Cricketscoffee Blog

  Bottom's Up, just opened in Bakersfield Calf. at the corner of Stockdale and Allen, it's brewed problems up in some of its other locations. The Owner Alexandra Ireland has recently said they recently changed the menu at their Clovis location, removing some of the more risky-titled selections after community feedback. The Bakersfield location opened this last Thursday. Ireland was on hand Friday and described Bottom's Up as a combination of great customer service, great drinks and sexy women. "I think any time you go outside of the box, there will be people that judge you. I think what we're doing is a lot of fun," Ireland said. "We're trying to be one of those businesses that aren't failing, and we're trying to have a lot of fun."

First it was indy rock star Murphy with a special coffee blend: Now it's Intelligentsia, who has collaborated with St. Vincent for her signature coffee. It's called "Bring Me Your Mugs" (after her sound track "Bring Me Your Loves"). It's available now in Intelligentsia stores. Clark's coffee is from Intelligentsia's "Flecha Roja" project in Costa Rica. The regular "Flecha Roja" blend features notes of "poached pear, rosewater, and yellow plum".

  A morning coffee is getting a little more like getting high. Marijuana coffee is coming to the state of Washington. The cold-brewed THC-loaded coffee, called Legal, is expected to be out in early July.    Each bottle contains about 20 milligrams of THC. Sales are to be up and running by early July. The 11.5-ounce bottles would probably retail between $9 and $11. Ouch sounds a little pricy.

Tired of adding your favorite flavor to your morning brew? Help is on the way. Coffee filters that are pre-flavored are entering the market soon, if not already. I have been unable to find any in the market as of this date, but I have found a US Patten application for flavored coffee and tea filters. There is one problem I hope they find an answer for. For those of us with poor eyesight and less than nimble fingers, separating those filters can be a real task. So the standing operating practice of just using how ever many your pre-coffee nerves can separate could be a problem. Four or five pre-flavored filters could make that pot of coffee, well.......taste like......    

Coffee capsules are all the buzz on the coffee net lately. Their fast, easy and have been reported to have a above average taste. That's all well and good for the person looking to make one (small) cup at a time.   If you are having guest over and looking to impress them, capsules are a no go. That is unless your guest's don't mind standing in line for their turn for a cup of coffee. Not to mention the loss of the aroma of a fresh brewed pot of coffee.  You in a hurry? Go capsules. If you want to not, just drink a cup of coffee, but enjoy it (all of it) aroma and all. Pass on capsules.

1. Stash it in the right place.   Whether you brew it now or save it for later, all coffee should be stored away from light, heat, moisture, and odors, which can affect its freshness and taste.  If you buy a lot of coffee, divide it into two portions—the one you’re using now and a larger batch stored in an airtight container until you need it. Don’t put coffee in the refrigerator where it can absorb odors from neighboring foods. Instead, keep it in a cool, dark cupboard away from the oven or even an outside wall. Use a ceramic, glass, or nonreactive metal container with an airtight gasket. If you’re a real stickler for fresh-roasted flavor and don’t care about the price, buy coffee in smaller quantities—one or two weeks’ worth—so it doesn’t sit around.  It is highly recommended that you do not Freeze coffee beans. Freezing ground coffee is tricky but can be done. The main thing is that the container must be air tight.  

As you wade thru the waste land called TV today you come across yet one more reality show. This could be interesting you say to yourself. Tod Carmichale  travels the coffee world looking for the best of the best in coffee beans.  Tod Fights jungles, Insects, Warlords, and every other barrier in the known world. The ending is no surprise the hero makes it out alive, with the beans. How ever you do call your travel agent and cancel that week in Central America on that coffee tour package. Perhaps the beach or Aspen this year would be better.