Ethopia Mordecofe (organic) -Stumptown Coffee Roasters - Portland, Oregon

Preparation:   Mr. Coffee Drip

Scores:  Scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being excellent

Aroma:   10
Balance:  10
Flavor:   10
Smoothness:  10

Likes:   Savory
             Toffee
             Flavorful
             Chocolate
             Malt
             Honey

Dislikes:
   

Summary:  I LOVE Stumptown coffee!!!!  I have never tried Ethiopia Mordecofe beans before and now I am a huge fan!  The beans themselves look like a medium roast and they are not shiny or oily.

The roasting date on the bag says August 8 (today is the 12th) and that is perfection!  The fragrance escaped with wild abandon when I opened the bag for the first time.  I knew this was going to be good!

The flavors of malt, honey and soft ripe fruit all come together nicely and they are completely compatible.  There is not a big pucker punch at the end, instead it is a calm and smooth finish.  A delightful coffee to serve anytime.

My actual trek to Stumptown was great!  Kerri and I went to the downtown location (128 SW 3rd Ave.)  I bought my beans to take home, but of course we had to order a "specialty" coffee drink!  I ordered a Coffee Latte with non-fat milk and Kerri ordered a Macchiato.  Oh my, GOODNESS!!!  I thought my Latte was out of this world until I tasted Kerri's Macchiato.  Wow!  It reminded me of the coffee I drank in Sweden.  I will definitely order that next time!  Also, look closely at the work of art in making each of these fabulous drinks....

If you are ever in Portland visiting, I would highly recommend a visit to Stumptown Coffee.  They have several locations......just do a google search and find the one most convenient for you. 

Overall score:  10

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Stumptown House Blend - Ford Food + Drink - Portland, Oregon

Greetings!  A good coffee day to you all!!!  Yes, we had a good cup of coffee here at Ford Food + Drink.  Oddly, the sign above the door was missing.....?

The name was on front of the glass door, but the door was open and it was hard to see from the outside.

What was noticeable was the small Stumptown wooden plack tilted against the window and a guy with a cup of coffee.  This is what caught our eye and this is what enticed us to come on in.

My friend Kerri and I took a look around.  This wasn't a true coffee joint, although I think they were trying to be.  They have a menu with food items and behind a window there are plates of cookies and sweet stuff.  Not wanting to turn around and walk out, Kerri and I ordered two cups of Stumptown's House Blend and an oatmeal cherry cookie to share.  A large community table was open so we took a seat.   I still had the vibe that this should be a coffee shop.

The coffee was served in mugs and it was really very, very good.  Whoever did the brewing did a nice job.  Stumptown would be proud.  I am usually leery of coffee made in large quantities and put in a "push pot" but the coffee was fresh, flavorful and steamy hot.  I must say I was disappointed at first when the gal behind the counter said they only serve coffee this one way and that it was the only choice.  (note: NOT a coffee place) Our cookie was very tasty, but on the small side and overpriced! (Has the price of a barrel of oatmeal gone that far up?)  Nevertheless, we enjoyed both.

The atmosphere did not encourage us to feel like lingering so we set out to explore the building.  There was an art exhibit around the corner and a stairway that announced PICKLES downstairs.  Curious, we headed down the cavernous stairwell with anticipation to find this little pickle stand.  There were several people from New York there sampling and talking pickle talk. 

After sampling pickles and other pickled stuff,  Kerri and I each bought a jar to take home and enjoy.

Summary:  It was the unexpected and the company that made this outing fun.  I was not impressed with Ford Food + Drink.  I think that they could improve what they do by focusing more on what they want to be. (They also have a happy hour serving beer and wine)  Maybe start with a nice big sign outside welcoming in their customers......

So, the coffee was good, but I wouldn't go back just for the cup of coffee.  It just didn't all come together for me.  The building itself was cool and the pickles a unique surprise!

***The Ford Building is located at 2505 SE 11th Avenue on Division.  It opened in 1915 as an assembly plant for Ford automobiles, and the only one in Oregon. 

***MoonBrine pickles is owned by Stew Golomb.  He brews his pickles in the basement of the Ford Building and offers tasting daily M - TH from 11 - 3:30.  Be prepared.....they are great!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

El Salvador Las Delicias - Water Avenue Coffee - Portland, Oregon

Preparation:  Pour Over

Scores:  Scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being excellent

Aroma:    7
Balance:    9
Flavor:   8
Smoothness:   9

Likes:  Bright
             Flavorful
             Smooth
             Crisp and Clean

Dislikes:   Sour Finish 

Summary:   I first bought whole beans from Water Avenue Coffee at my local Zupans grocery store and used my Mr. Coffee to brew a few cups for some girl friends.  I explained to them that this was not going to be a Starbucks moment.  I served Water Avenue's "El Toro Espresso" and although I am not critiquing it today, it was great in my opinion.  It was a blend from all major coffee growing regions.  The description on the bag said....... dark chocolate and sweet peanut butter.  I grabbed that baby and threw it in my buggy.  Yummy!!!!

OK, on to today's event.  Water Avenue hasn't always been the coolest place to visit.  Other than OMSI and a few other places it really has been an industrial area that usually is under construction of some kind.

I was surprised at the up and coming feeling it had today.  I brought my friend Kerri with me and it was a good thing because I passed Water Avenue Coffee the first time (it is easy to miss) and she turned me around and she also spotted a parking space just a block away.  Kerri is the best!!!

Upon arrival we were greeted by a very nice young man named Billy.  I explained to him that I wanted Kerri and I to taste two different coffees.  He suggested El Salvador Las Delicias and Nicaragua Segovia 'el jefe'.  The two couldn't have been more different from each other.  I had the El Salvador and Kerri had the Nicaragua.  Although, I tasted Kerri's coffee after my own, I am only fairly critiquing the El Salvador.  I definitely liked the Nicaragua, but decided I need to focus on one coffee at a time.  It is fun to taste and compare, though!

First, I want to point out that this coffee was made using the Pour Over method.  It takes time and a little patience, but worth the few extra minutes.  It gives you a cup of coffee that is pure, clean and clear.  There is not the residue or oils that you have with a french press. 

El Salvador Las Delicias is a bright, crisp coffee that ends with a citrus tang.  On the menu description (which I read afterward) it is described as having notes of milk, chocolate and tangerine with a sparkling finish.  I didn't taste the milk and chocolate, but definitely tasted the tangerine and sparkling finish.  (this may be reason to revisit) Overall, I enjoyed the flavors of this coffee and the experience.  It was especially good with the carrot zucchini muffin that was super moist and light.  I would drink this coffee anytime, but recommend pairing it with a tasty, not too sweet bakery item.

Overall score:  8

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Pure Peruvian Sunipani - Nairobi Coffee & Tea Company - United Kingdom

Preparation:  Mr. Coffee

Scores:  Scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being excellent

Aroma:    7
Balance:   9
Flavor:   9
Smoothness:   9

Likes:

    Flavorful
    Savory
    Salty
    Mild acidity
    Complex

Dislikes:
   

Summary:

There is a story behind this fabulous coffee!  A very nice lady was visiting the UK and brought back this Peruvian Sunipani ground coffee to Advanced Knee Care knowing that it would be able to find its way to my doorstep.  Now that is something to talk about!!!  It arrived a couple days later via UPS and I was waiting patiently.  Thanks for reading my blog, Jane, and thank you for the super duper coffee!!!!

The ground coffee was vacuum sealed with a valve and when I opened the bag I was not overpowered by the fragrance.  It had a very pleasant and inviting mild aroma.  The brewed coffee itself was really very, very good.  I made it on the strong side and enjoyed the complex flavors of savory notes along with a berry like finish.  It is well-balanced as no single flavor characteristic dominates or overwhelms the other.  The coffee has lots of depth and would be especially nice to have in the morning as the acidity is mild, but the essence is strong.  This is a pure origin coffee and comes from south eastern Peru.  Awesome!





Overall score:  8+

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Croissant con il lievito madre

Una volta qualcuno disse che 'panificare col lievito madre è da masochisti'. Be', io aggiungo che fare i croissant col lievito madre è anche peggio ;-)Essì, ma chi panifica... Siamo di quelli che... ad ogni supermercato si fiondano alle farine... e questa ce l'ho, questa mi manca, e questa s'ha da provà.Quel lievito di birra lì è meglio di quello venduto là. Ho visto gente farsi 20 o 30 km. in

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Paccheri co' cuoccio

Metti un'isola, l'Isola di Rosa.

Due uomini e una passione comune, la pesca.

Si parla di pesce, di piatti.

... di piatti di mare.









Paccheri al coccio (o gallinella) del Maestro



Ingredienti per 2 persone:

180 gr di paccheri trafilati al bronzo (possibilmente i Setaro)

3 cocci (gallinelle) da circa 250 gr ognuno

una manciata di ciliegini

prezzemolo

2 spicchi d'aglio

olio extra

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Diablo - Caffe Ladro - Bellevue, Washington

Photo courtesy of Danny Tarlow

Preparation:  French Press

Scores:  Scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being excellent

Aroma:  9
Balance:   9
Flavor:   10
Smoothness:  9

Likes:  Rich
             Flavorful
             Robust
             Chocolate
             Thick
              Dark

Dislikes:
 

Summary:  Danny was in Seattle for a few days and brought me back these terrific beans.  I admit I did a little research online ahead of time and thought that Caffe Ladro was the place to try.  (Great reviews)  The brown package the beans are in promises high quality freshness as it is extra thick with a valve.  When I opened the bag the heavenly fragrance pleasantly overwhelmed me.  The beans are dark and slightly shiny and are a mix of Mexican and Sumatran Gayoland roasted to a dark French Roast.  Anticipation ............

Wow!  The froth of freshness bubbled up to the top of the press and the aroma was decadent.  This is a great cup of coffee.  It is everything I love!  The dark intense chocolate flavor combined with a flavorful medium body is outstanding.  I want to say it has some nut like flavors, but after reading the description on the bag I have to say I taste Guiness beer.  What a combo!

Next, I tried a cup with cream and sugar and again was delighted.  The flavors are not lost and shine through with a totally different experience.  Dessert anyone?

Caffe Ladro is committed to Fair Trade 100% Organic Coffee.
 
Overall score:  9+

P.S.  I want to tell you that I first made coffee with these beans in my Mr. Coffee maker and it lacked the intensity and flavor of the French Press.  There was a striking difference.  I am not sure if it was just the preparation or if I need a new drip coffee maker.  Anyway, it really was night and day difference. 

reade more... Résuméabuiyad