Perkdup

Okay, so I recently decided to "expand" my blog to include other edibles that go well with coffee. And what goes better with coffee than chocolate? I used to work with a guy who was from the Midwest. And while he loved California, he really missed his favorite chocolates - Wilbur Buds (TM) . So, his mom used to send him cases of semi-sweet Wilbur buds which he kept in the cutest "Dilbert"TM candy jar and generously shared with his co-workers. So, guess what the mailman brought me today? My "goodie bag" from the Wilbur Candy Company . I had almost forgotten just how good this chocolate tastes. . .my sample pack included, Wilbur Buds (both milk and semi-sweet), a semi-sweet chocolate bar and the most amazing chocolate marshmallows I've ever tasted! When we were kids, my sister's favorite candy bar was "Rocky Road." (TM) Well, these marshmallows are like Rocky Road on steroids!! I swear before I could even sit down to write this review...

I got into the office early, turned on my computer, went into the kitchen and made a pot of coffee. I then went back to my desk, checked my emails (looking at the clock) and five minutes later, I returned to the kitchen and the pot was empty. This means: a) you are losing your mind and you really never made the pot of coffee b) it's very good coffee c) you have a big, fat mouth and should never have sent that "all-hands" email that you were brewing a pot of Newhall Coffee !! Who says bigger is better? Everyone is doing the "microbrew" these days. I've reviewed a bunch of great microbrewed coffees and Newhall Coffee Company is right up there with the best of them. For this review, I sampled the "Newhall Blend," which is a medium, full bodied roast. This is AMAZING coffee. Due, in large part, I'm sure to the fact that they roast good beans, in small batches and ship only the freshest coffee. Don't believe me - check it out for yours...

The only thing better than cupcakes is cupcakes and coffee. I scored a double with a "Smores" cupcake from CupKates( TM) (not a typo) and a cup of Blue Bottle (TM) coffee. I just happened to pass by the CupKates truck on 4th Street in Berkeley on Sunday on my way to Tacubaya for brunch where they not only make some of the best Mexican food in the Bay, but serve only Blue Bottle coffee. http://cupkatesbakery.com/

"This is a mint tea to drink when you want something different. It has a subtle sweet and spicy smell and flavor, like cinnamon or maybe nutmeg. Nice alternative to straight mint tea!"* I had heard and read lots of great things about Celestial Seasonings Mint Magic and overlooked it on four separate trips to my favorite natural grocery store. I was looking for a green box. Silly me. Who said that mint tea had to come in green boxes? That's the problem with stereotypes. And, who said that mint tea had to be like totally "minty." No caffeine and perfect for after dinner. If you have a favorite brand of mint tea, drop me a note, I'd love to hear about it. * Straight from the lips of a mint tea afficionado.

That's what everyone in the office said this morning when I brewed a fresh pot of "Wild Mountain Blueberry" by Green Mountain Roasters. If you don't like the taste of blueberries, this is not the coffee for you. If you don't like flavored coffee, this is not the coffee for you. If you like blueberries and you like flavored coffee, you will LOVE this offering from Green Mountain . Available in ground or K-Cups. You may find your thrill - not on Blueberry Hill - but on Green Mountain. (I received a free package of Green Mountain Wild Blueberry Coffee for this review)

I went into Starbucks and there sitting on the counter, was the loveliest Press Pot with a sample offering of their new Peru Chanchamayo . Well, I poured myself a cup and it was cold. So disappointing. To the rescue - a pleasant young barista - who just happened to be Peruvian. He said, "Would you like me to make a fresh pot?" How could I refuse? I think this is going to make my list of favorite coffees. Starbucks website says: "This spring we’re selling a truly exceptional coffee – Peru Chanchamayo. Carefully grown on the eastern slopes of the Andes in central Peru, these beans develop an exquisite taste as they are allowed to slowly ripen. We bring you this exclusive coffee, its lively flavor notes and subtle nuttiness, at the peak of its flavor. This lively blend is organic, Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ certified and Fair Trade Certified™. We’re proud to say that Peru Chanchamayo meets our stringent guidelines for environmentally, socially and economically responsib...

Chantal - I love saying that name Chantal. . .it sounds so sophisticated and grownup. Chantal - Chantal - Chantal Well, I've had a Chantal Classic Tea Kettle for years. . .in fact, I'm on my second one. I love the way it whistles - that harmonica whistle always startles my guests and they say, "what is that??" And then I get to say, "Oh, that's just the tea kettle!" Only thing is that the handle gets hot. Now, Chantal provides this cute little "handle mitt" with the kettle, but I'm always worried that my absent-minded teenager - okay, and her absent-minded mom will forget to use the mitt and end up with toasty fingers. So, I contacted Chantal Corporation and said, "Hey, don't you have a kettle with handles that don't get hot." Guess what UPS brought me last week? A brand new, brushed stainless steel Chantal Loop Kettle ! Not only does it look really slick sitting on my stove, but the handles stay cool. And even though...