CoffeeNate Episode #5 : Espresso Facts & Tips / Honeybean Coffee Review

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This week I received some coffee from HoneyBean.com , a small coffee company based in Lexington, Kentucky.  I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by the Fair Trade / Organic Velvet Hammer blend.  This is their signature blend, and is described as follows on their site..

Certified Fair Trade Organic. Intense in every category. Sharp acidity enveloped in a smokey flavor.  Our signature blend, Velvet Hammer® is the gold standard of coffee intensity. We begin with a careful balance of Central American, African and Indonesian coffees, and then finish it off with an Italian roasting. The result is a dark-roasted, bright, and intense coffee with a sweet smoky flavor you’ll not soon forget. The coffee gets uniformly high marks from all who try it. Perfect for espresso. Fair Trade Organic Certified.

This is an excellent, well balanced coffee blend that offers a variety of tastes.  As a special bonus exclusive to CoffeeNate.com visitors, you will enjoy a %10 savings when you order from the links on this site and use the coupon code COFFEENATE !  Just a perk you get for watching me ramble on every week!

This week’s show was based on questions that I received from CoffeeNate.com viewers! The first question is a year’s worth of shows in and of itself…’What is espresso?’  You can ask 20 people that question and literally get 20 variations.  Some of those people may say something like "EXpresso is real bitter coffee for yuppies".  While that is one false stereotype,  a ‘real’ espresso is not the all too common bitter sludge served up in most "cafes".  Let me preface this with an admission, I am NOT an espresso expert in any way.  I enjoy a properly made espresso and I am always learning more.  Espresso is an excellent way to really enjoy the full flavor that the coffee bean has to offer.  Unfortunately, this is not amateur night, proper espresso making involves many aspects that have to be executed precisely and exactly.  Mess up one step and you will likely be swigging on a cup of dirt!  Espresso is also the base of all fine coffee drinks, cappuccinos, lattes, café au lait, and my fave, "Shot in the Dark".   Give it a try this week, go out to a well reviewed coffee shop and try an espresso.  If you want to

start out slow, order an Americano (espresso added to hot water).  I find it interesting to read about the variations on espresso according to geographic locations, some like to use light roasts, while others very dark roasts, some use milk or sugar while others like to experience the raw flavor of the coffee.  There is no one ‘right’ way, but there are many WRONG ways..lol   Ask me a question and WIN FREE COFFEE!  That’s right, if your question is answered on the air you will be entered into a drawing for free coffee every month.  The odds are great to win some nice Fair Trade coffee as featured on the show!  Be sure to join our insiders’ list (top right), and Facebook fan page for updates and information.  Until next week, take care I actually found a 15 bar pump driven espresso machine on Amazon for under $150!  There are some great reviews on it too,Lello 1375 Ariete Cafe Prestige Coffee Maker You can do a quick search on there too and check some out, remember you also need an excellent grinder that is specifically made for espresso grinding.