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!)

This past week was spring break for our university. Seven friends and I took the week and traveled down south to the Gulf of Mexico and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Despite our morning cups of coffee and added caffeine kicks throughout the day, I couldn’t help but feel a little off centered the entire week. Then, discussing with one of my friends, it hit us. I had not stepped foot into a coffee shop for several days. Not only that, but I had not been behind a bar for over half a week.

Now at this point, yes you might be referring me back to my ‘workaholic’ post earlier, but truly, the absence of the coffee shop atmosphere had a slight effect on my mindset. I loved spending time with the girls and really enjoyed still having McConn coffee, but I couldn’t help feeling at times that there was still that something missing in my daily routine.

By Wednesday of that week, my other barista friend and I went in search of a coffee shop. We needed the atmosphere and with the help of Siri, finally found a company owned Starbucks and promptly sat ourselves down to enjoy and soak up the coffee as much as we could. I could help but smile a little at the situation. Here we are, enjoying the sun, sand, and surf, and yet at so many moments, all I wanted to do was get my hands on a portafilter and pull a salted cuban shot.

Mornings on the beach were easy to watch up to with a view like this. Thank the Lord for bulk coffee from McConn that woke us up every morning.

best shirt ever found at a touristy store in gulf shores.

Karra and I finally enjoying some Starbucks time. (Photo cred to Cathy!)

It was really an amazing week. Throughout the trip I realized just how much I relay on a daily coffee shop experience. It is something that is a constant in my personal and professional life. I cherish the daily interactions that I have with baristas from McConn as well as Starbucks or any other shop I visit. I think that it also demonstrates the importance of the human connection that we all strive for.

Basically, the end of the story is, I love the beach, I love my coffee shops, and if they made a espersso bar on the beach front, I’d be the first to sign up and work there.

Hope you all had a merry Spring Break!

Mostly spurred from a excellent article that I recently read (seriously, take ten minutes and read it, it will change your view about Starbucks and give you a whole new perspective as to how this amazing company works), I am again reminded as to why I identify myself so much with with spectacular company and how Starbucks will continue to grow and be successful in the coming years. The article discussed why Starbucks was placed within the top 50 most innovative companies and how it’s unique perspective on the industry pairs with Starbucks undisputed success.

The success that Starbucks has experienced goes far beyond that of a clever brand, past the glamorization of a cup of coffee, and creation of an “experience”. Starbucks has truly defined a major competitive advantage that I believe they have perfected, a focus on relationships. It is no small task to create a sense of ownership with every single employee in a multi billion dollar company. Down to the very last barista in the small stores, each person within this company feels a sense of ownership and has a genuine desire to add a footprint to the story of Starbucks. The best part is, each baristas does, they all make an impact to what makes this company. Starbucks would not be who it is today without the dedicated people on the front lines, working the four to ten hour shifts, representing every person on the executive board to the regulars that come in for their habitual cup of coffee.

Starbucks has defied expectations and continued to turn heads. From admitting a need to retrain on the basics and return to the core product and then, years later, branching out to instant coffee, Starbucks is the rebel child of the coffee industry. They have disregarding the industry norms and created a product that has been woven into the very fabric of our daily lives.

People said Starbucks would never make it out of Pikes Place or out of Seattle. They now have more than 17,000 stores nation wide.

People said no one would pay that much for a cup of coffee. Starbucks stood it’s ground and created an intense extended product of a “Starbucks experience” that only continues to add value to someone’s morning caffeine ritual.

People said that Starbucks would never be able to break into new markets. Starbucks now has numerous grocery lines which includes bottled drinks, ground coffee, instant coffee,  ice cream, and tea.

People said they would stop buying since the economic down turn. Starbucks has provided more than a cup of coffee for many customers during this difficult time, but they have provided a beacon of light for those in need of hope. Starbucks has instilled a sense of loyalty in billions of customers worldwide.

This company is phenomenal. I use it as an example of success and overcoming obstacles in my capstone business class on a daily basis. This company, how it runs, what it stands for, and how it has proved itself again and again, is one of the reason why I want a future within the coffee industry. I can’t wait to see what Starbucks is going to do in the next couple years and I can only hope to one day be involved in those decisions and watch the process from beginning to end.