JAVA & Co. Small Batch Recipes

Business Update

2020-07-30T11:01:00.005-05:00

It has been awhile since I posted because much has been going on behind the scenes. I thought when I did my next business update, it would announce a new beginning. I had been making plans to take JAVA & Co. overseas to France. However, this week has shown that this endeavor is postponed indefinitely. Covid, travel ban, and other dynamics affect the plans. The Covid travel ban to Europe went into effect one week after I returned from France in March. Much has changed in that time. What do they say about the best laid plans? hahaha ugh Who could have anticipated a worldwide pandemic? What a year indeed.

As many of you know, I began closing the company in January. There is still time to order through Etsy and Amazon through November 2020. After November, JAVA & Co. will go offline and finalize closure.

Thank you for your love and support these past years and if you need anything or need a favorite sweet made that is not listed for sale, please email me your request to javaandco@live.com. God Bless!

Newsletter Update

2020-03-26T10:40:00.002-05:00

Please read our recent newsletter for company updates and ordering information. https://madmimi.com/s/0fa7701

Website Closure

2020-02-03T09:30:00.002-06:00

JAVA & Co. is closing down our main website and will redirect the URL. Customers will be able to continue to order from our Amazon store and Etsy for the remainder of the year. If you have any questions or would like a custom order, please email us at javaandco@live.com. Thank you!

Side Note: Offices and kitchen will be closed from February 5th through March 3rd.

The gift that keeps on giving the whole year long...

2018-02-02T09:01:00.003-06:00

Coffee Love...the reality is sinking in that 10 years is quite a milestone for any business, much less a small or micro business like JAVA & Co. It's a true testament to our local base, community and nationwide supporters that support, encourage and share in our growth and love of food and coffee.

Every year on the anniversary of our business we've hosted online promotions the entire month of January to celebrate another year of accomplishments, 'coffee love' and our wonderful customers. For our 10 year milestone, we have decided to carry the promotions throughout 2018.

Each month, we will feature a different online promotion. Maybe we will discount something we've never discounted before, and maybe we'll bring back and offer your favorite promotions in the months to come. Stay tuned to Facebook and watch the Newsletters for the special promo codes, discounts and online sales coming at you each month through 2018.

The next stop on the 10 year anniversary train is the month of February. Going back to what started JAVA & Co...the very first product we made...the SYRUP that began this crazy journey.

Throughout the month of February, bottles of our rich and delicious, baking, cooking, drinking, grilling Signature Coffee infused Syrups will be 10% off - and - no promo code needed. Discount will be reflected in cart. Not applicable to gift crates.

10 Years. I really do not know where the time has gone.

*Jamie

January Newsletter

2018-01-04T09:34:00.000-06:00

JAVA & Co.'s January Newsletter is out: https://madmimi.com/s/75946b. Visit the link and check it out for month long anniversary promotions including a trivia contest - with one coffee loving/food loving/drink loving WINNER drawn at the end of the anniversary month!

10 Year Anniversary

2018-01-03T09:38:00.000-06:00

Each year that closes opens a New Year for opportunities; for learning; for creating; and hopefully, for us - growing into a couple that makes a positive impact. Brian and I look back over 2017 and all of the incredible memories and friends we've made and colleagues we've learned from; shared and laughed with. Our hearts are FULL!

This month - January 2018, JAVA & Co. celebrates our 10 YEAR anniversary. We've completed 10 years. Each time I say it; each time I type it; it still doesn't seem real. We have learned so much from when we began in 2008. Some lessons a little harder than others, but the kitchen taste tests usually make up for the bumps and bruises. : )

Thank you for the support, encouragement and shared memories over the past 10 years. Thank you for allowing JAVA & Co. to be a part of your gift giving, your holidays, your picnics and family get-togethers. We are SO grateful to be creating, cooking and baking for you!

Even though Brian and I created JAVA & Co. in 2008, it has taken on a life all of its own. Happy Anniversary you little small batch business - Happy Anniversary JAVA & Co.!

Cyber Monday - Free Shipping

2017-11-26T21:15:00.000-06:00

Small Business Saturday - Rewards Program

2017-11-25T08:24:00.001-06:00

Black Friday Shipping Sale - $4.95 Flat Rate

2017-11-23T19:46:00.002-06:00

Fall into the Season with Handcrafted Caramels

2017-10-31T10:13:00.001-05:00

Fall into the Season with our Handcrafted Caramels on the final day of National Caramel Month. Caramels are available in five signature recipes ~ Vanilla Chai, Original, TiRUMisu, Espresso Salted and our award winning Spicy Habanero! Our wire bale gift jars are on sale now, regularly $14.95 now $9.95!

Free Shipping during National Coffee Month

2017-08-21T11:38:00.002-05:00

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE DETAILS

Save 17% On All Things Coffee - National Coffee Month

2017-08-17T12:14:00.000-05:00

Click Here for Promotional Details.

August is National Coffee Month = Savings on All Things Coffee at JAVA & Co.

2017-08-02T10:07:00.003-05:00

CELEBRATE NATIONAL COFFEE MONTH

Enter Promo Code NCM17 at Checkout to SAVE an Extra 17% Off Qualifying Items. Please read offer details below.

OFFER DETAILS:

Qualifying Online Retail orders will Save 17% Off all things coffee at www.javaandco.com during August, National Coffee Month (exclusive of sales tax and shipping charges).
Exclusions apply - not all categories and products are eligible for the discount. Product must contain coffee to be eligible. Promotion is not applicable to biscotti, oatmeal, pancake mixes, Tom & Jerry mixes, kitchen tools and candle warmer lamps.
Discount will be reflected at Checkout.
No Cash Value.
Valid on in-stock items only.
Valid online only at www.javaandco.com.
Not Applicable to ISR, Wholesale, Private Label/Branding Orders.
Not valid on previous orders.
May not be combined with other discounts, promo codes or offers.
One promo code per order.
Offer Expires August 31st, 2017.

Close Out Savings on Skincare!

2017-07-24T16:00:00.003-05:00

Close out Savings on JAVA & Co.'s caffeine infused & decaf Skincare! Use promo code SKINCARE to save an addiitonal 25% on already discounted lip & skincare. Quantities are very limited. While supplies last.

Details: Skincare is Final Sale. One Promo Code per Order. No cash value. Not valid on previous orders. No backorders or waitlist. The skin and lip care can no longer be made to order, as the collection is being phased out. Ingredients are already gone and we are selling the remaining finished products. Items may be listed on other sites and we will do our best through this close out sale to update and move around quantities as they sell.

SHOP the remaining skincare products here!

Last Call for Anniversary Savings 2017

2017-01-31T10:07:00.003-06:00

Read today's newsletter for more information: https://madmimi.com/s/d82f79

Happy Anniversary JAVA & Co.

2017-01-04T15:50:00.002-06:00

2017 has emerged and we tuck 9 years of JAVA & Co. under our belt as we enter our 10th year of chef-inspired coffee infused specialties. Our 10th year!! Brian and I remain committed to using quality ingredients and bringing you the finest, innovative coffee inspired specialties, which our customers have come to trust and enjoy.

January is the anniversary month of JAVA & Co., the small batch company that my husband and I launched in 2008 with our very first product - coffee infused syrups. Since 2008, our love of everything coffee in baking, cooking, grilling, aromas and skincare has kept us busy and moving right along. Thank you for your support, encouragement and shared memories over the past 9 years. We are SO excited to be busy creating, cooking and baking for you today!

For the month of January, we will be offering a special anniversary promotion - 19% off of your storewide online purchase made at www.javaandco.com. Use promo code ANNIVERSARY9 at checkout. Share the promo code and help us celebrate!

Plus, we've added a Free Shipping promotion on online orders of $49 or More. Valid only at www.javaandco.com. For details and promo code, click here.

Don't forget, if you are a member of our Rewards Program, you receive 5 points for each $1 spent at www.javaandco.com. It adds up fast! If you aren't already a member, find out more here.

And, if you shop our Etsy store or our products on Amazon, we have Anniversary Sales going on there too!

And last, but not least, I'm sad to say, 2017 will be the year we are discontinuing the fresh skincare line. This collection just spreads me too thin and I want to focus on food! You may have noticed over the past weeks, the skincare has been deeply discounted and on sale through the holidays. Once the ingredients and supplies to make the skincare are gone, then so are the products. Effective immediately, the skincare will not be available via wholesale. If you have your skincare favorites, (I sure do and have been creating my own personal stash) I recommend picking them up before they are gone forever.

Here's to our customers - cheers!

Brian and Jamie Knoll
Owners & Founders

Offer Details: No Cash Value. Not Valid on Prior Purchases or Special Orders. No Rain Checks or Backorders. May Not be Combined with Other Discounts. One promo code per order. Anniversary Offer Expires 1/31/2017. Valid at www.javaandco.com.

Espresso Spiced Beef Short Ribs & Root Vegetable Mash

2016-12-19T12:48:00.005-06:00

Espresso Spiced Beef Short Ribs & Root Vegetable Mash - made with our Espresso Spice - Meat & Seafood Rub. For all of you who wonder if the ribs tasted like coffee, they did not. Not. At. All. The espresso adds an incredible element of delicious richness and depth to the dish - to include the gravy / sauce made from pan drippings. A great dish and comfort meal for this very cold weekend!

Abe's Market acquired by Direct Eats

2016-05-16T16:19:00.000-05:00

JAVA & Co. has been a seller on Abe's Market for a very long time. We just received this email from Abe's Market:

"Dear Seller,

We are excited to inform you that Abe's Market has been acquired by Direct Eats. When visiting AbesMarket.com you will now be automatically redirected to DirectEats.com.

Working closely with Abe's Sellers like you has been the most rewarding part of our 6-year journey. Thank you! A few tactical notes:

Effective immediately we are redirecting AbesMarket traffic to Direct Eats..."

While it seemed that some things were changing at Abe's Market, the news is sudden and abrupt. We have reached out to Direct Eats for information to possibly showcase handpicked items from our collection. From what I can tell Direct Eats has a pantry format, and they prefer to have products listed in quantity packs vs. individual. This doesn't work well for our popular gift crate items, so we shall see how it all comes out in the wash, so to speak.

We had a good, strong run at Abe's Market. Not only did we sell our products on that platform, but I was a dedicated buyer as well. Loved their format, customer service, ease of use and well balanced website. Disappointed that their journey came to an end.

Now that they are closed, you will find that those who sold on Abe's Market are not automatically available on Direct Eats just yet. Each producer must start from the beginning. My suggestion? Order direct. The entire JAVA & Co. Collection of products can be found and purchased direct at www.javaandco.com. I hope our regulars do not get lost in the transition. We'll work hard to see if Direct Eats is a good fit for us and our customers. Until then, we have a couple of sales running on our website - check it out!

Me? I'm grabbing another cup of coffee.

Jamie

The Sun will be Setting on the OpenSky Storefront

2016-03-10T09:00:00.000-06:00

OpenSky. OpenSky. OpenSky. (sigh)

OpenSky launched a couple of years ago as an exciting new platform for small batch business and artisans. They combined social media, customer interaction and shopping in a new environment. A fun way to virtually showcase products with real time customer feedback and secret shoppers.

JAVA & Co. was excited to join them with a sampling of our collection and reach new customers. Shortly after launching, we had industry insiders commenting and loving our products to include Alicia Silverstone. We were jazzed! We were loving the concept, the excitement and the virtual credits they offered customers at different times of the year. I didn't hesitate to open a customer account and shop direct with talented merchants.

And then something changed...

OpenSky has eliminated the customer feed; eliminated the industry insiders; eliminated the creativity and eliminated the interaction. They replaced these elements with advertising banners and distracting call outs on every page to include our storefront. This is not the same OpenSky.

JAVA & Co. will be begin to remove our products from OpenSky and eventually close the storefront by months end.

This is JAVA & Co.'s last call on OpenSky.

Jamie Knoll

JAVA & Co.
Small Batch Recipes
www.javaandco.com

Note: JAVA & Co.'s full product line is available on our company website javaandco.com with hand picked selections on Amazon.com, Abesmarket.com and Etsy.com.

In with the New and Update the Old

2015-12-10T15:52:00.001-06:00

I usually wait until the end of year for reflection, but I'm too excited. So, I'm taking a pause between holiday kitchen production and shipping orders to share a little bit. The close of 2015 and the beginning of 2016 will reveal wonderful new recipe and ingredient changes at JAVA & Co.

Brian and I launched JAVA & Co. in 2008 - with one product - our Coffee infused Syrups. New. Innovative. Delicious. They were an instant hit. It has always been our goal to bring the best tasting products to our customers and we make strides each passing year, each month and each day to do just that. Recent years and especially 2015 - has shown us that it's not only great flavors that are important, but the quality and source of those flavors and ingredients.

With that said, we will begin to switch over to Certified Fair Trade Organic Arabica coffee beans vs. our current Arabica coffee beans. These beans will still be fresh roasted from a local roaster; still be the best Arabica, and will eventually be the only coffee beans we use as ingredients in our products made from coffee. You may have already noticed the change in our Espresso Powders, soon it will be in our coffee infused syrups, JAVA Spice and eventually all coffee based items. It is a slow process, but we have a goal and we will get there.

In addition, we recently sourced a local supplier of natural milled non-gmo pure cane sugar. This pure cane sugar is unrefined and non-gmo. Win-Win!! It is made by squeezing and evaporating the juice from freshly harvested sugar cane. The result is a golden sweet crystal that tastes like biting into fresh sugar cane. This premium non-GMO sugar creates a naturally rich sweetened flavor profile. I also read that the body absorbs it slower than refined sugar, which helps with glycemic spikes. If that is true, then bonus. As you know, we use sugar in our syrups, caramels, snack bars, pancake mixes, biscotti and our new espresso infused sugar (on sale now btw). We have begun to switch out our standard pure cane sugar for the milled (with the hope that it will continue to be readily availability) and have noticed delicious results. The milled sugar seems to add a warmer, richer taste to everything. A notable visible difference is in the coffee infused syrups. Due to the natural milling process of the sugar, the clarity of the syrups has changed and isn't as clear as before, but the flavor has improved! We didn't set out to improve flavor, but by improving the ingredients, we did just that - who knew?!

There is a long road ahead of us to switch over ingredients, online updates, recipe updating and trials and performance, and eventually - at the end of it all - label updates. It may take until the end of 2016 (or longer), but we'll get there - one batch at a time.

Thank you for joining us on this journey and for bringing our locally crafted products into your kitchen. We're here for you and we're here because of you.

Happy Holidays & Merry Christmas!

Brian & Jamie Knoll
JAVA & Co.
Small Batch Recipes
www.javaandco.com

Award Winning Caramels - 2016 Scovies

2015-11-07T11:03:00.002-06:00

Brian and I (a husband and wife team) own and operate JAVA & Co. in Henry, Illinois. We create, produce, package and ship our hand crafted products direct from our local commercial kitchen - wholesale, online and at local farm markets. We wanted to share our good news.

We submitted an entry and taste samples of our Spicy Habanero Caramels to the Scovie Awards earlier in the summer for consideration. JAVA & Co. was recently informed that their Spicy Habanero Caramels won First Place in the Sweet Heat - ; Candy/Cakes/Pastries/Cookies division of the 2016 Scovie Awards. The Scovie Awards Competition accepts entries for two months during the summer. The judging, which is not open to the public, consists of 80 to 100 judges, mostly food professionals, who sample products in coded cups in what is called a “blind tasting.” They fill out judging forms and rate the products according to eye appeal, aroma, flavor, and heat scale, and the forms are later totaled and compiled by staff. The annual Scovie Awards recognize top fiery foods products from around the globe. It is one of the world’s most competitive gourmet food competitions. www.scovieawards.com.

When we received the call saying we won First Place, Brian and I were shocked. Then we celebrated and began sharing our good news. We were told to expect the complete Scovie Award winner's packet at the end of December. We can't wait!

PLUS

Celebrate National Pepper Month AND JAVA & Co.'s 1st Place 2016 Scovie Award. Save on our Spicy Habanero Caramels now through the end of November! JAVA & Co.'s Spicy Habanero Caramels are made with local Illinois farm grown Habanero peppers – using chemical and pesticide free peppers. Creamy. Buttery. Spicy. Addictive. Hand crafted in small batches. Each piece is hand cut so individual size of each caramel will vary. Available in 1/2 pound, 3/4 pound and 1 pound quantities. No Promo Code Required. Discount Reflected in Cart. Savings available online only at www.javaandco.com.

Caramels...Caramels...Oh How I Love Thee

2015-08-07T14:34:00.001-05:00

FUN FACTS about JAVA & Co.'s Artisan Caramels.

1) The production time for each batch is 4 to 5 hours, not including packaging and labeling.

2) Caramels take longer to produce in the warmer months - longer to cook and longer to cool.

3) Each batch is stirred entirely by hand for the duration of the cooking time.

4) Only one batch recipe can be made at any one time.

5) Each caramel is cut by hand - no machines.

6) No two caramel pieces are the same size.

7) Each individual piece of caramel is hand wrapped in a biodegradable clear 4 x 4 inch sheet.

8) JAVA & Co. makes caramels in four recipes.

Original: Traditional caramel.
Vanilla Chai: Made with real vanilla beans, fresh ground nutmeg and cinnamon.
TiRUMisu: Made with dark Jamaican rum and dusted with unsweetened cocoa.
Spicy Habanero: Made with habanero peppers locally sourced from an Illinois farm that raises all crops chemical and pesticide free and sells at the local farm markets.

9) Caramels are packaged and sold by weight vs. by the number of pieces. Because all caramels are cut by hand (see #5 & #6), this evens the playing field and everyone gets the same weight by quarter pound, three quarter pound or by the pound. Piece count will vary, but the weight is constant.

10) Due to their popularity, they are available and made year round. Caramels are not just for fall anymore...gifts, Super Bowl parties, birthdays, office parties, caramel popcorn...

Stop by our website and check them out!

Jamie Knoll
JAVA & Co.
Small Batch Recipes
www.javaandco.com

A Season in the Life of an Entrepreneur...

2015-07-24T10:56:00.003-05:00

Running a small business is not as easy as it looks. Brian and I are the founders, owners, operators, sales people, marketing, PR, web design, branding team, creative, accountants, bakers, makers, labelers and janitors. That is a lot of balls in the air on any given day. Caffeine is a very good thing - our go-go juice. Every once in a while, one or two balls are taken out of rotation and it can throw off the flow. This season, we've had the rotation interrupted by Mother Nature.

Each year we participate in our local outdoor farm markets. On Saturdays, he attends the Bloomington Market and I attend the Peoria Riverfront Market. The start of market season was a challenge due to the number of storms that occurred on Saturday mornings. The rain, wind gusts and potential severe threat makes for a tough outdoor market. The more severe of a forecast, we don't take the risk to attend.

Plus, we've had SO much rain that we've had flooding to contend with - most notably in Peoria. In fact, Peoria Riverfront Market has moved to two different locations this season to try to escape the rising flood waters. The City of Peoria even built a flood wall at the cost of $$$$, to help Riverfront businesses. The water was/is relentless.

The great news is that our incredible local market customers seek out the market and show up - rain or shine - no matter where we are moved - no matter the set-up. I don't know if they realize how truly magnificent this is and how truly appreciated they are for supporting local farmers during this trying time and local businesses like JAVA & Co. Wow, they are awesome! I mean it. Awesome!!

JAVA & Co. has hit a small snag in the market transportation area as my car has been at the mechanics for a few weeks. The good news, they've pinpointed the problem and the part is being shipped out to a specialty shop to be fixed - expected part return is 10 business days - and then it has to be installed and tested. Hoping for the best outcome. We are a two car family and now that we are down one vehicle, I've had to miss weeks at the Peoria Riverfront Markets and will be missing more. I've spent the time with Brian at the Bloomington Farm Market and meeting new customers; and catching up on chores around the house. The personal chores are always the last on the list as the business always comes first. Could this be considered a blessing in disguise? Maybe. Jury is still out.

There are some things that are just out of one's control - flooding, storms, mysterious car repair. This is a time for reflection. One day at a time. Sometimes you can't do everything you want to...even with a strong cup of coffee (or two), but I keep moving forward and the coffee keeps me sane. : )

Follow us on Facebook and if you are in the Peoria area, I hope to see you real soon!

Jamie Knoll
JAVA & Co.
Small Batch Recipes
www.javaandco.com

Oh yes, and lately, I may be adding a little something-something to my coffee and TiRUMisu coffee syrup (TiRUMisu martini). wink wink ; )

WEB BUSTERS!

2015-06-12T10:30:00.002-05:00

JAVA & Co. is discontinuing Toffee DECAF body care...not the lip care...the body care only. We've permanently replaced it with Amaretto DECAF. This means drastically reduced savings on the final batch that was made for the remaining body butter and body scrub (discontinued body scrub is now sold out). I am listing through multiple sales channels to blow these babies out and once gone, they are gone. No back orders. Take advantage of this incredible savings.
Happy Friday!

Update: Discontinued Body Scrub is sold out. Very limited quantities of the discontinued body butter remain.

Spiced Chai Tea Recipe

2015-06-11T11:43:00.003-05:00

Not much of a tea drinker. Therefore, I don't make tea very often, but it has been so hot and an iced tea sounded really refreshing. I don't have one of those sun tea type containers, so I got out my saucepan and green tea packets and began to make tea. I stirred in honey for a touch of sweetness and then a light bulb moment. What if I added JAVA Spice? So, I did. AND I'm so glad I did.

You see, I love iced chai tea. Love it! Used to drink iced chai in between my coffees when I worked at Sfuzzi (Italian Restaurant) in Las Vegas during the very hot winter months. It soon became an addictive habit. Coffee in the morning. Chai in the afternoon. The caffeine carried me through the day and late night closings.

With key notes of clove, cinnamon and star anise and more, the JAVA Spice adds a chai quality to my very basic cheap green tea. I bet if I added more Spice, the chai flavor would be deeper and richer. I'm going to experiment with my tea this month and see what the flavors produce. I added the Spice during the hot steeping stage. After approximately five minutes of steeping and melting in the honey, I finished the tea with equal amounts of cold water. Poured tea over ice for a tasty beverage. Try it and let me know what you think. I really do love when something in my pantry can be used to make so many different things with varying flavor levels. Plus, the bonus, our JAVA Spice has Arabica coffee blended into the spice. Win Win!

Jamie Knoll
JAVA & Co.
Small Batch Recipes
www.javaandco.com

JAVA Spice