Writing with Coffee I have always had a secret writing routine. When I was in college, it involved a bottle of beer, a cigarette, and my writer’s hat. When I came to my senses, I swapped out the beer for Kool Aid Lemonade and the cigarette for a toothpick. In moments of weakness there were […]
Clothing Optional
I’m sitting at my desk staring at a lineup of toys. They’re mostly horror related with one or two minor exceptions. Edgar Allan Poe’s head bobs from side to side as if to say, “What are you doing with your life, son?” In sublime agreement, the other monsters and aliens stare with dead eyes. And […]
Perfect Coffee
Your Perfect Cup We’ve completed some good work together. We have discussed a number of important topics from coffee selection to types of brewers, and I feel it’s time to take a step back. Let’s consider the larger picture. You may have noticed that my brother and I have opted for a bold tagline on […]
Discovering Coffee
The First Time I Drank Coffee I can still remember the first time I drank coffee. I was in high school, maybe the 10th grade, and my friends and I went out to a diner. It was late at night, so of course we ordered breakfast. As the waitress went around the table, I noticed […]
Spring Equinox Review: Mountain Ridge Coffee
Spring Equinox 2014 I like shopping local. There, I said it. I also shop online. There–I said that too. Some people seem to think it’s one or the other. Either you support local businesses or you don’t. That’s not true. Of course it’s not true, but we all have this habit of viewing the world […]
Coffee Pot Showdown: French Press versus Chemex
French Press vs. Chemex With the multitude of fancy brewing systems available on today’s market, you may ask yourself, “Which one is best?” I have good news for you. In fact, I have great news for you: The least expensive brewers are often the most effective. The recent trend in coffee has been the one-cup […]
This is Why we Drink Bad Coffee
Bad Coffee My brother Mike, co-founder of Grind Brew Love, has posted a picture of David Lynch on our Facebook page a couple times now. In it, the director-extraordinaire is quoted as saying, “Even bad coffee is better than no coffee at all.” This may surprise you–especially if you have read the GBL philosophy–but I […]
How To Grind Coffee
Blade Grinders versus Burr Grinders Moving ever forward on the path to your perfect cup, the next step is learning how to grind coffee and decide which grinder to use on the whole coffee beans. The common debate you’ll find on this issue is blade grinders versus burr grinders. Blade grinders are exactly what they […]
My First Espresso, or…
Double Shot of Love Espresso. That indulgent, rich coffee concentrate adored by coffee lovers, admired by the uninitiated, and admonished by everyone else. Espresso–of all the coffee drinks–may be the most polarizing. To be polite, it’s an acquired taste. To be honest, most people just make it wrong. Where I fall on the scale of […]
Purchasing and Storing Fresh Roasted Coffee
Purchasing and Storing Fresh Roasted Coffee In our last article, we discussed some of the basics regarding whole bean coffee versus pre-ground coffee. Today, it’s all about how and where to purchase your beans plus and storage techniques. Local roasters are your source for the freshest coffee available. I’m a big supporter of local shops. […]