next cup

Serious Eats: coffee chronicles

2009-12-01T05:36:00.000-08:00

I found this post from Serious Eats the other day, chronicling the history of coffee drinking in America from 18th century tea parties (after the Tea Act) to the 20th century's notion of a "coffee break"... it's pretty interesting, I'd suggest giving it a read!

via, courtesy of robotbastard

The coffee shop collection

2009-11-30T08:05:00.000-08:00

I have an admittedly unhealthy obsession with OPI. I own over 25 bottles and have the tendency to buy multiple bottles when I'm stressed. I've made it my goal to eventually own the entire French collection, and I'm working on a few others... it's also pretty much my dream job to work for them.

That being said, I would love to know how they come up with names - for the collections and the polishes themselves. And I think that they should consider a coffee-themed collection - warm, mellow colors, browns, golds, taupes, maybe a deep red.... the Coffee Shop Collection. Maybe they could even partner with a coffee chain the way they're working with Dell right now. And think of the fun they could have with the names!

Mauve-lous mocha, barista by day, thanks a latte!, dark roast, no beans about it, caffeine buzz... okay, so mine aren't that great, but I'm sure the creative people at OPI would have some better ideas! (Also, how cool of a job would that be?!)

My favorite holiday

2009-11-27T16:39:00.000-08:00

Aside from the fact that I had a large latte to keep me functioning all day, this post has nothing to do with coffee.

When I was a kid, my favorite holidays were my birthday and Chanukah, because I like presents. Getting them, giving them, and unwrapping them... it's all wonderful. Black Friday is like a giant present from the stores to me, hence the reason it's now my favorite holiday.

Feeling ambitious, we headed to Mall of America to take advantage of the sales... and it was wonderful! I came home with two jackets (for $50, thanks H&M!), the perfect red strapless dress, a cross-body bag, tights, and some accessories. It was crowded - enough to dissuade us from Nordstrom Rack - but not as overwhelming as it could be. Plus, we were helping the economy! Mission very accomplished.

Earn the bird

2009-11-26T12:14:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving! The rest of today looks like: watching the [DVR-ed] Macy's parade, hanging out with the family, and a big Thanksgiving dinner (I made this pie, yum!)... and sharing with everyone what I saw at the gym this morning - a woman wearing a shirt that said "Earn the Bird." I loved it!

For you, today, a list of Thanksgiving and holiday-themed coffee drinks and mocktails from the Intoxicologist. Check it out!

Image via.

Welcome home

2009-11-25T16:16:00.000-08:00

Caribou in Mall of America.

Image via.

I talk about Starbucks a lot, but that's mostly because it's what's closest and most convenient (there are at least 4 on campus), but I do love other coffee chains - Dunkin' Donuts (a new love, considering we don't have them in Minnesota), and my original favorite: Caribou Coffee. Despite the fact that they're second only to Starbucks in size, I see them in so few places outside of Minnesota that I often forget about them.

Now that I'm back home for Thanksgiving break, I'm getting Caribou in its best form. Before I liked coffee, I'd drink their mango tea and their smoothies, and the coffee coolers when I was feeling adventurous, but I had a Northern Lite vanilla latte this afternoon and it was great!

Plus, the ones closest to my house are attached to Bruegger's Bagels - the perfect morning pick-me-up! Now, if only we had Caribou in Boston...

Wish list: Keurig coffee maker

2009-11-24T17:10:00.000-08:00

Remember how I can't make my own coffee? I found the solution: the Keurig single cup coffee maker! It brews basically any kind of coffee that comes in these cute little cups (called K-cups) and it's actually the easiest thing I've ever done.

All you have to do is put a K-cup into the top, close it and push the brew button! ... And then coffee drips down into the mug that you've put in the bottom of the coffee maker.

We have one at work and I'm actually in love with it. I've been making hazelnut flavored coffee... mixed with Splenda and soy milk. It's wonderful. (And a step closer to my goal of drinking plain black coffee!)

It's definitely on my holiday wish list - what's on yours?

Photo via.

So here it is...

2009-11-22T15:59:00.000-08:00

Confession: I don't know how to make coffee. Between the filters, the ground beans and the machine itself - I just find it a little overwhelming.

Also, I just never learned how. (Like a few other vital things in life - like how to drive. Oops.)

I'll figure it out one day, I'm sure. It can't be that hard. Until then, a few reasons it's a good thing I don't know how to make coffee:
- I can avoid the "classic intern" task
- ... Well, that's the only advantage I can think of right now (suggestions?)

In the meantime, I guess I'll just keep buying my lattes. Considering I'd need a espresso maker for that one anyway!

Image via

Spotlight: Espresso Royale

2009-11-20T14:01:00.000-08:00

There are an impressive number of places to get coffee on BU's campus - by my count we have at least four Starbucks, three Dunkin' Donuts, an Einstein's, and four City Conveniences... but they're all (with the exception of the occasional Starbucks) much more pick up coffee places than actual coffee shops, which is why I love Espresso Royale.

via.

Sure, it can be crowded (I'd take it as a positive sign of good business!), but the atmosphere's great. And their Spanish Latte, made with condensed milk, is actually one of the best coffee drinks I've ever had. Plus, they recently redid the one on Comm. Ave. for more space - and it's great for people watching!

The last time I was home, I found an Espresso Royale in Dinkytown - it was an exciting moment for all involved (read: myself)... so now I can get my Spanish Lattes at home, too, although I never realized that Espresso was all over the country.

Espresso Royale is located at 736 Commonwealth Avenue, check it out!

Recipe feature: Starbucks' mocha raspberry brownies

2009-11-17T22:59:00.000-08:00

These. Are. Delicious. Food Makes Fun Fuel is a new partner at springpad (the company I intern for), and I get to spend all day looking at Evan's recipes - and they're great! I tried this one and it was, well... wonderful. I'd definitely suggest it.

Starbucks' Mocha Raspberry Brownies by Food Makes Fun Fuel

Image via.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 applesauce

1/4 cup coffee yogurt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 eggs

2/3 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup cocoa powder

2 teaspoon instant coffee granules

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup raspberry preserves

Get the full recipe and directions here!

What's your favorite coffee-inspired dessert?

Fail.

2009-11-15T17:51:00.000-08:00

Trader Joe's had free samples of one of their new coffee blends today and I decided I'd try it. It was a bad idea and an epic fail. Despite my love of lattes and ability to drink plain or flavored coffee when lightened with milk and Splenda, the black coffee clearly has not happened for me yet.

No matter, I'll continue wearing myself down until I can drink it. Eventually I'll get there.

Banana pancakes

2009-11-14T16:10:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer: this post has nothing to do with coffee. Other than that a good cup of it would have been a great addition to the meal.

This afternoon we were supposed to go to the Harvard vs. UPenn football game. Because of Boston's penchant for rain, we didn't. Something about sitting outside in the pouring rain just wasn't so appealing. We did, however, make a great brunch at my friend's apartment - pancakes (plain, banana, and banana chocolate chip) with strawberries! ... And then the futon claimed me for a 2 hour nap. Glorious.

Looks delicious, no?

And, of course, there's no banana pancakes brunch without listening to Jack Johnson's song:

Perfect for a rainy day. What's your favorite brunch pick?

Can you imagine?

2009-11-11T17:44:00.000-08:00

Things I learned today on Twitter: there are 24 hour Starbucks. Seriously, what a great idea. I mean, I wish they had one (or more!) in Boston, but still... can you imagine? Tall skinny vanilla latte whenever I wanted. I would spend hours there, especially come finals period.

There are at least 4 Starbucks on BU campus... if one of those were open all night (maybe the one in SMG?), they'd get whole lot more business. What do you think?

Is there a 24 hour Starbucks near you? Check it out!

The most wonderful time of the year

2009-11-07T23:16:00.000-08:00

I know this blog has been a little bit of a Starbucks lovefest (really just because it's the closest coffee place), but I was so excited to see their holiday cups out when I went for my coffee today. The holiday drinks (peppermint mocha, eggnog latte, caramel apple cider... yummm) are being made, the gift sets are out, and the stores are playing Christmas songs... and I love it!

Experimenting with the color highlight on my camera.

Even though I don't celebrate Christmas (and it is pretty early to kick off), I love the holiday season. The holiday parties, the annual tree lighting in the Commons, and the cheer - it really is one of my favorite times of the year. Sigh. And the holiday cups at Starbucks are the first sign. Here we go...

My coffee date

2009-11-03T11:59:00.000-08:00

I'm a creature of habit. I spend my time between classes on the same couch at Hillel every Tuesday and Thursday with whoever's around the building at the time. But since I've started on this coffee bit, my friend Stephanie and I have made Tuesdays and Thursdays our coffee date days - we head to the Starbucks under Warren Towers and we drink lattes (or Americanos, in her case), catch up on life, and do a little gossiping.

It's the perfect break from class and a good way to keep up during an otherwise crazy busy day... plus, I reward myself for making it through my first class of the day with a Skinny Vanilla Latte - my favorite. Plus, it gets me one step closer to my secret dream of becoming a regular at a coffee shop. My goal by the end of the semester: for the barista (it's always the same one) to know my drink. We'll see how it goes!

photo via

Movin' on up

2009-11-01T16:41:00.000-08:00

Today I made the leap to lattes. And it was a success! I finally decided it was time to move up from mochas, and I'm glad I did. The skinny vanilla latte from Starbucks is my new favorite... and it's a great way to get my calcium in (helpful, because I've never really liked milk).

Anyway, I'd call that an accomplishment. Moving onwards and upwards.

Falling in love at a coffee shop

2009-10-30T10:47:00.000-07:00

My favorite commercial of the summer was one of AT&T's - with the couple reuniting, and Landon Pigg's Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop playing in the background. I'm not an AT&T customer (although I considered it after so many hassles with Verizon!), but I just love this commercial... maybe it's because of the song, which I first heard featured on the 20th anniversary edition of the Cities 97 Sampler.

Either way, here it is:

Sound quality's not great, but you get the picture. Listen to the full version of the song here!

Spotlight: Zumes

2009-10-27T17:26:00.000-07:00

I intern in an adorable area of Charlestown - old buildings, active neighbors, and one of the cutest coffee shops I've ever been to.

Zumes (pronounced Zume-eez and named after the owner's dog) is a quintessential neighborhood coffee shop - the kind of place where people come at the same time every day, spend their afternoons inside working on laptops or watching their children, and everyone knows each other. It's got a great atmosphere - makes me want to be one of the regulars, where I come in and they start making my drink for me before I even order - just because it's that kind of place.

And they make a killer raspberry mocha. Hot. Iced. Anything. And their sandwiches and bars are great, too. It may actually be a little more expensive than Starbucks, but the quality is worth it (and I love Starbucks). Plus, the free wi-fi is great for working from the coffee shop instead of the office!

Zumes is located on 233 Main Street in Charlestown, check it out!

Photo via.

Because I want to

2009-10-23T12:15:00.000-07:00

There's actually a pretty long list of things that I don't like but wish I did: ketchup, pickles, most cheeses, salad dressing, cottage cheese... and coffee tops the list, so I'm working on it! Most people try to ween themselves off of coffee, but I'm going at it full speed - why? There's so much you can do when you drink coffee!

Coffee dates. Whether it's a romantic interest or just to catch up with a friend, going for coffee's a classic activity (especially when you can't go out for drinks)... but it's kind of strange to suggest going to coffee and then, well, not getting coffee. It just doesn't fit.

Coffee shops. They're everywhere and they're adorable. I love trying new ones and I dream of being a regular at the cute coffee shop right around the corner from my future apartment.

Coffee ice cream. ... Is amazing. Even though I don't like coffee. Yet.

Caffeine. Yea, I know it's supposed to be bad for you (granted, I'm done growing, so is it really a problem that caffeine stunts your growth?), but it's just so helpful! Especially as a college student. Plus, I recently heard of a study saying that caffeine helps prevent Alzheimer's, so sign me up!

Starting slow

2009-10-20T20:08:00.000-07:00

My roommate and I just started season 2 of Desperate Housewives, and Bree starts one of the episodes by saying that there are 2 types of people in the world: the ones who are useless before their first cup of coffee, and the ones who aren't. I've never been a big coffee person - love the smell, hate the taste, never saw a purpose for it. But, for some reason, I just want to like coffee. Really badly.

So that's my project: I'm training myself to like coffee. Everyone else bemoans their caffeine addictions, but I secretly want to see what it's like (I guess not so secretly anymore). So as of now, I'm on the bean. Starting at day one with my raspberry mochas - sweet, chocolate-y, with a hint of raspberry and basically no coffee taste... and working my way up. One day soon: plain black coffee!

next cup

Serious Eats: coffee chronicles

The coffee shop collection

Recommended read: How Starbucks Saved My Life

My favorite holiday

Earn the bird

Welcome home

Wish list: Keurig coffee maker

So here it is...

Spotlight: Espresso Royale

Recipe feature: Starbucks' mocha raspberry brownies

Fail.

Banana pancakes

Can you imagine?

The most wonderful time of the year

My coffee date

Movin' on up

Falling in love at a coffee shop

Spotlight: Zumes

Because I want to

Starting slow