The Techroom
Here’s a cool cafe to go to: The Techroom. It’s name may not sound like that of a coffee shop but it definitely is. In fact, Jeremy and Faith Barnhart, owners of the store, say that a love of good coffee is their one vice.
Anyone can come in and choose from among the freshly brewed coffee in the Techroom. They also have various flavored coffee for those who want to try something a little different.
The other great thing about this place is the fact that this really is a tech room. You can come in and surf while you enjoy your favorite cup of joe since this is an internet cafe. You can also consult their technicians about any problems you’ve been having with your computer at home. They even do trade-ins and upgrades. Talk with their tech while enjoying a cup of coffee. You accomplish two great things at one time.
You can find the Techroom at 11 Morgantown Street, Uniontown, PA. They are open at the following times:
- Monday to Wednesday 9am to 7pm
- Thursday to Saturday 9am to 8pm
They are definitely closed on Sundays.
Technorati Tags: coffee, coffee shop, internet cafe
Savoring the Moments
2006 is slowly coming to a close and 2007 is fast approaching. It probably feels like a blur now that you are looking back. You probably wonder where the time went. A part of you wonders why you didn’t get to do more.The truth is, time just got away from you. You’ve been so busy, usually with work, that by the time that you stopped to breathe, the year was ending.
Don’t let 2007 go the same way. Make it a point that you get to spend a few moments every day doing nothing but enjoying the moment. Coffee is a great tool for helping you take 5.
Savor a great cup of coffee and chat with friends. Make sure that you set work aside for at least an hour or two and talk with your family, catching up on the daily stuff while you relax with your favorite cup of joe.
To make sure that you always have moments to savor, get yourself a great coffeemaker and find yourself a great source for beans and always set aside time for you to do nothing but enjoy your favorite drink in great company – no rushing anywhere.
To start off your new year, try this recipe called a B52 Coffee. You simply mix together 1/2 ounce Bailey’s Irish Cream, 1/2 ounce Kahlua, 1/2 ounce Grand Marnier and 4 ounces of hot coffee . Top it off with cream and you’re all set.
Technorati Tags: coffee, recipe, drink, new year, alcoholic mix, moments
Shock Coffee
If you’ve been looking for a cup of Joe that will keep you awake when you have those really tight deadlines or have exams coming up, there’s a brand of coffee that you must try. It’s called Shock coffee. Why you is it called Shock Coffee? That’s because it contains 50% more caffeine than your regular blends, it’s like drinking pure adrenalin some say.
Shock Coffee is made by a company based in New York City/Queens. It is a blend of light medium and dark roasted beans specifically chosen for the high caffeine content and flavor. Brew it any way you want. They recommend though that you make it an espresso or brew it with a french press. That will really bring out its kick. No matter which way you brew it, it tastes good.
There’s a Shock Coffee Starter Kit available in case you want to try it. That includes:
- one 12oz canister of ground coffee
- one 4-pack each of Shock Triple Mocha and Shock Triple Latte cold coffee drinks
- one bag of Shock-A-Lots chocolate covered coffee beans
- one Shock sticker
- one Shock ceramic coffee mug
This way you get to sample a little bit of everything and decide what you really like.
Why drink Shock Coffee? As their tag line says, “because sleep is overreated”.
Technorati Tags: coffee, caffeine, Shock coffee, adrenalin, sleep
Coffee for Santa Watch
As christmas approaches, many a kid (and adult) will try to catch a glimpse of Santa. Though they have been told that Santa isn’t real, a lot of people still hope that jolly old St Nicholas will be dropping by for a visit. Don’t forget to leave a plate of cookies and a glass off milk for him.
Of course if you do plan to stay up and try to meet Santa, you may need some help in staying awake. That calls for a really good cup of Joe. If there’s ever been a time when you need a caffeine boost, it’s during Santa watch. Remember if you blink for even a second he’ll be gone.
Try this classic coffee recipe from celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse. It is delicious and is definitely something to savor while you wait for Santa. Don’t forget to have an extra cup ready just in case Santa decides he’d like some too.
Emeril’s Coffee
- 2 ounces coffee-flavored liqueur (recommended: Kahlua)
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1-ounce amaretto
- Hot, strong brewed coffee
- Sweetened whipped cream, for topping
Pour 1 ounce of the coffee liqueur into 1 coffee cup saucer. Put the cocoa powder on another saucer. Dip the rim of an old-fashioned or Irish coffee mug in the coffee liqueur and then in the cocoa. Add the remaining coffee liqueur and the amaretto to the glass. Fill the glass with hot coffee and top with whipped cream.
Technorati Tags: coffee, Santa, Emeril Lagasse, celebrity chef
Free Christmas Coffee
Christmas is a time of giving and thankfully there is a coffeeshop that is being extra generous this year to all their visitors. If you want to have some free coffee, head on over to the nearest branch of Sheetz coffee on Christmas day and on New Year’s Eve.
Sheetz has 329 branches and all of them will be serving free cups of 100% premium coffee made from Arabica beans. The coffee is free no matter what the size of the cup, so don’t be shy.
Do note though that promotion periods are as follows:
- December 25 (Christmas Day) from 12 midnight to 12 midnight of the same day
- December 31 (New Year’s Eve), 4 pm til January 1, 4pm (New Year’s day)
Giving away free coffee during Christmas and New Year is a tradition for Sheetz. They’ve been in business since 1952 and they know that the loyal customers are what has kept them thriving.
Technorati Tags: coffee, free coffee, arabica, brewed
Storing the Beans
Many coffee drinkers like to make at least one cup of coffee at home. Usually it is the first cup that they drink. Many though will say that they much prefer to have someone else make the coffee because they’ll say they don’t make a great brew.
Sometimes it is because of the equipment. Many people don’t like to read the instructions for its use or even if they do, they don’t follow them. So naturally the resulting brew isn’t as good as it could be simply because the equipment may not be getting the best care and cleaning.
Other times, it could be the coffee isn’t properly cared for. Many choose to buy these instant coffee packs which really can’t compare to the freshly ground coffee. Even if they do, sometimes the coffee is improperly stored.
A few tips:
- Store your coffee in air tight, glass containers. These help keep them fresh and retain the flavors longer. Glass containers are the best because the smell of previous contents don’t stick to it. Your fresh beans won’t have the scent or oils of the old beans to mingle with.
- Rather than storing in the refrigerator, Keep them on the counter or in a cupboard. The flavor deteriorates rapidly due to the condensation.
- Buy just enough coffee that you can finish in a week. You can leave the container on the counter for that long and the beans will be still be good.
Technorati Tags: coffee beans, storage, tips
Vacuum Brewing
If you want to try a cool way of making coffee, check out brewing with a vacuum pot. Talk about scientific, this method has been around since 1840. This is a great tasting scientific experiment. It also makes coffee that doesn’t have the taste of the paper filter, which is a bonus.
The vacuum pot is actually two globes on top pf each other. There is a filter and siphon between them. The water when heated flows through the siphon and into the coffee before transferring to the lower chamber as it cools.
To make coffee using a vacuum pot, you place the water in the lower half and let it boil. Just make sure that the pot is completely dry on the outside before you put it on the stove. When the water starts to fill the upper half of the pot, add the coffee. We suggest you use a medium grind for best results. You leave the pot on the stove for about 3.5 minutes. When you take it off the stove the lower half will cool and the coffee will transfer to the lower chamber leaving the grounds behind.
Try this brew for yourself. It makes a great tasting brew.
Technorati Tags: coffee, brewing, vacuum pot, method, science
Discover New Blends
An age old argument is that a true coffee lover takes his cup of joe black as sin. While many will argue otherwise, there is the question of how can one define the true taste of the brew if it is hidden under all the other flavours -milk, vanilla, and whatever spice goes into these gourmet cups. Many see the iced coffee drinks as nothing more than milkshakes – and they are right in some cases.
Why not treat yourself to a coffee tasting afternoon. Talk to your favorite coffee shop and ask them to help you discover your favorite blend of beans. Often they will be excited to help you discover new flavors. Usually they will serve their latest blends but may also include specific roasts or beans from specific regions if you ask. It is a great time to try out Colombian or Sumatran coffee, or any other that you’ve been to shy to order before.
Make it an hour and bring some friends along. Make it a rule that there will be no cream, sugar or any other add ons for the tasting. Don’t forget to note which ones you like and give your barista feedback (and a tip!) about the brew. You can add the stuff in later after you’ve tasted everything.
You might be charged for it (after all you are drinking their supplies) but that’s okay. Oftentimes the rates are different since you aren’t exactly drinking a full cup each time. It is worth it. You might be pleasantly surprised to discover a love of coffee – without frills. You might even discover a new favorite for your morning blend.
Technorati Tags: coffee, tasting, roasts, blends, experience, discover, learn
More Christmas Gift Ideas for Coffee Lovers
Still looking for a gift for your coffee loving friends? Tired of giving cutesy coffee mugs? Don’t worry. There are lots of things that you can give this christmas; and even if he already has one well, he can always use another one, right? If he says he doesn’t well, it’s the thought that counts.
How about getting your friend a Black & Decker Brew ‘N Go? This coffeemaker is small and fits perfectly on an office desk. It even comes with its own coffee mug. He’ll easily be able to make his favorite brew without having to leave his cubicle for long. Perfect for those days on tight deadlines. No more stale brew from the pantry!
If your friend lives somewhere cold enough to use a real fireplace, why not give her some java logs? These logs are made from used coffee grounds. They smell great and are environmentally friendly. Mmm…nothing like the scent of coffee wafting through the room. Makes the room even more cozy.
Technorati Tags: coffee, gift, ideas, java logs, Black & Decker, coffeemaker
Single Serve Coffeemakers
A friend recently decided to buy herself a coffeemaker. She went out and looked around, then came to me and asked what exactly a single serve coffeemaker is.
She understood that these machines make a single serving of coffee at a time (that’s pretty self explanatory). She just didn’t get why they might be better than those that make more cups of coffee.
Single serve coffeemakers are great because you end up with a fresh brew of coffee with each cup. You make just enough coffee each time that you will actually drink; unlike most drip coffeemakers where you tend to make too much and end up with a lot of bad tasting extra coffee after the brew sat on the hotplate too long.
Single serve coffeemakers are also liked by some because they use pods or K cups. These are prepared coffee measures that fit into a slot on your single serve machine. One drawback though is that these machines can only use one or the other, not both. You are limited to the variety that K cups or coffee pods makes.
If you are interested to get a single serve coffeemaker for yourself, check out the Keurig B60 and the Senseo Single Serve units. The former uses Kcups while the latter uses pods.
Technorati Tags: coffeemaker, kcups, coffee pods, single serve, Senseo, Keurig
