Perkdup

When I sat down to write this post, I tried to think of a real "coffee-demic" way to describe Wild Card Roasters ' We aver's Coffee Holiday Blend .  But I can't. This dark roasted blend with hues of chocolate is one of my all-time favorites.  I look forward to it every year.  You could say that I saved the best for last when writing about it.  Weaver's is probably one of the top ten artisan coffee roasters in the country.   And probably one of the most underrated.   That's because you don't have to go around bragging when you know you've got a good thing.  You just keep doing what you've been doing.   John Weaver, Master Roaster and Co-Founder never disappoints. Weaver's Holiday Blend is truly the gift that keeps on giving. Limited Edition.

The internet is an amazing thing.  You never know what is going to pop up in your feed. Luckily for me, it was someone raving about Old Katy Coffee .  My first reaction was, Old Katy Coffee?  I mean, I know Texas is a big coffee drinking state, but if this was so good, why hadn't I heard about it?   I was curious enough to order a bag to find out if it was indeed great coffee. I purchased a bag of the dark roast offering and it's true what they say.  Texans know their coffee. Until I make my next trip to Katy, I might have to subscribe online.

While on a recent trip to Houston, I set out to find Greenway Coffee Company on my way to the airport.  I didn't realize that the actual shop was located inside of an office complex which made parking tricky. So, I did the next best thing - I waited until I got home and went online and ordered the "Yippee Ki Yay" Holiday Blend. A delightful blend of Kenya and Guatemala.  A lighter roast than I usually drink, but nothing light about the flavor. Not at all bitter, smooth and no sediment in my cup.

I have a habit of "saving" my favorite and most expensive coffees for special days.  Like Sunday. However, the last couple of weeks have been pretty rough.  We lost a dear family member suddenly.  It made me rethink how I'm living each day and how I often procrastinate (when will I ever clear that closet?) and save things like clothes or coffee for a "special" day.   The older I get, the more I'm realizing every day is special.  Every day that God gives you another chance, is important and real and yours for the taking. That said, I'm enjoying this rich, wonderful cup of " White Reserve Label" Fonte Papua New Guinea Peaberry Coffee .  And while I'm sipping and savoring, I'm realizing that tomorrow isn't promised.  Today is all we have.  Grab it by the mug. Cheers to Sunday and every day with good coffee!

Fonte Coffee has this thing that they do which I love!  On the last Friday of the month, they roast something really special.  It may take a couple of weeks for you to get it, but it's so worth the wait. Last month, they roasted Yemen Al-Haymah .  O-M-G!  Some of the best coffee, I've had this year. I "rationed" the beans and brewed the last pot this morning.  As good as it gets. Can't wait to see what they're roasting today! Order online, at: Fonte Coffee Roaster

Some things are worth the sacrifice.  Starbucks Blue Mountain Reserve coffee is one of those things.   It is simply put amazing.  And very rare. So, if you happen to find a bag in your local Starbucks, I suggest that you grab it.  Forego lunch and dinner.  It's worth it. Happy National Coffee Day!

Every day is different.  While some may be "ordinary," others may be "extraordinary."  Some may call for the same old grind (pun intended) and others may call from something special. Today is one of those days for me.  Maybe because it's Sunday and I'm not exactly looking forward to Monday morning. Whatever the reason, this hot cup of Katz Coffee's Cafe de Olla seems to be just what is going to get me through the weekend. The traditional Mexican blend of spices and perfectly roasted coffee is anything but average. Not in Houston?  No problem.   Katz Coffee is happy to deliver right to your door.

I have a huge disclaimer.  I have never actually gotten coffee from the new Cafe X Robotic Coffee Bar at One Bush Street in San Francisco. I've passed it many times and taken several photos.  The truth is it frightens me. Not because I think it's going to do something bad.  I'm just afraid it's going to do away with jobs and people and baristas and coffee shops and that makes me sad. I'm super psyched and intrigued by the whole idea.  I mean what's not to like really?  They offer Ritual, Intelligentsia and Equator Coffees. Today I pledge to try it and I promise to report back. But come on, there's not even one single human being inside the robot. Or, is there?  Hmmm. . . .

I've said it before and I'll say it again, life is too short to drink bad coffee. That's why I decided to spring for a bag of the Starbucks Reserve Zambia that was staring at me in the basket at my usual Starbucks. I can't really describe the flavor to you - but it's kind of fruity, kind of citrusy and roasted just right. I wanted to show you the actual bean but unfortunately I ground it and drank it within just a few days and had nothing left but the bag. It's a limited offering so hurry and grab yourself one now before it's too late. I'll always appreciate the independent coffee shops and micro-roasts they offer but Starbucks Reserve Zambia deserves credit. The one thing I don't like it that they're no longer offering coffee to purchase online.  I'm hoping they'll change their mind of that decision.

I'm awake now. I bought this Starbucks Limited Edition for the packaging with cover art by Tristan Eaton .  It's beautiful.   However, what's inside the canister is pretty amazing too. The roast is dark and spicy and is not at all acidic.  Perfect for a super charge in the morning or an accompanying dessert in the evening. So, so good.

I'm so coffee-blessed. Wherever my nephew travels, and he travels often, he brings me back a new coffee to try.   On his recent trip to London, upon his return, I found a bag of "Yellow Caturra" from The Colombian Coffee Company . This coffee is so smooth and delicious that I have literally "rationed" it to myself on a weekly basis.  Meaning, I only allow myself to enjoy this amazing roast on Sunday mornings.  That's how special it is. This is what Colombia Coffee Company says about this Yellow Caturra: "Yellow Catura, as you might know normally coffee cherries are red when ripe in the trees, but this rare varietal actually goes yellow, this gives a normal Caturra a brighter citrus acidity but still has its typical cacao notes.  This is what I would describe as a funky coffee, a typical London hipster would love this varietal because acidity is the new London trend. Wow, I guess this means that I'm just like your typical London hipste...

This has been the week from . . .well, let's just say, it's been quite a week. But, we made it to Friday.   While some people celebrate with wine, I celebrate with coffee.  Really good coffee.  Like this F2 Espresso Roast from Seattle's Fonte Coffee Roasters. There's not a blend of theirs that I don't like, but this may be one of my new favorite offerings. F2 - Fonte to the 2nd Power. Sipping my way into the weekend like. . .Fonte All Day!

It had been a few months since I'd enjoyed one of my all-time favorite blends from Weaver's Coffee . Suffice to say it's still as good as ever. The Papua New Guinea is one of those unforgettable beans. I'd like to tell you what it's like but it's complicated.  Complicated in that I'm never quite sure if it's fruit or nuts or sweet that I'm tasting.  Full-bodied and full-flavored.  Dark roast and delicious. The only way to know for sure if you like it, is to order a bag for yourself. Check out all the great organic coffees online: www.weaverscoffee.com

I'm never one to complain about a really good cup of coffee.  But I do have one issue. What is in the new "Signature Blend" being brewed at Starbucks cafes? For the last three mornings, I've enjoyed the dark roast delight which is simply called "Signature Blend." Google has led me to multiple blends from Starbucks which claim to be "Signature." The best answer and perhaps the real story I got today from a barista in San Francisco who told me that "signature blend" is a combination of espresso and Pike Place.  If this is true, I may have cracked the code. If it's not, I might have to employ the services of a private coffee investigator. Lastly, where can I buy this stuff in whole bean bags?  I need it in my home life.

What's better than having a relative bring you a refrigerator magnet back from vacation? Having them bring you a bag of Timepiece Coffee from Tweed Roasters  in Austin, Texas. OMG.  This coffee is so good.  Excellent, in fact.   Timepiece is a blend of 60% Fazenda Primavera from Brazil; 20% Sidama Natural from Ethiopia and 20% Los Naranjos from Columbia. I honestly feel like I've taken a trip around the world in one mug. Don't live in Austin?  No problem.  They'll ship it to you.   They had me at the beautiful classic packaging. You can thank me later.

I was so excited when I saw the 2018 Kopelani Blend in my local Starbucks that I hastily snapped what is clearly not the best photo.   But you get the picture. One of my very favorites from Starbucks, which had only been available in the Starbucks inside Target for the last couple of years, has resurfaced for a limited time. I grabbed mine!  I suggest you do the same. Maholo, Starbucks!  You've made my day. Starbucks® Kopelani Blend® This tropically inspired blend includes 10% beans from Hawaii's Ka'u growing region. With rich flavors of caramel and a roasted sweetness, you'll feel the island experience in every cup. Available for a limited time. (From Starbucks website)

PANTHEON BLEND is an amazing coffee which infuses three Starbucks Reserve® coffees from their Seattle Roastery:   Nicaragua El Suyatal ,  Guatemala Flor del Rosario  and Ethiopia Kayon Mountain Farm.  Similar in taste to other Starbucks blends but very different in that it is clearly from a small batch.  I am getting better at detecting coffees which are roasted in limited quantities as opposed to batch lots. This was a Christmas gift and I've saved the last little bit of beans for a special day.  And today just feels like that day. The only regret I have is that I don't live close to Seattle so that I can enjoy all of the special Reserved lot coffees.  Might be worth a trip.

I love coffee.  I love good coffee. I spend a great amount of money buying coffee.  I know.  I should learn to bring coffee from home.  But I don't always.  Okay, I almost never do. So, today when I bought a tall drip coffee and returned to my desk for my second cup, I was quite disappointed with the bitter taste. It's just coffee.  But it's also over 2 bucks.  And I can't afford to throw away money.  And life is too short to drink bad coffee. I made the decision to return to the cafe and explain that the coffee was bitter. The barista was profusely apologetic and admitted it had probably sat too long.  I have a feeling he knew that it had sat too long.  That's the downside of the cafes offering so many different blends.  They don't always get rotated properly. All's well that ends well.  And all is even better when the coffee is good.

The good news.  There's excellent gourmet coffee to be found everywhere in San Francisco.  Especially, in the Financial District. The bad news.  It will take your dry cleaning money and much patience to actually enjoy a cup. I decided to "treat myself" today since it's Friday. I walk out of my building and literally look out to find great coffee on every corner.  Which one to choose? I settled upon the one that serves homemade waffles.  Good choice, right? Not if you don't like crowds.  Luckily, I got in just before a throng of people (all under 30) descended upon the place.  Oh, and they don't accept cash.  Only cards. More good news.  I got a hot cup of coffee and a hand-held delicious waffle in less than ten minutes. Bad news.  It cost me nearly nine bucks. Good news.  It's Friday.

It's been a while since I posted here.  I had a few hiccups over the holidays which slowed my action.  But you can't keep a coffee drinker down (or so they say). So, Happy New Year from the Coffee "OG."  (Original Grinder). By the way, I enjoyed some exceptional holiday roasts in December (Fonte, Blue Bottle, Starbucks, Weavers and Peets) to name a few.  And I was intrigued by the number of new coffee drinkers there are on the horizon. It seems that every coffee lover these days is trying to one-up each other with their coffee game. And there are tea-converts moving over the coffee side. I only made one resolution when it comes to my coffee consumption this year and that is to try and readjust my palate to the lighter blends.  I think I've been a little closed-minded in this area. But whether your coffee be poured, brewed, pressed or siphoned, may it always be good. Cheers, The Coffee OG