a bit skeptical for a couple of reasons. I had read reviews of the machine and the quality of the coffee that it produced. I had heard that it was more for people addicted to caffeine, and not so much for those addicted to the delicious taste of a great cup of coffee. I was wrong! Not only did I get to get to choose from a plethora of flavors of coffee, but the K-Cup capsules that are used also come in a variety of teas and hot chocolate. And let's face it, with the weather here in New York getting cooler and cooler, who doesn't love an instant cup of hot chocolate? The machine brewed me a cup of delicious coffee in seconds. It came out hot and there was absolutely no clean up!! All I had to do was remove the capsule and throw it in the garbage. I am in love. If you get the chance check this machine out— it is great for the holidays and entertaining. If someone wants decaf, great. If they want French vanilla, great. Take my word for it, this is the best instant brew coffee machine I have ever used. Kris
Sales Department

Case of Coffee Breath

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:15:00 -0500

I'm sure you've heard of the term "coffee breath." People who drink a lot of coffee and reek of coffee are normally known to have coffee breath; but that's not necessarily a bad thing, if the people around you happen to enjoy the smell of coffee. Everybody thinks that coffee causes bad breath and it's often true, because coffee, which has a dehydrating effect in the mouth, becomes potent when mixed with milk, and can ferment into smelly substances. Similar to some juices, coffee also contains a lot of acid. If you're unable to function without your daily dose of caffeine, you could try tea or a low-acid coffee such as Café La Semeuse Classique—which can noticeably eliminate harsh coffee breath smells. If you're really concerned about smelly breath, you might want to consider loading up on gum, mint, or mouthwash to take away from the potent taste in your mouth. Maybe even try carrying a toothbrush and some toothpaste with you; I hear it also helps take care of tartar as well! Brian
Sales Department

Coffee Machines On Wheels

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:58:00 -0500

Antilock brakes, XM radio, and a coffeemaker. For years now, car and espresso machine manufacturers have toyed with the idea of merging the two passions--creating a coffeemaker that could become standard automotive equipment. Audi even tested a concept car, the Roadjet, featuring a fully functioning, single-serve WMF espresso machine built into the armrest. And, it wasn't so long ago that a Nepresso InCar Single Serve Coffee Machine Concept took home the top prize at the manufacturer's annual Design Contest. The InCar was designed to fit into the center console of a vehicle and used existing Lungo capsules to deliver beverages on the road. It appears there may be a market for mobile coffee. A factoid on wholelattelove.com featured coffee enthusiast Dan Haller's tricked out Audi A6, with a Jura Capresso 1500 mounted to the back seat. (What is up with the Audi-espresso combo?) Why is it taking so long to make the automotive-coffeemaker marriage a reality? Please, don't make our graphic designer strap her Tassimo to a car seat! Tho
Writing Department

Coffee & Culture: Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:38:00 -0500

According to ancient folklore, more than a thousand years ago, an Ethiopian goat herder named Kaldi discovered coffee. After finding his goats acting strangely, over-excited and appearing to be dancing on their hind legs, the herder investigated and found out that they had been eating red cherries from bushes growing nearby. Kaldi gathered the berries and brought them home to his wife, who told him that he must take the beans to the monastery to show the local monks. Once Kaldi reached the monastery, the monks declared the berries to be the work of the devil and set them on fire in a great flame. Sure enough, the aroma of roasting coffee filled the monastery and the monks returned to salvage the delicious smelling beans. They crushed the beans, gathered them up, and placed them in boiling water. And, voila...coffee! Ever since, the brew has been an integral part of Ethiopian culture and society. I was introduced to Ethiopian cuisine more than five years ago. The Injera is a must-try, but what struck me the most was the prevalence of coffee...the restaurant was nearly overflowing with it. Come to find out, coffee's kind of a big deal. Like the famous Japanese tea ceremony, the Ethiopian coffee ceremony is a truly beautiful fare. Coffee is traditionally poured by a Jebena (a unique looking sort of kettle) and served in tiny teacups. The java is accompanied by plenty of sugar, or salt in rural areas...Sorry, you'd be hard-pressed to find milk at a true Ethiopian coffee ceremony. Guests may also be served assorted snacks with their coffee. It is an honor to be invited to an Ethiopian coffee ceremony, but you better be prepared to drink up--it is considered rude for guests to drink less than three cups! While many Americans drink our coffee on the run, while at work or on the road, the Ethiopian coffee ceremony is a reminder that it's nice sometimes to sit back, relax, and truly savor your java. Tho
Writing Department

Coffee Rendering of the Mona Lisa

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:53:00 -0500

Talk about ambitious! A team of eight recreated the world-famous Mona Lisa in only three hours. And, here's the kicker, they did it with coffee! This year's The Rocks Aroma Festival in Sydney, Australia welcomed more than 130,000 coffee lovers to the day-long java celebration. The undisputed toast of the town was the 20'x13' rendering of Leonardo DaVinci's Renaissance masterpiece. Created using cups containing long blacks, flat whites, and lattes, the coffee sculpture delighted visitors from across the world by capturing the spirit of the painting, including... yes, Mona Lisa's enigmatic smile. Event organizer Elaine Kelly, of the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, told the Daily Telepgraph "Each coffee cup was filled with varying amounts of milk to create the different sepia shades of the painting." Regarding the decision to recreate the Mona Lisa, Kelly said, "Once we had the idea of creating an image out of coffee cups, we searched for something iconic to reproduce--and opted for the most iconic painting in history...The Mona Lisa has been reproduced so many times in so many different mediums but, as far as we know, never out of coffee." If you missed your chance to see the "Coffee Mona Lisa" live at The Rocks Aroma Festival, don't worry, we've got you covered. See it for yourself; check out the photo and video of the sculpture. Such craftsmanship! Even DaVinci would surely be impressed. Seen any other works of java art or created some of your own? Got a coffee stain on your shirt resembling Elvis? We'd love to see them, post the pics on our Facebook page here. Tho
Writing Department

A Coffee Prescription for the Doctors

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:41:00 -0500

A friend of mine is in his first year of residency at the local hospital, which means he's as low on the professional totem poll as he can get. That's why when I called him the other night, he was looking at the tail end of a 9-9 shift...not 9AM-9PM, mind you...9 AM to 9 AM (the next day). Can you believe it? Maybe it's not such a stretch of the imagination if you're a health care practitioner, but to the rest of us it sounds like insanity. Apparently, over-worked doctors are commonplace around the world. It's a problem we share with the Australians, where doctors' sleep deprivation is a contributing factor in some patient deaths. In an attempt to curb the problem, health officials of Queensland, the fastest growing state in Australia, went on record advising local doctors to drink coffee. That's when the java hit the fan. The controversial fatigue management strategy, released earlier this week, advised medical practitioners to ingest 400mg of caffeine to stave off sleep. Imagine your boss telling you to drink six cups of coffee to stay awake on the job! The published document went so far as to compare coffee to psychoactive drugs, such as Modafinil, stating that a cup of Joe was preferable since it's inexpensive and readily available. Let's be honest, we're all latte lovers here. An espresso can certainly help you focus and remain alert, but I wouldn't put anyone's life on it. To doctors everywhere, I say enjoy your java in leisure. Don't abuse it in desperation. Tho
Writing Department

Coffee Cup Cube!

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:14:00 -0500

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

Coffee Facts: Strange, but True!

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:30:00 -0500

Want to impress friends and family members this Labor Day weekend? We've got just the thing. Check out the following collection of weird and wacky coffee trivia; go ahead, try them out at the next party. We can't guarantee that you'll gain friends with these facts. But...hey...it's better than starting a conversation with a knock-knock joke!

Famous philosopher Voltaire reportedly drank 40+ cups of coffee a day. His watering hole of choice was Café Procope, one of the oldest restaurants in Paris.
Forget about the bacon, according to an ancient Turkish law, a woman had the legal right to divorce her husband if he failed to bring home the beans! Apparently, the man had a quota that must be met, should he wish to keep his wife.
Coffee became the American patriot's beverage of choice after the Boston Tea Party linked tea to British imperialism. Had the Revolution not taken place, we'd probably be nation of tea drinkers today, much like the English.
Reportedly, Frederick the Great of Prussia had his coffee mixed with a bit of champagne and mustard. Cringe.
In Italy, where coffee is a source of national pride and baristas are revered as drink artists, the average age of a professional barista is 48.

Do you have any little-known coffee facts lying around? Please share!

Tho
Writing Department