Whole Latte Love Blog

The Revival of Caffe Sospeso: Pay It Forward With Suspended Coffee

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:22:17 EST

You won't find a recipe for it in any book. And it may not even be in your favorite barista's vocabulary. But, caff sospeso delivers a pick-me-up like no other.

Said to have originated in Naples roughly a century ago, caff sospeso is an act of kindness through coffee. The name translates to "suspended coffee" in English. This heartwarming tradition entails paying for an extra drink, to be set aside for a stranger in need, when placing an order at your favorite cafe.

It's customary for the barista to keep a track of the number caff sospeso that have been paid for by patrons of the establishment and give them out whenever someone comes in asking for a suspended drink. The person receiving the suspended coffee can be someone who's fallen on hard times or simply a regular who forgot his wallet that particular morning. It's an honor system that thrives on the kindness and honesty of the participants.

With much of the European Union grappling with austerity measures, a bit of goodwill goes a long way and caff sospeso has spread from Naples, where Dec.10 was formally declared "Suspended Coffee Day," to the rest of the continent. Likewise, it's far from unheard of in Australia. Stateside, this trend is just starting to emerge but it already has some devoted supporters. Coffeehouses from New York and Pennsylvania to Wisconsin and Seattle have started to implement the feel-good, pay-it-forward system. Starbucks has also jumped on board, though with a slightly altered program restricted to the UK.

That's not to say caff sospeso is without its detractors. Consumerist, a website owned by Consumer Reports, ran a series of blogs questioning the suspended coffee movement. With names like, "Coffee Shop Owner: Quit Asking Me to Offer Suspened Coffees Already," and "Why Ordering 'Suspended' Coffees For the Needy is Stupid And Inefficient," these blog posts come out swinging against the grassroots revival of caff sospeso. Reasons cited include everything from "it feels scammy," to shops are already prone to giving away drinks to build goodwill, and there isn't a means test -- so anyone could claim a freebie and abuse the system.

So while the coffee runs hot, the debate is just heating up. We want you to weigh in. What are your thoughts on suspended coffee?

Coffee Creme Brulee

Tue, 21 May 2013 03:38:42 EST

If you've got a sweet tooth, this is one recipe you must try. Coffee creme brulee -- it's a twist on an old favorite, featuring our favorite ingredient. This recipe makes five servings, perfect for entertaining.

Ingredients

1 quart of heavy cream
1 1/2 cups of dark-roast whole bean coffee
10 egg yolks
2/3 cup of granulated sugar
1/4 tbsp of salt
5 tbsp of superfine sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 320 degrees fahrenheit.
Add cream and coffee beans to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 30 minutes then pour the mixture through a sieve into a large bowl. Discard coffee beans.
Combine egg yolks, sugar, and salt in a large bowl and whisk until the sugar has dissolved. Slowly add cream and whisk to mix the ingredients. Skim any foam or bubbles from surface.
Divide custard among the five molds. Place the molds in a roasting pan and place in oven. Pour boiling water around the molds (about half way up the sides). Bake for 30 minutes or until the edges of the custards are set, but the center is still loose.
Remove molds from oven and let cool in pan for 10 minutes. Cover each mold with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Use a fine sieve to sift 1 tbsp of sugar over each custard. Hold a torch at a 90-degree angle, about 4 inches from the surface and carefully caramelize each custard until the tops are a light brown color.

Will a Caffeinated Toothbrush Replace Your Morning Brew?

Fri, 17 May 2013 04:04:21 EST

The powers that be at Colgate-Palmolive Company have announced plans for a toothbrush with an integrated caffeine patch to deliver that morning jolt. Perhaps they didn t read our blog about the FDA investigating the use of caffeine in traditionally non-caffeinated products. Or, maybe, they re hoping the promises of multi-tasking and efficiency will have you considering this quirky invention.

The idea is to embed chemicals into a patch located within the toothbrush head. The chemicals would be slowly released through use. Colgate has already filed the patent for the toothbrush and mentioned potentially using the system to deliver a variety of flavors and even medications - including painkillers and appetite suppressants - as well as caffeine.

So, what do you think? Will you give the caffeinated toothbrush a try or will you be sticking by your tried-and-true brew?

Affogato for the Espresso Aficionado

Thu, 16 May 2013 02:29:34 EST

With temperatures rising and spring rain steadily giving way to the dog days of summer, it s the perfect time to experiment with cold coffee treats. Today, we re talking affogato, a traditional Italian dessert, with countless possibilities.

Effectively, an affogato is a shot of espresso poured over gelato (ice cream). You can keep it simple, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and your favorite espresso, or shake things up a bit with an exotic flavor -- think pistachio, caramel swirl, chocolate, mint, etc. This treat is great for spring and summertime entertaining. Instead of an ice-cream or coffee bar, why not give guests the chance to enjoy the best of both worlds?

If you re looking for an affogato that s a bit out of the ordinary and will impress, consider giving this recipe a try:

Tiramisu Affogato

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

3/4 cup heavy cream, chilled
1 tbsp. sugar
1 pint coffee-flavored ice cream
1 pint vanilla ice cream
9 savoiardi or ladyfingers, crumbled
10 ounces of fresh espresso
1 piece of bittersweet chocolate, grated

Instructions:

Combine the cream and sugar. Beat the mixture until it holds stiff. Portion the vanilla and coffee ice cream into six glasses and sprinkle with the ladyfinger crumbs. Pour espresso over the ice cream and crumbs. Top with cream and grated chocolate.

Surviving Summer: Cold Brew With the Aeropress

Wed, 15 May 2013 04:08:08 EST

Hi everyone, I came across an Aeropress in our kitchen and decided to mess around with it. With weather pretty much having gone from winter and straight into summer, it's gotten rather hot lately. After seeing a post on Reddit about cold brewing with the Aeropress, I decided that I would give it a try myself. Being relatively impatient, I really hoped that it would work, so I'd have a lazier way to make iced coffee. Sadly, I don't know much about the Aeropress, so I snagged Andrew, our CS manager to help me.

For starters, here's what we used to conduct our test (I apologize in advance for our Cinco de Mayo tablecloth).

We gradually became less scientific about brewing as we went on. Our variables and results are listed below:

6oz of cold water and 2 level tablespoons of coffee, espresso grind, 1 minute steep time, inverted brew - Relatively weak cup, somewhat tart.
8oz of cold water and 4 level tablespoons of coffee, espresso grind, 1 minute steep time, inverted brew - Somewhat stronger cup yet more bitter cup, not quite to our tastes though.
6oz of cold water and 3 heaping tablespoons of coffee, espresso grind, 2 minute steep time, regular brew - Looked like coffee, tasted like coffee, didn't melt any ice!

Cup 1

Cup 2

Cup 3

So, was our experiment a success? I'd say yes it was. It took us a bit of tinkering, but in the end we managed to produce a drinkable cup of coffee using cold water and an Aeropress. Would I do it again? Maybe--the Aeropress is extremely easy to use and easy to clean up. I suppose that what I liked best was how potent and smooth the coffee was after adjusting the variables to our liking. It was too cold to melt much of the ice, so the flavor wasn't diluted. It's definitely something to try if you want some cold coffee and have an Aeropress laying around.

Conveniently, we had some surplus Ghirardelli Caramel sauce, a Jura Froth Pro and a near-expiration gallon of milk that we were able to combine to create a smooth cold foamed sweetened milk drink. We present to you the iced cappuccino pictured below.

Here are some "fun" pictures for your enjoyment!

Labeling for a Cause - Deciphering Coffee Certifications

Tue, 14 May 2013 04:30:22 EST

For some of us, having a cup of coffee is as routine as putting on our shoes every morning. We drink it for the pick-me-up and, of course, the taste. But is it possible for our daily coffee, espresso, latte, or cappuccino to do someone else a bit of good? The short answer is yes. However, identifying a bag of beans to a particular cause can prove to be a daunting task. To help you out, we ve put together a no-nonsense guide to common cause-related coffee certifications and the motivation behind each of them.

Rainforest Alliance Certified In order to bear this seal, the coffee farm must: Adhere to sustainable farm management practices Ensure conservation of the ecosystem, wildlife, and waterways Guarantee ethical, non-discriminatory hiring and work practices - children under the age of 15 are prohibited from being employed by the business and proper protective gear must be provided for workers Provide guidelines about agrochemical use Ban transgenic, or genetically modified, crops
Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center "Bird Friendly" Certification This logo can be found on coffee from Latin American farms that: Provide proper habitat for birds Grows shade-grown coffee, planted under a canopy of trees -- not land that has been cleared or deforested for farming purposes Cultivates organic coffee, grown without the use of chemical pesticides
Fairtrade International Certification This certification is normally granted to small farms that have been organized into co-ops or associations that are owned and governed by local farmers. Among other things, fairtrade standards for coffee ensure that: Coffee producers have been paid at least a fairtrade minimum price for their crops, currently $1.40 per pound for washed arabica and $1.35 for unwashed arabica with a minimum 30 cent differential for organic coffee A premium of 20 cents is added to the product price to be used by the producer, with 5 cents earmarked for quality and productivity improvements The use of agrochemicals is restricted and sustainable practices are encouraged The system fosters fair negotiations and reduces speculation Producer organizations are granted lines of credit -- up to 60% of the purchase price, if requested
USDA Organic Certification Granted by the United States Department of Agriculture, this seal certifies that the coffee has met the following requirements: Produced without the use of USDA excluded methods -- including genetic engineering -- ionizing radiation, or sewage sludge Produced per the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances The farm is regularly inspected by official USDA Organic Program agents The farm uses ecologically-based practices and biological pest management systems and the land has not been exposed to pesticides or other prohibited substances for at least three years Organic and tradition crop must be separated by a buffer zone

Single-Serve Coffee Cups and Capsules Go Eco-Friendly

Mon, 13 May 2013 04:13:54 EST

Ask the experts and many of them will tell you the same thing: the single-serve coffee category is hotter than freshly brewed java. Fueled by convenience, the time-saving system that lets users prepare drinks by the cup is gaining popularity worldwide. Yet, since their inception, single-serve cups and capsules have had to dodge the criticism that they re inherently bad for the environment.

Since single-serve capsules are discarded after each use, the brewing method is not as green as preparing drinks with ground coffee or espresso. And, we re talking about a lot of cups and capsules. According to the National Coffee Association, single-serve coffee is the fastest-growing sector of the home market, as well as the second most popular brewing method after conventional drip coffee makers.

So, what s an environmentally conscious coffee lover to do? Must eco-concerns be set aside in favor of fast, convenient, and reliable drinks by the cup? Fortunately, leading single-serve manufacturers are addressing the issue head on. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR), the maker of K-Cups for Keurig, conducted a life cycle analysis to assess the environmental impact of its single-serve packs. Highlights of the study are as follows:

"The most significant environmental impacts are associated with materials production/packaging, the use phase, and the coffee cultivation phase for the impact categories examined."
"End-of-Life (EoL) is a small part of the K-Cup pack life cycle, representing only 5% of GHG emissions. EoL represents only 1% of the energy demand, and 1% of the acidification potential."
"The K-Cup® brewing system uses less energy in an office environment than a traditional batch brewing system. This translates into reduced environmental impact in all impact categories over the entire life cycle."

According to the study, even though the end-of-life cycle -- when a K-Cup is used and discarded -- is the most visible, it actually only accounts for only 5% of the potential global warming output. Nevertheless, GMCR has put together a program to allow workplace customers in the contiguous U.S. to collect and return spent K-Cups for composting and energy from waste processing. The Grounds to Grow On program is estimated to have recovered 4.1 million K-Cup packs and composted over 85,000 pounds of ground coffee in the same year. The plastic from spent K-Cups saved approximately 139 kilowatt hours.

Want to take matters into your own hands, give the Keurig My K-Cup filter basket a try. It is a reusable filter that lets you brew with any ground pre-ground coffee you choose. No hassle, no mess, and no waste.

At Nespresso, the talk centers around recycling as well as developing more sustainable aluminum for their single-serve capsules. In the U.S., the company has capsule collection systems in place in cities with Nespresso boutiques including: New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Nespresso has also launched the AluCycle, partnering with mining, refining, retrieval, recycling organizations to improve the sustainability of aluminum. The company has also teamed up with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to promote environmentally sound aluminum practices.

Taking its commitment one step further, Nespresso has equipped some of its single-serve machines with an ECO button, which will automatically turn the machine off after 30 minutes of inactivity to conserve energy. The feature is available on the latest generation of the CitiZ machines. As an added bonus, purchase any Nespresso single-serve machine over $199 from now until June 17, 2013 and you can register for a $50 Nespresso Club credit good for free capsules.

Illy iperEspresso fans can take heart in knowing that their capsules are made from recycled plastic. The company is working on a method to allow consumers to open, clean, and recycle their capsules.

While single-serve systems may not be as eco-friendly as other more traditional brewing methods, the leading manufacturers are taking notes and continually making improvements to their products. Don t write them off just yet.

Caffeinated Foods Rattle the FDA

Fri, 10 May 2013 01:56:19 EST

A graphic on the consumer update section of the FDA's website reads, "Caffeine. It's not just in coffee anymore. It may be in your: jelly beans, waffles, gum, water, syrup."

While coffee and tea have naturally occurring caffeine, a growing trend that has food and drink manufacturers adding the substance to their products is rattling the Food and Drug Administration. The announcement that the agency is investigating the matter came in the wake of Wrigley's promotion of its new gum - each piece contains as much caffeine as half a cup of coffee! Production of the gum in question has since been halted, due to the FDA investigation, but questions still linger.

Although it's to be expected in energy drinks, caffeine has also started to pop up in jelly beans, sunflower seeds, marshmallows, syrup, and potato chips. There's even an instant oatmeal that contains as much caffeine as a cup of coffee.

The FDA defines 400 milligrams, the equivalent of four to five cups of coffee, a day as safe for consumption. Without paying attention, you may exceed your daily recommended limit while consuming food or drinks that you thought were caffeine free. Even though most of these products are said to be marketed to adults, they may appeal to children who are less able to handle the effects of the stimulant.

If you had a cup of decaf and are wondering why you're still wide awake in the middle of the night, check those bedtime snacks. Caveat emptor.

Mother's Day Recipe Winner - Cafe Turtle Mocha

Thu, 9 May 2013 02:55:46 EST

We have a winner! Eight unique recipes, ranging from cakes and cupcakes to the simple cappuccino and mocha, were submitted by Whole Latte Love fans for this year's Mother's Day contest. The winner was the Cafe Turtle Mocha by Anthony Suttles of Jacksonville, FL -- beating out the competition at the very last minute to claim the grand prize.

Want to try the winning drink? Here's the complete recipe:

Cafe Turtle Mocha
1) Brew a 2-ounce shot of espresso.
2) Steam about 8 ounces of milk, like you would for a latte.
3) Pour 3/4 ounce of chocolate syrup and 3/4 ounce of caramel into bottom of 12-ounce mug.
4) Add steamed milk to mug and stir with chocolate and caramel, save some froth for topping.
5) Add espresso and stir lightly.
6) Top with milk froth and drizzle with chocolate and caramel, if desired.

Anthony will receive a Keurig B31 in Platinum, box of Green Mountain Nantucket Blend K-cups, and two Whole Latte Love Latte Cups. Keep your eyes peeled for our next contest. Who knows? You may be our next winner.

Why Shop Whole Latte Love?

Wed, 8 May 2013 11:25:16 EST

Just the other day, we released a video outlining some of the reasons why Whole Latte Love is "the" coffee destination on the Internet, and it got me thinking. Having worked here for close to a year now, I've been involved with several projects aimed toward improving our customer's experience when using our site, and seen just how dedicated our staff is to make shopping with us as pleasant as possible. But besides our low prices and huge selection, there are a few other reasons why we should be at the top of your list as far as coffee is concerned.

Did you know that Whole Latte Love is an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau? And that we have an A+ rating? Have you seen our active coffee community? Participated in one of our contests? Tuned in with Marc and Morgan for a look at all new products? Read our Weekend Brew newsletter? Oh, and did I mention our blogs? There's a whole world for you to explore! But, if you're really just here for the shopping, you can save time and money with our I-DEAL$ feature, while our Compare-O-Matic can help you find the machine to meet your exact specifications.

To sum things up, we've got great deals, great selection, and we'll support you before, during, and after your purchase! Whole Latte Love really is the place to be when it comes to coffee!

Show us some love! Like us on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter, and don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel!

Cold Brewing Your Way to the Perfect Iced Coffee

Tue, 7 May 2013 03:29:47 EST

It's that time of year. The sun is shining. The flowers are blooming. And, some of us are making the change from a comforting warm brew to a cold and refreshing iced coffee. But, before you dump hot coffee over ice and call it a day, consider cold brewing a gourmet iced coffee.

Don't worry, it's not hard. But, a good cold brew will require some patience on your part. The payoff, however - a great-tasting, full-flavored coffee that's low in acidity - is well worth the time and effort. Go ahead, give it a whirl. You won't regret it.

Tip: Start the cold-brewing process before going to bed, you'll have ready-to-drink coffee in the morning.

What You'll Need:
A French Press
Whole Bean Coffee
A Grinder

Instructions:
Grind your beans. You'll want a coarse, but consistent, grind for French press coffee.
Add the ground coffee and room-temperature water to your French press. Stir.
Let sit for 8-12 hours.
Press down on the plunger to strain your coffee.
Pour over ice and enjoy.

Tip: For an extra flavorful drink, brew some coffee, let cool. Use the coffee to fill an ice tray and freeze it. Use the coffee cubes in your drink instead of regular ice.

Treat Yourself! Cinnamon Bun Latte

Mon, 6 May 2013 01:05:53 EST

It's always exciting when we get new products, but it’s even more exciting when I can use them for recipes! So, I was obviously delighted when I discovered that we had not one, but three new varieties of Monin syrups that we would be adding to our repertoire of flavors: Cinnamon Bun, Banana Nut Bread, and Cupcake. And of course, there’s really no better way to showcase one of these new flavors than by putting it in a drink! I give you the Cinnamon Bun Latte.

Ingredients:

1 oz. Monin Cinnamon Bun Syrup
Double Shot Espresso
6 oz. Steamed Milk
Whipped Cream
Cinnamon

Begin by brewing a 1 oz. shot of espresso in an 8 oz. glass, then, steam 6 oz of milk. Measure out 1 oz. of Monin Cinnamon Bun syrup and add it to your espresso. Pour in your milk and stir gently to mix your ingredients. If you like, you can garnish your latte with a bit of whipped cream and powdered cinnamon. Last of all, enjoy!

Click Here to watch Morgan whip up a Cinnamon Bun Latte of her own using the Gaggia Classic.

For new product updates and other great recipes, like this one, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel!

Whole Latte Love Mother s Day Recipe Contest

Fri, 3 May 2013 03:01:05 EST

Like heirlooms, treasured recipes get passed down from generation to generation, building memories at every turn. In celebration of Mother s Day, we re asking you to share your family s favorite coffee or espresso-related recipe for a chance to win a Keurig B31 Mini Plus in Platinum, a box of Green Mountain Nantucket Blend K-Cups, two Whole Latte Love Latte Cups.

You can submit a drink or food recipe, so long as one of the ingredients is coffee or espresso. Enter here by noon (EST) on May 6, 2013 and we ll put your submission up for an open vote. Our fans will determine who wins this contest! Voting ends on May 9 noon (EST) just two days after recipe submissions are due.

How To Receive Your Nespresso Credit

Thu, 2 May 2013 10:28:22 EST

From now until June 17, 2013, Nespresso is running a promotion offering $50 of credit for their Nespresso Club program when you purchase a machine of $199 or more. You can find a link to Nespresso s promotion page on any of the eligible machines we carry; alternatively you can follow this link here to register your machine with Nespresso. If you re not already a member of Nespresso s club program, you ll have to register with them. After you click CONTINUE the next page will be where you enter the serial number of your new machine, upload your receipt, and select where you purchased the machine. To find Whole Latte Love, first, select the Internet - Others option from the Store Name drop down menu. Next, select Whole Latt, Rochester, 14623 (2200 Brighton Henrietta Townline R) from the Store Location drop down menu. See the image below for more details. Click it to reveal a bigger version of the screen.

After that, simply complete the registration process to enjoy your $50 of Nespresso club credit!

Teaposy: The Perfect Gift for Mom

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 02:25:10 EST

Mother's Day is quickly approaching and of course you need to find the perfect gift for Mom. Well, I've already found it... Teaposy!!! My mother loves her tea and enjoys sharing these beautiful teas while entertaining. Not only are the teas beautiful, they're made with premium silver needle white tea, sewn together by hand with cotton thread.

I was extremely thrilled to find such great gifts to give my Mom and her friends! For those who like to entertain, the Celebrate gift set does nicely. The 24oz Celebrate teapot is dishwasher safe, and made of heat resistant borosilicate glass. This gift set also includes 8 blooming teas and 2 loose leaf tea sachets. The look on my Mom's face the first time she watched her tea bloom was priceless! She was so fascinated by the lovely blooming process and the scent of jasmine in the air.

As for all the other busy moms, the Teaposy Charme gift set is perfect! This set is meant for 1, perfect for the peaceful time when the kids are out of the house and you can snuggle up with a cozy blanket and read a book. The Charme set comes with a the 16oz Charme teapot, which, like the Celebrate is heat resistant and dishwasher safe. Also paired with the Charme is an 8oz cup that serves as the base of the teapot when not in use, 3 blooming teas, and 2 loose leaf tea sachets.

I know I truly like some quiet, tea time while I can schedule it in, so make your Mother's Day shopping easier with a beautiful Teaposy gift from Whole Latte Love!

The ROK Espresso Maker

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 04:07:08 EST

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ROK IN ACTION!

My job allows me to play around with some pretty cool stuff, but today I had the opportunity to test out something awesome. If you haven’t already heard of the ROK espresso maker, let me tell you a little bit about it. It's a manual espresso machine from Presso, Ltd. and it’s making waves at the London Coffee Festival. Needless to say, I was stoked. So, I grabbed some coffee, our hot water kettle, and a few volunteers, and we went to town.

There’s really a lot to like about this machine, but one of the first things that struck me was how light the machine was when I lifted it out of its container. Given that the machine and all of its accessories fit inside, it dawned on me just how portable this machine is. Once we got it onto the counter, the ROK’s appearance started turning some heads. It combines the stark elegance of stainless steel construction with nuanced details like the etched in coffee beans underneath the group head for a unique feeling of both durability and creativity.

Brewing shots on the ROK is a really hands-on experience, and easy too. Just fill the reservoir with hot water, lock in the portafilter and lift the handles. Water is siphoned into the group head and when you lower the arms, you create pressure to extract your espresso. Despite how light the machine is, the rubber feet on the base keep it from sliding as you press down on the handles.

The milk frother that comes with the ROK works wonders as well. Like the espresso machine, it’s a very hands on experience. Simply place it in a container of milk and work the pump to create froth. It’s really that simple. Bear in mind that for hot milk, you’ll need to heat it prior to frothing. When we finished, we used it to make a pretty stellar latte macchiato.

So, would I say that the ROK marks the beginning of another British invasion, à la The Beatles, circa 1963? Maybe. What I know for sure is that the ROK is a pretty amazing espresso machine, and that coming to Whole Latte Love soon!

Whole Latte Love Spring Giveaway - Enter to Win a Gaggia Espresso Color, Coffee, and Accessories

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:31:10 EST

Get started on the annual spring cleaning you've been putting off, so you can make room for this fantastic prize. We're giving away a Gaggia Espresso Color, a 58 mm aluminum Rattleware tamper, an 8 oz can of Lavazza in Blu, three espresso cups and saucers, as well as one latte cup and saucer. This prize package is worth over $230 and will get you up and brewing for the warmer days to come.

All you have to do is submit your email address to this link by 12 pm EST on May 31. We'll announce the winner the very next day. Even if you aren't the lucky winner, you'll still get an exclusive coupon code good for 5% off your next purchase. It's a win-win.

I drink how many cups a day? Explanations for my coffee quota

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 01:33:35 EST

Taking a step back from any kind medical or health-related motivation for doing so, I recently found myself contemplating my coffee consumption on a more personal level. Without thinking too hard about it, I'd probably say that I drink about four cups of coffee a day. Of course, this doesn't include the occasional pots of tea I toss back as well. In reality, four cups is probably a too conservative of an estimate. But, it was enough to make me stop and consider my daily coffee quota. So, I decided to compile the following list of reasons that, on any given day, I might use to justify all of the coffee I drink.

	1. Because I'm tired: I imagine that this is at the top of a number of lists, mine included, but the caffeine in coffee and its energizing effect is one of the primary reasons I drink it. In college, my tea habit gradually transformed into a coffee habit and I guzzled copious amounts, as I battled the biological imperative to sleep and the rigours of higher education.
	2. Because I'm cold: This might not be 100% relatable, but here in Rochester, NY, the weather has a way of staying cold and wet for much longer than it should. Some days, when I'm bundled up in my chair, nothing thaws me out quite like a cup of coffee.
	3. To stretch my legs: Given the incredible advantages of working for a company that sells all things coffee, there's a drip coffee maker and an espresso machine not more than five feet from my desk. However, there's also a Gaggia Accademia in our kitchen, the perfect distance for a little walk to shake things up during the day.
	4. To be social: Coming as a surprise to nobody, the delicious and magical properties of coffee are possibly the world's worst kept secret. When I get up to grab a cup, there's a pretty big chance that I'll bump into somebody else doing the same and get the opportunity to make some conversation. Okay, maybe it's not that exciting, but, getting to know your coworkers is never a bad thing.

Alright, those were the reasons why I might grab a cup of coffee, or four, during the day. I'll leave you with a few of the responses I got from a survey I circulated around the office asking my co-workers why they drink coffee.

"Because it's delicious."
"I love the flavor and the smell, and it makes me feel good."
"It gets my motor running."
"It tastes good and wakes me up."
"It's a habit."
"Proximity; it's too accessible!"
"It puts a smile on my face."

New From Bodum!

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 02:17:18 EST

I'm always excited when I get to write about new items, which is why I was really jazzed, this week, when we got some new stuff from Bodum.

First are a pair of new pair of French presses, the Crema and the Eileen.The elegant Crema is a classic example of Bodum's intelligent and functional design, while the artistic Eileen impresses with the unique styling of its stainless steel housing.

Once you've brewed your coffee, you'll need something to put it in. That's where the new Pavina and Bistro glasses take the stage. Both crafted from mouth-blown double walled glass, these glasses are an elegant way to keep your hot drinks hot and your cool drinks cool. The 15 oz Pavina is ideal for showcasing drinks with layering effects, like the latte macchiato. The 5 oz Bistro cups are ideal for serving espresso.

Last on our list is the Bodum Latteo manual milk frother. Just add some fresh milk and work the plunger for delicious frothed milk, perfect for cappuccinos.

Meet the Royal Line of Saeco Machines

Fri, 1 Mar 2013 11:54:33 EST

If you didn't already know, people who love their espresso and coffee drinks really love their espresso and coffee drinks. Their allegiance to machine manufactures is equally as strong as well. Best sellers become that way because they fit a need and a want for a broad range of people. However, once in awhile, a machine comes along that many people wouldn't consider, but those that do take the step to purchase it fall in love and continue to buy them as each new model comes into our hands. No machine proves this more than the Saeco Royal line of machines.

13.2x15x17.7 (L x D x H) seems like a large machine, and it is. There is no getting around the fact that this machine is one of the bigger residential Super One Touches we carry. At 33lbs, it's not a lightweight, either. The size alone is one of the primary reasons that this machine is attractive to a very faithful group of consumers. While you can find many smaller machines with a fair bit of options, the Royal HD8930 is so chock full that it would be an engineering miracle to make it any smaller (here's to hoping for a smaller size in the next redesign). Like those that came before it, the Royal maintains capacities that put most machines to shame. The bean hopper can hold 12.4 oz (nearly a pound) of beans, while the water reservoir holds just over half a gallon.

The Royal HD8930 is the first of the Royals to feature a true one touch system, allowing it to dispense the milk and coffee portions of a drink during the same brew cycle. The last model had a separate Cappuccinatore and steam wand to produce the froth and steamed milk. Just insert the frothing cartridge into the front of the machine and hook up the included stainless steel vacuum sealed milk carafe, and let the machine do the work so you can easily enjoy a latte or cappuccino. The carafe holds a substantial .5l of milk, and keeps it cold for a few hours. It also has a built in hot water wand for tea, hot cocoa, or to make your favorite soup quickly and easily.

With adjustments available to the grinder, dosage, volume, temperature and milk options, there are literally hundreds of different ways to make a drink. Everyone will be able to find a configuration that makes their perfect cup of coffee. The dosage options range from 7g of coffee to 11g of coffee, so that your drink will be as light or rich as you would like. The buttons for each drink are easily programmed. Like many machines, simply hold down the drink button to put it in programming mode, let it brew, and when the desired amount has been dispensed, press the same button again to have the machine remember the setting. From then on out, every time that function is used, it will produce the same volume unless stopped manually, or reprogrammed.

The conical burr grinder makes quick and quiet work of fresh coffee beans, while being able to be adjusted to 7 different grind levels sure to be able to accommodate whichever quality beans you choose to use. One of my favorite features of the new Royal is that it can be set to grind a serving of coffee as soon as the current drink is finished. That way, there is no waiting for when you press the button for the next drink.

Its ability to produce over 100 cups a day means that it can find a home in an office or light commercial application as well. The large reservoir, bean hopper and giant drip tray allow numerous people in an office to enjoy caf quality drinks with only an occasional need to refill or drain. It is not NSF approved, so if the Royal HD8930 interests you for a small caf or restaurant, make sure to check with your local authorities before purchasing.

There is no way to argue that the Saeco Royal machines have always been incredibly capable and reliable machines. People absolutely adore them. The Royal Super One Touch machine is no different. With features found in higher priced machines, legendary performance, and near limitless customization of drinks, the Royal HD8930 is hard to beat.

Spotlight! The Saeco Intelia Focus

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 04:37:36 EST

I like to compare the Saeco Intelia Focus espresso machine to Jaguars Like the Jaguar, the Saeco Intelia Focus is beautiful, shiny and smart, as you can see in any of these pictures. It also likes to keep itself clean (like the Jaguar).

The Intelia brews using a 15 bar pump and features a pre-brewing function (it pre infuses the coffee which means the coffee is wet prior to brewing to aid in extraction) to enhance the flavor of your favorite beverage whether it be latte, cappuccino, espresso or long espresso. This machine has a hot water option which dispenses out of the wand for tea, hot chocolate or oatmeal! The dispensing spouts on the brew head slide up or down from 2.5 through 4.5 inches. The footprint is rather heroic at approximately 10 W, 13.5 H, and 17.5 D. A grinder adjustment key & pre-ground coffee doser scoop, water hardness test strip, descaling solution, brew group lubricant and cleaning brush are all included in the box.

The coffee grounds drawer, water reservoir and drip tray are all located on the front face, they pull out for cleaning or refilling water. The grounds drawer holds about 10 pucks and the water reservoir holds 1.5 liters or just under 51 ounces. The right side of the machine opens up, which is where the brew group and residues drawer are found, they come right out and rinse off. The Intelia will need to be descaled regularly as all espresso machines should be. It's really a snap! Just push the Calc Clean button and the nice control panel will prompt you for all of the steps. The pannarello wand slides off and should be rinsed after each use.

The Saeco Intelia Focus is simply a wonderful espresso machine! It pre-brews, automatically cleans & descales, has an adjustable ceramic grinder and it is energy efficient. And, it sure does make drinks fast Just like the Jaguar XKR-75!

Battling the Borer Beetle: Kona Farmers Seek Government Assistance

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 11:55:18 EST

Coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world following crude oil and when it comes to its top producers the USA doesn t even come close. What we do have however is Kona Coffee, a rather prestigious and sought after variety of gourmet coffee grown only in the Kona District of the Big Island of Hawai i where the rich volcanic soil and climate create favorable conditions for coffee growing. In addition to producing world famous coffee, Kona farms have become popular destinations for tourists in Hawaii.

These days however, conditions haven t been quite so comfortable with the discovery of an infestation by the Coffee Borer Beetle, an insect native to Africa which, according to the State Department of Agriculture causes roughly $500 million in damage to the coffee industry. After many years it has made its way to Hawaii to wreak havoc on the Kona crop.

The beetle gets its name from the way it bores its way into coffee cherries to reproduce. Given that the insect is native to Africa, it has no natural predators in Hawaii and is an invasive species. Since its discovery, Kona farmers have done what they can to combat the pest like setting up traps and spraying plants with insecticidal fungi (i.e.: Mycotrol O) and more recently, a specialized solution designed to help protect plants against infestation was developed by a company called Symbiotic Solutions and their consultant, a man named Gaillen Wraye. The solution holds an advantage over the traditional insecticides used because as opposed to being a topical spray, it enters the plant and strengthens it from the inside. Some farmers who have adopted use of the juice have reported seeing decreases in the amount of coffee lost to the beetle.

Additionally, the Hawaiian state government has been fighting to keep the infestation from spreading to other islands and coffee growing regions. To that effect, they have issued quarantines on the transportation of unroasted coffee beans, coffee plants and plant parts, used coffee bags, and coffee harvesting equipment.

In spite of efforts to prevent further spread of the beetle however, it remains at large as a threat to the existence of Kona coffee. Recently, farmers have turned to the government for help, with Hawaiian legislators pushing for nearly $1 million to support the effort to eradicate the beetle, requesting $500,000 to help research and develop means to prevent and treat infestations and another $330,000 help mitigate the costs to farmers who have been forced to combat the beetle.

The loss of Kona coffee would impact more than just the people who drink it. The livelihoods of many farmers and their families have been thrown into jeopardy by the crisis. The harsh reality is dawning upon many that only those who are vigilant and take action against the beetle will be able to salvage their farms. It is my sincere hope that the government realizes the peril faced by the Kona coffee industry and lends a hand in putting an end to this conundrum.

Former Walmart Executive Named CEO of Boyer Coffee Co. Could an American Harris + Hoole Be in the Works?

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 10:32:00 EST

Please excuse the lengthy title, and I don t expect many of you to be particularly familiar with the Harris + Hoole coffee chain, but don t worry, you will be. Coffee culture is as big a part of society in the UK as it is here in the States, and similarly, there s no shortage of coffee drama in the UK either. Harris + Hoole is a chain of 10 cafes in the UK that opened up in 2012, identifiable by their trendy interiors and little guy feel, aka, they aren t like Starbucks.

For the average coffee drinking citizen, Harris + Hoole must have seemed like a great alternative. Founded and operated by the three Tolley siblings, coffee entrepreneurs and down to earth people, how could one say no? That is, until their secret got out. Enter Tesco, the third largest retailer in the world and rumored 49% shareholder of Harris + Hoole. The company s CEO, Nick Tolley, claimed that Tesco would have little to do with day to day operations and the Tesco chief executive Philip Clarke made a claim that the Harris + Hoole brand had its own value and that it was the Tolley s business and that they (Tesco) were merely helping them to realize their potential.

Needless to say however, people felt duped. Their lovely indie coffee shop was actually funded by a huge retailer, and to great effect mind you, as there are plans to open an 11th H+H store in Whitstable in the UK. Many people have now claimed that they wouldn t have had anything to do with Harris + Hoole if they had known Tesco was involved from the beginning. That, and the majority of the backlash the company has faced was due to people have felt that they were mislead, that a corporate behemoth was masquerading as a family owned coffee chain.

Bear with me now as I segue to our next topic of discussion to events taking place here in the US. I ll admit that reading about the whole Harris + Hoole situation was interesting to me on its own, but a recent development has got me thinking about it even more. When I found out that the Denver based coffee distributor Boyer Coffee Co. had just named former Walmart executive Mark Goodman as their president and CEO it got me thinking. According to Pamela Boyer, the daughter of the company s founder, Goodman was hired as a result of her father s wishes to find a ...professional executive that could lead Boyer coffee to the next level of growth... At the moment, Boyer is a roaster and distributor that operates out of an old schoolhouse that was converted into a cafe and roasting facility. Also, Boyer s cafe is incredibly charming.

So for a recap, Boyer is a local roaster in Denver, family owned, operates out of a delightful converted schoolhouse, and just hired a former Walmart executive to help lead Boyer coffee to the next level of growth. When the Tolley family needed money, they turned to Tesco. With a former Walmart executive in charge Boyer Coffee Co. it ll be interesting to see where they might turn. Might the Boyer family turn to Walmart under Goodman s guidance to acquire the resources to grow and expand their company?

While all of this is me speculating, I couldn t help but notice some of the parallels in the circumstances. Will Boyer Coffee Co. become the next Harris + Hoole? And more importantly, would people accept a chain of cafes owned by Walmart? Can specialty coffee blend with big business? The Tolleys did it, it ll be interesting to see who else throws their hat into the ring.

Coffee Closes In: Young People Starting to Choose Coffee Over Soda

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 09:57:57 EST

Coffee and Soda, I ve written about them before, and probably will again because I ve found that tea pertaining to coffee has a tendency to now and again coincide with what s going on in the world of soda. It would be hard for anyone to deny that coffee has become increasingly more popular in the US within the last few decades. With cafes like Starbucks popping up on every corner, and home baristas taking the plunge into the world of specialty coffee, it s no surprise that as we drink more coffee, we d be drinking less of something else. In this case, that something is soda.

Now, while all of this makes sense, something about these former soda drinkers might surprise you, most of them are young people. People between the ages of 18 and 24 are among those who have begun substituting coffee for soda. Looking at this demographic, the first thing that comes to mind is college students. I know that in college I guzzled coffee like I had a wooden leg, and I haven t stopped since. Cafes suit the on the go lifestyle of college students and as we become more and more conscious of our health, alternatives to sugary drinks become even more attractive. In my last article regarding coffee and soda, I took a look at a press release from the American Academy of Neurology, linking increased soda drinking with an increased risk of depression, and increased coffee drinking with a lowered risk.

The last, and possibly the largest facet to trend is the rise of coffee culture, which is a global phenomenon. Among our own citizens as well as those in India and China, more and more people with disposable incomes (middle class young people primarily) are flocking to cafes for a place to sit back, socialize, and sip on a latte. Why else would Starbucks be pushing so hard in the Asian market? And, according to a graph published in The Atlantic Magazine, soda revenues have decreased rather steeply from 2005 to present, whereas coffee revenues have been steadily increasing.

Declining revenues don t mean that soda is going away forever however. New alternatives to traditionally buying a 12 pack or a 2 liter at the store, such as the popular Soda Stream, provide people with a means to still enjoy soda in a more affordable and environmentally friendly way. The point is, people still drink soda, and still enjoy soda, despite the dangers associated with it and the efforts of some politicians to better control it. The beverage as a whole has come under a lot of scrutiny lately, scrutiny which has caused it to be shunned in favor for coffee (in some cases).

I can t say I m super surprised by things happening the way they are, I m actually quite happy about it. Personally, I don t drink that much soda, and with all I ve been reading lately, I m just fine with that. At the end of the day, there s really only so much you can drink of anything, and in my case, I d prefer it was coffee.

The Local Gourmet: Rochester Coffee Roaster Among Finalists in 2013 Good Food Awards

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 05:28:19 EST

The results of this year s Good Food Awards were a pleasant surprise for us Rochester, NY residents, with our very own Joe Bean Coffee Roasters Nicaragua Don Roger direct trade coffee being selected as one of 15 finalists in the coffee category.

For those of you who didn t know, the Good Food Awards are the result of a collaboration of farmers, journalists, grocers, and producers involved in the food industry through the organizational efforts of Seedling Projects, an organization dedicated to sustainable food. The key criteria required of entrants is that their product reflects a commitment to environmentally and socially sustainable food.

The Nicaragua Don Roger coffee is grown and processed by a one Mr. Roger Mairena whose high standards and incredibly well maintained farm allowed him to produce some award winning coffee. As for the aforementioned Joe Bean Coffee Roasters, they re a local coffee roaster and cafe located at 1344 University Avenue right here in Rochester. In any case, it s always nice when somebody from the local community is recognized for what they do. Bravo, Joe Bean!

Keep it Fresh: 5 tips for Coffee Storage

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 02:32:54 EST

It is easy to identify mold growing on bread or when fruit is rotten. Dairy products have expiration dates printed on the packaging to let us know when they are no longer safe to eat. But how do you know when your beloved coffee -- arguably the most integral part of your morning routine -- isn t worth using? While stale coffee isn't a likely danger to your health, it is a shame of a missed pleasure. So, spit out that old cup of D oh and take these steps towards fresher, better coffee. Here are some tips: 1. Protect coffee from light, heat, and moisture - store your coffee in an air tight container. 2. Don t freeze your coffee. Removing and replacing coffee into the freezer will cause it to freeze and thaw. If coffee tasted better from the freezer, then you would buy it in the frozen food section! 3. We don t believe you should store coffee in your refrigerator either again too much moisture in there! 4. Check out the roast date. We like to enjoy micro-roasted coffee within two weeks of roasting. Obviously, that doesn t work with pods, capsules, and grocery store brands produced in large facilities and transported to you. Try to mark the date when you bought the cups or beans on the packaging so you know how old it is. Even the best packaging can't keep coffee forever. Try to use it all within 6 months. 5. Don t let old coffee contaminate the good stuff! Remember, old coffee grinds in your grinder or coffee residue in your machine can linger and contaminate your new, fresh coffee. Give your machine a quick rinse or clean even machines deserve a fresh start, too! Do yourself a favor and freshen it up. Don t drink stale coffee!

Preliminary Participants for Coffee Fest s 2013 Eastern Region Competition

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 01:33:50 EST

The names are in! 14 coffee houses have been selected to participate in the preliminary round of the America s Best Coffeehouse Competition for the Eastern Region. The competition is one of many events under the umbrella of Coffee Fest, which is a series of specialty coffee events and tradeshows that originated back in 1992. This particular competition sets out to find the top three coffee houses in the Eastern Region of both the United States and Canada. This year, the following coffee houses were selected for competition:

Barbaric Bean Coffee Roasters, 48 Main Avenue, Ocean Grove, NJ.
Bold Bean Coffee Roasters,869 Stockton Street Suite 1-2, Jacksonville, FL.
Coffee Tea and Me, 421 Main St, Melrose, MA.
Lalajava Coffeehouse, 290 W. Main Street, Northborough, MA.
Molten Java,213 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, CT.
Mudhouse, Downtown Mall, 213 W. Main St., Charlottesville, VA.
Muggswigz,137 Walnut Ave. NE, Canton, OH.
Mugshots Coffeehouse,1925 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA.
Nolita Mart & Espresso Bar, 156 Mott Street, New York, NY.
Peregrine Espresso, 660 Pennsylvania Avenue Southeast, Washington, DC.
Phoenix Coffee Company, 1700 East Ninth Street, Cleveland, OH
Red Velvet Cafe, 1188 Hill Road N, Pickerington, OH.
Thinking Cup, 165 Tremont Street, Boston, MA.
Town Hall Coffee, 358 Montgomery Ave, Merion Station, PA.

What happens next? There will be a 30 day period of fan voting and secret judges and shoppers visiting each of the coffeehouses, after which the 14 contestants will be narrowed down to 8 on February 14th. Head on over to the Coffee Fest website to cast your vote for your favorite coffee shop in the Eastern Region!

Treat Yourself! Skinny Latte

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 02:44:59 EST

With the New Year comes new goals and like many, I m aiming to get fit and drop a few pounds. For me, it s all about making exercise a priority and changing my diet to opt for healthier versions of the things I consume on a regular basis. This year, I ve started off in full force at the gym and in the spirit of healthier alternatives, I m drinking Skinny Lattes.

A regular 8oz. latte has 150 calories and 70 calories from fat while an 8oz. Skinny Latte has only 90 calories and 0 fat calories. This one small change in my diet is saving me 60 calories per day. That might not seem like much, but it adds up to 21,900 calories per year!

A Skinny Latte is made with espresso and non-fat milk instead of whole or 2% milk. If you want to add some flavoring and keep it skinny, you can add sugar-free syrup in place of regular syrup or flavoring. Monin Sugar-Free Syrups have 0 calories while regular syrups add about an additional 100 calories to your drink.

Check out my video to see how easy a Skinny Latte is to make!

Time is Coffee: Paying for Minutes at the Clockface Cafe

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 02:25:33 EST

Anybody with a latte habit can tell you how expensive it can get, but what if you didn t have to pay for your coffee, just your time? Russian entrepreneur Ivan Meetin turned this concept into a reality with his chain of cafes where people are charged based on how long they spend in the cafe and not the amount of coffee they drink. From a business standpoint, it makes pretty good sense though. For many people, the coffee is secondary to the welcoming environment of a cafe, where you can generally find things like free wifi, plush furniture and a cozy atmosphere.

Part of the reason coffee chains like Starbucks have taken off now in India and China is the appeal of having a place to go to spend time with friends or simply to get out of the house and relax. For somebody who drinks a lot of coffee paying for just the time might be a pretty sweet deal actually.

The Skinny on Frothing: Foam Quality and Calorie Content of Milk

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 01:57:19 EST

Frothing milk is a tricky business. Much like brewing espresso, there are a number of factors and techniques to consider when trying to create the perfect microfoam. While we've made tutorials and videos outlining the steps to making a good cappuccino or latte, we've never really addressed the subject of frothing with different kinds of milk... until now.

Today was an exciting day as we assembled participants for an event that came to be dubbed the "Froth Off." Assembling five identical Gaggia Brera espresso machines and five different kinds of milk (Soy, Skim, 1%, 2%, and Whole) we made a cappuccino with each one to see what differences we could find. But, before moving on to our findings, here's a little chart we threw together outlining the calorie information for the milk we used.

Calories per 1/2 cup:
Soy: 45 (2x the calcium of dairy milk)
Skim: 45
1%: 55
2%: 65
Whole: 75

As you can see, the results of our little experiment were rather varied. The separation of layers in the Soy and Skim milk was surprisingly more pronounced than the other varieties. In terms of what I'll call foam longevity the Skim milk held its foam for quite a while, whereas the foam on the Soy milk fell rather quickly. The foam on the 1%, 2%, and Whole milks was pretty consistent, although it seemed a bit creamier on the whole milk. The coolest thing I found about all this was that no matter what kind of milk you enjoy, you can still steam and froth it for your favorite drinks.

General Frothing Tips

Purge your wand first! Before frothing, always make sure to purge any that might have condensed in your steam wand before frothing.
Keep things cold! Cold milk and a cold pitcher will give you a little more time to work with your milk. When frothing, always keep the temperature of the milk below 160 degrees. Using a frothing thermometer is a good way to keep an eye on how hot your milk is getting.
To stop frothing, cover the air intake hole! When frothing with a pannarello wand, if you simply want to heat the milk as opposed to frothing it, submerge the air intake hole on the side of the wand in your milk.

Watch our video of the "Milk Froth-off".

Should you be cleaning your coffee machine with vinegar?

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 10:06:37 EST

Vinegar is an incredibly versatile product and has become a household staple as it is cheap, widely available, and can be used for just about anything. One misconception about vinegar is that it is a good way to clean and descale coffee machines. While it may sound self-serving, here s why it is a bad idea to use vinegar:

1. The vinegar leaves a strong odor (as everyone knows) that can co-mingle with coffee oil, turning your fresh brew into a fresh ew.
2. It does not clean! While vinegar might be able to gently break down some hard water deposits, it does not effectively clean your coffee machine or remove oils.
3. It takes forever to rinse: our tests show that vinegar takes 3.5 times longer to rinse out of a drip brewer or capsule machine than does Dezcal,Full Circle Descaler, or other Urnex Brands, Inc. products.

There you have it: vinegar is great for almost anything. Rather than waste water trying to rinse out your semi-cleaned and now-smelly coffee machine, use a professionally formulated coffee machine cleaner or descaler.

And to prove that we at Urnex do not hate vinegar, here are a few of our favorite places to use vinegar (just some of the 1,001 ways to use vinegar):

1. Wacky cake quick rise cake made without yeast, eggs, butter, or milk
2. Easter eggs vinegar is an important component for coloring!
3. Window cleaner simply combine vinegar, water, and some elbow grease!
4. Salad dressing it s as easy as olive oil and vinegar!
5. Pickling come on, who doesn t love pickles?

Research Suggests Coffee May Lower Risk of Depression

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 05:18:37 EST

For people relying on caffeinated beverages to make it through the day, the choice between coffee and soda may have just become even more cut and dry. A press release from the American Academy of Neurology outlines the findings of a study authored by Dr. Honglei Chen, MD, PHD that suggests the drinking coffee may lower a person s risk of developing depression, whereas drinking soda and other sugary drinks had the potential to increase it.

For approximately 10 years some 262,925 people between the ages of 50 and 71 were monitored and their drink choices examined; after the 10 year period, the participants were asked if they had been diagnosed with depression. The study found that 11,311 of the participants had in fact been diagnosed as clinically depressed and a correlation was found between increased risks of depression and the consumption of sugary drinks such as soda and fruit punch.

People who drank more than four cups of soda a day were found to be at a 30 percent greater risk of developing depression, and the risks were even higher for those people who drank diet sodas. Alternatively, the study also found that drinking four cups of coffee a day reduced the risk of developing depression by 10 percent. Dr. Chen suggests that replacing sweetened and sugary drinks with unsweetened coffee may be a natural means of reducing a person s depression risk.

So, the next time you re looking for a boost, ditch the diet and stay away from the sugar, a better alternative exists, and its name is coffee.

Dempsey and Goliath: Grey s Anatomy Star Topples Starbucks in Bid for Tully s Coffee

Mon, 7 Jan 2013 03:35:19 EST

In a recent and uplifting turn of events, Grey s Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey, alias McDreamy, and his company Global Baristas LLC may have won a bankruptcy auction for the failing Seattle based Tully s chain of 47 coffee cafes with a winning bid of $9.15 million which awaits the approval of a bankruptcy judge on January 11.

The Tully s brand is familiar nationally for the separate roasting and wholesale operation owned by Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. that sells Tully coffees in both K-cups and bags and is not involved in the bankruptcy.

After falling on increasingly hard times, Tully s entered into chapter 11 bankruptcy in October of 2012, immediately attracting the attention of a number of potential buyers including Starbucks for the Tully s Coffee Cafe locations. Dempsey and his company of undisclosed partners sought to preserve the jobs of the nearly 500 Tully s employees while Starbucks desired to convert 25 of the 47 Tully s cafes into Starbucks locations and sell off the rest.

TC Global Inc. the owner of the Tully s chain approved the Global Baristas LLC bid of $9.15 million even though it was slightly less than the Starbuck s total offer of $10.6 million. Now it s up to the judge!

Crisis Averted!

Wed, 2 Jan 2013 03:34:05 EST

In my last blog titled Coffee Without Milk? I discussed the possibility of milk prices reaching outrageous new highs ($8). Fortunately for us latte lovers, the fiscal cliff bill that Congress passed yesterday includes a measure to prevent dairy prices from skyrocketing. Until September, a number of agricultural subsidies from the 2008 Farm Bill will be extended, dairy included. So you can open your eyes now and a take a sip of that cappuccino, it certainly won t be your last!

Coffee, Kaffee, Caffe, Koffie, Kawa or Kopi

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 03:47:28 EST

Rochester 12-28-2012 Whole Latte Love Coffee Compare-O-Matic - There are many different ways to say coffee around the world and many different coffees that are blended, roasted, ground and prepared to please specific tastes and palate desires. We are providing a cross section of what's available to give you over 300 choices to enable you to brew the best tasting coffee to fit your desires.
To help you make great choices, try new flavors and spend your money wisely we have made over 200,000 entries in 72 categories and sub-categories in our database to help guide you in choosing the coffees that will enable your coffee brewing machine to produce the absolute best drink it can for your taste, budget and social conscience.

Further we have tailored a Coffee Compare-O-Matic to provide you a way to look at coffee characteristics side-by-side. You can compare up to 6 at a time by clicking the "Compare Now" check box under the coffee listing and then clicking the red "compare" button at the top of the page.

That will bring you to a side-by-side display of what we know about the coffees in these categories:

Products
Here you will see the product name and price along with icon buttons to add to your shopping cart or delete from the current compare session. The product name is a hyper-link that when clicked will take you to the full product description page.

Flavor Notes
Information gathered about the aroma of the coffee as it is brewing, It's initial taste, how it feels on the palate and in your mouth, and the finish or after-taste.

Roast Profile
What we know about the type of roast: Light, Medium, Dark and any shades in-between.

Best For Brewing
Some coffees at specific roast levels are better for certain methods of brewing than others. Further many Roast Masters design blends to be better for particular brewing methods and grind settings.

Coffee Condition
Defines whether the coffee is whole bean, pre-ground or packaged as a pre-ground single-serving.

Coffee State
Whether it contains caffeine, or is decaffeinated and whether it is flavored.

Package Profile
This category is specific to sampler packages we have assembled to give you a one-click option to buy several types of coffees at once. We define the Package Type, (like Premium Espresso Coffees), List the Brands, and describe each coffee in the package by weight, container, condition and roast if known.

Special Attribute
There are many special attributes associate with coffee and we have defined several like Single Origin or Swiss Water Processed Decaf, WE will grow this category as we find other special attributes that significantly affect the quality and taste of the coffee.

Awards
If we know it we will post any awards that the coffee may have garnered.

Coffee Botanical
Here we will post what we know about the Species, typically Arabica, Robusta or Liberica or a combination of both, and the Varietal like Arabica Bourbon.

Coffee Packaging
Descriptions of the container, like a bag or tin, and the weight of the coffee it contains or the single-serve portion count. Some listing will include optional packages for buying case lots.

Coffee Type
Descriptions of what the Roaster will let us know about the beans used. Whether the coffee is 100% Arabica or a blend and any significant characteristics like Jamaican Blue Mountain, Kona, Mocha java, or Peaberry.

Coffee Origin
Includes information that the Roaster will release about the source of the beans, the actual farm or grower, where the coffee is roasted and what country we import it from.

Social & Environmental
While there characteristics seldom affect flavor they are important for defining the known social aspects of the coffee. Like a pedigree it may define any certifications it has.

Kosher
What we know about the coffees certification as Kosher.

Review
Here we include any industry recognized coffee review information we find plus ratings from you, our Customers.

Please jump in any try out the coffee Compare-O-Matic and give us any feedback on what you like or don't like about it, how you would improve it and what other information you would like to know about coffee. We have committed to constant improvement of the functionality of the Compare-O-Matic and the data we collect. We will add new information as it becomes available and keep tweaking the Compare-O-Matic features to make it the richest possible experience for you. Please, holler back!!

Coffee Without Milk?

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 10:46:56 EST

It's a frightening prospect for some, but also a potential reality as the 2013 US Farm Bill remains as of yet, unpassed. The Farm Bill, which is actually a five year agricultural policy bill to help subsidize the cost of agriculture hasn't been pushed through as Congress remains embroiled in fiscal cliff debates. As a result of the bill's delayed passing, the price of grocery items could potentially spike, milk included. Could you imagine paying $6, or possibly even more money for a gallon of milk?

If the bill is delayed until April of 2013 as some expect it may be, there are really only three options: cough up the extra money, cut the milk, or find another creamer for your favorite drinks. I looked up some alternatives and some of the most commonly recommended ones were different kinds of plant milks, like soy or almond. This is a topic we've taken some interest in recently so if you have any questions for us about making drinks with milk alternatives, don't hesitate to ask!

Bean Counting

Sun, 23 Dec 2012 05:29:44 EST

Green coffee beans are usually shipped in 132lb bags, (60 Kilograms) and world-wide production statistics are compiled on the number of bags.

World production for 2012 includes 88,818 bags of Arabica and 62,440 of Robusta.

To give you perspective on worldwide coffee production and the rarity of some highly prized regional coffees like Hawaiian Kona and Jamaican Blue Mountain that make up a tiny fraction of all coffees, here are statistics for 2012 compiled by the US Department of Agriculture.

Brazil leads the world in total production again in 2012 with 40,200 bags of Arabica and 15,700 of Robusta for a total of 55,900 bags or 7,378,800 lb.

Vietnam is second for total production with 850 bags of Arabica and 24,150 of Robusta for a total of 25,000 bags or 3,300,000 lb.

The United States, mostly Hawaii, (100/0) and Mexico (4,500/200) make up North American production of 4,600 bags of Arabica and 200 bags of Robusta.

Central America produces 14,605 bags of Arabica and 10 bags of Robusta from: Costa Rica (1,600/0), El Salvador (1,475/0), Guatemala (3,840/10), Honduras (5,800/0), Nicaragua (1,800/0) and Panama (90/0).

South American countries including Bolivia (4/150), Brazil (40,200/15,700), Colombia (7,500/0), Ecuador (415/190), Paraguay (25/0), Peru (4,800/0) and Venezuela (880/0) combined to produce 53,970 bags of Arabica and 15,890 bags of Robusta.

Caribbean countries produce 920 bags of Arabica from: Cuba (125), Dominican Republic (475), Haiti (300) and Jamaica (20).

Middle East coffee comes from Yemen at 150 bags of Arabica.

Papua New Guinea, 1,100 bags of Arabica and 50 bags of Robusta, represents Oceania’s total production.

South Asia contributes 1,650 bags of Arabica and 3,685 bags of Robusta from: India (1,640/3,660) and Sri Lanka (10/25).

Southeast Asia contributes 2,580 bags of Arabica and 35,025 bags of Robusta from: Indonesia (1,700/8,000), Laos (0/575), Malaysia (0/1,000), Philippines (30/400), Thailand (0/900) and Vietnam (850/24,150).

Sub-Saharan Africa contributes 9,243 bags of Arabica and 7,580 bags of Robusta from: Angola (0/30), Burundi (225/0), Cameroon (100/700), Central African Republic (0/15), Kinshasa (200/165), Cote d'Ivoire (0/1,800), Ethiopia (6,500/0), Ghana (0/90), Guinea (0/425), Kenya (850/0), Liberia (0/5), Madagascar (25/500), Malawi (25/0), Nigeria (0/30), Rwanda (250/0), Sierra Leone (0/70), Tanzania (500/300), Togo (0/650), Uganda (650/2,800), Zambia 10/0) and Zimbabwe (8/0).

It's Press Time!

Sun, 16 Dec 2012 02:39:23 EST

Since my co-workers are so much more adept at testing espresso machines, I took the opportunity to try brewing a cup of Americano coffee using the AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker. I have been intrigued with press-brewing coffee for several years now after first watching my friend Tracy using a French press in the office to make his coffee every day. Until today I have only made coffee drip-brewed in percolators, or drip-coffee filter brewers, or single-serve K-cup machines. A friend sent me some pre-ground coffee for Christmas so I thought this would be the perfect time to try press-made coffee. The Aerobie AeroPress was available for testing so I figured it’s time to give it a work out.

It comes packaged with a body cylinder chamber having level markings on the side, a plunger with an articulated rubber plunger seal, a filter cap that screws onto the bottom of the chamber, a filter holder and 350 micro-filters, a measuring scoop, funnel, and a stirrer. Since this one had been opened by the sales department for previous testing, the instructions were missing. I quickly read the brewing instruction on the internet and set out to make my first cup. I loaded a filter into the filter cap and screwed it onto the chamber and set the assembly on my sturdy metal woodworkers coffee mug. I put 2 full scoops of pre-ground coffee in the chamber and poured in hot water.

While Aerobie recommends water at 176 , I just boiled water and waited, hmmm... about 3 seconds for it to cool, then poured water into the chamber and started stirring using the stirrer that comes with the AeroPress. The Stirrer is well-designed, shaped, and sized so that you can’t drop it into the chamber and you also can’t scrape the filter in the bottom of the cap. I stirred for about 10 seconds, then wet the rim of the plunger-seal and put the plunger into the top of the chamber and started to gently press it into the chamber.

As the pressure started to build I heard it relieve through the filter and liquid started to drop into the mug below. I continued to press gently until the plunger bottomed out. I removed the assembly from the cup and added some more hot water to the mug to make my cup of Americano coffee. Voila! Darn good fresh brewed coffee with no grounds or "dregs-dust" in the cup, the filter works great! And I could make just one cup without brewing a full or partial drip-pot. Now I can have a fresh-brewed cup of coffee and my tea-drinking wife can have a mug of tea from the same pot of hot water.

I didn’t pay enough attention to the instructions on how to eject the spent grounds and used-filter from the unit and made a mess, luckily over the sink, when I just backed the plunger out of the cylinder. I should have unscrewed the filter holder over the waste can and then pushed the plunger on through to eject all of the grounds. Oh well, I’ll do better on the next cup. Now I can’t wait to try some fresh ground coffee like coffee purists do to see if the quality of the coffee can get better. Oh did I mention that the coffee I used was a Christmas gift, from 2 years ago? Even so it still made very good coffee!

Treat Yourself! Peppermint Chocolate Coffee

Fri, 7 Dec 2012 03:05:50 EST

Peppermint? Chocolate? Coffee? Sounds good to me! This week we've got a recipe for you that takes it easy. Get into the holiday spirit with some Peppermint Chocolate coffee! I really don t know quite what else to say, this recipe is a snap! Here's what you'll need:

1 Tbs of Chocolate Sauce
2 Tbs of Peppermint Syrup
Freshly Brewed Coffee
Whipped Cream
Additional Garnishes*

Okay, get ready for this. Start by adding your chocolate sauce and peppermint syrup to your glass. When your syrups are added, top off the glass with some freshly brewed coffee and stir vigorously until everything is thoroughly mixed. Top off your drink with some whipped cream if you like. Toss in a peppermint stick or garnish with some sprinkles or crushed candy cane. Most importantly, enjoy!

Watch our recipe video.

Whole Latte Love Staff Holiday Favorites

Fri, 7 Dec 2012 11:08:33 EST

Shopping stressing you out? With the holidays in full swing, we know that things can get pretty hectic, but don't worry, we're here to help. Last week we passed a little survey around the office asking people to jot down which items on our site they'd like to get as gifts. So, spare yourself the hassle of trying to find the perfect gift and take a look at some of the items we picked as our favorites!

	Lavazza Super Crema Whole Latte Love's Ashley had this to say about Super Crema: I absolutely love Super Crema! I've always liked coffee, but I never had a taste for espresso. That all changed when Mark Jackson brewed me a shot of it on the Expobar Brewtus IV we've got in the kitchen. Caffeinated bliss! I love it!

	The Gaggia Accademia Whole Latte Love's Tracy had this to say about the Gaggia Accademia: As a working mother of 3, I needed a machine that could keep up with me. Whether I'm brewing my first shot of the day, or entertaining 40 people, the Accademia never fails to get the job done.

	The Espro Calibrated Tamper Whole Latte Love's Mark Jackson had this to say about the Espro Calibrated Tamper: Leaping into the world of home espresso can certainly be intimidating. This tamper is a great tool to help make the transition a smooth one. Learning how to brew at home can be challenging, but if you treat brewing espresso like a science, this is something that can help you control one of the variables.

	The Expobar Brewtus IV Whole Latte Love's Shane had this to say about the Expobar Brewtus IV: It's never hard for me to recommend one of these machines. Expobar has really covered all the bases with the Brewtus IV, it's a solid machine with commercial quality components.

	The Teaposy Charme Gift Set Whole Latte Love's Kristen had this to say about the Teaposy Charme Gift Set: It's the perfect size! I love watching the teas bloom and this set came with a variety of teas to try. Perfect for someone just starting out with Teaposy.

	Saeco Vienna Plus Whole Latte Love's Andrew had this to say about the Saeco Vienna Plus: Awesomely simple machine! It's easy to use, reliable, and pulls a great shot with no fuss.

	Waechtersbach Coffee-Script-Collage 12oz Travel Mug Whole Latte Love's Mary Ann had this to say about the Waechtersbach Coffee-Script-Collage 12oz Travel Mug: I love the 4 colors it comes in and it's the perfect size to fit under a Gaggia Accademia (with the spout removed)!

	Gaggia Platinum Swing Up Whole Latte Love's Kathy had this to say about the Gaggia Platinum Swing Up: This is an easy to navigate Super-Automatic machine capable of making any kind of drink you'd want. It's also very easy to maintain.

	Breville BES900XL Dual Boiler Whole Latte Love's Marc Buckman has this to say about the Breville BES900XL Dual Boiler: I've been consistently impressed with Breville's espresso machines, this one in particular. The stainless steel body, and dual boilers are big pluses in my book, but I also appreciate some of the simpler design features like the hidden accessories tray or drip tray float.

	DeLonghi kMix 5 cup Coffee Maker Whole Latte Love's Mylee had this to say about the DeLonghi kMix 5 cup Coffee Maker: I really can't express how happy I was to find a yellow coffee maker! I love its very sleek and modern appearance--and it brews a great cup of coffee!

	Gaggia Classic & MDF Brew-Ready Pack My favorite this season was the Gaggia Classic & MDF Brew-Ready Pack, here's why: To make quality espresso you need equipment. Off the top of my head and I can't think of a more reliable entry level machine or grinder, and even better is that we've paired them together!

How to Claim the 2012 Nespresso $100 Club Credit

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 12:54:55 EST

Happy Holidays From Nespresso - a $100 Club Credit!

Nespresso Rewards 2012 Year End
$100 Club Credit

There are 3 things Nespresso requires of you to claim your $100 Nespresso Club Credit:

A copy of your receipt.
The serial number from the silver sticker on the machine drip tray.
The online form filled out at: http://www.nespresso-us.com/rewards

The form has 3 regions:

1 - Your Info
Fill in your current membership number if you are already a Club Member, or fill in the personal information you want to use to set up a new Club Membership. Tick the “I have read Terms & Conditions” box and go to region 2.

2 - Choose Your Machine
Here is where you will tick the box for your eligible machine model and then enter the serial number from the silver sticker on your new machine drip tray.

3 - Store Info
Select “Other” for name of store, tick the “Purchased online” box, and enter “Whole Latte Love” for store name, the city is “Rochester” and the State is “New York”. Finally enter your date of purchase as shown on your receipt and click on Continue.

Terms and Conditions

1) Offer $100 Nespresso Club Credit on your Club account only with purchase of a Nespresso machine $199 or above made between 11/23/2012 and 01/21/2013, while supplies last. This is not an instant credit. Offer valid in the U.S. only and solely at participating stores. Upon receipt of supporting documents, $100 will be credited to the Nespresso Club account specified and is valid towards the purchase of coffee, machines and accessories. Offer is limited to one $100 credit per qualifying Nespresso machine purchased. Offer will not be processed without valid requested documents and cannot be used in conjunction with any other Nespresso discount or promotion. Not redeemable in-store. Void where prohibited or restricted. This offer may not be published without Nespresso permission. Fraudulent requests will be voided. Offer not valid for Professional account credit or products. This is a Nespresso promotion.

2) To receive Nespresso Club Credit:
Download and complete your voucher found available at http://www.nespresso-us.com/rewards Submit your supporting documents via online or mail.

If submitting supporting documents via online, scan and upload a copy of:
1. The store sales receipt onto www.nespresso-us.com/rewards. Gift receipts not valid.
2. THE ORIGINAL SILVER SERIAL NUMBER STICKER FROM THE MACHINE DRIP GRID.

If submitting supporting documents via mail:
1. Make a copy of the store sales receipt. Gift receipts not valid.
2. REMOVE FROM MACHINE DRIP GRID, THE ORIGINAL SILVER SERIAL NUMBER STICKER.
3. Please send completed voucher, receipt copy, and requested serial number sticker to:

The Nespresso Year End Promotion
24-01 44th Road, 12th Floor
Long Island City, NY 11101

Please note that the submitted documents will not be returned.
SUBMITTED MATERIALS MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 4th, 2013.

$100.00 Nespresso Club credit can only be used at Nespresso.com, Nespresso boutiques, and on Nespresso telephone orders.

3) Receipt of your Nespresso Club Credit Please allow 2-4 weeks for processing your credit upon receipt by Nespresso. This credit is not instant and the Nespresso Club will confirm this credit via e-mail or phone once available. Your credit will only be valid for one year from the date it is issued on your Nespresso Club account.

Nespresso is a registered trademark of Societe des Produits Nestle S.A., Vevey, Switzerland.

For submission material inquiries, please call the Nespresso Club toll free at 877.776.6601

Treat Yourself! Eggnog Latte

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 05:27:17 EST

Perhaps my favorite thing about espresso and the machines that make it is the fact that both are incredibly versatile. With the winter holidays approaching fast I thought it only appropriate to find a recipe to match. When in Rome, am I right? So with that in mind I ve got a recipe that s sure to keep you warm (if you re somewhere cold like we are) and help get you in the holiday spirit. So, without further ado I give you the Eggnog Latte. Here s what you ll need:

3oz of Espresso
2/3 of a Cup of Eggnog
1/3 of a Cup of Milk
Whipped Cream and Other Garnishes

Begin by brewing your espresso, when you ve finished, combine your milk and eggnog in a steaming pitcher. Steam the milk to your preference and combine it with your espresso when it s done. Plop some whipped cream on that bad boy and garnish with some cinnamon or nutmeg if you like and enjoy!

Watch us make this recipe!

Join the Whole Latte Love Coffee Community

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 04:43:16 EST

Are you a coffee enthusiast looking for a place you can call home? You re already a Coffee-Lover, now immerse yourself in the Whole Latte Love Coffee Community. Share your love of coffee, your opinions about our products and vote on the opinions of other members. Your knowledge and opinions mean a lot to us and you can earn Points and cool Badges as you share your Coffee Expertise and Culture. Join in the fun!

Everything starts with the all new My Account tab located right above the phone number in the top right corner of the screen:

From here you ll be prompted to sign up or log in.

Once you re logged in the My Account tab will take you to the Dashboard, the new hub for all of your activity.

From the Dashboard you ll be able to manage your account and access information about your activity and your orders. Whether you re a new or returning user, you ll want to start by selecting the account settings tab and clicking on Edit Profile.

The Edit Profile page is where you ll be able to customize your profile. Your profile is the page that other customers see. On the Edit Profile page you ll be able to upload a picture to represent yourself on the site and you can change your username. You can also write a blurb about yourself in the About Me box. Please remember that all profiles created are initially set to private and can only be seen by other users if you select the Share My Profile option. Whenever you make changes to your profile you must click the Update Information button to save any changes you ve made.

So you ve got your profile set up, what now? Well, it s probably about time that you got active and get yourself some points! Participation points are awarded for your activity on the site. Pretty much everything you do is rewarded with participation points, but here s the complete list.

Participation points contribute to your reputation in the community: the more you have, the more "Coffee Clout" you ve got! In addition to your reputation, you can be awarded badges by satisfying specific parameters. You can keep track of the badges you ve earned on your dashboard and the most recent badges you earn will be displayed on your profile.

By now you re probably wondering, what s the best place to get active? From the Dashboard you ll want to click on the Community tab, from there you ll be able connect with us and with our other customers.To see what everyone else is talking about, you ll want to select the Community News Feed option.

The Community News Feed collects posts from everyone with a shared profile and is a great place to get in on the conversation. On this page you can also follow other users by mousing over their names or profile photos and selecting the Follow option in the box that appears.

You ll be able to view all community activity such as posted comments, questions and reviews from other members. Your own activity will also be shown here if your profile is shared so you ll be able to see your own posted questions, comments and reviews here too.

Now, every time you see this...feel free to post a question or a comment to the community.

You can also see who the most popular users are in the Top Talkers box...

... and you can see which tags are trending.

What are tags you ask? Well, tags are key words or phrases that can be attached to your posts. You can tag your posts by typing in words relevant to your post in the box within the gray area. A list will build from which you can choose a tag to attach to your post.

You can associate a tag to each of your posts. Subscribing to a tag is a lot like following somebody.

When you follow someone or subscribe to a tag, activity related to that person or tag will show up in the Community Activity window on your dashboard.

You can also check the tags you re subscribed to, who you re following, or who s following you at any time by clicking the Community tab. Your activity, along with that of your tags and the people you follow will all appear in the News Feed section, located under the Community tab and the My Account tab.

NEW! Latte Rewards

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 03:59:57 EST

If you re going to shop wouldn t you love to earn savings on future purchases?? Pretty much everyone does! Today I want to introduce you to our brand new Latte Rewards Program!

So how do Latte Rewards work?
Every time you purchase an item on the Whole Latte Love website we are going to give you points that equal the cost of that item; 1 Latte Point for every $1 that you spend. However, purchases for commercial products are excluded from the Latte Rewards program.
100 Latte Points will equal $2 in Latte Rewards. These Latte Rewards can be banked until you are ready to use them! Latte Rewards can be redeemed for Whole Latte Love gift certificates. It's easy to get started. Simply make your purchase and we'll automatically calculate your points. It's our way of saying "thank you" for being part of the Whole Latte Love community.

Sign up!
The first step is to Sign up! In order to start earning your Latte Points you need to have an Account. Go to the top of the Page you are on and click the My Account button to get started!

Go ahead and fill out the New Customers boxes and create a new account!

Once you create your account you will get zipped back to the page that you were last on! That way if you were out browsing you won t have to go hunting for that product again!

Check your Dashboard to see your points!
Now that you created an account you can access your Dashboard! Click the My Account button at the top of any page to investigate your Dashboard!
Check out all these fun features!

The Latte Rewards box will track all of your earned and pending Latte Rewards!

Example:
So if I have made a purchase for $300 then I earned myself 300 Latte Points! Yeah! With those 300 Latte points, in 60 days, I can redeem them for $6 in Latte Rewards certificates! Now, I can take those $6 dollars in Latter Rewards certificates and apply them to my next purchase that is over $6! There is nothing better than being rewarded for shopping. If you would like to read all the terms and conditions you can find them here at: http://www.wholelattelove.com/policy_landing.cfm#Rewards

Treat Yourself! French Vanilla Iced Latte

Fri, 2 Nov 2012 01:12:13 EST

If you remember back to when I posted a recipe for the Salted Caramel Espresso milkshake that used Monin s new syrup, or if you watched the video, you probably noticed that there was another syrup that didn t get quite as much attention, the all new French Vanilla. Well, we re remedying that right now! This weekend, prepare yourself for the French Vanilla Iced Latte! Here s what you ll need:

2 Shots of Espresso
Cold Milk
Ice Cubes
1 1/4oz of Monin French Vanilla Syrup
A 16oz Glass

This recipe might go down as one of the easiest I ve ever blogged about. Begin by filling your glass with ice, when that s done, add your espresso and your syrup. Top off the rest of the glass with your milk and stir (or shake if you dig that sort of thing) to mix everything thoroughly. Garnish that bad boy with whipped cream and enjoy!

Watch the recipe video.

Trick or Treat Yourself! Kraken Cappuccino

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 03:55:49 EST

Halloween is next week! Can you believe it? Well, for those of you who’ll be celebrating a little early, we thought it might be nice if we could find a drink to help liven up whatever festivities you might have planned. The result? Batten down the hatches for the Kraken Cappuccino! This fearsome drink is something of our own spin on a traditional hot buttered rum. To make your own Kraken Cappuccino, you’re going to need:

*please note, this recipe can serve six, use one shot of espresso per drink

12 fl.oz of Milk
4 fl.oz of Rum
1 tsp of Ground Cinnamon
1 tsp of Baker’s (ultra fine) sugar
6 Thin Slices of Butter
1 tsp of Ground Nutmeg
6 Shots of Espresso

Begin by combining your milk, rum, and cinnamon and sugar in a frothing pitcher and froth the milk as usual. Once your milk is frothed begin brewing your espresso. Add a shot to each cup and top with milk/rum mixture/ Take a thinly shaved slice of butter and place it on top of your drink. The butter will melt, creating a rich flavor. Garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg, and enjoy!

Follow this link here to watch Morgan make a Kraken Cappuccino with the new Breville Milk Cafe and click the button below to subscribe to our Youtube channel!

Beat the rush with our Black Friday Sales Event!

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 04:39:39 EST

As the biggest shopping day in the US since 2005, Black Friday is kind of a big deal (no pun intended). However, for those of us who don’t feel like sleeping on sidewalks, waiting in line, or being pushed around by stampeding shoppers, there’s an easier way. I’d actually call it a better way. Here at Whole Latte Love, we’re of the opinion that those kind of savings shouldn’t be just one day of the year, we’re thinking more like 30 days.

With that said, it gives me great pleasure to announce that this year we’ll be kicking off this November with a month long sales event. Every day, a new item and a new way to save will be revealed on our site. Oh, did I also mention that we’ll be having this event IN ADDITION TO our regular Black Friday sale? Good deal indeed.

Keep up with all of the cool stuff we've got going on this November when you click the button below to subscribe to our Youtube channel!

Jura-Capresso's EC50: The overachieving little sibling

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 03:07:00 EST

When Mary-Ann and I come into work and see a new machine sitting on one of our desks, we get pretty excited. Getting to be the first people here at Whole Latte Love to unbox and test a new product is a pretty great thing. This morning, it happened again! As we downed our first cups of coffee, we were told that we would be testing the new Jura-Capresso EC50 espresso machine and telling all of you about it.

Aesthetically, the EC50 is simple and classic. It has no display, a single light, and a single knob. It is utilitarian (which I love). No frills, just solid and sleek with its stainless steel and black body.

Some people take issue with machines with pressurized portafilters but personally, Mary-Ann and I sort of like them. Being new to the business and not being the best at grind settings and tamping, it’s nice to be able to make a solid shot of espresso without having to factor in frequent human error! The EC50 does just that. Regardless of the lack of caffeine in our systems, and the fact that it wasn’t even 9am here yet, we were able to impress ourselves with the amount of crema that came from the shots.

As for the temperature of the shots, you should see the blister on Mary-Ann’s tongue. Despite her saying out loud “Wow, this glass is hot” her cloudy judgment allowed her to sip the piping hot shot which resulted in a pretty humorous dance around the kitchen. The thermo-block heating system (that warms up in less than a minute) made for a nice laugh first thing in the morning.

The EC50 measures up at a whopping (not really whopping at all, actually) 11.5x7.25x10.25 and weighs just 8 lbs. This is one of the smallest machines we have ever used, but still manages to carry an impressive 42 oz of water in its rear mounted reservoir. It lifts out easily for filling with a nifty built in handle to carry to the sink, or the top moves plenty to fill it with a pitcher of water.

Taking after its higher end siblings, the Jura-Capresso EC50 is equally compulsive about being clean. After every brew cycle, the EC50 produces steam to remove any water from the thermo-block water heater, meaning you only have to descale after between 200-300 shots depending on your water.

The powerful frothing wand produces an almost ridiculous amount of steam and pressure given its size. A pitcher of milk is quickly frothed before your shots even have a chance to cool down as the EC50 heats from brew to steam temperature in a matter of seconds. Unlike a typical Pannarello wand, in order to steam your milk you will have to remove the black plastic frothing sleeve and re submerge the metal wand. While it’s not optimal, it really wasn’t a big deal considering the sleeve does come off very easily, and has a small tab so that any heat from the frothing doesn’t bother you.

Just like the when I would beat my older brother in video games, hide and seek, and (later in life) police his grammar, the EC50 takes some of the best traits from its bigger siblings (like my family’s dashing good looks), and puts them into a smaller package (size isn’t everything).

We carry a lot of amazing, top of the line machines here at Whole Latte Love. So it’s easy to be a little jaded when it comes to working with entry level, budget friendly machines. And just like waking up to a fresh snow fall or watching a lightning storm from afar, it’s exciting that there are some fantastic offerings for people who want to share in the joy of the espresso culture, but just aren’t sure that they’re ready to pull the trigger on a big ticket item just yet. Brewing consistently solid shots, giving you more than enough power to froth your milk, and fitting in any kitchen, the Jura-Capresso EC50 is an amazing value from a very well respected company.

Why Buy a Used Espresso Machine?

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 09:50:07 EST

Most of us have heard that a new car can lose up to 10% of its retail value the minute you drive it off the lot. Though the new-car smell and the allure of being the automobile's first owner does come with its own perks and advantages, increasingly value-conscious customers are flocking the used car lot in record numbers. Pre-owned shopping habits are trickling down to everything from electronics to clothing.

Here, at Whole Latte Love, we're noticing a lot of interest in refurbished machines. Just like buying a pre-owned vehicle, the decision to purchase an outlet or refurbished item comes with its own set of considerations. But, shop well and you'll reap the rewards of getting a great machine and saving much more than a couple of cents.

Birth of a Refurb
Every new espresso machine available through wholelattelove.com is backed by a hassle-free 30-day return policy. Within the first month of ownership, customers can return machines for any number of reasons, as detailed in our Terms and Conditions. We've had people change their minds about the type of machine they want or unpack the unit only to find it does not fit a predetermined space. One gentleman sent back a Gaggia super-automatic espresso machine because it was "too small" for his yacht! We never leave a good machine behind. When a customer returns a next-to-new machine, it is always welcomed back with open arms; thus, refurbs are born.

Machines that have major performance issues are sent straight back to the manufacturer. Likewise, products that show excessive wear-and-tear will never be resold. On the other hand, espresso machines that have a lot of life left in them and look next to new, will be discounted and have a second chance to find a good home...If they can make it past our gate keepers...

The Inspection
With the exception of Jura-Capresso and Cuisinart machines, which are refurbished by the manufacturer at their facilities, all outlet items refurbished by Whole Latte Love undergo a thorough inspection process in our tech shop. Our certified technicians start by checking the package to ensure that all included accessories are accounted for before doing a preliminary visual inspection of the machine. They'll look for things such as dents, large scratches, or broken components, which may significantly impact the aesthetic appearance of the machine. We do not accept the return of machines that have been customized, so you'll never get a model engraved with someone else's initials or plastered with bumper stickers.

After a machine has passed the "first impression" inspection, the real work begins. A technician will go through a detailed check list to ensure that the machine is working properly. Electrical components and wiring, monitors, Teflon lines, valves, connectors, nuts and bolts have to be accounted for and inspected. Any malfunctioning or underperforming parts will be replaced so that the machine can work like new. The boiler, solenoid valves, steam wand and controls are main points of focus for our techs. After the necessary components have been repaired or replaced, the machine gets put through the ringer before it is approved to be resold.

Passing the Tests
In order for a refurbished semi-automatic or super-automatic machine to earn the green light, it must be in perfect working condition. Our techs are responsible for complete diagnostics; they test every machine to ensure that it brews and steams at the correct temperatures, heats up within the proper time frames and dispenses hot water as needed. In the case of super-automatic machines, they'll inspect the grinder to ensure that it has been appropriately calibrated and the settings the yield the correct results. Clogs, leaks and loose parts are sure to get any machine tossed into the rejected pile.

Last, but not least, every machine gets a complete cleaning and polish before it's cleared for sale. Refurbished units will also get a steep discount, of up to 50% off the original retail price, once they're posted in the Outlet section of our Website. Not too shabby, for a machine that's all but new. Best of all, when you purchase a reconditioned espresso machine with us, you'll get the benefit of a 15-day return policy. Change your mind within 15 days of the shipment date? Send the machine right back to us; no harm, no foul. Our espresso machines even come with six-month warranties for your peace of mind. Next time you're in the market for a great deal, do yourself a favor and shop out Outlet section!

Single Serves - How Much Does That Cup Really Cost?

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 12:45:54 EST

I d be lying if I said I ve never taken the easy way out, and with brewing espresso it s no exception. The unique thing about brewing espresso however is that nowadays there is a plethora of options for someone looking to avoid the effort that goes into traditional brewing. Certainly Single-Serve and Super-Automatic espresso machines may seem similar in that both will brew you a shot of espresso with the push of a button, but in most cases, that is one of a very few things the two categories have in common.

An even bigger issue is, just how much will you be paying for the coffee you re drinking? For your convenience, I ve put together a chart that answers that exact question.

Click here for a larger version of this chart.

As you can see, super-automatics excel in the cost/cup department and clearly produce the cheapest cup of coffee.

The most limiting factor for any single-serve owner is that their machine will only be able to utilize one method of brewing. Keurig machines can only brew with K-Cups, Nespresso machines only with Nespresso capsules, etc. While there is competition between the manufacturers of the machines, there is little competition with regards to the coffee. If you re a Keurig owner and you re unhappy with your coffee, it s not like you can suddenly start buying Tassimo T-Discs for your machine instead, not without plunking down $100 or more into a new machine. When you ve bought a single-serve machine you ve dedicated yourself to using the coffee compatible with that particular brand.

With a super-automatic machine, oftentimes the only inhibiting factor in the coffee you can use is the fact that especially oily beans (Starbucks for example) sometimes create problems for the machines' internal components. Aside from that there s really nothing preventing you from using whatever kind of coffee you like, whether it be whole bean or pre-ground. Additionally, super-automatic machines allow for adjustments to be made to factors such as grind fineness, coffee dosage, temperature, and pre-infusion granting a vastly larger degree of control over the coffee your machine produces and many can be programmed to your exact specifications. Single-serve machines offer very little control in this respect with the coffee being pre-measured and ground to a specific fineness. If your coffee is unsatisfactory, for the most part, all you can do is try a different variety and hope for the best.

With regards to customizability and control, another category where single-serve machines have a tendency to come up short against their super-automatic counterparts is milk frothing. Milk can be one of the touchiest factors when preparing a coffee based drink for yourself and fortunately, we live in a time when automatic milk frothing solutions are abundant.There are very, VERY, few super-automatic espresso machines in modern times that do not feature a means to froth or steam milk for lattes and cappuccinos and some super-automatics can do it with the push of a button. With that being said, certain brands of single-serve espresso machines sport milk frothing features of their own such as the FrancisFrancis! machines designed for use with Illy s IperEspresso capsules, or select Nespresso machines. Often though, a single-serve owner will either have to buy a peripheral frothing device, or make due with the alternative frothing solution exclusive to single-serve machines, powdered milk.

There are several brands of single-serve espresso machines that make use of powdered milk as an alternative to frothing systems, Tassimo and the new Starbucks Verismo machines being two that come to mind. Say you prefer soy milk, or whole milk, well, looks like you re out of luck. And I ve never heard of powdered microfoam. Powdered milk is a solution, albeit an immensely limited one, requiring that you buy special packages that include the milk discs, which in turn means you get less coffee. For example, the standard Starbucks Verismo coffee pods come 12 per box for $11.95. The box the pairs coffee pods and milk pods gives you 8 of each for $12.95, when a person with a super-automatic with milk frothing could pick up a gallon of milk for about $3.50, make a great drink, and still have milk left over for the kids. Certainly the Verismo owner could buy milk too, but it s not gonna froth itself is it? Well, looks like they ll have to buy a peripheral milk frothing system, but wait, wasn t this machine supposed to do it all? This of course raises the point that maybe you just need to pick the right one and you ll be all set.