Perkdup

What Now, Brown Cow? Coffee in my Yogurt Chocolate in my Coffee Pleasure on my palate Sparkle in my eyes Dessert in my breakfast Wherein, your beauty lies (c) www.browncowfarm.com Copyright 2010 - "Coffee Lover"

A little over a week ago, I blogged about one of my favorite coffees. Seems that I'm not the only one who thinks Stumptown Coffee rocks - one of my favorite magazines, "Real Simple" thinks so too!! I reviewed the "Hair Bender," and Real Simple reviewed the "Kenya Gaturiri Reserve." Nonetheless, the fact remains - Stumptown Coffee rocks! "Stumptown Coffee Roasters Kenya Gaturiri Reserve Serious java geeks (you know who you are) will love this medium-bodied brew that smells of molasses and black currant. It’s worth the splurge." (Real Simple Magazine) www.realsimple.com Remember, here at "Coffee Lover," we're keeping our ear to the "grind." :)

A brief look at Thanksgiving Coffee Company's history, will tell you why their motto is, "Not Just a Cup, But a Just Cup." I sampled the Musasa Rwanda blend. This coffee blend comes from a community of farmers known as Musasa after the area's main town - it's sweet but not overly sweet, has tones of chocolate and a deep flavor. I also tried the The Sidama Natural Ethiopia Blend from The Sidama Farmers Cooperative Union. Another sweet coffee - sweet, as in good, not sweet as in sugary. The flavors are bold. These coffees are not for wimps! Find out where you can buy Thanksgiving Coffees* and learn more about their partnerships, by visiting their website: www.thanksgivingcoffee.com Thanksgiving Coffee Company 19100 South Harbor Drive Fort Bragg, California 95437 1-800-648-6491 * FAIR TRADE CERTIFIED and FAMILY OWNED

Remember me? My name is Senseo (TM). You were probably introduced to me in around 2007. You just had to have me. In fact, I remember you saying that you didn't know how you got along before you met me. Me, with all my pretty colors and European design. "Douwe Egbert." You loved saying that, "Douwe Egbert." You scrambled to find my pods in every flavor, dark roast, flavored, you name it - I tried to make it for you. So, what has happened between us? Am I not good enough anymore? I open a magazine, and I can't find my picture anywhere. All I see are "K-Cups"(TM) and Flavia (TM) and Nespresso(TM). How quickly we forget! But, you know what? I have a feeling you'll be back. And when you are, I'll be here - or in your garage - or maybe you won't have the good sense to keep me and you'll sell me at a garage sale - yeah, that's probably what you'll do. Guess what? I don't care. Because I'll find someone else to...

This coffee is too good to keep to yourself. Buy one pound of Caribou "Pass the Goodness Blend"* and Caribou will donate one pound to a food shelf. Now that's "caribou-size" generosity. "Pass the Goodness Blend is comprised of coffees from Sumatra, Guatemala and El Salvador. This blend of Central American and Indonesian coffees is bold and spicy with candied vanilla sweetness. Our distinct Sumatra Samosir Batak is the secret ingredient that enhances the body and brings a delightful complexity to this unique coffee." Pass the Goodness Blend is only available from January 4 - February 28, 2010 and can be ordered in store as well as online. Free shipping available on online orders of 2 lbs or more. Come on - share the coffee love! www.cariboucoffee.com *Rainforest Alliance Certified and Certified Kosher Parve

Yesterday, we went to find a Valentine's Day gift for my daughter. We went to Stoneridge Mall and there's a Teavana Shop there. She said, "Mom, I want TEAVANA for Valentine's Day!" She loves the mixture of the Samurai Chai Mate and the White Ayurvedic Chai. Tonight, she brewed a pot and it made the whole house smell so good. I think Teavana should market this stuff as room diffuser. The taste is pretty good too. And it's so much cheaper than Tiffany's!

Happy Valentine's Day

Oh, wait a minute - that was Camp Town Ladies. Well, I'll bet that they would have sung that song had they tried Stumptown Coffee. I sampled the " Hair Bender ," which is more like "the hair of the dog that bit ya!" Stumptown describes this blend as " a complex espresso blend featuring coffee components from the three major growing regions of Latin America, East Africa and the Pacific Rim. We devote constant attention to the Hair Bender and are proud of its status as our most popular coffee. The aroma demonstrates floral notes of jasmine while the flavor is a combination of sweet citrus, milk chocolate and caramel." I describe it as good, good, good. The beans aren’t glistening or saying “hey look at me, aren’t I pretty?" They aren’t sexy or shiny as if recently slathered with body oil. But they have a deeper value. The kind of value that is not all flash and glitter. These beans bring it. They are not overly roasted trying to be something ...

Okay, so I went to Starbucks this morning - not for the coffee - but for the cup! Had to get my hands on this "elusive," yet much "blogged about," paper cup. For a limited-time, heart cups (Grande size) are available (but hard to find) and include a message encouraging customers to to create their own Valentine's Day-inspired drawing. For every drawing submitted, Starbucks will contribute five cents -- up to $50,000 -- to the (Red) Global Fund. www.StarbucksLoveProject.com Way to go, Starbucks!

And this ain't no regular King Cake. This cake comes from Ms. Marguerite's Bakery in Slidell, Louisiana. Community Coffee donated two of these babies to the Silent Auction for a Crab Feed I attended last weekend and had folks in a major bidding war!! While you're at it, order yourself some of that Chicory Coffee to go with it. CUZ THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT FAT TUESDAY!!!! Order by 2:00 p.m. February 11, 2010 and have it for Mardi Gras Day (February 16) WHO DAT??? http://www.communitycoffee.com/ccc/Catalog_CS/coffee-detail/86900/flavored_specialty/our_specialty_coffees/marguerites-cinnamon-king-cake/

I'm so enjoying the cold weather today. I think it's because I've got something to keep me warm and satisfied. That would be a large mug of "Uganda Sipi Falls" from Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (TM). And for you purists out there, you too can enjoy Uganda Sipi Falls , “short and sweet” like this post, because its Available for a limited time only - so get it while you can - because once it's gone - it's gone. I think Gareth said it best, "It's SLAMMIN'" http://coffeebean.com/index.aspx?UserID=23585509&SessionID=rcVltoNBu9NKHsttTvDo Limited Edition Uganda Sipi Falls "Originally farmed in East Africa. Bagisu tribesmen hand-farm the treacherous slopes of Mount Elgon to produce this rare, full-bodied coffee. A must-try with a floral aroma with honey and walnut flavor notes and a crisp finish."

I am completely thrilled with my new Capresso MG600 10-cup Programmable Coffee Maker . Doesn't the name sound like a fancy sports car? Hey, don't laugh - this might be as close as I get to a Porsche. I just took her out of the box yesterday and have been "driving" her with smooth results. I had another coffee maker (by another well-known company) and it was okay. Just okay. Didn't live up to the hype. I'd only had it about six months. Sure, it looked fine but there were some characteristics which didn't bode well for my limited counter space (i.e. the fact that I had to stand over it to make sure the water was going into the right place and I couldn't see how many cups of water I'd put in). With my MG600, I can see the water fill line and the top allows me to completely open it without bumping its "head" on the cabinet. So far, I've enjoyed four pots in this baby and she hasn't given me a bit of trouble. I also notice that...

Your best girlfriend is the one you trust with all your secrets. For me, that would be "Lola." She's the one Catahoula's customers can't get enough of. No matter how many new blends Timber comes up with, Lola remains a trusted and loyal roast. Timber, you broke the mold when you made this one. Lola, "Girlfriend," I cherish our friendship. "A bold & complex (Some folks say Stubborn) yet unexpectedly sweet blend of African and South American Fair Trade / Organic beans. Full City roasted to bring out an intriguing snappy twist. Excellent as a drip & is used in our cafe as the house espresso. By far Catahoula's best seller since it appeals to such a wide variety of palates. Add a spot of cream to your Lola espresso shot for a lasting and lingering milk chocolate finish." Catahoula Coffee Company 12472 San Pablo Ave. Richmond, CA 94805 510. 235.0525 www.catahoulacoffee.com

Countdown to Super Bowl! I'm drinking French Market Coffee (TM) this morning to celebrate the fact that Nawlins will be in da house in Miami. This stuff will put hair on your chest!!!! But, hey, I'm going to take one for the team today. GO SAINTS!!

This is high quality tea. The kind of quality you would expect from the man who founded Stash (TM) Tea and was one of the original founders of Tazo (TM). My friend from England tried the "Lord Bergamont," and here's what she said, "You have to really love Earl Gray to like this tea. It seems like it’s got about twice the amount of bergamot than regular Earl Gray. Smells divine. Perfect afternoon tea." And my resident tea-expert (a lover of all teas green) said about the "Fez," "So good and mellow. Perfect complement to Asian foods." Other varieties include: White Petal, Peppermint Leaves, Mao Feng Shui, Meadow, Brahmin's Choice, Big Hibiscus and Red Nectar (and a whole bunch more). The tea comes in the cutest string-tie boxes and it makes for the perfect gift for you or someone else. To learn more about Steven Smith and his tea, visit his website: www.smithtea.com Steven Smith - a real "tea-smith."