Perkdup

Contest ends at midnight on December 31, 2011. To be entered in a random drawing for a free bag of Founder's Blend (compliments of Community Coffee), please send me an email: accutype@aol.com

Well, it's December 31st. The last day of the year. It's good to be in the land of the living and drinking coffee. As I reflect back on the year, coffee-wise, I'm happy to say I've enjoyed some delicious old favorites and been pleasantly surprised by some amazing new coffees. No, I'm not resolving to drink less coffee. Coffee is one of my greatest pleasures and I have no intention of cutting back. I do, however, plan to open my blog to include more coffees that are not necessarily considered "gourmet," but coffees that wake up a good portion of America and that I have not reviewed or talked about here before. I'm still enjoying some wonderful holiday blends and "hoarded" a couple that should at least last for the first couple of months of 2012. Here's to a great last day of 2011 and a healthy and safe New Year. Imbibe responsibly, don't drink and drive and don't forget to have plenty of coffee on-hand.

I got a pound of Egg Nog Coffee from Cost Plus World Market . I haven't tried it yet. I'm waiting for a day off. Just in case I get a buzz. (snicker) Seriously, there's so much coffee and only so many cups. But, I've decided if Santa doesn't come to you, then you need to go to Santa. That said, I'm spending the next few days collecting all the holiday blends I can find left in the stores that I haven't tried yet. Stay tuned for a report. I'll let you know what I find.

Coffee so special that it's only available for a limited time. Bad News. No longer available from Community Coffee. Good News: You can win a free bag here. To be entered in a random drawing for a free bag of Founder's Blend (compliments of Community Coffee), please send me an email: accutype@aol.com 12 oz. Whole Bean Private Reserve® Founders Blend Founders Blend is comprised of four unique coffees from two continents. We begin with Colombia Toledo-Labateca, which is grown high in the remote Andes Mountains near Venezuela and is a rare social relationship coffee exclusive to Community Coffee Company in the United States. We next add Brazil Santos Bourbon, an old growth variety of Arabica that has become rare and highly prized. We complete the blend with two exceptional coffees from Africa, which come from the high mountain peaks in Kenya and Ethiopia, the birth place of coffee. Founder’s Blend is carefully medium-dark roasted to develop a sweet floral aroma with a complex w...

Yet another reason to buy a Keurig for yourself or a gift this holiday season. I'm a coffee gal, but who doesn't love a cup of hot chocolate during winter? My daughter is a hot chocolate-holic and she had been drinking the Great Escapes Hot Chocolate K-Cups . And she was very happy with them. That is, until, she discovered the Swiss Miss "K-Cup"(TM) . Swiss Miss(TM) K-Cups are so good. She's crazy for Swiss Miss(TM) and has been drinking a cup every night. They're not too sweet. But they're rich in flavor and not too "chocolate-y". Top with mini-marshmallows or a squirt of whipped cream and you've got heaven in a cup. K-Cups(TM) are taking over the coffee planet!! www.greenmountaincoffee.com

Everybody is mixing chocolate and caramel and sea salt it seems. Starbucks even has a salted caramel mocha. I received this amazing box of chocolate treats over the weekend. Needless to say, after tonight, there are no more. I can't remember which member of this household got the last chocolate, but it wasn't me!! These "Sea Salt Caramels" by Chocolate Chocolate are made from the finest chocolate (dark or milk) which covers a creamy caramel. The sea salt on top is truly what sets it apart from a regular chocolate caramel. I would venture to say that the sea salt caramel might be the next big thing. Right up there with the peanut butter cup. What a winning combination. After years of studying the art of handcrafting small batches of premium chocolates, founder Dan Abel came back to his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri to open his own candy company. His creations were the result of years of apprenticing with master candy makers across the country. In February...

This stuff is so good that Catahoula can't keep it on the shelves. Mainly because it's not something they carry year round. In fact, I pre-paid for mine just to make sure I didn't miss out. This Blue Mountain , a pure coffee, is lightly roasted and extremely mild. The first cup I reviewed, I brewed in my Capresso automatic coffee maker. It was good. But when I used the pour-over method with my Chemex and slightly more coffee, it was pure delight. (This is a limited offering and retails for 20.00 per half pound.)

You're out of excuses for why you don't own a Keurig brewer. Now, Starbucks(R) is making "K-Cups"(R) ! Don't get me wrong, there's nothing better than a pot of freshly brewed coffee, but with the addition of Starbucks to the K-Cup(R) roster, you're going to have to put up a pretty decent argument for not buying a Keurig(R). It's perfect for those times when you don't feel like firing up the coffeemaker, or you want to break the ice with new guests or change the subject with that second date that's going horribly wrong. I sampled the French Roast and Breakfast Blend . There are even Tazo(R) Tea K-Cups ! Yup. You heard right. My personal favorite is the Starbucks French Roast but I've always been partial to the "parlez vous Francais." So, quit stalling. Surf on over to the Keurig(R) page and finish your holiday shopping. Your aunt doesn't need another clock. :)

The early bird doesn't always catch the worm. I'm sure you all heard about the "12 Days of Christmas" promotion from Starbucks . Well, the 12th day - was on the 12th of December - last Monday. And, the deal of the day was free drip coffee every day for the entire month of January when you purchased the "12 Days Mug." I thought to myself, "I am not going to get caught up in this madness. Each store probably got one mug. I'm not getting up at 4 a.m. just to get a mug. I don't need another commuter mug." Blah, blah, blah. Well, I walked into a Starbucks (location shall remain anonymous) on yesterday (Tuesday!) and what did I spy but one little mug sitting all by its lonesome. So, for 19.95, I have a collectible and cute mug for the holidays and can look forward to 31 days of free java. Can't touch this.

"I used the 8-count when I inserted the chai latte into the Keurig. I smiled when the water commenced brewing because the “color” was perfect – just the way I like it. Creamy-caramel color. I did not notice the aroma until I purposely put the cup closer to my noise – instantly I noticed the “cinnamon” and “chai” aromas which started my salivary glands. Wow! The taste is amazing…just the right amount of sweetener…the cinnamon tasted really good. There is also a hint of “tanginess” but not bitter. This is definitely a wonderful product. Can’t wait for the Second Cup." (reviewed by Maritza of San Francisco) www.Cafe-Escapes.com

How many people remember the character actor Bill Saluga? He was better known as Raymond J. Johnson. He did this schtick that was hilarious and drove people insane at the same time. And it was all about his name. Now, how many people order coffee under their real name? I know, personally, I often make up a name when ordering a fancy drink at a coffeehouse. I mean, it's just easier sometimes. It's noisy, the barista is busy and do they really care who I am anyway? So, instead of using my real name, I'll use a nickname or maybe I'll just say "Sue." It's not like I'm signing a contract, right? And who doesn't like to play pretend? I started giving this more thought the other day when I went for coffee with a co-worker. Her name is Carol but she ordered her latte under "Coco." And I turned to her and said, "Did you say Coco??" And that's when I learned that I'm not the only one who plays the name game. She said ...

Thanks to Tim Manhart, the roastmeister and owner of Catahoula Coffee , I'm enjoying a cup of liquid gold this morning. Malabar Gold . The thing I like most about visiting Catahoula is that you never know what treasure you'll find. Yesterday, I happened upon Timber as he was roasting a batch of Malabar Gold . Malabar Gold is a rare find and it won't be around long, so you'll want to order yours today. Retail Price: Around $9.00 for eight ounces. A real bargain for coffee this good. www.catahoulacoffee.com *Monsooned Malabar is a variety of dry processed coffee beans. The harvested and processed beans are exposed to the monsoon winds for a period of about three to four months, causing the beans to swell and lose the original acidity, resulting in a sweet and syrupy brew. The coffee is unique to the Malabar Coast of Karnataka and Kerala and has protected status under the Geographical Indications of Goods Act. The name Monsooned Malabar is derived from exposure to...

Who cares if it rains in Seattle a lot. Turns out it's the only place you can get Pike Place Special Reserve . Last month, I told you about the neat gift my niece brought me back from a trip to Seattle. A "Special Reserve" that's so special , you can only find it at a couple of Starbucks locations in Seattle. Well, after admiring the packaging in my curio for several weeks now, I finally cracked it open. Oh. My. God. This is like no other Pike Place blend I've had. It's a deep roast, bold and smoky. Sort of made me feel like 1930s film star when I was drinking it. Anyway, maybe they're "Sleepless in Seattle"* because there's so much good coffee, you don't want to sleep! If anybody knows where I can find this stuff without traveling, please let me know. Amazing. (* 1993 film directed by Nora Ephron and starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan)

As I've said before, I have never come across a Starbucks card that I didn't like. Seriously. This adorable little "mini-Snowman" key ring card is no exception. When I saw this today, I had to have it. It's the perfect gift for your office Secret Santa or the mailman or gardener. You can load it with a little or load it with a lot. This one I loaded only with five bucks because I have like a hundred cards, but you never know when you might be out of cash and desperate for a tall latte. 'Tis the Season!

Green Mountain Coffee introduces the Cafe Escapes(R) Chai Latte "KCup"(R) . Now you can enjoy your favorite beverage any time of the day (or night). If you were thinking of purchasing a Keurig Brewer for yourself or as a holiday gift, here's another good reason to get one. Review coming soon.

This is my favorite time of year for many reasons. One being that it's usually when the coffee roasters get their limited offerings of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffees. First up. Benicia Coffee and Tea's limited offering. Retail price is 36.00 per pound. Which is a good price for pure Blue Mountain Coffee. I brewed up a Chemex-full this morning and was very pleased with the flavor. Smooth blend, no after-taste and non-acidic. If you live near Benicia, California and are in the mood for Blue, check them out at 2 036 Columbus Parkway, Benicia, California, 94510, 707-746-1242 . But you'd better hurry because there's no guarantee that this stuff will last through Christmas. Stay tuned for more Blue Mountain reviews to come. It's on! Dottie

I'm writing this post while drinking a cup of Starbucks Anniversary Blend . I suppose I should be drinking Thanksgiving Blend, but I don't have any. But this post really isn't about coffee, it's about gratitude. Holidays tend to bring out the best and worst in people. For me, it's filled with memories of those who are no longer around to share the day and those who go out of their way to make sure it's a good day for others. People like my nephew and his wife who are preparing a feast for family and friends. I'm grateful for good health, a roof over my head when so many people are homeless, a car to drive when so many don't have transportation, a job when so many are unemployed. I don't feel especially witty today. Actually, my mood could be characterized as bittersweet. Nonetheless, I'm very blessed and don't want to let this day go by without saying "Thank You." And, I'm thankful for those of you who take time from your b...

When I was contacted by the Community Agroecology Network in Santa Cruz, California , I thought, "oh, great more Fair Trade Coffee." Don't get me wrong, I am a huge supporter of Fair Trade (TM) , however, just because it's Fair Trade, doesn't mean it's good. The nice woman asked if I would be willing to give their coffee a review and if I preferred a dark roast or light roast coffee. I said, "Dark roast," please. Yawn. The coffee arrived within a few days. Yawn. I looked at the package for one whole day before I opened it. Of course, I love coffee, but I've tried many different coffees. And trust me, they are not created equal. And you know me, if I can't say something nice, I don't say anything at all. Well, a few days later, when I opened the bag, and looked at the beans, I thought, "pretty impressive." The beans were nice and dark and glistened. Then I ground them in my Baratza grinder. Scooped out enough to make ...

You won't want to miss it!

Surprise Number One. I had no idea that nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee was a five-star luxury resort by the name of Blackberry Farm. I had never heard of the place until Mr. and Mrs. Big Mike went there on a recent vacation. And because they know that I may never get to Blackberry Farm, they brought me back a pound of coffee. Which, in my book, is the next best thing. Surprise Number Two. I had never heard of H.C. Valentine Coffee Company until I received the coffee which is specially crafted for Blackerry Farm by Valentine. H.C. Valentine is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. And all this time, I thought Wisconsin was famous for cheese. Any-hoo, the coffee is smooth, balanced, rich and what one might expect to be served at 5-Star Luxury Resort like Blackberry Farm. If one were to ever get the chance to go there. For now, I'll drink my coffee and be grateful. Here's to a wonderful Sunday and a great week!

(and tea shops too!)

I'm pretty sure I literally shrieked when I received this gift from my niece. She went to Seattle on a business trip and brought me back a package of P IKE PLACE SPECIAL RESERVE - SEATTLE WASHINGTON EDITION . I had never even seen one of these bags in person. As you know, I've enjoyed Pike Place Blend for years, but this package is so cool that I don't even want to open it! I think I'm going to put it in my curio cabinet. I mean, come on this is a collectible! Apparently, you can ONLY purchase this special bag at two Starbucks stores in Seattle. Now, you'll have to figure out which two. And when you do, let me know. I'm such a lucky gal. Remember, be nice to the kids when they're young because when they grow up and travel around the world, they'll remember you. Especially, when it comes to coffee. Have a great day. I'm still not ready to open this package. Gonna enjoy it for a few more days. Maybe it is what's on the outside that cou...

So many coffees. So little time. I can't believe how many roasters are out there that I don't know about. That can only mean one thing - I must vow to continue my journey in search of locating and tasting every good coffee on the planet. That could take a lifetime. So, that's what I'll do. When I learned of Peter Asher Coffee and Tea , naturally the first thing I did was check out their website. The signature alone says, "classy." But what does a wonderful website and a great signature have to do with a great cup of coffee? In the case of Peter Asher it's a sign of what's to come. I've been drinking the "Black Velvet" roast all week and I can't pull myself away from it. I have a couple of other new blends I want to try, but the Black Velvet just keeps calling my name. It's deep and dark but not the kind of deep and dark that just overpowers the palate. This is smooth as silk. I would go so far as to call it romantic....

The week is shaping up pretty nicely. I received three varieties of coffee to review from the Peter Asher Coffee Company. Peter Asher is a family-owned roaster in Champaign, Illinois. Who says the mailman never brings good news? Review coming soon. But, if you don't want to wait to hear my thoughts, you can check them out for yourself. peterashercoffee.com Happy Tuesday!!

This is the time of year that I develop a greater appreciation for tea. This morning, instead of starting my day with coffee, I thought, "Why not do something different?" So, I did. Instead of jumping out of bed and racing to the coffee maker, I got up early and meandered over to the stove and turned on my Chantal kettle. I love it because it has that loud whistle that won't let me forget that I'm boiling water. I mean, without my coffee in the morning, who knows what could happen? But today was different. I made myself a cup of Celestial Seasonings Cinnamon Apple Spice and watched the local news. The news was all bad. But the tea was all good. And I felt relaxed. Well, enough of that relaxing. Work calls. It's time to go brew up a big pot and get my day going. I will admit though, I enjoyed the tea. Make it a great day! (And do yourself a favor and check out all the different Celestial Seasonings teas. They're a nice change)

I feel like I'm in a coffee rut. There have a been a couple of coffees lately that have really caught my palate, but now that the weather has turned cooler which means I'm going to turn up the coffee volume, I'm looking for something that will really blow my skirt up. Figuratively speaking. No one wants to see my skirt blow up these days. Anyhow, I'm starting to feel like there's nothing that turns me on lately. I mean really turns me on. So, if you have a coffee that I don't know about, drop me an email. I'd love to hear from you. I'm all mugs. We made it through Monday - which means, we're 1/5th of the way there. Have a great day! Dottie

It doesn't take much to make me happy. Case in point. This morning, I'm headed to the white canister to brew up a pot of the week's selection. But before I open the lid, I open the cabinet to decide which mug I'd like to drink from - there's a method to how I select my mug for each day - but that's another blog. Anyway, luckily for me, I'm wearing my glasses because I spy a Ziplock bag with just about enough coffee for a pot of - drumroll - Blue Marmelade coffee from Haiti! I thought I'd used it all. Then I remembered that I'd tucked some away for a rainy day. Well,it's not raining but it is cold. And my cup is hot. Have a great day. We're almost there! Peace, Dottie

If I'm remembered in life for anything other than my love of coffee, it will be my fierce loyalty. I was looking for a different coffee today. I wanted something special to end my week with a big bang. Problem is, I couldn't think of any coffee that would send me into orbit that I didn't have to order online or hadn't already tried. I mean, I could have always picked up something in the grocery store, but where's the fun in that? I mean that's not ending the week in style. I passed several coffee shops on my way home from work, including the usual suspects, but then I remembered that it's Starbucks Anniversary Blend time and I hadn't brewed any at home this year. So, I turned to my old friend "The Siren." The 2011 Blend isn't anything different from what Starbucks has offered in past years. And maybe that's what makes it so good. It's tried and true. So, while I may not be ending the week with anything that's new, at...

I love this time of year. It's when you get the best apples! I can't wait to enjoy this beautiful apple/blackberry tart I picked up on the way home from work. It's a nice way to end the day. I think I'll pair this with a nice French Roast. Life is short - eat dessert first.

Win Bigelow Tea for a year plus receive a personalized tea chest! Enter your original recipe that features brewed Bigelow Tea; submit your recipe on Facebook ( www.facebook.com/bigelowtea ) in the Recipe Contest form under our profile picture or submit via our Recipe Contest landing page ( http://www.bigelowteablog.com/recipe-contest ). There will be one grand prize winner. (Contest Ends October 30, 2011)

When I bought my Apple logo mug, many years ago, I was already a Mac (TM) convert. That was even before the iPod or iTunes. So, I thought it only appropriate to dedicate today's post to Steve Jobs. It's funny how you can be so sad when someone passes that you never even met. I don't know if Steve Jobs drank coffee. But, I've had many a cup while typing on my Mac(TM) and blabbering about how much I love coffee. He changed the way we live and work. Here's to you, Mr. Jobs. Thanks for everything! Do something nice for someone today. Tomorrow is not promised. Peace, Dottie .

When the folks at Coffee AM contacted me and asked if I would be interested in reviewing their coffees, my first thought was, "I've never heard of Coffee AM. It must not be very good." Well. Lesson learned. There are whole lot of coffee roasters out there and obviously I haven't heard about them all. Dottie - you're not in Seattle anymore. Coffee AM is located in Canton, Georgia. They roast their coffee in small batches. Just for you. I guess you could call it "custom made." To be honest, I refused to try it during the week because my work-week is rough enough and there's nothing that makes me madder than brewing a pot of bad coffee. So, I waited until the weekend to give it a try. Okay, Coffee A.M. - you got me - I'm HOOKED! Yesterday, I sampled the "Jamaica Blue Mountain Reserve" which is a blend - not 100 percent Blue Mountain. It is 100 percent delicious! This morning I brewed their "Kenya AA" coffee. Anothe...

If you didn't know, I'm an avid collector of Starbucks gift cards. I have as many Starbucks cards as I have coffee mugs. Well, maybe not quite. Anyway, I was getting coffee the other day and spotted the beautiful Fall Edition card with autumn leaves. I picked it up because it was so pretty, but then, I felt it and realized it was in Braille! Now, I don't read Braille, and thankfully, I can see. But I can imagine how much that means to those who are visually impaired. No matter what you say about corporate giants, Starbucks really does care. (In my humble opinion) (And don't forget the Pumpkin Spice Latte is back!) www.starbucks.com

Don't worry - BEAN Happy!

What the hype is all about - coconut milk . If you're a "foodie" and even if you're not, you've heard about it. "SO Delicious" introduces the first Coconut Milk Creamer . I always like a little cream in my coffee - and have even admitted to using Coffee-Mate quite often. Now, there's a non-dairy creamer that is not only delicious, it's hip . SO Delicious Dairy Free Coconut Milk Creamer comes in three flavors: Original Hazelnut French Vanilla Contains NO dairy derivatives, NO soy, NO high fructose corn syrup. And it tastes SO good. I was skeptical to try it, but I couldn't be more impressed. Look for it in the refrigerated section of your health food and gourmet grocery stores. www.SoDeliciousDairyFree.com *SO Delicious provided me with free samples of the purposes of preparing this review. But, I enjoyed it just as much as if I'd paid for it! Don't be the last one to try it. It's also great water cooler conversation. Have...

If the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, the way to mine is through a mug. A very nice person from the Legal Aid Society sent me a very nice mug. It is a high quality mug with ample room for a hot cup of coffee, hot chocolate, tea or even soup. I have a vast collection of mugs. Which might make you wonder why this kind gesture meant so much to me. Well, for one, no one has to give you anything. Ever. Two, the Legal Aid Society does wonderful work and three, I can't turn my back on a good mug. I thought about paying it forward and giving it to one of my friends who doesn't have nearly the assortment of mugs that I do. I even thought (for a fleeting moment) about gathering all the mugs I don't use much anymore and taking them to a nice shelter (which I'm still considering). But, I have separation anxiety. At any rate, for now, I'm going to enjoy my latest acquisition. My pantry knows I don't need another mug, but I can't say no to a ...

Thank God for Twitter . I was scrolling through "tweets" the other day and found out that Equator Coffees had just roasted the last small batch of Ka'u Rusty's Hawaiian . So, I immediately picked up the phone and tried to order a pound. I was told that it was all gone. I said, "It can't be. It was just on twitter two minutes ago that you're roasting the last batch. Please, check with the roaster." The nice lady put me on hold and came back and said "we have a tiny bit left - maybe 12 ounces at most." I said, "Wrap It Up, I'll Take It!"* What a way to start my Sunday. This coffee is so good and smooth. Medium-boldness. Equator's profile says "A crisp cup highlighted by juicy citrus and notes of pineapple, raising and flower." I say, "Mahalo!" I guess you guys will have to wait for next year. Myself, I'm going to savor every drop. Have a great day! Dottie (*"Wrap It Up" by The...

This has got to be the cutest onesie ever! Unless you're from Louisiana or Texas (or know someone who is), you probably know nothing about "Coffee Milk." Coffee Milk is what babies cut their "teeth" on before they're able to handle the real stuff. I used to love to hear the babies in Texas say, "I want coffee milk!" I used to give my daughter coffee (without milk) when she was little to help with her asthma wheeze. See, coffee has medicinal purposes. Only the folks at Community Coffee could think of this! Too adorable for words.

As some of you know, I've recently started a new gig. That means getting up earlier, being on time, performing at the highest level. You know the drill. Anyway, I thought I could do this without taking my morning coffee break. It's not like I don't have a cup of super fuel to start the day, but, normally there's that mid-morning cup that takes me to the after-lunch refill. Well, this morning, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I said, "Forget the dumb stuff, I'm heading downstairs to Starbucks " I don't even have to technically leave the building to go there. And the law says you get a break. Besides that, my head practically hit the desk! Okay, I'm addicted to the mean bean. There are worse things you know. At least, I didn't take a Kit-Kat break. Although, those are pretty delicious with coffee. Peace, Dottie

I have no idea what I'm drinking this morning. However, it tastes very good and is doing the trick in getting me on my feet. Which is saying a lot considering that I feel like I've been knocked down. Oh, I haven't been on a bender. I had no alcohol last night. What I've been on for the last few weeks is an emotional roller coaster. Hopefully, this will be the week that turns it around and I find my center. Hopefully. I've had so much going on in my head. I have finally accepted that I've got more time behind me than I do in front of me. And, as Richard Pryor used to say, "Whatcha gone do?" Well, I don't know. Honestly. I don't. I do know that the definition of insanity is continuing to do the same thing over and over and expecting different results. So, what I will try to do is make a conscious effort to do something different every day. I've already made a "first step" in taking myself out of my comfort zone. Now, ...

I love San Francisco. You never know what treasure you'll find. And when you least expect it, out of nowhere, up pops a simple pleasure to put a smile on your face. I'm ashamed to say I had no idea that Specialty's Bakery (home of arguably the best brownie on the planet) now has an Intelligentsia Coffee store inside its location on Pine Street. Imagine my delight when I discovered it during lunch today. I was so excited that I couldn't wait to get off work and rush in before they closed to pick up a bag of Late Harvest, Finca Matalapa, Los Inmortales, El Salvador . Intelligentsia's website describes it as: Dense and anchored in character, this Late Harvest selection brings flavors of homemade cherry cola and cranberry. Fudge and Tootsie Roll pair with a tart acidity and marmalade snap. The finish is buttery and long. I'll be the judge. Morning can't come fast enough! (Stay tuned for my review)

Since it's Saturday, I get to have my morning coffee in bed. I'm watching all of the coverage of "Hurricane Irene," praying for my family and friends on the Eastern Seaborg. At the same time, I'm enjoying breakfast in bed which happens to be a Nimble Bar by Balance Bar (Yogurt Orange Swirl). It's made especially for us girls. Nutricious and delicious and good for you. "Nimble" is fortified with rich antioxidants, beta-carotene and 10 mg of FloraGLO(R) Lutein. www.balance.com