A Nice Cuppa

Spring is upon us, and many of us are quickly breaking out the blenders so that we can sip on some kind of frozen concoction. My concoction of choice this spring and summer? Smoothies with a buzz - a caffeine buzz that is.
I’ve discovered the art of homemade blended coffee drinks. Yup, […]

CROUCHING BARISTA, HIDDEN LACTOSE (continued…)
Recap: Shortly before opening, Ferina’s Bay Street boyfriend Paul drops by for a kiss, and a kind word about the coffee shop. He wants in, or at least a hand in taking the business to the next level. But Daddy’s really running the show, and despite Ferina’s […]

“Groove is in the heart” É Tavalon’s Tea Bar!
Tea is in the house!
Tavalon tea bar is Manhattans newest urban Tea party from outer space. Tea without the gravity? “Are you down with it?”
You get to travel light alright, groovin with congas and a Dee-jay up above […]

Tucked away on a small South Carolina island you will find a plantation where it’s always tea time. Wadmalaw Island, located near Charleston, is a hidden treasure of sorts. There you will find the roads are canopied by century-old oak trees, the air is pure and the land is still untouched by developers. […]

Columbian coffee, along with it’s mascot Juan Valdez, is the most recognized name in coffee from Latin America. This brand has come to represent high quality coffee to most Americans, but, unlike most brands, saying something is Columbian doesn’t attest to it’s growers, manufacturers or distributors, and so isn’t a particularly great judge of […]

The English ceremony of Afternoon Tea dates back to the 1840’s but it was not???t something that was ???invented??? but rather the evolution of rituals and routines that surrounded tea drinking in Britain before that time.
Contrary to what many believe, Afternoon tea may have been started by the French and not the British, according […]

As an admitted coffee and tea addict, I have a large collection of coffee and tea accoutrements ranging from pretty teapots and stovetop espresso makers on down to sugar spoons and battery operated milk frothers. Many of these things, along with great china and bedding, came to us as wedding booty from generous friends […]

I have acquired a rather discerning palate for ice cream. Truth be told I???ll eat just about any kind ??? from the rich, highly caloric variations to the chemically produced, artificial non-cream ice creams that allege diet-friendliness. But at the end of the day I am most fond of the homemade kind, largely […]

There seems to be a rising trend in cupcake consumption. It just can’t be denied, everywhere you find baked goods there are usually cupcakes in there somewhere. Do an internet search of cupcakes and you find countless articles and recipes, even blogs dedicated strictly to cupcakes. I have to admit, the cupcake […]

I’ve been throwing around terms like Full City and second crack in my last few posts. Those that have been roasting for a while will certainly be familiar with these terms… but it never hurts to have a refresher.
When it comes to roasting coffee, it’s important to understand that different beans respond differently to […]