Dan's Blog: For What it's worth.

Three days last week I took a little vacation to head down to Indianapolis for the Worship Facility Expo where I rocked it out making drinks at the Aspen, Cogun, Third Place Consulting booth. I was there to help share what God is doing at the cafe at my home church, share how a third place at someone's home church can be used to the Glory of the Lord and to make some awesome drinks. The conversation that took place and the people that I had the pleasure of meeting were well worth the time and investment. Who knows, I met get a chance to do it all over again in the fall. Now to figure out how to up my home espresso machine to a Nouva...

For what it's worth.

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The coffee abroad has not been to decent to date. Had a nice americano in Amsterdam at Coffee Connection, Dave was great barista. The coffee on flights and at the hotel are a pass. Stopped by Caffe Nero yesterday for the latte above, a bit less than I am use to. The americano this morning from Nero was proper and good to the last drop.

For what it's worth.

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Arizona Coffee to be acquired by Starbucks.

I give this guy props for showing off commitment to the craft.

I sent my wife the link... and got the following back, "don't even think about it". If you have some ink that shows off your dedication to the career you are in post the links in the comments.

For what it's worth.

Based on a conversation the other day with my little girl I am now in search of a toy espresso machine. She was playing in her new kitchen and I was being served a slice of cake. I asked if I could have a cup of coffee, she informed me that she did not have an espresso machine so I was getting tea. Fair enough... that means that daddy needs to get her a espresso machine for practicing. She all ready crawls up on the counter when I am making drinks at home. She know the process: grind, dose, tamp, polish, lock it in, pull the shots, knock it out. That is my little barista.

For what it's worth.

Thanks to James for posting this great comic

Let the virtual barista battle begin...

For what it's worth.

Today brings me one step closer in my coffee geek life, I have ordered a keyring that is a mini portafilter. Just working daily at increasing my geekness in all areas of my life, today is in coffee.

For what it's worth.

Well more in the coffee category for the week. This week my drink of choice is a personal take on big brand canned coffee drink. Since I really don't want issues with copyright, trademark, laywers ... I will call it the #2. Simple put, sweetened cream and espresso bliss.

Drink Up.

For what it's worth.

I just helped a friend recover a domain that he has been trying to get back for a few years now. The previous domain holder let it lapse and we picked it up from a domain auction house... a little overpriced but worth getting it back.

I have my bids out for a couple other domains that some non-profit organizations I help are trying to get a hold of... I know everyones in it for a buck but come on...

For what it's worth.

As you know, I am huge fan of coffeehouses and love them as third places for gatherings. So as we gather individually or in groups there should still remain a sense of personal and private space. Today I was in a coffeehouse where I felt my private space was invaded. I don't mind if someone listens to their music via headphones of even their laptops speakers but there is no need to crank is so loud that I can hear it from the other side of the seating area. At that point place the headphones on. Just a thought.

For what it's worth.

So the current world barista champion posed a litte challenge. That is to pour some absurd latte art. I have to say that so far I think the boys from intelligentsia LA are winning. Check out these fliks.

For what it's worth.

Alfred Peet the founder of Peet's Coffee & Tea has pass away at 87. Thank you Mr. Peet for your years of service to the specialty coffee world.

For what it's worth.

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Ah, I was going to title this drink of the week but that places to much pressure on me to keep up... so for now there will be an occasional drink update on what I am currently enjoying as my "regular". As of now I am enjoying sipping on an iced americano made with some great beans.

Drink Up.

For what it's worth

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Shortly before the winner was announced at the World Barista Championship I had placed and order for a pound of Heather's blend that she used to win the USBC. If I was smart I should have waited a bit and ordered the blend she used at the WBC. But now to the point, it arrived today and as any good coffee geek I quickly ripped open the FedEx package and made sure the espresso machine was on and warmed up. Upon opening the bag I was met with a very pleasant aroma that just made the taste buds start watering. I measured out enough for a double espresso and tossed it in the grinder, pre-warmed my espresso cup, dosed, tamped and pulled a great double. The creama was amazing and the bouquet was great as I waited for the shot to pull. The shot has a nice citrus note and a very elegant berry note. Oh this is going to be a good pound of beans... I will have to try it in a cappuccino to see how it works with milk, which I am sure will be great as well.

For what it's worth.

A huge congratulations to James Hoffmann being awarded the 2007 World Barista Champion!  And another round off applause to ZacharyZachary for the awesome coverage of the WBC.

For what it's worth.

Go Heather.  We are cheering for you at the WBC.

Heather's round one performance is posted below, all coverage was by ZacharyZachary.

For what it's worth

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Now some of the speciality roasters are getting in to pods as well. Now someone can enjoy awesome coffee one cup at a time. I personally would not go this route in our home but it would be so much better if hotels started to use these instead of those nasty 1/2 pot big name packets of coffee... and just that is being rumored to be happening.

For what it's worth.

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Although I could be referring to myself with a title like that I am not today. If you are into coffee at all then you know how dirty coffee equipment and wares can get. If you have not tried using Joe Glo then you have been missing out. This magic powder whips the parts clean so that they look as if they were new. It was amazing to see this stuff work on the backflush cycle of the espresso machine (if your machine supports a backflush) and the groups were as clean as the day it powered up, but then to mix up the "Wicked Liquid" soaking solution and see what it can do on parts, wares, pots, ... was amazing. I totally should have taken pictures but it took a nasty old pot and made it look like we just purchased it off the shelf. Go Joe Glo!

For what it's worth.

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So when I volunteered to help at our church's new coffeehouse I knew it was going to be a blast. This outreach is creating an opportunity to minister in new and exciting ways. As a coffee geek also I have the ability to learn/play on an Aurelia from Nova Simonelli. It was great step up from our families personal Solis SL 70... the hard part is now working on the Solis when I am at home... after you have used the big boy the little machine just doesn't seem to cut it anymore. I basically had to retrain myself on how to pull a great shot on the Solis again after having used the Aurelia. The skill is back and I can pull some great shots on both machines. I will use the Aurelia any day though. Maybe I should add one to my Christmas list...

For what it's worth.

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