Brewing morning

Quick photo from my brew this morning...
Keep it posted as I give details about this Kenyan coffee... Mmmmm sl28

Drake + coffee

I know it's not m4.

Big up to @devchamp. For sweeping #nwrbc this weekend. Congrats PDX
Congrats coava coffee.

Just chilling with drake and coffee a la gorilla... Just getting through some paperwork that's been keeping me back with posting more.

Testing one no two...

Looks like I've been dormant.
Celebrating Lunar New Year...
Year of the dragon! Flame throwing ones of course. Collecting my red pocket money.... Hahhaa and feasting beyond my eyes.

I'm stuffed, tired but ready to get back in the game.

Slightly sad because I couldn't be in NYC for cCxNYC but to make up I got some presents in the mail from PT and Gorilla.

Will be focusing on getting through these beans shortly.

Enjoy your espresso adventure weekend.

M^4: NYcC this past weekend

M^4: Coffee's notable news... 


Coffee Common busted onto the seen for a 4 day pop-up experience in Chelsea this past weekend. Read up and experience the ride with smdlr, through the vivid photos and amazing write-up, I felt as if I got a "fly on the wall" view of the event.

Bamboo Tampers... whoa

In case you missed it "Shit Barista Say..." (youtube) Thanks Sprudge



In response to what I made for Sunday Brunch:

Apple smoked Chardonnay Chicken Sausages, caramelized onions, organic Rye, velvety soft scrambled eggs and slices of ripe avocado..... super yummy! (not in photo DH Americano) Gluten-Free!

Sunday being lazy, or indulging in brunch

As I've mentioned before, I really enjoy breakfast. Well brunch is actually my best meal of I'm a tardy waking up... But the combinations are endless.

Been focusing on some external projects and making delicious food experiments.

Makings of great adventure.... I'll post up the end result after the magic of cooking finishes

Feeling lucky

Maybe it's the weekend or the fact that CCxNYC is sooooo close but not close enough....

Just wanted to wish everyone a great weekend. More review up soon. Couple of shipments on its way, and maybe some more toys!

Enjoy the espresso adventures.

Morning ritual

Quick brew shared amongst two.
What's yours?

Fun Friday: How much do you spend? (on coffee)

Just read up on my lovely friends data analysis of his 2011 year in Coffee (Indie Coffee Blog)

I do wonder how much I actually spend on Coffee consumption.... (maybe you'll see a report in 2012)...

For now it's just me a my notebook:


How many coffees do you consume in a day?
How much do you spend in a day/week/month/year?

Along with collecting all my coffee bags - I'll check out Daytum.



PS: what ghastly things will you be up today - it's Friday the 13th....

EA meets R^2

R^2 (R Squared)
Address: 668 Queen Street West
Neighbourhood: Queen West
website, @rsquaredcafe Tel: 647-344-8558

Since Quaff turned hands to Reza and Reza - hence the name R^2 - the space has changed from machine to decor. Gone are the vibrant San Pellegrino art installation at the back of the shop and in comes the WBC sponsored espresso pulling machine. A complete overhaul from coffee to baked goods, means more fun to be had. They brought on board Matthew Songberg to head their coffee program, and have gone the route of Social Coffee.

A nice wooden bar to watch the activity at the real bar, and floor to ceiling windows at the front to do our best to people watch Queen West. Welcome to neighbourhood.

Machine: 3 Group Nuova Simonelli Adina
Grinder: Mazzer
Beans: Holiday Blend (seasonal)
Composition: Brazilian, Guatemalan
Roasters: Social Coffee Company
Located: Richmond Hill, ON

Verdict: Breathe of cold winter air and down goes the spicy - think hints of cinnamon and cloves - nutty emulsion upon the first sip, settling into a mild cocoa ringing on the next sip and then a gripping fresh mouth coating to end the cup.

Next time I'll come back for the slow bar - as by the cup coffee pushing our envelopes to discover and taste more.
But what does 2012 entail? Wait and see.....

Hump; Spice up your life....

SPICE CAKE, BUZZ WORDS, COFFEE

This was one hell of a moist cake!

Cafe Hystrique

HAPPY HUMP DAY!

Go out and have an espresso adventure.

TT: El Guamo, Colombia

Ritual Coffee Roasters
SF, CA website, @ritualcoffee

 Lovely friend from Calgary that happened to be in Van-city for the weekend, kindly went to Revolver and picked up a bag of coffee.... OF COURSE she knew I'd love Ritual...
Thanks S!




AT HOME
Machine: Hario V60
Grinder: Hario Slim
Beans: El Guamo, Colombia
Composition: Single-Origin
Roasters: Ritual Coffee Roasters
Located: Bay Area, California
Specifications:20g IN, 356g OUT (35s/2:42)
Verdict: Lushish bursts of tropical fruit, a bit of sweet pineapple, hints of a freshly bitten papaya/guava, but none of the funky lingering unpleasant feelings of noushing on that tropical fruit. Instead it's substituted for a clarity true to the water that's helped brewed the coffee, and smooth finish of peace.

M^4: CC coming to NYC

M^4: Competition season is around the corner!!

The fine people over at Coffee Common, a collective of like-minded coffee roasters, baristas and a collective of world-domination... are heading to NYC: Chelsea and setting up for a pop-up that is HUGE.

More information can be found (here)

Speaking of competition season: MadCap is hosting an event this Friday (more)
Chemex has a splashy new page - THANK YOU sprudge (here)

Blue Bottle bring cold-brewed coffee for midnight consumption? (here)

Fun Friday

First Fun Friday of the year....

This iconic figure is from the Tetley Tea Company.

If I put Coffee in it -- am I breaking rules? Share a photo of your favourite mug or rule breaking oxymoron... with me over the weekend and I'll post up the best submission on the first official M^4 of the year. OR maybe you want to discuss about the Top 10 places of 2011.. and want to share your opinion.. 

Top 10 (2011) List

10. Cafe Pamenar

9. Crema Coffee Company

8. Capital Espresso

7. Dark Horse Espresso 

6. Fahrenheit Coffee 

5. Sam James Coffee Pocket 

4. LIT Coffee 

3. Manic Coffee 

2. Te Aro Roasted 

1. Mercury Espresso Bar

Suggestions welcomed, ideas allowed.

HAPPY ESPRESSO ADVENTURE weekend.... out to explore

ENJOY!

2012: Coffee Resolution

Starting the year off right with Annual Brunch with Friends is important to me.
Hats off to great friends, great food, and of course great coffee....
Included in this brunch of all epic brunches:

• Bacon (buttered of course)
• Potatoes with crunchy bits
• Greek Yogourt with Honey, Fresh fruit and chopped almonds.
• Homemade jams - ala exclusive limited apricot jam.
• Yummy cheddar and mushroom fritata.....

OKAY - so if you haven't been paying attention, I really enjoy brunch - but specifically all the delicious breakfast items that come along for brunch. I start my days off right!

In 2012: not only will I continue my journey to experience great coffee, staying humble and learning more about brewing, tasting and ever expanding my knowledge... I will be featuring brunch companions or breakfast affairs that complimented the coffee (when I remember to document). This does not mean that I will be a food critic, but merely a place to share my brunch experience of flavours with my friends.. mmmmm....

In Coffee terms: Travelling more!!! Taking photos and sipping more delicious coffee!

Here's the 2012!!! Take it all in, because as Brit-Brit says "..keeping on dancing Til the World ends."

M^4... 2 days late

Have you heard??
Jim Hoffman is off his sabbatical.... (here)
Predictions of 2012 to be had here

Sammy Piccolo now has PRADO (on Commerical Drive in Vancity) (thanks CG)


Special shout to my friend SMDLR.. (right after Garth's Mom)

OOOO  current issue out now is about SoHo. NoHo... hopping on a place to NYC just bc... #wishfulthinking

Plus lovely coffee bag collection of the year from: Mike White again, and Brian at DCILY.

Tasty Tuesday

Received a lovely bag of Ritual El Guamo from Colombia.
Review is on its way next week.

For now: salivate with these homemade natural, organic.
Blueberry butter scones with a dollop of fresh maple clotted cream.

Verdict: food heaven for breakfast.
#swoon

*Photo and Article contributed: K.Zygnaiuk*

First Espresso of 2012

Ringing in the first shot with the lovely ambiance of the Danforth shop.
So glad that it is here to fill the void and start many more cafes in the neighborhood
Great music, friendly barista, lovely customer base.

Spotted: Crema Danforth (508 Danforth Avenue)
Neighbourhood: The Danforth/Greektown
Pulling: Epic Espresso®
Current blend: As of Dec 15th 2011,
El Salvador La Guachoca 1600 m.a.s.l.
Guatemala Pulcal. 1585–1860 m.a.s.l.
Roasters: 49th Parallel
Located: Vancouver, B.C
Verdict: sweet bursts of ringing subtle acidity, yet balanced. As you take the next sip it moulds into a chocolately hug as your tastebuds get over the acidity and embraces the lingering smooth finish.

Here are the parameters that we've been using with our latest Epic Espresso (parameters for an 18g VST Precision Filter Basket):

Grouphead at 200-201° F
19 grams of freshly ground coffee
Timer for 28 seconds
9 bars of pressure

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

HAPPY NEW YEAR from the Espresso Adventures team.

Hibernation for a couple of days while the partying and celebrating the End of the World...

Enjoy the video!