Coffee

[UffDa]

The event looks interesting. I'm envious.
I've got to get back on the west coast, this place is killing me.

I used to go to Santa Barbara a lot when I lived in Ventura. Good art scene so I imagine there'll be a thriving coffee culture. Not as though the two are necessarily synonymous but in most cases...

I used to live in Goleta and avoided going to Santa Barbara as much as possible. There was a pretty good coffee shop on the ocean side of the highway.

Of course, that's nowhere near Tulare.

By the way, did you ever eat at the Habit? They are planning on selling shares on the stock market. That rinkydink burger shack is going national.

 

[PrimitiveEnergy]

The event looks interesting. I'm envious.
I've got to get back on the west coast, this place is killing me.

I used to go to Santa Barbara a lot when I lived in Ventura. Good art scene so I imagine there'll be a thriving coffee culture. Not as though the two are necessarily synonymous but in most cases...

A good time to visit Cal. is when your stuck under the snow. I have seen a couple of baristas from SB in the National barista contests but I don't remember their places.

I used to live in Goleta and avoided going to Santa Barbara as much as possible. There was a pretty good coffee shop on the ocean side of the highway.

Of course, that's nowhere near Tulare.

By the way, did you ever eat at the Habit? They are planning on selling shares on the stock market. That rinkydink burger shack is going national.

I will be stopping in SB on my way back home. It is out of the way but it will be worth it if I can find those specialty coffee bars.

There are several Habit burger joints near me. They are usually busy and IMHO are better than the always busy IN and OUT. $10.00+ burgers with fancy schmancy toppings are also popular here. People have their favorites so please don't hate me.

 

[UffDa]

There are several Habit burger joints near me. They are usually busy and IMHO are better than the always busy IN and OUT. $10.00+ burgers with fancy schmancy toppings are also popular here. People have their favorites so please don't hate me.

I think the Habit started in Goleta. I think it was originally called the Hamburger Habit. You could smell the onions 3 blocks away. I don't quite remember what a double chili burger cost 10 years ago, but it was less
then $5. You get your moneys worth. You can taste it for the rest of the day. If you get their onion rings, you can taste it for 2 days.

The last time that were visiting friends and family in Goleta, my wife wanted to go to Paseo Nuevo. There was a coffee shop on State St. near the entrance to the mall. I ordered a plain cup of coffee and they looked at me like I was nuts. It tasted like Starbucks. Way too strong. I think it is intended to be a base for their liquid candy bars.

 

[Bali-Nomad]

Hey guys : )

All i ever drink is PT's Coffee from Topeka Kansas, it is the best coffee i ever had. I also only drink Light Roast as it has more caffein and more flavors than any other roast. Keep drinking fellas

Mark

 

[Monofletch]

This thread will soon hit 1 year old!! I started it on 11-23-2013. We'll have to celebrate!!!

Anyone up for a Secret Santa gift exchange for the upcoming holiday season? - we can all agree on the rules.

 

[PrimitiveEnergy]

Hey guys : )

All i ever drink is PT's Coffee from Topeka Kansas, it is the best coffee i ever had. I also only drink Light Roast as it has more caffein and more flavors than any other roast. Keep drinking fellas

Mark

Hi Mark, PT's coffee sounds interesting. What beans and what brewing method are you using? If you live in Ca. their are lots of newer places to try specialty coffees.

This thread will soon hit 1 year old!! I started it on 11-23-2013. We'll have to celebrate!!!

Anyone up for a Secret Santa gift exchange for the upcoming holiday season? - we can all agree on the rules.

Awesome, congratulations everyone for contributing to this thread! I am down for that. I promise not to send anyone fruity or floral beans unless they want them that way.

 

[PrimitiveEnergy]

Blade and brew of the day!
Kingdom Armory Mini Samaritan and JC espresso blend.

 

[Barman1]

This thread will soon hit 1 year old!! I started it on 11-23-2013. We'll have to celebrate!!!

Anyone up for a Secret Santa gift exchange for the upcoming holiday season? - we can all agree on the rules.

I'm in for some exchanging. :thumbup: Great idea.

Anyone interested in a review of this?: http://deathwishcoffee.com/
The shop is just across the street from where I work.

 

[PrimitiveEnergy]

I'm in for some exchanging. :thumbup: Great idea.

Anyone interested in a review of this?: http://deathwishcoffee.com/
The shop is just across the street from where I work.

Thanks for joining the exchange.

Known as "World's strongest coffee," and a big hit on the "SA River" store. Some members have mentioned them but I have not tried them yet. I would like to know how strong it truly is and how it tastes.

Cool that it is so close to you or will it lead to hyper jitters and lack of sleep?

 

[Barman1]

Thanks for joining the exchange.

Known as "World's strongest coffee," and a big hit on the "SA River" store. Some members have mentioned them but I have not tried them yet. I would like to know how strong it truly is and how it tastes.

Cool that it is so close to you or will it lead to hyper jitters and lack of sleep?

I'm pretty immune to effects these days so no problem. The biggest lack of sleep around here is the neighbors dog...

 

[PrimitiveEnergy]

Found an older 3 part PBS documentary from 2008 I haven't seen before called, "Black Coffee."

1st ep. 'The irresistible bean.' How the coffee bean spread throughout the world. Fun facts like Starbucks came from Moby dick, Vienna's 1st cafe was Blue bottle, England had 1 of the 1st cafes in europe in 1652 called, "The Jamaican." TIP came from cafes, "To Insure Promptness."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTDy-L0NKIg&index=1&list=PLGHNSYWS1XjKQJzdj2Kk94bLy8haz8M71

2nd ep. 'Gold in your cup.' How the coffee plantations started in Brazil, how it spread in the US: Arbuckles, Folgers, Maxwell house, Roasting, coffee bags and cans. Coffee industry issues. Canada's start in coffee (didn't know they liked donuts so much). Politics/Communism, Vietnam Robusto, outlook of the immediate future of coffee.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9sp8Vj2anI&index=2&list=PLGHNSYWS1XjKQJzdj2Kk94bLy8haz8M71

3rd ep. 'The Perfect Cup.' Ethics, sustainability, and social awareness. Start of the 2nd wave of coffee like Peet's and Starbucks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHHlIG5A8ak&list=PLGHNSYWS1XjKQJzdj2Kk94bLy8haz8M71&index=3

 

[Monofletch]

Here's the exchange list so far......

P.E.
Barman1
Monofletch

 

[Barman1]

Thanks for the links PE. That'll keep me busy for a while. :thumbup:

Picked up some Death Wish today.
Had a single shot at the shop. Tasty but no picture.
I did get a shot of the beans when I opened the bag.
Oily goodness.

And the obligatory knife shot with my Vallotton auto.

 

[PrimitiveEnergy]

Thanks for the links PE. That'll keep me busy for a while. :thumbup:

Picked up some Death Wish today.
Had a single shot at the shop. Tasty but no picture.
I did get a shot of the beans when I opened the bag.
Oily goodness.

And the obligatory knife shot with my Vallotton auto.

The bag and Vallotton look menacing together like a mafia hit man. Do the oils clog/choke your espresso machine? How similar is your drink at home to the shops espresso?

 

[Barman1]

The bag and Vallotton look menacing together like a mafia hit man. Do the oils clog/choke your espresso machine? How similar is your drink at home to the shops espresso?

No clogs.
The flavor at home is similar but the shop shot was cooler and creamier which is to be expected for probably $10k more equipment on hand to put it together.
I had 2 shots tonight and can vouch for its potency.
Tomorrow I'll do my usual morning prep with the moka pot to get me rolling.

 

[PrimitiveEnergy]

No clogs.
The flavor at home is similar but the shop shot was cooler and creamier which is to be expected for probably $10k more equipment on hand to put it together.
I had 2 shots tonight and can vouch for its potency.
Tomorrow I'll do my usual morning prep with the moka pot to get me rolling.

You might be able to cool the drink down by doing a cooling flush before you pull your shot. Also the Bodum glass holds the heat in better instead of ceramic which will absorb and dissipate heat a little better. To make it creamier you might be able to tighten the grind, and or running a shorter shot, and or adding more beans.

 

[Barman1]

You might be able to cool the drink down by doing a cooling flush before you pull your shot. Also the Bodum glass holds the heat in better instead of ceramic which will absorb and dissipate heat a little better. To make it creamier you might be able to tighten the grind, and or running a shorter shot, and or adding more beans.

Great advice thank you.
Definitely going to do the cool down and take the grind down another notch for tomorrow night's shots.
I'll never achieve perfection with my gear but a passable shot is really all I'm after in my kitchen. As I've stated before, it gives me an excuse to head downtown for a proper espresso.

 

[Monofletch]

I have both the Death Wish and Valhalla. Valhalla has way better flavor!

 

[Barman1]

I have both the Death Wish and Valhalla. Valhalla has way better flavor!

Which variety of Valhalla do you have?
It seems the Death Wish is rather singular in its mission, strength. I suppose some compromises in flavor had to be made to contrive the highest caffeine content.


And I'll toss in a photo of my newest knife with a shot of the Death Wish. This time I followed the advice given above by our resident guru and had better results! Thanks again.
The Tatanka. Ridiculously large. I can't seem to wipe the grin off my face with this one.

 

[Monofletch]

Not sure. Odinforce I think. They sent me an e mail offer with a bag of both DW and VH. I like both, but VH is more my speed