Friday, July 30, 2010

So Long, Mr. Coffee

I have a love hate relationship with coffee. I love it and it hates me.

It's like an abusive relationship. I'm addicted to the ritual of making it, intoxicated by the smell that permeates my home, the deep, rich flavor and how the caffeine highs can make me feel almost invincible. But then, the euphoria gives way to the heart palpitations, the extreme blood sugar dips and the fits of anger - but yet I stay - I love him anyway and convince myself we're good together. The angst, I tell you.

Recently, I switched to decaffeinated for the sake of my health and only treat myself once or twice a week. I treasure our times together and make sure I purchase only the best coffee I can find. Just a year ago, it was hard to find good decaf, but that's not the case anymore.

Coffee, like other foodstuffs these days, is going through a renaissance. All across the country, specialty purveyors are roasting limited-edition coffee beans using artisanal methods and sustainable practices. These are the beans you should seek out, whether going out for coffee or bringing the beans home. Because of the attention to detail, the taste is incomparable.

Here are some of the best artisanal coffee roasters in the country who will ship you beans online tout suite:

Intelligentsia Coffee
Metropolis Coffee Company  (They make my absolute favorite - Decaf Redline.)
Blue Bottle Coffee
Gorilla Coffee

The real question is: Are you willing to give up your relationship with Mr. Coffee? The seemingly indefatigable, saggy-assed octogenarian who piddles out his weak-brewed love day after day? You really want to settle for that?

I didn't think so.

You need an Italian Stallion. One who has proven his mettle time and time again creating a dark rich brew that really satisfies.

Stovetop Espresso Maker, $39.95 by Bialetti

To learn more about what you need to make a great Latte or Cafe Au Lait at home (inexpensively!), click to read the rest of the article on The Possessionista.


Also, be sure to read my post on Maria Callas & Coffee. It's a goodie.

9 comments:

Lisarek said...

Hi Dana Joy,

Nice post about coffee. I gave up my brewer a long time ago and only brew my coffee by the cup. We use a Hario Ceramic Coffee Dripper along with the Hario Range Server. All of the coffee is ground up with a burr grinder. Today we brewed Kenya Thuriku from Intelligentsia Coffee.

Dana Joy said...

Lisarek, I am so behind the times. Sounds like you are into the new, cool pour over methods and gadgets for coffee. I have to get up to speed. Thanks for naming them so I can look them up!

edamame2003 said...

I just had Metropolis for the first time at Lollapalooza and thought it was the best coffee I've had in a long time. Glad you agree, since I wasn't sure if I was just tired and jonesin for caffeine. thanks for confirming--i'm ordering online now!

I Sicilian said...

I can't help but think that your heart palpitation may be caused not by caffeine but by the chemicals many coffees are treated with. I just want you to know that it happens to me too. The only coffee that does not do it to me is La Llave which is an expresso coffee and as natural as you can get. If I feel like having a creamier coffee I make Caffe and Latte( milk and coffee) and use xylitol as a substitute for sugar which is the healthiest sugar substitute out there. Hope you can use this information

Casino Bonus said...

Coffee and the way make it has changed I for one would love to use a coffee maker than to do the instant thing since it the only thing I can afford for now but eventually I would like the machine to make it more delightful..love the aroma..

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Anonymous said...

nice post we all love it

dana joy altman said...

I Sicillain, I am sure you are right about the chemicals. I am certain the affcet me. I discovered another decaf I think is great. It's roasted in Silverlake, CA called LaMill. Incredible organic decaf.

Wonder of my World. Thank you for your comment. Very validating!

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