Thursday, March 26, 2015

Unconventional Uses for Coffee

My mom makes the best boxed brownies. That's right, not all brownie mixes are created equal (especially when it comes to gluten-free versions.) You may be wondering how a step-by-step brownie recipe that includes nothing more than adding three ingredients can be made uniquely more delicious by my mom. Here it is: she has a secret ingredient... coffee. Where the recipe on the back of the box calls for water, my mom uses a cup of coffee instead and it makes a WORLD of difference.

This got me thinking- if coffee can make brownies significantly more moist and yummy, what are some other unconventional uses for this miracle beverage? 

1. Coffee in the Garden

According to Instructables: 11 Unusual Uses for Coffee, coffee is the perfect addition to garden fertilizers and composts. It repels hungry critters, helps retain moisture and more.


2. Coffee as a Beauty Product

Everybody knows the effects caffeinated coffee can have on their mood, but what can a cold cup do for your beauty routine? Well, according to EcoSalon: 20 Unusual Uses for Coffee for Home, Beauty, and Cleaning  pouring a cup o' joe on your locks can make them noticeably more glossy. Coffee grounds can also be used to exfoliate skin (try on your feet!) and reduce cellulite.

3. Coffee as Air Freshener 

Multiple articles, like this one from Reader's Digest , note the benefits of using coffee grounds to reduce unpleasant odors in your car, refrigerator, and home if you have stinky pets. Added bonus: it's more natural than a spray or plug-in.

4. Coffee on Furniture 

Coffee can be used to improve the appearance of old wooden furniture, according to multiple articles including this one from Kitchen Daily.   Simply mix coffee grounds, water, and vinegar to make a thick dark paste that will get rid of scratches in no time.


Review: The Mad Hatter

Hot Drink Hotspot: The Madhatter
(http://www.madhatterbakeshop.com)

Coffee Date and Drink: Alex, Smoothie

Mugshot:



Frothy Foam.. Yummy!
My Late Night Chai Tea Latte at The Mad Hatter

Madhatter Bakeshop and Cafe is a staple for cafe enthusiasts in Durham. It's cake display case is the lesser-known eighth wonder of the world; seriously- your jaw drops and your mouth waters just from standing in its presence. The beautiful, delicious cakes have inspired artists (see a painting of this specific cake display), impressed critics ("Indy" award winner), and have been the centerpiece at hundreds of weddings and birthday parties.

But even if you're not ordering a cake (aka- if you don't have hundreds of dollars at your disposal), I guarantee the menu has something else for you. My boyfriend and I have plowed through multiple punch-cards from our countless visits to the Madhatter, and due to the extensive menu featuring food, drinks, and baked goods we can always try something new. He loves the avocado BLT, and I like the yogurt parfait and oatmeal. He enjoys the  smoothies, and I love their coffee or tea. He likes the chocolate chip cookies, and I order the gluten-free blondie.

The atmosphere is different than smaller, more intimate cafes like Daisy Cakes or Scratch. The indoor seating area is larger and more spacious, but even so it can be hard to find an open table during peak hours. There's always the risk of running into someone you know (one time I had to leave once I saw my therapist sitting at the neighboring table). This is far from ideal when you're stopping by after a sweaty-workout or getting coffee in your pajamas. As a reformed socialite who is now a social recluse, I don't like living in fear of seeing that ex-boyfriend, former Sunday School teacher, gynecologist, etc  as I am trying to enjoy my chai tea. But ultimately, it's worth the risk for a delicious brunch.

Madhatter's scores:

Atmosphere: 3/5 (I prefer cozy, not stacked like sardines).

Drink: 3/5 (Good, but doesn't hold a candle to some I've had other places.)

Service: 5/5 (The people that work here are SO friendly.)

Overall Experience: 3/5  (I wish there were more GF options...)

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

A Guide to Coffee Blogs, Tweets and Tumblrs

If, for some reason, you want to read a coffee blog other than this one (but, let's be honest, why would you?), I've created this guide to help. I have scoured dozens of coffee-related blogs, tweets, and tumblrs to present you with some that are almost as great as mine (if that's even possible!)

Best Coffee-Related Blog:
Dear Coffee, I Love You. 

This blog was on every list of top coffee blogs that I came across, and I can see why. The blog by Brian Jones covers topics from cool coffee gadgets to reviews of coffee package designs. Check it out and see for yourself!

Best Coffee-Related Twitter:
@CoffeeZen 

This twitter handle was featured on the Business 2 Community article "Top 10 Coffee Experts on Twitter."   Coffee Zen not only tweets insights into the coffee industry, cafe reviews, as well as tips and recipes, but also gives us a daily dose of zen. Tweets such as the one below remind us that coffee isn't the most important thing in life, contrary to popular belief!




Best Coffee-Related Tumblr:
A Cuppa Day 

I found this Tumblr page through Serious Eats' article, "5 Great Coffee Blogs" . Called "A Cuppa Day," this collection of photos is nothing short of fabulous. Every different picture follows the same composition: the camera looking down into an empty mug. Check out an example of one of the cool shots below:

Photo from "A Cuppa Day" tumblr. 



Sunday, March 15, 2015

Review: Cocoa Cinnamon

Hot Drink Hotspot: Cocoa Cinnamon
(Check out the website here.)

Coffee Date and Drink: Alex, Iced Coffee

Mugshot: 

His and Hers: Me and Alex's Iced Coffees from Cocoa Cinnamon




You know you've really made it as a blogger when fans* start complaining about your content. Rather than taking reader criticism too seriously, you should give yourself a high-five for having any readers at all. In my case, I have been mobbed by the masses* demanding a review on Cocoa Cinnamon. Ask anyone within a 75 mile radius of Geer Street, and they'll know the Cocoa. 

If you live in Durham, you love Cocoa Cinnamon. It's as much of a fact as knowing that everyone in California likes to surf and you have to be a hipster to live in Portland. Like, duh.

I have to admit, even though I live a mere 50 steps away from Cocoa Cinnamon's front door, I rebelled against it in my early days. I purposely chose to frequent other coffee shops just to prove I wasn't so predictable... so basic.** 

But alas, my resolve crumbled. On a sunny day, you can't help but feel the magnetic pull of the refreshing iced coffee and incredible outdoor seating. Your head is screaming "NO, just brew some coffee here at home!" but your heart is saying "Caroline, you NEED counter-culture, fair-trade, slightly-overpriced local beans served in an urban setting and handmade mug if you truly want to be happy!" And so, you cave.

On the inside, Cocoa Cinnamon is about as big as the cupboard under the stairs that Harry Potter lived in. But no one goes to CC for the indoor seating, they go for the patio. Cocoa Cinnamon is housed in a former garage/car repair place, so on a sunny day the large garage doors are raised for that effortlessly cool indoor/outdoor effect. It's really, really nice.  

The drinks are about as far from a Starbucks order as you can get. The names are impossible to understand or pronounce (one "Montezuma" and one "Aleppo Souk," please) but who cares, they taste good. Some of the teas are a little grassy and some of the coffees a little bitter, but that's just part of the experience. I mean, the place wouldn't be nearly as cool if they served PSLs***, right?

To sum it all up, I'll just say that Cocoa Cinnamon is the go-to coffee spot in Durham for a reason. Just one visit, and you'll look cooler, feel more legit, and have better Instagrams than those losers at Caribou Coffee. And isn't that what it's all about?

The numbers:

Atmosphere: 5/5 (IF you can get a seat, and that's a BIG "if.")
Service: 3/5 (Can be a little slow when they're busy, which is always).
Drink: 3/5 (I am still searching for that perfect drink, but know loyal members of the CCC**** who have their 'regulars.')
Overall Experience: 4/5 (If you can get a seat outside on a sunny day, it will be the best part of your week.)



*"Fans" and "masses" in this context, refers to the four family members I have successfully forced to read my blog...

** ICYMI: a definition of "basic" can be found here on Urban Dictionary. 

*** PSL= Pumpkin Spiced Latte, obviously.

**** CCC- "CoCoa Cult"

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Review: Respite

Hot Drink Hotspot: Respite Cafe
(Check out their Google+ site here!)

Coffee Date and Drink: Alex, S'Mores Drink (see picture below)
Alex's scrumptious S'mores Iced Coffee from Respite

Mugshot:


My yummy Hot Tea from Respite

respite, (noun): 1. a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant; 2. a wonderful cafe in downtown Durham, NC 

I live at home. That's right, I am 23 years old (24 in a few months... heck, might as well just round up to 30) and sleep in a twin bed at my parents' house. I get some grief from peers, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Sure, there are some things I could do without (ex: Dad's daily German practice) but in the past ten months I've learned a lot about my family and have enjoyed [nearly] every minute. 

I've picked up on their little habits and subtle behaviors, and have learned things about their day-to-day lives that I never knew before. For example, I recently discovered that my dad goes to Respite Cafe almost every day for his afternoon coffee. 

Before my dad took me with him on one of his regular visits, I'd never been inside. I'd passed the large brick building every single day, and had heard my mom and sisters rave about their scones and tea, but for some reason never stopped in. One visit with my pops, though, and I was hooked.

The vibe of Respite is different than that of other cafes I've visited. Somehow, it feels less stuffy and more welcoming. Maybe it's the diverse and eclectic group of patrons, or the natural light streaming through the windows. Maybe it's the chalkboard menu or the friendly staff or the unique artwork... Whatever it is, there's a reason my dad isn't the only Respite regular.  

On this visit, I chose from the wide selection of tea leaves displayed neatly in glass jars on the counter. I asked the guy working what he'd recommend, and took his suggestion for a fruity, berry-infused tea. Loose tea leaves into a filter, into my hot water, and - 3 minutes of steeping later- into my mouth... Mmmmm! Alex ordered a specialty iced coffee called based on S'Mores that he said was like nothing he'd ever tasted before (in a good way!) 

We sat in private room that Respite rents out for meetings but leaves available when not reserved (you can check their Facebook page for availability). Walls covered with funky paintings and framed quotes about coffee surrounded us on three sides, while a wall of large windows looked out to Duke Street on the fourth. Like a well-loved home, Respite is far from fancy, but is a sort of comfy that comes with years of hosting loyal customers. 

I could go on and on about how much I enjoyed Respite, but I'll just say this: this cafe truly does provide "rest and relief" from a hectic day. The scoring breakdown is below:

Atmosphere: 4/5 (You can tell it's a place where everyone is welcome)

Service: 4/5 (Everyone was friendly, helpful, and most importantly patient with an indecisive customer like me!)

Drink: 4/5 (A delicious, natural tea with no sugar needed)

Overall Experience: 4/5 


Sunday, March 8, 2015

Two Lies and A Truth: Coffee Edition

One of my favorite games growing up was "Two Lies and a Truth" (or is it "Two Truths and a Lie"? I'm never quite sure which one is correct.... For the sake of this exercise we'll go with the first). 

If you've never played, the premise of the game is that a person tells the group 3 "fun facts" about themselves, 2 of which are completely fabricated and 1 that is actually true. Then, the other players must use their best detective skills to decipher which stories are lies and which one is true. 

For this post, I have drawn from a few different sources to create a "Two Lies and a Truth: Coffee Edition." 

Ready, Set, Go! 

1.  By the standards of most health and diet professionals, drinking two cups of coffee per day is the suggested limit in terms of caffeine consumption. 

2. "Coffeehouse" is a legitimate musical genre with its own Pandora and Spotify stations.

3.  According to a Fox Business report, Folgers is America's favorite brand of coffee. 

(Insert Jeopardy "think music" here; no pressure!)

Ok, do you have your guess for which of the above is true and which are not?

Here are the answers:

1: False. Believe it or not (I didn't!), the FDA says it's ok for the average adult to drink up to 4 cups of coffee a day. Check out this article by MayoClinic to see more details. 

2: True. Pandora, Spotify, and even Sirius XM radio all have stations catering to the "Coffeehouse" genre, which I didn't know even existed until reading articles like this one discussing coffee shop music. Artists featured on these stations likely include Norah Jones, Josh Groben and John Mayer.

3: False. According to this Fox Business report on America's favorite coffees, the number one most popular and best-selling coffee brand is actually Green Mountain. I've never heard of Green Mountain coffee, but supposedly it is very popular with Keurig users. Folgers is close behind as number 2. 



Monday, March 2, 2015

How to: Go on a Coffee Date like a Pro

You've seen it happen in the movies and on tv. You've read about it in magazines and books. Maybe, just maybe, you've even experienced one yourself....

That's right: it's the Coffee Date. 

Sure, it starts off sounding harmless enough. The cute guy from work (or the hot guy from the gym, or the hipster from the subway, or the nice guy you haven't seen since college... you get the idea) asks you on a date. Not a real date, but a coffee date. Low-key, you think, pressure-free even! But then the panic starts to set in. What does one wear/talk about/act like one of these coffee dates?

Well, no one can tell you what to talk about or how to act (we suggest: current events/slam poetry and normal, respectively) but when it comes to coffee couture, check out the following sites for tips on what to wear.



Photo from Article 3: Vanilla Extract


1. Article: "What to Wear to a Coffee Date" 

According to this article found on the Milena Image Consulting website , there really are strict rules when it comes to coffee date attire. This article breaks it down by things that should and should not be worn (both for men and women) and focuses on looking effortless while remaining put together.


2.  Article: "Ace Your Coffee Date"

This article on Chemistry.com gives you more than just suggestions for what to wear, it also includes tips for an overall successful date. They say to "appear laid-back" and act natural; the rest will fall into place.

3. Article: "What to Wear on a Coffee Date"

Check out this article from Vanilla Extract: The Life and Style of Nicole Ciotti if your coffee date ensemble requires more than just a cozy sweater and leggings. With details as specific as suggested color schemes and updos, this isn't for your average joe (pun intended).
From Vanilla Extract

If all else fails, don't worry. There's an entire Pinterest board devoted to "Coffee Date Outfits."