Perkdup

My friends always know what to buy me for Christmas. So excited that my Texas friends didn't forget how much I love Ascension Roasters' Ugly Sweater Blend . This limited edition offering not only makes the whole house smell good when it's brewing, it warms me up in a way that only a holiday sweater could. There's still time to go online and order a bag (or two) for New Year's or Kwanzaa or just for winter warmth.

Everyone knows I like a little "kick" with my coffee. And that's just what you'll get with Starbucks 2019 Thanksgiving Blend . This year, it seemed a little smokier than I recalled.  Reminds me of a cross between a holiday blend and a Pike Place roast. I'm not even going to try to give you the origins of this one. I think if you're a dark-roast lover like me, you won't be disappointed. Perfect for "Friendsgiving" too! Planning to stash a couple of bags for a "rainy" day. Limited offering.

Every day should be National Coffee Day (in my humble opinion), but it's great that we get to share our love of coffee to those who might not be as caffeine-inclined.  I pre-ordered this special offering from Fonté Roasters in Seattle.   Guatemala Antigua Luis Pedro Zelaya .  Now, that's a cupful. It's flower, appley-tart, caramel with a baker's chocolate finish. You could say I'm having dessert for breakfast. Seriously, although this offering is over, you can't go wrong with any of Fontés coffee selections. For serious coffee drinkers, only. HAPPY NATIONAL COFFEE DAY!

For years, I've anticipated the time between Christmas and Valentine's Day when Starbucks would release the annual Casi Cielo offering. With Starbucks no longer selling coffee online and only select coffees sold in certain stores, imagine my sheer delight when I ran out of the house for coffee last night to discover a basket of my favorite Latin American blend. It's all the flavors I love roasted into one.  The chocolate/cocoa and Meyer Lemon.  I think this latest offering might be my all-time favorite. Just gets better with time. Going to stop up because after it's gone, there will be no more. Smiling as I write this post.

Do you go for the coffee or the experience?  I love coffee.  Good coffee. Great coffee.  Exceptional coffee. And, lately, I'm feeling completely underwhelmed.  Actually, downright dissatisfied. This is primarily due to the fact that my 9 to 5 doesn't afford me the time and leisure to spend 30 minutes waiting for a pourover.  Yes, I know.  That's what weekends are made for. Seriously, is it too much to expect the larger chains (you know who you are) to go back to the '90s and properly train your baristas to be more than just "servers?"   I don't see any "black aprons" these days.   Maybe coffee chains aren't looking to hire people with a "passion for coffee" anymore.  And that makes me really sad. For the past two weeks, my "Americano" has been a hurried shot with too much water.  Nevermind, my request to have only half cup of water.   And I know I'm not alone. Does anybody even know how or bother...

Sunday sipping with Starbucks ' small-lot Peru. I was lucky to find this in one of the Starbucks Reserve Stores.   The good thing about the small-lot coffees is that they're carefully crafted and roasted.  The bad thing is that once you get hooked, they're out of stock. That's why you have to enjoy it while you can. Dark and Rich.  Not woodsy.  Mild enough to drink alone.  Strong enough to hold its own with cheese and crackers. Since Starbucks no longer offers online coffee for purchase, you'll have to be very deliberate in keeping an eye out their Reserve (TM) stores. Highly recommended for Sunday Fun-Day or Monday through Saturday.

I've been watching a lot of the Sopranos lately.  And they drink a lot of espresso on that show.  Yes, I know I'm a little late on the Sopranos. Better late than never, right? Anyway, you can imagine my excitement when I got this new "Froth Pro"  Automatic Milk Frother from Capresso .   Capresso is more than coffee and espresso machines, they also have just about every coffee accessory you could want including just what it takes to make the perfect foam. I used Oatly Oat Milk with mine.  Love that stuff.  But you don't have to use oat milk, you can use any milk you like and you'll still get the results you want because this little baby does all the frothing for you. Forget about the manual frothers - you've got better things to do with your time.  Like enjoying a steaming hot latte. (*Capresso provided me with a free Automatic Milk Frother for purposes of this review.  Opinions are my own.)

I'm still mad at Starbucks for discontinuing its online web ordering.  Everyone is busy and we can't always go into a store to pick up coffee. I miss the convenience of shopping for Starbucks in the comfort of my home.   However, I must admit the fact that I get to browse the aisles of the larger stores really does open my eyes and mug to selections I might otherwise miss in an online rush. I had actually gone into the store for a newspaper (yes, I said newspaper - I'm old school) when I noticed the beautiful bag of Rift Valley Blend (part of Starbucks "Passport" Series).  You may remember this coffee from years ago and if you don't here's to something new! It's dark and chocolate.  Just the way I like it.  Strong but not bitter and goes really well with a morning bun.  Or buttered toast.  Okay.  Maybe I had a morning bun and buttered toast. It's Sunday.  I'm treating myself. Starbucks Rift Valley Blend 14.95 per pound

In New Orleans, Monday is red beans and rice and laundry day.  In my house, it's French Laundry blend day. Received my package of Equator Coffees  just in time for my first load of the day. A blend of Ethiopia, Brazill, Kenya and Columbia coffees.   If it's good enough to be served at French Laundry Restaurant in Yountville, it's certainly good enough for me! $18.00 for a 12 ounce bag.

I did not want to face this day.  We've had more than our share of rain and it's really made my mood bad. Good thing, I saved this Fonte Ethiopian Yirgacheffe  for a rainy day because it's helping to lift my spirits. Funny how a great cup of coffee can do that.  Turn a frown into a fully-caffeinated smile. I always enjoy a good dark roast.  Fonte never disappoints. Limited offering at $20.00 for a 12 ounce bag.  

I 've said it before.  I've yet to find a Starbucks small lot Reserve (TM) Coffee that I don't like!  The Sun Dried Brazil did not disappoint. For the past two mornings, I've paired it with a scone from Batter Bakery in San Francisco.  Yesterday's scone was strawberry and almond.  Today, I'm enjoying fig and walnut.   The scone goes so well with the roast.  Actually, I think the roast would probably do just fine even without the scone.  But I like to have something in my other hand when I'm holding my coffee mug! Starbucks Reserve Sun Dried Brazil from the Val Verde Estate (Limited Offering) Notes of green apple and dried plum with a brown-sugar sweetness.

What do you get when you put dark chocolate, molasses and currant in a cup?  You get a wonderful blend of African coffee (Old Katy's Tanzania* Blend). The melding of the flavors combined with the perfect dark roast makes for an absolutely delightful morning (or afternoon). Pairs wonderful with a sharp cheese and buttery crackers.  Or homemade ginger snaps.  You don't have to go to Texas to enjoy Old Katy Coffee .  These fine folks will deliver it straight to your door. *Limited offering.  Coffee selections vary, but they're all excellent!

I looked everywhere for the Starbucks Reserve Guatemala San Isidro .   All of the stores I searched were completely out.  That's the thing about Reserve coffees, they seem to sell out quickly.  I guess that's why they're "reserved." And since you can no longer order online at Starbucks, you have to do things the old-fashioned way.  Brick and mortar.  Which is a good thing in many ways.  It forces you to interact with other coffee lovers and see the new offerings. But, I digress.   So, I looked everywhere and couldn't find the Guatemala San Isidro.  I was so consumed with snagging a bag that I took an Uber across San Francisco to the Reserve Store on Chestnut Street.  Found it! It's 18.00 for an 8-ounce bag of beans but so worth it.  Chocolate-y, toasty deliciousness! I really wanted to show you the coffee, but I forgot to post about it and when I went this morning to make a pot, all I had left were a few beans.  Howev...

Okay, so I broke my own rule this weekend and had iced coffee.  I almost NEVER drink cold coffee. Never say never.  My daughter teased me for not having an open mind.  And since I love Ariana Grande so much, I gave in and I'm really excited. The Starbucks Iced Caramel Cloud Macchiato   is not only Ariana Grand Approved - it's Coffee Lover approved as well. Layers of fluffy foam over espresso with vanilla flavored syrup and a drizzle of caramel over ice. This could be habit forming!

Fun on a Friday with Foxtrot  blend from Tweed Coffee Roasters . My most favorite blend of theirs is the "Timepiece," but I'm really trying to be more diverse in my blend selections and not just go for the dark roasts. Foxtrot is a blend of half-Columbian and half-Guatemalan coffees.  I could drink it for breakfast, afternoon and even after dinner. When properly prepared, it's actually quite good. I don't think it will replace Timepiece in my coffee lineup, but it's holding its own. Tweed Coffee Roasters Dallas, TX

Don't laugh.  Sometimes I select my coffees according to the book I happen to be reading at the time. Last week, I thought about one of my all-time favorite books " Disappearing Acts " by Terry McMillan.  In one of the scenes, the main character orders a pound of Viennese Coffee. Now, it's entirely possible that I'm completely misremembering.  Maybe she ordered Mocha Java.  For sure she bought a bag of coffee beans.  But, I digress. The point is that I couldn't get Viennese coffee out of my head and so I went to Fonte's website and lo and behold - Viennese blend is available.   The rest is history or my-story as I sit here sipping on a hot cup of amazing Viennese Blend Coffee from Seattle's Fonte coffee all the way here in San Francisco.   You are what you drink. Fonte Viennese Blend Coffee . Available online in whole bean or ground.

A coffee so good that I can't describe it. Seriously, Starbucks' Vietnam Da Lat coffee is very good.  In fact, it's reserved. I wanted to write a post about the flavors, complexity, acidity, roast quality but all I've got is a good - very good cup of coffee. The name is what led me to pick up the bag in the store.  I had not seen this variety before. When I asked the barista if it was dark or medium or light, she said "It's kinda dark, but not really dark, more medium.  It's good." She is right.  It is good.  In fact, I would turn the meter more toward 'great.' I'll definitely buy it again. Starbucks Vietnam Da Lat Coffee - $12.50 for an eight ounce bag.  Limi ted quantity.

I love happy mail.  Imagine my delight when I opened the package from my friend in Texas and found the prettiest red bag of coffee labeled "Ugly Sweater."* No such thing as an ugly cup of coffee.  This blend is from Ascension Coffee in Dallas. What is it with Texas and coffee?  We are becoming a wonderful team. If you hurry, you might still be able to order a bag.  If not, try one of the other equally impressive and beautiful blends from Ascension. Ugly Sweater makes a beautiful mug! * A blend of specialty coffees from Central America and Kenya. 

This morning, I decided to celebrate the first Friday of the New Year with a special coffee.  I usually skip Blue Bottle because the lines are always so long and I don't really have the leisure of spending fifteen minutes grabbing coffee. Today, I wanted something different and felt like not putting time restraints on my "coffee break." So, worth it.  Picked up a delicious cup of Blue Bottle Holiday Blend and snagged one of the remaining two bags of beans. Topped it off with a hot delicious waffle.   #winning