But I just read that the roaster supplying McDonalds with their espresso coffee blend is Distant Lands in Tyler, Texas. Distant Lands is the same eco-friendly roaster that is supplying Panera. The beans are not organic but I believe that they are Fair Trade coffee beans.

Anyway, I like Panera coffee. That means that more than likely I will like McDonald’c coffee… and the thought scares me. You can read more about that here in the Chicago Tribune.

The Bible, in Proverbs, talks about things that the earth can’t hold up under. Things that are just too weird. Well..this may be one of them.

McDonald’s can’t get environmentally concerned and serve good coffee, that’s like Sonny Bryans BBQ place starting to serve only vegetarian meals. It is the end of the world as we know it!

It could add a whole new Happy Meal concept though. A little Happy Meal bag with a couple of biscotti, a macchiato, and maybe a section of the New York Times?   It could work!

If McDonald’s REALLY wanted to sell a lot of coffee they would turn to the brilliant, albeit criminal, minds in Malaysia.

Sometimes I know I have missed my calling and should be in marketing somewhere. Other times I know that I took way too many hallucinogenics as a teenager in the 70s and should probably be listening to Black Sabbath at 78 speed. You decide which it is tonight..I am going to bed.

Image:SXC

Post from: Kettle and Cup

Equatorial Bold is more my cup of tea than the Southern Cross.  Ummm…cup of coffee I mean.

This is a full city roast, closer to the dark espressos that I love. The beans were dark and oily and very fragrant.  In fact I will say that, although so far, Terra Nova coffees have not been my favorites (I still like Ugly Mug the best), they have been the most aromatic.

The aroma is sharp and almost lemony in the bag.  The lemony scent mellows to a citrussy, almost like Clemintines in the cup.

The flavor is peppery at first  followed by a mellow acidity.  The website states that it has a mild smoky finish but I did not think so.

I like this better than the Southern Cross, although again, I think it is because of my preference for dark roasts.

With cream and stevia it is smooth and rich.  Would be a great afternoon coffee with pie, or an after dinner cup, although the caffeine kick is strong.

On a one to ten rating I would give this coffee a seven, better than many not as good as some.  Definitely worth a try.

This is organic and Fair Trade, two things that would give this coffee and edge over other coffees that I might like a little better.

The prize has been drawn for this contest and comments have been closed.

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Images: Marye Audet

Post from: Kettle and Cup

I got Marc some of these beans for Christmas. As a linguist there are just not that many words I have problems saying, so from moment I tried to wrap my tongue around the name I was intrigued.

Like it. Like it alot.

The color was rich and dark and the aroma was good. When I am tasting a coffee to actually review it I drink it black..when I just want to be really, really nice to myself I drink it with stevia and heavy cream. So..the first sip tasted like coffee…really good coffee..o.k…then my mouth was filled with a smoky fig taste. FIGS?

Yep. My son in law tasted it too. It is almost a wine taste but very reminiscent of figs. Very complex.

Did I mention that it was really really good?

Now I want to talk to my roaster to see if she can get it. I was not happy with the dryness of the beans I got, not alot of oil to them and as you all know, I am so very spoiled!

Now, Green Mountain says that theirs has an orange blossom fragrance, and another site said that it had the taste of lavender but trust me, guys, it is smoked fig wine. All the way.

So, some background. First, you say it yur-ga-SHEF. And apparently it is pretty rare to find it. And, haha, it comes from Ethiopia. I can’t help but be amazed at all the flavors that are attributed to it but everyone seems to agree that it is awesome good and that it has some incredible layers of flavor.

If you really want to experience taste sensation, try this coffee with lemon poppy seed bread. Why? The fig flavor is going to go amazingly well and your mouth is going to dance off your face…sort of. In theory.

Later- 

O.k..I am going to write an addendum ONLY because Marc just made another pot of the stuff…and I have to admit that the first sip was….lemon. But to me that is not nearly as prevalent as the fig endnotes. The SMOKY fig endnotes.

So there.

Post from: Kettle and Cup

I like flavored coffees.  Marc can take them or leave them, but to me, sitting in front of the fire with a mug of pumpkin spice coffee, generously colored with rich cream and sweetened with my favorite stevia is almost a spiritual experience.

I have described the coffees to the best of my ability, and suggested some desserts that I feel would be a compliment to them.

All images that follow are from Green Mountain Coffee. 

Fair Trade Holiday Blend: A blend of light and dark roasted coffee, with a spicy aroma. It finishes with a lingering bittersweet chocolate taste. Perfect with your Christmas Eve Buche de Noel and other rich desserts.

Fair Trade Spicy Egg Nog: Cinnamon and nutmeg, with a creaminess that is difficult to describe.  This coffee is perfect with the spice cakes, gingerbread, cookies, and apple pies of the season.

 Fair Trade Pumpkin Spice: Light body, spicy with a vanilla -nut aftertaste.  Definite pumpkin pie flavor comes through in both the aroma and then taste.  Would be great on it’s own, or with  bittersweet chocolate truffles on the side.

Fair Trade Gingerbread: Warm ginger-spicy flavor brings the holiday kitchen of your  childhood to mind with this coffee. Top it with some whipped cream dusted with freshly grated nutmeg and sit by the fire watching it snow. Or, like me, pretending that the dust blowing around outside is very tiny snowflakes.   Would be awesome with panna cotta, creme brulee, or vanilla  pots de creme.

Post from: Kettle and Cup