This morning, again, my angelic bride woke me up with some Technivorm & Swissgold brewed Colombia Antioquia - Jardin Cerulean Warbler that was roasted last Sunday. It is a great way to wake up, and although I thoroughly enjoy this coffee, it just wasn't hitting the spot.
After church, I opened to coffee cabinet to see if there might be some scraps left. A-Ha! Just enough Ethiopia Organic - "Menno's Misty Valley" to brew another pot of coffee, It was roasted to Full City (no 2nd crack) two weeks ago, but a sniff of the jar indicated it was still good; perhaps this will suffice.
The ground and brewed coffee emitted an intense blueberry aroma. The aromatics of the cup rouse excitement and anticipation; orange and blueberry dominate, but there is the slightest tease of lemon and pepper to evoke curiosity. In the cup, at its hottest, the orange and blueberry are ensconced in a nicely-bodied chocolate with a subtle note of black pepper in the finish. As the cup cools, in balance with the orange and blueberry, the chocolate and pepper intensify and is reminiscent of the chocolate that I have had on ice cream in Mexican restaurants. A little cooler and a sweet lemon comes to life in just the right balance that whole experience seems to evoke an emotional response.
Spot hit.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
Sometimes, Being Ill Isn't So Bad
Last Friday I was home, lying on the sofa, practicing being ill; practice does indeed make perfect.
Camille and Wyatt had gone somewhere ... ahhhh, peace and delirium ...the doorbell rings, "son-a-ma- ... " Open the door ... its the pastor from next door ... "OH, HEY!" ("Hey" is southern for "So nice to see you!")"
Eddie, I know you really don't feel well, but I really want you to come somewhere with me. I think it will really lift your spirits." If you can't trust the pastor ...
We arrive at a coffee shop in the bustling downtown metropolis of Long Beach, MS that is not yet open for the day. It is in a building that at some time in the past was a bank.
I don't feel well, it's hot as hell ... what now, stale coffee that's just like mine? I follow and stumble along to an entrance toward the back and I am now in a busy beauty salon ... maybe this is just an out-of-body experience.
Eventually, I was led to the front, the café part. As we entered, my eyes became wide as saucers as a lucid moment came over me. There in the corner was a just-delivered, fully-restored, beautiful Royal No. 6 Coffee Roaster complete with cooling car and new U.S. Roaster controls. Absolutely beautiful! I had never seen one before, but since the pastor and the other gentleman were asking, I explained what everything was and how it worked.
Spirits lifted ...
Camille and Wyatt had gone somewhere ... ahhhh, peace and delirium ...the doorbell rings, "son-a-ma- ... " Open the door ... its the pastor from next door ... "OH, HEY!" ("Hey" is southern for "So nice to see you!")"
Eddie, I know you really don't feel well, but I really want you to come somewhere with me. I think it will really lift your spirits." If you can't trust the pastor ...
We arrive at a coffee shop in the bustling downtown metropolis of Long Beach, MS that is not yet open for the day. It is in a building that at some time in the past was a bank.
I don't feel well, it's hot as hell ... what now, stale coffee that's just like mine? I follow and stumble along to an entrance toward the back and I am now in a busy beauty salon ... maybe this is just an out-of-body experience.
Eventually, I was led to the front, the café part. As we entered, my eyes became wide as saucers as a lucid moment came over me. There in the corner was a just-delivered, fully-restored, beautiful Royal No. 6 Coffee Roaster complete with cooling car and new U.S. Roaster controls. Absolutely beautiful! I had never seen one before, but since the pastor and the other gentleman were asking, I explained what everything was and how it worked.
Spirits lifted ...
Monday, July 07, 2008
Vacation Salvation in Statesboro
A couple Fridays ago my wife, 5-year-old son and I began driving across the country for a 10-day family vacation. A few hours into the journey my wife nearly caused the car to implode with a huge gasp, "THE COFFEE!" Those precursors to exquisite elixir were still in stasis … in the freezer … at home!
While upsetting, all was not lost because we planned on stopping by to see Scott. When we arrived, not only did we have a great lunch break and awesome customer service by both Scott and Josh, we picked up nine bags of different coffees to share with the rest of the family. Amongst the packages was some freshly roasted Malawi. I had never had it before, but it was a great coffee. We also procured some spectacular Nicaragua Matagalpa. When we got in to the car to continue our trek, I poured some into the Dale Earnhardt ceramic travel mug from the Thermos full that we had purchased from Scott. The car was instantly filled with a wonderful aroma and the first taste evoked and audible, "WOW!"
If any of you folks ever happen to be in or around the Statesboro, Georgia area, I highly recommend stopping by Scott Miller’s, Ogeechee River Coffee Company. He has a really nice place with wonderful staff and great food and coffee; the flags of coffee-origin countries that hang from the ceiling are a really nice touch.
During vacation, I would get up and make a few pots of coffee in the Chemex, and then some more when that was gone. On our way home, my wife told me that after I had gone outside, my brother had brought his wife a cup of that coffee. Upon indulging in the first sip, she looked at him and said, “Now that’s a good cup of coffee.” Thanks Scott!!!
While upsetting, all was not lost because we planned on stopping by to see Scott. When we arrived, not only did we have a great lunch break and awesome customer service by both Scott and Josh, we picked up nine bags of different coffees to share with the rest of the family. Amongst the packages was some freshly roasted Malawi. I had never had it before, but it was a great coffee. We also procured some spectacular Nicaragua Matagalpa. When we got in to the car to continue our trek, I poured some into the Dale Earnhardt ceramic travel mug from the Thermos full that we had purchased from Scott. The car was instantly filled with a wonderful aroma and the first taste evoked and audible, "WOW!"
If any of you folks ever happen to be in or around the Statesboro, Georgia area, I highly recommend stopping by Scott Miller’s, Ogeechee River Coffee Company. He has a really nice place with wonderful staff and great food and coffee; the flags of coffee-origin countries that hang from the ceiling are a really nice touch.
During vacation, I would get up and make a few pots of coffee in the Chemex, and then some more when that was gone. On our way home, my wife told me that after I had gone outside, my brother had brought his wife a cup of that coffee. Upon indulging in the first sip, she looked at him and said, “Now that’s a good cup of coffee.” Thanks Scott!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
