Perkdup

"Longitude 123 W" My love of coffee is no secret which is why instead of a tee-shirt or magnet, if I'm lucky, my family and friends bring me coffee gifts when they travel. My sister recently returned from Vancouver with a bag of 49th Parallel Coffee . While well-known throughout Canada, we don't see much of this stuff here, so it was a nice treat. She selected a medium roast, Longitude 123 degrees W, which produces a mild cup of good old-fashioned "diner-style" coffee. And the roast date is right on the bottom of the bag, so you know it's fresh! Canadians are pretty nice coffee people. Here's to the weekend!

EARL GREY TEA MACARONS What's better than tea and cookies?  How about tea in a cookie.  As in Earl Grey macarons. I recently discovered a macaron treasure.   Chantal Guillon Macarons in Palo Alto.  There's also a shop in San Francisco. Fortunately, this shop is over an hour away, so I won't be going there every day.  Otherwise, I'd have to get another job to support my 'macaron habit.'  I love French macarons. This place has every flavor you could imagine and they don't compromise on quality or taste.  They're so light and crunchy on the outside and absolutely delicious.  Before you know it, you might have gobbled up half a dozen! The flavor wasn't overpowering, but subtle while right on the flavor of Earl Grey Tea. And, like everything else these days, you can order online. Délicieux!

Peets Brazil Minas Naturals (Smooth, Nutty, Naturally Sweet!) Single serve is making me lazy.  Better than making me crazy, right? They sure do come in handy after a hard day's work. Just plop one in the machine and presto!  Coffee. I might actually get some reading in tonight before I hit the hay. This evening, I'm totally digging the new Peet's Brazil Minas Naturais Single Serve Cups.  Honestly, they have gotten their measurements down to a science.  Well, technically, I guess it is science.  Coffee science.   Single Serve coffee makers - the best invention since the dishwasher! "Naturally processed coffee cherries from the Minas Gerais region are sweetened by the Brazilian sun."  (From Peets Website)

Philz "Anesthesia" Coffee On the way home last night, I drove out of my way and stopped off at Philz Coffee.   I wanted something different and hand-crafted and strong enough to get me through the week.   Philz Coffee of the Month this month is " Anesthesia ."  I can't lie, the name alone got me curious enough to buy a bag. I thought, "what the heck kind of name is this for coffee and is it safe to drink?" Not only is it safe to drink - it's so good that when I brewed a cup this morning the first words out of my mouth when I took the first sip was, "WOW, this is GOOD coffee."  Not that I've been drinking bad coffee lately, but this stuff is really enough to bring you into a higher state of consciousness which is exactly the opposite of what "anesthesia" actually does. All I can say is "You have my full attention!"

I have a habit of "pinching" off of my favorite coffees. I'd been saving the last of the Sumatra beans from Fonté for a special occasion.  I think Saturday fits that bill. I've already done three loads of laundry and recycled two stacks of old magazines.   Now, it's time for a coffee break. This Sumatra is what I would call " even-keeled ."  Strong but not overpowering.  Bold, but gentle. I think it's going to be a long coffee break for me today. I have a whole pile of unopened mail that I haven't even gotten to yet! Enjoy your weekend!

"Jet Fuel" by Coffee People (R) I have so much to do and so little time to get it done today.  Whatever happened to Sunday being a day of rest? Busy lifestyles call for saving time where you can.  That's why days like today make me appreciate the invention of the single-serve coffee maker.  Otherwise, I'd be drinking instant coffee like the old days. Something about the name "Jet Fuel" just excites me.  And, today I need to be at top speed. So, I broke out the big guns.   Cross Country Cafe sent me a sample of this "Jet Fuel" by Coffee People (R) .    Dark roast, strong, but smooth.  Definitely goes into the "must keep in the canister" pile. Ready for takeoff! Available online from Cross Country E-Cafe , where you don't even have to leave your home to get great coffee delivered to your doorstep.   Could they make it any easier for you?