Field Trip: Hario USA – Coffee: Acidity vs. Bitterness vs. Rancid Oils

Folks will often ask us for info on coffee that has less acidity because they have a real problem with that and their GI tract. So when we visited Edwin Martinez at Hario USA, we posed this question to him because we figured that someone with his extensive end-to-end knowledge of the coffee world might have some good recommendations.

What we learned was that it might just be that folks are working under the misconception that bitterness is the flavor of acidity. In this video Edwin talks about acidity vs. bitterness — and how the culprit may also be rancid coffee oils. Yeech.

Recipe: Sultry Sangria

We don’t know about you, but we could really use a drink. Actually, we could really use a drink that deludes us into thinking we’re kicking it on the edge of a pool in some sun-drenched tropical paradise. What could better fit that bill than our good friend sangria?

Ingredients

• 1/2 oz. Monin Pear Syrup
• 1/2 oz. Monin Spicy Mango Syrup
• 4 oz. Chardonnay
• 1/2 oz. Cointreau
• 1 oz. White Cranberry Juice
• Ice
• Splash Lemon-Lime Soda

Directions

1. Fill large wine glass with ice.
2. Pour chardonnay, Monin Spicy Mango, Monin Pear, Cointreau and white cranberry juice into mixing glass with ice.
3. Cover and shake for 15 seconds.
4. Strain into ice filled glass.
5. Splash with lemon-lime soda and garnish with fresh fruit.
6. Enjoy!

Newswatch: Caffeine & Alcohol

Let’s face it: Life can be a little rough around the edges sometimes — and we’re not afraid to smooth out said edges by administering a well-crafted cocktail. We’ve written in the past about a delicious stout that incorporates espresso and about one of our favorite espresso and hazelnut-infused vodkas on the market, so you can imagine our concern when we started reading news last fall that the FDA was examining whether or not the combination of caffeine and alcohol was safe for public consumption.

In November of 2009, the FDA sent out requests to manufacturers who have been producing drinks that have both caffeine and alcohol in them, asking that the companies provide evidence that the combination can be safely ingested. Included in this investigation, however, were a few smaller breweries and distilleries that were incorporating coffee into their drinks.

With health agencies around the world examining the energy drink market because of the adverse impact it has had on the health of some populations (specifically college students), it’s no surprise that alcoholic beverages with an additive of caffeine might also come under scrutiny. But will the FDA’s inquiries lead to the discontinuation of the gourmet microbrews and distilled spirits that have a little kick in their step?

We followed up with PR rep Michael Herndon of the FDA to see where the investigation was at, and what type of impact — if any — the ruling may have on our favorite java stouts and coffee vodkas. According to him, none. “This FDA action is not directed at products that are flavored with coffee.  At this time, the FDA is focusing its attention on products in which caffeine has been intentionally added to alcoholic beverages by the manufacturers.” As of this writing, only 19 of the total 27 inquiries have received responses, and the next step is to review any scientific data on the subject. While there is no specific timeline in regard to when the FDA will make its final ruling on the subject, Herndon noted that it is a high priority at the agency.

Recipe: Lamb with Espresso Glaze

Look, we don’t like eating lamb. We’re not afraid to admit it — every time it’s on a dinner partner’s plate, we can’t help but think of carefully choreographed herding or Dolly. While we know we’re not alone in this proclivity, we also know of many folks (including frequent dinner partners) who savor the flavor, so this recipe is for them.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 2 – 3 lbs. New Zealand lamb leg
• 5 – 6 pieces peeled garlic
• 1/2 tsp. dry rosemary
• 1/4 tsp. thyme
• 6 sprigs mint
• 1/4 tsp. marjoram
• Salt and black pepper
• 3 tsps. olive oil
• For Espresso Glaze: 1/2 cup espresso coffee, 1/2 cup cream, 2 tsps. honey

Directions

1. With a sharp knife cut slits all over the lamb, peel the garlic and cut into slices. Fill the slits with garlic slices.
2. Make a mixture from the dried herbs, salt and oil; rub evenly over the surface of the lamb.
3. Place the roast in a plastic bag and leave it to marinate in the fridge overnight.
4. Stick the roasting thermometer into the deepest part of the roast and then place the roast onto a flat casserole or baking tray. Roast at 250 degrees F for approximately 1-1/2 hours. If you prefer your roast pink, you should remove from the oven when the roasting thermometer reaches 158 degrees F. Otherwise leave it until 167 degrees F.
5. While roasting, baste the roast from time to time with a mixture made from the coffee, cream and honey. After the roast is ready, wrap it in foil to allow it to set.
6. Sauce can be prepared from the skimmed stock of the roast. Strain the stock from the baking tray into a saucepan. (To make it easier to skim the extra fat off, set the stock aside to cool.)
7. Heat the stock together with 1/2 cup of whipping cream and 1 tsp. of honey.
8. Mix well while the sauce is simmers at medium heat. Reduce to a sauce consistency .

Source

Recipe: Fuller’s ESB and Espresso-Marinated Short Ribs

We absolutely can not do a better job of laying out, explaining and showing the wonderfully delicious results of this recipe, so please head on over to foodthinkers (by Breville) to get instructions and see the play by play of concocting this tasty little number.

Recipe: Chocolate-Dipped Espresso Shortbread Cookies

We have been sitting on this recipe for awhile, but we’ll be trying it out this month during our Valentine’s Day Fiesta. Sounds delish!

Ingredients

Shortbread

• 1/2 pound (1 cup) cold, unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon table salt
• 10 ounces (2 1/4 cups) unbleached, all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons finely ground espresso coffee beans

Dipping Chocolate

• 9 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening

Directions

Shortbread

1. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. With a stand mixer bowl fitted with the paddle, or in a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, sugar and salt. Mix on low speed until the butter combines with the sugar but isn’t perfectly smooth, 1-2 minutes.
3. Add the flour and espresso and mix on low speed, scraping the bowl frequently until the dough has just about pulled together, about 3 minutes; don’t over-mix.
4. Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thick. Aim for uniform thickness to ensure even baking.
5. Use a 1 1/2-inch cookie cutter, or one of similar size, to cut out shapes.
6. Press the scraps together, roll them out, and cut out more cookies.
7. Arrange the cookies on the prepared baking sheets and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 20 minutes.
8. Heat the oven to 300F degrees and bake the cookies until the tops look dry and the color has darkened slightly, about 30-60 minutes.
9. Let the cookies cool on a rack before dipping them.

Dipping Chocolate

1. Set a sheet of parchment or wax paper on a work surface.
2. Put the chocolate and shortening in a small, heatproof bowl and set the bowl over a pan of simmering water.
3. Melt the chocolate, stirring until smooth and warm; don’t let it get hot.
4. Dip half of each cookie into the chocolate, set on the parchment and let cool at room temperature, about 2 hours.

Source

The Grind: February 2010

Seattle Coffee Gear’s monthly newsletter, The Grind, landed in an email box near you today — and if it wasn’t near enough for you to actually read it, you can do so here on the site or make sure you get up close and personal next month by signing up for future editions.

This month, we talk about the different functional types of espresso machines, include a recipe for Indochine Lemon, point you to our manufacturer manual resource on Brown Bean and introduce you to a few new products we have in the store. What you won’t see, however, is The Grind Special, which is for subscriber-eyes-only. Sign up to get that little bit o’ goodness every month.

The Caffeine Poster

We’ve talked before about how much caffeine is in different forms of coffee preparation, and we’ve even covered the relative caloric intake of many drinks compared with food. But if you’re looking for something a little more visual-oriented, check out the Caffeine Poster created by Randy Krum over at Cool Infographics.

Now it’s easy to reference how much caffeine you’re taking in each day via different drinks — from different forms of coffee to the legendary Jolt soda. Plus, it has a couple of fun facts incorporated in it, such as the date of National Coffee Day (wait, isn’t that every day?!) and how much caffeine you have to ingest before you feel the, uh, love.

Recipe: Madcap Bellini

While the traditional Bellini utilizes Prosecco, a sweeter Italian version of the white wine bubbly variety, and peach puree, we liked the idea of pairing the more crisp Spanish take on bubbly, Cava, with a sweeter syrup. This lovely cocktail is an arguably perfect accoutrement to your New Year’s Eve festivities this evening.

Ingredients

• 1/2 oz. – 1 oz. of Monin White Peach Syrup – to taste
• 8 oz. Cava sparkling wine – to taste

Directions

Pour the peach syrup into a flute to taste — it varied here between 1/2 oz. to 1 oz., depending on the level of sweetness people preferred — then top with Cava. Toast, sip, celebrate!

Recipe: Make Me Blush

One of the best things about the holidays is having your pals over and serving up fun and exciting cocktails for their experimental delight. For us it is, anyway. Here’s a new member of our repertoire, featuring the ever-sumptuous pomegranate syrup — a deep, rich red that’s perfect for this time of year. Bottoms up!

Ingredients

• 1/2 oz. Monin Pomegranate syrup
• 1.25 oz. Vodka
• 1/2 oz. Cointreau
• 1/2 oz. Sweet & Sour
• Ice

Directions

Shake ingredients well & strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lime for a little extra holiday spirit.