Ron Heathman - Roast Master

Here is a great, short video of True Beans Specialty Coffee's roaster, Ron Heathman. Ron is also known for his 20+ years with the Washington band The Supersuckers. I had the privilege of working with Ron for a year under the reich of Fresh Foods Cafe. Awesome dude and he can roast the hell out of coffee(in the good way).


Keep him working! Buy True Beans Coffee at most CA Wholefoods and at Fresh Foods Cafe.

"Drive fast, take chances."

Enlightening Latte

It only tastes as good as you feel it will

Schultzbucks

My every morning

Latte 6

Monorail! The "original bike messenger coffee house," as I've been told. It sure lives up to its name though. Outside was a plethora of bikers all ready to take off, with their walkie-talkies in ear shot. This place is just the right size and in a pretty good location to get all the people on their way to work or just in town for the convention center.

The espresso in my latte was really rich and had a nice taste to it. With a handfull of tables outside, this shop was much like Vivace with it's ability to sit on the street, enjoy your cup, and people watch the shit out of everyone that walks by.

Latte 5

Victrola. A nice place in a nice neighborhood. The looks of the place reminds me of most It's A Grinds in CA with the big art on the wall (a little overpriced, but I don't know the artist), and the dim lighting and lots of seating. The atmosphere is really nice and all their food looked really good.

One thing I noticed was that the foam was a really enjoyable consistency. Really good micro foam which made the drink taste extra frothy and creamy.

Next stop, Monorail

Latte 4

Bauhaus. Yum yum. Really good latte and an awesome custard filled chocolate donut. With its classic look, Bauhaus looks like an old library with an old timey book ladder and everything.

Also, it has a pretty sweet view of the space needle from the second floor. Quite the location if you ask me. Not only this, but their souvenir t-shirts picture a cafe racer (apparently their logo) along with the coffee shops name. I went downstairs to buy one but the line was out the door so I said fugg it. I plan on going back later to get one, shwing!

Latte 2 & 3

Yesterday was caffeinated. Our first stop was Stumptown Roasters. I got a small latte and Chelsea got, what she claims is, the best vanilla latte she's ever had. Hard to disagree with her, it was pretty dern good. Also, I love how this place looks on the inside.

 After some site seeing and a lunch at Gasworks park, we headed to Lighthouse roasters for a good sit down and a drink. I got a latte of course and Chelsea got a chai. I didn't get any art in my foam, although I did see it getting offered to other customers. LOCALS ONLY BRO. But really, I think they were just doing it for to go cups.

After reading some tips on Foursqaure, I couldn't leave without trying an Americano. I was warm enough already so I got it over ice, which still held up to its acclaim on FS.

Today we venture to Bauhaus and whichever coffee shop may tickle our fancy throughout the day. I could use one right now.

Latte 1

We made it to Vivace today. It's only about a mile from where I am staying, but it marks the first coffee shop off my list. Excellent latte. Plus a great atmosphere for people-watching while you drink.

Tomorrow it is Lighthouse or bust

Im back

So I'm back in Seattle, but this time I am armed with a list of local coffee shops. The 3 baristas I work with are all from Seattle and know all the best shops here. I asked them for a list of shops and I plan to hit them all for a small latte. There's about 7 on the list as well as an amazing and authentic cuban restaurant. I am only here from today until Thursday so you know what that means; coffee for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I can't wait.

Latte

A tribute to my favorite scene from Evil Dead II

Starbucks to make Ocean coffee?

Last week an article was released about a coffee soon to be offered by Starbucks which originates in the Atlantic Ocean. Boaters off the coast of South America were said to have drifted through a patch of "dark and dense" water which had the all too familiar smell of coffee. Local scientists were then asked to travel to the site and all confirmed that the dark liquid surrounded by ocean was in fact a large collection of coffee. Apparently due to a recent capsized shipment of coffee beans headed towards New York from Brazil, a mass quantity of beans were left to brew in the warm pool of the Atlantic Ocean. It is believed that the oil from the beans caused a strong barrier from the salty ocean and that the ocean brewed coffee had a much smaller salt content than the ocean water surrounding it. Attempts to extract it have been mostly successful, claiming the ocean brewing gives the beans a particular taste. You might remember the "monkey-butt" coffee that was offered a couple years back which spiked interest since the bean would pass through the digestive system of a Civet Monkey before being brewed. It seems the US is looking for new ways to hype up coffee and ocean brewed may be it.

No name has been chosen but Starbucks representatives loosely used terms like "Atlantic Brew" and "Sea Coffee" when talking about the new brew. Mass extraction is said to be underway before the new year and the company wants to get the brew in cups before April 2010. Although since this blend is brewed naturally and not at the time of sale it is wondered if reheating the liquid will be easily accepted by the public. CNN had one of their journalists write a short article about the new coffee but it was later pulled for unknown reasons. Ocean activists have taken notice to this saying that the oils and flavor will have a dramatic effect on ocean wildlife, but scientists assure that the caffeinated water can't harm the sea creatures and it actually seems to ward them off with no harm. Howard Shultz didn't have any comment on the new coffee but a representative said to "watch for a new blend soon." Will this catch on or be another fad like drinking coffee made from poop beans?

Mike's Coffee Etiquette

As most of you know, iI work at a coffee shop. I work at It's A Grind pretty much every morning from 5am to whenever. I get the privelage of seeing many different kinds of people and experiencing their personalities. Although this sounds like sugar and rainbows it can be a bit daunting.

I come to see many habits and traits that customers have that are a little less than appealing, especially to someone who is about to make something that will go in your mouth. Here is a not-so-short list of my pet peeves of annoying customers at It's A Grind: