Uncommon Coffee Goods

Coffee and shopping.

You can’t really find a better combination sometimes. I love finding coffee products I never knew existed. && sometimes, you find things and wonder who on earth would really ever use them.

Things like coffee lip balm make me chuckle. Then I seriously consider buying it.

 

Coffee shampoo. My question: does it really work and does it make your hair therefore smell like coffee for the rest of the day?

Then there are the recycled products. Such great ideas!

Like, recycled Starbucks sleeves.

I love this purse!

 All of these show just how creative individuals can be with raw material like burlap coffee sacks. Who would have ever thought of making a laptop sleeve?

Options to decorate with literal coffee art.

 

Lastly, and of course, jewelry.

 While finding these items, all of which I consider gold, I found some of the best mugs ever. Hilarious, sweet, creative, and unique, coffee mugs I think can now be considered a form of art all on their own. Coffee mug post to come!

To all you students, good luck studying for finals. May caffeine be with you.

Theory

Alright readers, listen up. I am finally putting into print, the theory that I have had for years now. It might not be a theory that some of you agree with, but in my expierence, it has proven to be correct a majority of the time whether the individual realizes it or not. && my theory is this: people’s personalities match their signature espresso drinks.

Now, of course, it cannot be right 100% of the time, but I think that the people who I see habitually get the same drink, tend to display some unique character traits which I have now distinguished to the the drinks they order. These observations are not meant to be offensive, they are just a general opinion from one immersed in the coffee atmosphere.

Latte

This person is what I would define as very classy. Not extravagant, but enjoys the simple pleasures of life. They appreciate someone who is talented at their craft and is willing to pay more for a more quality product. They tend to use more of the left side of the brain, being more analytical and logical people. A person who orders a latte can identify excellent quality and tends to enjoy things more when they are done efficiently.

Americano

Hardcore. Simple fresh brew will not satisfy this unique group of individuals.  Especially those who take it black, people who drink americanos tend to exhibit some extreme characteristics. A need for adrenaline, fearless, and a little rebellious.

Mocha

People who habitually order a mocha exhibit a nurturing side. I imagine that they are very kind and encouraging. They are very receptive people who have exceptional listening skills. They are extremely talented people who are humble despite their success.

White Mocha

Comfort. People who order a white mocha are those who strive for a consistent and routine atmosphere. They love to be comfortable in their surroundings and seek to identify a “home base” of sorts in many of life’s situations. They can also have a severe sweet tooth.

As I said above, these are just observations and opinions, not necessarily accurate but fun. Next post: Caramel Macchiato, Cuban Latte, Cappuccino, Misto, and a surprise drink. What drink are you dying to read about? :)

Kirk Cameron Coffee

Pardon this slightly geeky post, but hey, it isn’t every day you have Buck Williams come to your campus. Kirk Cameron was inducted as the tenth member of IWU’s World Changer Society this morning. It is quite obvious that this campus was slightly star struck by seeing Cameron on campus, he couldn’t make it a yard without having to stop and pose for a picture with someone. During the entire ceremony this morning, I couldn’t help but wonder if Cameron had yet visited McConn.

&& after the ceremony, Cameron got coffee. McConn has served a star. We of course, geeked out about it.

For those who are curious, Cameron ordered a double 1/2 syrup mocha. Classic.

Josh and barista Ben preparing to take Cameron his drink!

Cameron with Christine, Ben, and Josh. Bless Kirk for showing off McConn's logo on the cup :)

Kirk Cameron signing his drink ticket.

We are so totally framing this. "Thanks for the gasoline! Kirk Cameron"

Siphon Coffee

Oh my lanta. If you have a desire to try new ways of brewing coffee and appreciate a good old fashioned coffee tasting, siphon coffee at the All Chocolate Kitchen is for you. Credit goes to my sister for finding this treasure and initiating the phenomenal experience. Now, for those of you who are not aware as to the process of siphon coffee, do not fear, you are not alone. I had only heard rumors about this brewing process, much less taken part in it personally. Siphon coffee is a marriage between chemistry and coffee. It is a combination of french press and conventional brewing.

While the equipment can look like something out of hookah bar instead of a coffee house, siphon coffee is truly a unique process. Watching this experience was incredibly intriguing. I strongly encourage anyone who has the opportunity to view it, to do so and take notes.

Not only was it a joy to watch, but it was also one of the best cups of coffee I have ever had. I have done numerous coffee tastings and have never enjoyed one as much as I did with siphoned coffee. At the All Chocolate Kitchen, they import only one roast of coffee directly from Rome, Italy. It is a dark roast, from what I understood, ranging in darkness between espresso and italian roast. It was fantastic. I normally take some cream and sugar in my normal, daily coffee, but this brew was the definition of perfection and I drank it all black. It had distinct and beautiful nutty notes with hints of cocoa that were brought out with accompanying chocolate covered nuts on our table.

The process of siphon coffee uses the heated water in the bottom beaker and then adds the top piece to act as a vacuum to suck the hot water up through the glass tube. It then mixes with the coffee grounds in the top chamber and is constantly stirred, agitating the grounds and exacting as much flavor as possible. Then, the coffee slowly leaks back into the bottom beaker, through a filter, and is ready to serve.

The entire experience is worth studying. I hope to gain my own siphon coffee equipment to experiment and enjoy. The event was worth repeating and I encourage you to try it too!

(yes, we were the nerds that wanted a picture with the equipment, but we embrace it. Thanks to the group for being such extraordinary people and a joy to spend coffee time with!)