Kaladi Bros Coffee and Ben's New Friend

Brandi and I met today at Kaladi Brothers coffee on University and Evans today. I've been many times, and one thing I am sure of - they DO NOT have enough seating! I have never been able to get a table. However, as Brandi and I sat down and began our meeting at the stools in the front, a woman came in and began talking to Ben. He was sitting beside me tracing letters in The Onion (an ad for a dispensary:), and I gave her a quick nod and a smile as moms often do. We continued with our meeting, and before I knew it, this woman had found crayons and coloring books, and was coloring WITH Ben! It was honestly the sweetest thing. Ben was talking with her about 4-year-old things, asking her name and telling her what he wants for his birthday. She told him that she was a regular customer at the coffee shop, and that she makes ice cream for a living. They hung out the entire time Brandi and I met! So, although I have a lot to say about Kaladi Brothers coffee, this post is for "Claudia who makes ice cream", Ben's new friend. Thanks for entertaining him with such joy and giving during what would have been a very boring hour for him!

Wash Perk Review

If you head over to Wash Park, then take Ohio about three blocks west, you will run into a quaint little neighborhood coffee shop known as Wash Perk... a play, of course, on both the park itself and our all-time favorite "Friends" hangout, Central Perk. I loved the eclectic style of the shop, with antique tables and chairs, potted plants in an old baby carriage and what looked like a chair with a bedpan in it, and different mugs and cups to drink from. I also noticed that they had many ways for their customers to give back to kids and other organizations in the community. It actually inspired me to brainstorm ways to do the same in my business (more to come on that later). As for their product, I ordered an iced chai, which they make fresh in the store. It tastes very similar to our homemade chai, and was refreshing on the 90 degree day. Brandi had a latte, and enjoyed the attempt at latte art and the flavors. If you're in the neighborhood, give it a try. If you live in the neighborhood, this may be the perfect opportunity for a new home away from home!

TO BREW OR NOT TO BREW!

To Brew or Not to Brew, that is the question at hand here! Do I brew at home and get a lower quality product tarnished by the water quality of my sink facet and the old grounds I have stored in the freezer or do I go grab a $3.00 cup from a local coffee shop, which I know will be of a certain quality and taste?
This question has popped up in every avid coffee drinker's mind, especially this time of year when your resolution is to save money! This problem can be solved without sacrificing any quality or taste. You just have to know the steps to take to make a quality cup at home. So read on and I will let you in on some secrets to improve your drip coffee-brewing skills.
First things first... Stop buying coffee from a supermarket! You deserve better, and the farmers that put in real time deserve better as well. I bet if you Google a local coffee shop, you will not only find a great atmosphere but you will also find one that offers great prices on whole bean coffee. So when you have found a couple of places to check out there are some things you need to look for. One, do they roast their own beans? If the answer to this question is yes, then see if any of it is fair trade or direct trade - this means that the roasters are directly involved with the farmers, and are ensuring that the farmers are paid fairly. Two, ask them if you can take some beans home to sample or sample a brewed version at the shop. Most coffee companies will already have it brewed or be happy to let you take home a little for you to try - the trick is that you actually have to ask.
Now that you have found a certain bean and roast combination that you will enjoy, all you need are the tools to brew to perfection. Do not keep your coffee in the freezer. This changes the composition of the oils that are naturally in the beans, and kills the flavor. The best place to keep your whole beans and pre-ground coffee is in an opaque airtight container in a dark cool place with a very limited amount of humidity. It is best to grind the beans as close to brew time as possible to get the absolute freshest cup feasible. But if you do not have a grinder at home, then do not purchase more than you will drink in a week. The shop where you purchased the beans will grind them for you based on your method of brewing.
Clean your coffee maker with 1 oz vinegar to 7 oz water, and then brew a small batch that you intend to throw out to get rid of any residue. Use water that is purified to not only protect your brewer from residue build up, but also to give your cup a crisper, unaltered taste. Last but not least is to use a bleached or clean metal filter. I know this may seem a little weird but the fact is that you can really taste the paper flavor of a filter that is not bleached.
You are now ready to measure out your coffee and brew. I recommend using one tablespoon of fresh grounds per cup of coffee that you are going to make until you have an idea of how strong you like your personal cup. Enjoy your own handcrafted cup of coffee, and I will be back next month to discuss different methods of brewing, to bring out even more flavors of your newly found coffee!

Rooster and Moon is the tops!

So, welcome to my next coffee shop review! Rooster and Moon, down on 9th and Bannock in Denver, has become one of my favorite shops in town. Besides having a lot of similarities to The Funky Brewster in style and taste, they brew a mean Americano. And, if you like a good beer, they are a pub in the evenings! I honestly haven't been there for their nighttime activities, but it sounds like a fun summer place to hang out. They have a lot of windows, so the inside is bright and cheery, and a small patio with tables and chairs if you fancy the outside. Check it out sometime this summer. Oh, and if you have time, walk down the block and across the street to Fashion Denver, a cute little boutique with all local, handmade fashions. Cute stuff and reasonable prices. Have a great summer!

Coffee shop review: Kunjani

I visit different coffee shops at least three times a week, and I thought I'd share my experiences with those out there who care! So, Kunjani is actually in Parker, and I go there frequently. Today, I had an Americano with an extra shot (my drink of choice), and then a cup of drip coffee. Kunjani is using Coda Coffee I believe, although they don't specifically advertise it on their website or in their store. Coda is a local roaster with some really awesome owners whom I met at the Barista competition a few weeks back. Anyway, Kunjani has several baristas who I recognize as having been there since they opened, which is nice because it gives some consistency to the service. Also, Sid, the manager, was there, and he always has a friendly face behind the counter. If you are into coffee shops for the ambience, this is definitely the place to visit, as there is some beautiful artwork, and is decorated with a rustic Italian theme that comes together well. However, I am never super impressed by the coffee. The americano had a good flavor, but the creme was nearly disappated when I received it. I chose the dark coffee for a refill, and it was missing a lot of flavor. My guess is that the coffee to water ratio was off.

The best thing about this shop is that it's local. My suggestion is to try anything local at least once, and my guess is that you will revisit Kunjani once you've experienced the shop. Although I'm a Miss Picky Pants when it comes to my coffee, I think you'll enjoy a drink from the espresso bar, and it's definitely worth the visit just to experience the gorgeous, homey feel of the store.

Oh, and thanks to Kunjani, parents at Renaissance Montessori Academy will be able to bid on free drinks at our silent auction coming up.... Thanks Kunjani!