it's my island

Category: Culinary

  • Caffe Fresco Flossies Blend

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    andy
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    Caffe Fresco has brought out a nice blend that can function in any role from espresso to press. Tony has done this by making a fairly bold blend that teeters into the french roast arena. This lets it stand up and not get lost on any of the levels. After touring some Yirgs this coffee…

  • Aida’s Grand Reserve

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    andy
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    [Counter Culture Coffee](http://www.counterculturecoffee.com) has stepped up to the plate again with their new limited offering, El Salvador Grand Reserve Peaberry aka [Aida’s Grand Reserve](http://www.counterculturecoffee.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=61&category_id=3&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=72). This coffee was hotly debated in our cupping room and has since spread across vines; [Phil](http://onion-bean.blogspot.com/2006/11/aidas-grand-reserve.html), & [Jon](http://www.peacelovecoffee.com/blog/?p=63) are on board, as well it looks like [Murky](http://www.murkycoffee.com/2006/11/updates.html), 3 Cups, Pheasant Creek…

  • Caffè Fresco Ambrosia Espresso

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    andy
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    After much cajoling from Noll we took on some new espresso and coffee’s from [Caffè Fresco](http://www.doubleff.com/). Tony Sciandra, the proprietor of [Caffè Fresco](http://www.doubleff.com/) makes a strong effort to educate those who buy his product. The general rules of thumb are posted on the site as well as in your purchase email he goes to a…

  • Steve. It’s all about you.

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    andy
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    I thought I would throw out some appreciation to a fellow geek, [Steve](spnakr007.blogspot.com/), aka [Spinnaker](http://www.flickr.com/photos/spinnaker007/). I’ve known Steve for a couple years now. We’re both espresso enthusiasts, both trying to open a cafe; we’re brothers-in-arms. Steve has mojo when it comes to learning and excelling at new coffee techniques and the longer you let him…

  • Weekend Catchup

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    andy
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    It’s been a rather busy couple days for us. Those who watch the feed always get a drop on those who just read due to my [flickr](http://www.flickr.com/photos/ciordia/) influx. The roundup. My G5 died the weekend before last and for a couple hundred canon offered to do an upgrade. With Robin’s blessing (heh) we moved up…

  • 5th Roast, Ethiopian Ghimbi

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    andy
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    Continuing on my pilgramage of heat gun roasting we decided to give the Ethiopian a try. Robin and I enjoy a lot of coffees but we’ve found a love for the fruitier blends and Ethiopian’s generally do not disappoint. My real concern is that if I am going to continue this I need to start…

  • Roaster Humor

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    andy
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    Today I did my first 250g peaberry roast.  Working in a new bowl, with a lot larger volume, and a bean that I am unfamiliar with.  I’ll taste it in the morning, curious of the results.  I was probably 80-90% even in roast. It just had it’s first crack at a very slow pace which…