Happy= coffee

Milk

Here are some facts about milk that will keep you from getting sick. I highly recommend a digital thermometer. It's good for several things around the kitchen, including checking the temperature of questionably done meats. Whether you are heating milk with steam, with the microwave or over the stove, it is important to heat milk to at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit. That will for sure kill the bacterias that breed in food. Do not heat milk over 170 degrees. It boils and then taste scowled.

I am having a Café Au Lait. I microwaved 6oz of milk for one minute and thirty seconds (microwaves vary so check every 30 seconds.) Add 6-8 oz of coffee and sugar to taste.

Espresso Brownie

This weekend I made Brownies and mixed in some Via Instant coffee. I used 2 packets and then made the brownies as directed on the box. I had some guest who weren't coffee fans so the flavor was faint. However, if you miss the Espresso Brownie and are looking for a fix, try 4 packets of our Favorite instant coffee (VIA duh) per box of brownies. :) mmm

Frenchie Friday

C'est Vendredi (it's friday). Ever walk into a coffee shop and feel like you were ordering in a different language. You are!!! Just be happy it's a real language! (french and Italian) On Friday's we will celebrate the French (to a degree) and their wonderful coffee skills.

So, what does it all mean?

Café~ Coffee. (it cooks my noodle to walk into a café that doesn't sell coffee)
Café au lait~ (oh lay) Coffee with milk. However, if you order this at Starbucks they will probably ask you if you wanted your milk cold or hot (steamed). Hot? They call that a Misto, which is Italian for "mixed" (I guess the "with hot milk" is implied. Cold? They will point you to the milk counter where you get to fix your coffee just the way you like it.
French Roast~ This means that the beans were roasted (cooked) extra long and all the oils are brought to the surface. It is a really strong cup of coffee. Sometimes, it can taste burnt depending on the bean.
French press~ One of many ways to brew coffee. This method is full contact. The grinds are totally emerged in the water for the full brewing time (4 minutes) instead of just running through them. Makes a very flavorful cup and great for coffee tastings.

Via~ Starbuck's Instant

Since I am a coffee purist, I am totally against instant coffee. in general. But I can see how a Business like the Bux would be interested in having a product like Via. The Costumers. (they ruin everything) Their Costumers can't figure out how to brew coffee at home and often whine about it.

With that said, Yes I went to the taste test. Yes I could tell the difference by smell alone. Yes I could tell the other was Pike's Place. Yes I paid for some!! (mostly to put in my desserts cause I hate waiting for coffee to cool or when a recipe calls for Sanka.. gross! )

The other day I mixed The Italian Via with 12 oz of milk and sugar. It tasted just like the Bux' Ice cream. Yum.

Oh, I'm still taking my french press when we go camping!

And you Are?

Oh Hi everyone. My name is Nutmeg. No, that's not my real name. This one time, I was filling the nutmeg shaker and made a hudge mess. I acquired my nickname when I worked at Starbucks for the Third time in my life. That was also the time I climbed the cooperate all the way to assistant manager only to find out that I hated some of our costumers. So that's my story. I've been making custom lattes for strangers since 1998. I love coffee. I don't like impossible people. And Wow do they mingle at the Bux!

The Season of Spice

Nutmeg! (yes?) Cinnamon! Ginger! Cloves! It's the season of Spices.
Are you craving Chai Tea lattes? Me Too!!! mmmm.
Good Earth. Organic Seven Spice Chai Tea. I took 12oz of skim milk and steamed it to 160 degree. I steeped the tea for about 4 minutes making sure it got below the Foam. Sweeten to your liking and enjoy. Amazing Tea! Very spicy and wonderful.