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Equal Exchange

Recently I found myself at New Seasons trying to decide whether or not I wanted to get more Stumptown Hair Bender beans or pick up something different. The selection at New Seasons is impressive, to say the less, and after "eeny, meeny, miney, mo'ing" I chose Equal Exchange's Organic Espresso blend...and I picked up a bag of the Hair Bender, just in case.

Not knowing if Equal Exchange's espresso was supposed to be "chocolatey," or "bright," or "with hints of caramel," I opened the bag up and ran a test shot. As a straight shot I was pleasantly surprised. It is a rarity that I feel as if I can drink just a shot of espresso. Normally they are too strong for me. I prefer to cut it with milk...just the right amount, of course...but he digs them and calls me "pansy." As if. I saved the shot hoping he would make it home for lunch in time to give the first pull a taste, however he ran late and the espresso got cold. So it was cappuccino's all around instead! It's the way it should be, really.

Equal Exchange describes their Organic Espresso as such: "Our rendition of a Northern Italian favorite. Caramel sweet flavor with a touch of blueberry, a bit of dark chocolate, vibrant body and a “kick-in-the-pants” wake-up call for a finish. This classic espresso has blossomed in our new roaster, and is racking up rave reviews from customers across the country."

Our Thoughts

HIS SIDE: Doesn't taste "coffee" enough. Too fruity and too weak.

HER SIDE: Wow! That is BRIGHT! I'm getting the whole "kick in the pants" reference now. Very fruity, not enough roasty/chocolatey flavors going on. I think this would be a refreshing blend for summer, yet I definitely like the more darker, roastier, chocolatey, caramel notes over fruity, floral, and bright ones. And yes I realize I just made up some words. That's how I roll.

Reader Questions

Given the questions we receive, we thought it would be fun (and interesting) to start posting a "Reader Question of the Week." Each week we will answer a question, sent in by YOU, on this blog. They can be serious, funny, about espresso, machines...whatever floats your boat. Then on each Friday we will post one question and answer it.

To submit a question, click on the EMAIL link on the right hand side of the page, and ask away! Or just CLICK HERE.

Coffee filled chocolates...MANA on Earth!

Or at least I hoped they would be. Don't get me wrong, they're not bad...the chocolate is decent and the filling isn't too shabby, yet it's not necessarily AS good as I had anticipated. Not only am I an espresso "snob" I am also a chocolate "snob." This is the result of working in a small candy store from the time I was 15 until the ripe adult age of 18 when I headed off to college. They are still around to this day, although the name has changed...long story. But, their chocolate is excellent and it made me into sort of a connoisseur. Truth be told, I have a penchant for Belgian chocolates and could often be found at Chocolat et Gateaux in downtown Bend. They just so happen to serve espresso there too. Unfortunately I always forgot about that part and hence never had the chance to review them. When I come back to visit I will do this, though.

So back to the coffee filled chocolates. This particular brand was by Anthon Berg, who apparently has made "his" mark in this world by filling chocolate shells with various forms of liquid. Google "him" and you will be awed and inspired at products such as liqueur bottle shaped chocolates filled with Malibu Rum. Maybe awed and inspired aren't the right words for that. But whatever...they ARE the Purveyors to the Royal Danish court. I am assuming that means they supply chocolates to the King and Queen, but then I could be wrong. Does Denmark even have a Royal Court anymore?? As for the coffee filled ones, first I should point out that while I'm not completely stupid I do have a tendency not to read things all the way through. Instructions, recipes, ingredients, etc. I'm not sure why this is but it just is. So when I bit into the "latte cup shaped" chocolate and spilled coffee liquid on to my shirt I was surprised. Had I read the packaging a tad more closely I would've realized that it was coffee (the liquid kind) filled...not coffee CREAM filled or any other such nonsense. Reading. It's good for you.

Taste-wise I would say that obviously you wouldn't want to drink a whole cup of the liquid center. I also didn't notice much of a difference between the "Cappuccino" style or the "Vanilla Frappe" style, or the "Espresso" version versus the "Toffee Macchiato" one. They all tasted the same to me. For the price (about $7 for 5 candies), I can't say that I would buy them again. If someone gave me one I'd eat it. Because that's how I roll. But I think I'll spend my hard earned dollars on fine chocolate! mmmmmm...chocolate.

Eau de Cafe

If there is one thing I would wish for my home to smell like, it would be a cafe. Warm, inviting, and richly scented of the finest espresso beans. One that made you instantly want to plop down on the sofa, sip a cuppa, and relax. Maybe read Tolstoy. Or Harry Potter. Whatever floats your boat. Everyday, for the briefest of moments, after I make a cappuccino I get a taste of what life would be like living in a home that smells of freshly ground and brewed coffee. Unfortunately it doesn't last long enough. Buzzkill. As far as I know they don't make coffee scented Plug-Ins, but they should. They sooo should. I think it would triple their business sales. Or not. But if the coffee Gods are listening, please make the fine people at Glade have an epiphany and create the Plug-In to end all Plug-In's--namely one that smells like coffee. I can't brew all day like a real cafe does. So that leaves candles. Self-admittedly I am a candle hoor. I love them like I love mugs. Personally, I think one can never have too many candles. Unless you have hoarding issues. Then maybe you could have too many. Therefore I have several. Some are there for looks and get lit every now and then. Like when company comes over. Or I feel all romantic and stuff. Others are "working" candles. By that I mean these are the ones I light to make the house smell good. They have to be heavily scented as we have a large, open floorplan and thus it takes a lot to fill up the area. Sadly, most candles fall short of this requirement and get relegated to a smaller room instead. Now, I know that my house isn't going to be satiated with the smell of roasted beans no matter how hard I try. And that's okay. There is something to be said for not smelling like a walking cup of joe as soon as you walk out of a cafe...or in this case your house, if your house actually did smell like a cafe. I would prefer something in the middle of "COFFEE" and "coffee."

Finding this happy medium is more difficult than one might think. Or at least it has been for me. Many of the candles I saw online were poured into glass mugs topped with whipped cream ...and sometimes a cherry. (Who the hell puts cherries in their coffee?) THIS one is interesting, though. Bonus points for the bag 'o beans. The ones that I was actually able to smell in person did not smell like coffee. They smelled like s'mores, or hot chocolate. I somewhat gave up on finding one I truly liked via shopping at the mall and instead turned to the internets. As Christmas was approaching my dad asked for a list of things we wanted, so I added a few different coffee-scented candles that I figured would make a good gift.

I got not one, not two, but THREE different coffee/cappuccino scented candles. Bring on the testing!! I have burned all three of them thus far, yet the only one I feel I can fairly review at this time is the Old Virginia Candle Company's Coffee scented Soy candle. I adore their Woodwick candles and would advise you to RUN, not walk, to your nearest store that carries these and buy one. They are hard to find but well worth the money. Sadly, there are no coffee scented ones. I also noticed that they don't seem to have the one I received for Christmas (the Farm Grown Coffee scented one) listed on their website. You can still get it through Amazon (or just click on the "coffee scented soy candle" link above) if you so desire.

Smell-wise it has a rich, nutty, scent that does fill the air quite nicely after it has burned for about an hour or so. I did notice after I had it lit for about 2 hours, blew it out, left, and came back that upon walking into the house you could distinctly smell coffee. While it's nowhere near as wonderful as sticking your nose directly into a bag of Stumptown beans, it has thus far made me happy.

More reviews on the other two coming soon!

Merry Christmas to us!

For Christmas this year my dad asked us to make him a list of items we wanted so that he could purchase stuff rather than give us money--as he normally does. We're always down for some money, yet thought it would be fun to have gifts to unwrap for a change. So I headed over to Chris' Coffee Service and sent the links to a few things we've been needing and wanting to get, just never have. Come Christmas day we opened the following items thus making us that much closer to being true home baristas. Or whatever.

First, the Bumper Tamper Stand:


This bad boy is a major step up from what we were using...a folded up bar towel. Okay, so it wasn't high-tech by any stretch of the imagination, it was a tad messy, and I'm sure it screwed up our tamping "skills" but it worked. Needless to say, this item was looooong overdue in our repertoire. It has taken some getting used to, however we're quite glad to no longer be using the towel.

Second, a REAL tamper!


I'm torn on this one. We need it, we so need it, I need it. I need to grow up and stop using the Espro tamper and learn how to tamp like a true espresso brewer. But damn it's tough. I honestly can't tell if I'm applying enough pressure, too much, or not enough. Of course "he" has had no issues with the shots he's pulled. They've been awesome, actually. I know over time I'll adjust and get the hang of things. In the meantime, don't be surprised if I sneak an Espro tamp in here and there.

And, here's a close up of the tamper stand/bumper thingamabob:


Last, but certainly not least, cappuccino cups from Italy in the size they should be! Ours are the 025 ones, although I thought they would be the 020 ones.


Yes, yes, ladies and gents we have been using cups that are much too big. I believe they hold 8 ozs. total...gasp...for shame! The problem is that I have diligently been trying to find stylish, whimsical, fun cups rather than plain brown or white. This is easier said than done, unfortunately. Finally I got tired of milky cappuccino's and gave in. I like brown but I really like my cappuccinos to taste as they should.

There's been a lot of changes now, a lot of realizing that I need classes. Badly. But it's all been in good fun! So, thanks dad!! We are mucho appreciative!