CourtneyP

Two caffeine posts in a row? That’s like, a new record.

Just a short while ago, I returned from the second monthly Coffee Meetup at Barefoot. Since meetup.com changed formats, Andy (the owner of Barefoot) became organizer and is looking to make these get-togethers fun and interesting for all levels of coffee drinkers.

You may be questioning, “There are different levels of coffee drinkers?”

Well, maybe it’s more accurate to say that there are different classes. Not sure how to most accurately describe it. There are espresso drinkers, drip drinkers, casual drinkers, coffee freaks (and geeks), afficionados, home roasters, home brewers, frou frou sweetened coffee-like beverage drinkers and of course, any combination of two or more of the above. There are also many many subcategories that I don’t think I should really get into, but you get the gist.

So tonight, we did an interesting experiment. We tasted a couple of Barefoot’s espresso coffees as drip, and then compared it to an espresso shot of the same coffee. It’s really interesting how a coffee changes with the method that it’s brewed by.

I’m still a bit of a coffee novice, although I consider myself to be a bit more knowledgable than the casual drinker. There is certainly a lot to learn. I had attended one of Barefoot’s periodic coffee cuppings, which are really intense, but you learn a lot (cupping/tasting four coffees within 2 hours) and I recommend it to anyone wanting to know more about coffee and what can make one type better (or worse) than others.

So the idea behind the meetups is that they will be for more casual drinkers that might want to know more, but mostly to just go and taste good quality coffees and chat. I do hope that we can get more people to come, so please do join us if you can.

Oh, and congrats to Barefoot for securing the title of Best Coffee House in the Silicon Valley by Metro readers!

South Bay Bloggers, remember that tomorrow night (Tuesday) is a blog meetup, held at Barefoot (I, unfortunately, will be a bit late). This is our first time trying to hold two monthly meetups (due to popular demand). Thanks to Elke for talking the helm for our group! We’ve been at it for two years now and we’re still going strong!

What was your first experience with the sacred cup of java?

I don’t remember my very first coffee experience, but I do remember one particular cup of coffee during Thanksgiving, when I was maybe a junior or senior in high school. I coolly poured myself a mug after dinner, added the appropriate levels of cream and sugar (read: lots), and sipped in it sophisticated style (or so I thought) along with the mingling adults.

I am aware that many kids in European countries drink coffee from a young age, but I didn’t start until well into my teens. I didn’t feel any real need to drink coffee. Then, again, who really needs to anyway?

I honestly didn’t drink a lot of coffee until the college years. It was one of those things that seemed required when you were pulling an all-nighter studying for the next anthropology exam. Either that, or chocolate-covered espresso beans (drool).

So began a new affinity. I would hesitate to call it an addiction.
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From The British Coffee Association:

COFFEE MAY PROTECT AGAINST RADIATION
Strong coffee may be just what a person needs in a nuclear war. Researchers found that caffeine protects against the effects of radiation. (New Scientist, 1999).

Forget reading ready.gov, I’m stocking up on coffee.

‘The powers of a man’s mind are directly proportioned to the quantity of coffee he drinks.’
- Sir James Mackintosh.

I’m gonna live forever.

Peet’s is setting up shop in Seattle, right smack dab in the middle of Starbucks’ home turf. Are they insane, or geniuses?

BayArea.com: Peet’s sets up shop on Starbucks’ Turf

“We’re going to eat their lunch,” said David Schomer, owner of Espresso Vivace Roasteria. He said Seattleites’ taste for coffee is becoming increasingly sophisticated — beyond what a chain company can do, even with Peet’s stated commitment to frequently roasting small batches. “We’re not worried,” he said.

Are you threatennninng meeeee?

(via david)