I apologize for my lack of posts these past few weeks. Finals kind of ate my life. I did visit the Te Cafe, but I figured 6 posts in a row about it would be a waste of time for all of you.

I promise to get better the next two weeks.

From Pop City Newsletter

Thought you all might appreciate this:

http://www.popcitymedia.com/features/coffee0412.aspx

Barista Secrets

As requested, more information behind the scenes...

being a barista, only if it was as simple as pulling a lever!

A barista has the ability to make your drink a perfect to horrible, a good barista is just as important as good beans (water, milk, etc).

A barista has to make sure your milk is steamed to the right temperature, too hot can burn the milk! Burnt milk smells like almond, if you smell this and you're not getting an almond latte, asked for some fresh milk.

Espresso quality, as I mentioned before a bad shot will either taste burnt or like asprin. Most shops check their espresso quality several times a day, as changes in temperature and use can alter the flavor. Also there are two types of espresso machines, automatic and traditional. Most larger chains use automatic, as it is a quicker process (great for the on the go customer). Automatic machines cannot be fine tunned as well as a traditional machine. Automatic machines involve the barista pushing a button, and the shots start to pour. A traditional machine involves more skill, as there are several reasons a bad shot is being pulled, which means more adjustment options. Most coffee lovers prefer traditional machines.

......automatic.........................traditional...............


The barista is also the one who assembles the drink, and its amazing how much order matters. For instance, lattes are known for having a half moons. This is a little bit of froth at top, that when poured correctly the espresso colored liquid will look like a half moon. If someone free pours (with out the latte spatula) you will not get this effect. If milk is put in first and then the espresso, you also won't get this effect. Some baristas are skilled enough they can do latte art. This also matters in flavor shots, the wrong measurement or order will make your drink tast funny. Also stirring makes a huge difference. With everything blended together, the flavors are not as strong (but you might also want that.)

Remind me later and I will give information on bean buying, because this is a whole other area a barista must know.

Lastly, the reason I focus on the friendliness of the baristas is that generally in customer service friendliness is important. You can get a cup of coffee anywhere, you'll go back to the places that had a good cup of coffee. You'll be a regular at the places that are friendly and have a good cup of coffee.

The other hot caffeniated beverage...

Te Cafe • Squirrel Hill • April 7th, 2008

The Te Cafe is a charming little shop, located right on the corner of Beacon and Murray. I really like this place, even if it doesn't sell coffee. Sometimes its nice to go out for a cup of tea.

Today I tried the pommegrante rosehip black tea. Awesome, nice blend of fruitness and black tea. Served piping hot in your own little tea pot. You get your mug, and a tea timer, so you can brew your tea to taste. For someone who likes strong tea taste, this is a very important feature.

Te Cafe has somewhat of the indy look, more like kiva han's little sister who shops at Ikea. For a small shop they do their best with seating. They have counter seats, tables, and comfy chairs. The big windows are very nice in this weather, you almost feel like you're outside without the chill from the wind.

The staff is friendly and swift. Te Cafe also offers free wifi (seriously how does starbucks stay in business when they charge for it.) The store is also very clean (no crumbs on the table).

The Te Cafe has over 100 types of tea, serves tea lattes, smoothies, lemonades, french and italian soda, and a variety of hot chocolates. No coffee though...


four and a half beans!

loco latte? not quite...

Crazy Mocha • Sewickley• Friday, March 21st, 2008

I have visited this Crazy Mocha on many occasions, and in all honesty I have never really found a good drink there. I have found drinks that suite their purpose, but they never are exceptional. I often find Crazy Mocha spends too much on trying to be crazy, and not enough on coffee basics. My last time in I got (let's take a guess here...) a vanilla soy latte! It was decent enough, no flavor out weighed another.

The service was decent enough, no extra effort to be friendly this time. My drink was speedily made, and I was out the door. I do have to say though, one thing that drives me crazy is that they don't put lids on their cups (in all honesty I am surprised that they can get away with this now.) The lids aren't even on the counter, which means I have to take a full cup of coffee across the room, without spilling it, just so I can get a lid and not spill it in my car.

The atmosphere has the artsy dark cave appeal. They have a lot of coffee chairs, and even an upper level. They also have free wi-fi as well as two computers you can use to get online (usually taken up by local middle schoolers). My favorite feature of Crazy Mocha is the garage door. They will open it when its warm out, and actually let some sun into the store. Also in warm months they have a patio area with chairs, which is very nice.

Last note on Crazy Mocha is that they have amazing desserts. If you need a reason to go to one, this is why. They have cakes, pies, amazing peanut butter brownies, cookies as big as your head, and chocolate dipped oreos. Then again one should consider, is the right reason to go to a coffee shop for the baked goods?


three beans!

Sad

First of all, I would like to apologize to all my readers for my lack of updates. I have had a ton of school work, as well as training for a new job these last few weeks. I have atleast three reviews to post, and hope to have them all up by the end of the weekend. (There will be a post about Crazy Mocha)

In other news, the Caribou Coffee is Robinson has closed. This saddens me greatly, as this is the shop I was a barista at. I leave you this poem, written by one of their former baristas:

Caribou store 901 is closed, forever.
Goodbye sweet bou, we excellent coffee makers will spend our time in yucky starbucks, un-employed, begging people on the street for money to eat.
Coroporate has saddened us.
They took everything.
Caribou 901--Rest In Peace-
Time of Death--March 25, 2008--6:30 PM
You will forever be in our hearts, and our minds.
We will forever love you
Sincerely,
Team 901

Toffee Coffee

Camille's Sidewalk • Oakland - Craig Street • Wednesday, March 12th, 2008


For months I have seen Camille's Sidewalk Cafe advertise their Toffee Coffee. Today I decided to try it.

I was greeted to wet floors (I understand at closing, but not at 4pm.) Fine, whatever. Went to the counter to order toffee coffee, which I was very excited to try. Which they told me they were out of, (did I mention that their sandwich board outside said to try it.) Okay, I figured Hey I'll try something else, the girl recommended a Cappuccino Chill. I was curious, because it is pretty weird to make a cold cappuccino.

Lets first define Cappuccino (thank you wikipedia):

Cappuccino is an Italian coffee-based drink prepared with espresso, hot milk, and milk foam. A cappuccino differs from a caffé latte in that it is prepared with much less steamed or textured milk than the caffé latte with the total of espresso and milk/foam making up between approximately five and six ounces

In case your interested, here is how to make one: http://www.ehow.com/how_1855_make-cappuccino.html

I asked her what a Cappuccino Chill is, she explained it was water with cappuccino flavor. Now, someone please tell me what cappuccino flavor is? A cappuccino is espresso and milk, you can't have cappuccino flavor.

I told the girl I was not interested, and left the cafe. I am very disappointed in my coffee experience at Camille's.



one bean