Monday, November 14, 2016

Guest Blogger-Christine Schmitt

Guest blogger, Christine Schmitt is a 3rd year Human Science major at Georgetown University in DC. She is originally from Rochester, NY.
After leaving Rochester to go to school in DC, I realized I was leaving behind Java’s at the Market and Canaltown Coffee Roasters, and was sure that no coffee would compare to theirs.  I still firmly believe there isn’t any coffee that compares to a Java’s Aztec Mocha or Canaltown’s Rochester’s Blend. But of course, that hasn’t stopped me from trying to find the best coffee in DC to hold me over until my next Saturday morning at the Public Market.  But if you’re willing to wait in absurd lines for a cup of coffee, the search across DC may be worth it.

Baked and Wired is just a few short blocks from our school. To be fair, I did initially go there because I wanted one of their famous cupcakes (specifically the Chocolate Cupcake of Doom) and not a coffee, but hidden behind their seemingly endless display of cupcakes, cookies,and biscotti is a little espresso bar which offers the perfect beverages go along with their sweets.  Their espresso is from an eclectic mix of roasters around the country including Stumptown (Portland), Intelligentsia (Chicago), PT’s (Topeka) and Elixr (Philadelphia).

After receiving your latte, complete with latte art, from the barista, you’re only a block away form the scenic Georgetown Waterfront.  Bring your latte and cupcake along for a walk down the river to the monuments, Kennedy Center, or the historic Watergate hotel. Or, bring your cozy drink with you in wintertime while skating at the Waterfront Park under the lights.

While I have found some great coffee in DC, nothing will stop me from trekking through the snow on that first Saturday morning I’m home for Christmas to grab a cup of coffee from Java’s.

Baked and Wired Instagram Pic

Fig. 1: Baked and Wired, a student’s perfect study break - you get in some exercise while walking around DC and get to pick up a sweet treat and a coffee.

Sunday, November 13, 2016

Biscotti to go with Coffee!

Hey everyone! I am doing a little catch up so today I am also sharing biscotti to go with coffee!

The weather is getting colder and Christmas break is coming up, which means I will just want to be inside drinking coffee of course! Today I am going to share some biscotti recipes to go with your coffee because what could be better than biscotti and coffee?

Biscotti Toscani

This recipe features biscotti with hints of orange and almond and covered with chocolate!

Sounds like the perfect biscotti to go with a vanilla latte!











Gingerbread Biscotti

This recipe features gingerbread biscotti! Just in time for the holiday season!

This would go perfectly with some sort of cinnamon latte!











Cranberry and Orange Biscotti

This recipe features a biscotti with hints of orange and cranberry! A classic fall combination!

This would go well with Maple Latte!

Fuego Coffee Roasters



Yesterday, I went to Fuego Coffee Roasters because I had never been there before and I always wanted to try. It is located on Euclid, close to Java's on Gibbs and near the Liberty Pole.

I got a mocha with cinnamon and it was delicious! Of course I appreciate the latte art!

I would definitely go there again and I hope to be there again soon!

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Coffee Roasts

Light Roasts



Physical Characteristics: light brown in color, with light body and no oil on surface

Taste: toasted grain, pronounced acidity

Most caffeine out of any other roasts

It has not been roasted beyond the first crack

Common names: Light City, Half City, Cinnamon Roast, New England Roast


Medium Roasts




















Physical Characteristics: medium brown in color, more body than light roasts, no oil on surface

Taste: more balanced flavor, aroma and acidity

Less caffeine than light roasts.

It is roasted between the end of the first and just before the beginning of the second crack.

Common names: Regular roast, American Roast, City Roast, Breakfast Roast


Dark Roasts



















Physical Characteristics: dark brown in color (almost black), oil on surface

Taste: bitter or smoky flavor

Less caffeine than medium and light roasts

Roasted after the end of the second crack.

Common names: French Roast, Italian Roast, Espresso Roast, Continental Roast, New Orleans Roast and Spanish Roast


http://www.ncausa.org/About-Coffee/Coffee-Roasts-Guide

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

November Playlist!

Check out my November Playlist below! Enjoy! :)

 

When We Were On Fire- James Bay



Waves-Mr. Probz

i hate you, i love you-gnash & Olivia O'Brien



Sunrise-Norah Jones



Can't Help Falling in Love-Ingrid Michaelsen



You and I-Ingrid Michelson



Bright-Echosmith



Slow Dancing in a Burning Room-John Mayer



Somewhere Only We Know-Lily Allen

Little House-Amanda Seyfried

Sunday, October 30, 2016

Coffee Recipes

Coffee Latte Chia Pudding-from Yummy

Ingredients

  • 200 milliners coffee
  • 200 milliliters milk
  • 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • 8 tablespoons chia seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoons vanilla powder
Instructions
  1. Mix all ingredients
  2. Let chill for 4 hours or overnight
  3. Serve with whipped cream and grated chocolate
Coffee Toffee Bars-from Folgers

Ingredients
  • 1/2 butter melted
  • 1 cup quick rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped nuts
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 14 oz can of Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • 2 teaspoons Instant Coffee Crystals
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (6 oz package) semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 13 x 9 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray
  2. Combine 1/2 cup melted butter, oats, brown sugar, flour, nuts, and baking soda in a large bowl. Press firmly onto bottom of prepared pan.
  3. Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until surface is bubbly. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in medium saucepan, over medium heat. Add sweetened condensed milk, coffee and vanilla. Cook and stir until mixture thickens, about 15 minutes. Pour over crust.
  4. Bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven. Immediately spring chocolate chips on top. Let stand 1 minute. Spread chocolate while warm. Cook thoroughly. Refrigerate 30 minutes if chocolate is still soft. Cut into bars. 

Saturday, October 29, 2016

FairPour

Lavender Cardamom Latte
Yesterday, I went to FairPour, located in the village of Fairport, where Towpath Cafe used to be. They serve Glen Edith coffee and pretty much seemed like Glen Edith.

It was very good! It is clean and updated. I also like it better than Glen Edith because the parking was easier and it was less than 10 minutes from my house. I would highly recommend it to anyone and I can't wait to go again!