In My Not So Humble Opinion

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Caribou Coffee

I meet people at Caribou Coffee on a regular basis. They have good Chai, don't play Paul McCartney on their sound system, and have totally free wifi. Their prices are competitive, they shy away from snooty-sounding names for their beverage sizes, and their staff is genuinely friendly.

One location, at 1400 E Hampden in Englewood, CO, has gone another step to prove they are better than those other guys, and now provide free power, too. A power strip encircles the public seating area. You can browse the net, and recharge your cell without fighting for an outlet. Way to go to make life even better for all of us harried, laptop-laden entrepreneurs!

This week, they handed out samples of coffee to take home to brew. I got a little bag of "Columbia," enought for a small pot. Husband brewed it, and gave his review, as follows:

Me: What do you think? How is it?

Husband: Good.

Me: Anything else? Full-bodied, mellow, rich, dark, bitter...?

Husband: Tasty.

There you have it. Columbia coffee from Caribou is Good and Tasty.

Labels: Caribou, coffee, coffee review, free wifi

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Jamaican Me Crazy

Joffrey's Coffee & Tea Company (since 1984) sent me a packet of coffee this week. I love the stuff, but I'm a bit unsophisticated where coffee is concerned - I don't know much about it, but do I know what I like. To me, all coffee comes in two categories: Black, and "with stuff in it." I'm going to go Black with this pot.

Step one: Opened the packet. Easy. Sniffed. First wonderful thing: It smells fresh-roasted. How do they do that? I'm guessing Magic.

Step two: Made a pot in the complimentary 12-cup coffee maker I got from Gevalia. (Quote: You may cancel your service at any time after receiving your introductory shipment and the gifts are yours to keep with no further obligation). Smells even better while it's brewing.

Step three: Poured it in the cup. Deep brown color, powerful aroma of fresh roast. (Still can't get over that.) Tentative taste. Whoa, this is nice. Bold as Donald Trump. Smooth and melodious as Alicia Keys. The aftertaste is beautiful. I want this in my mouth all day long. It's not just a cup of coffee, it's an exotic, multi-sensory experience.

Gevalia: take notice. There's a new coffee in town, and it's gonna whip yo ass!

Labels: beta test, coffee, Joffrey's, Joffrey's Coffee and Tea Company

Normal is seriously overrated. Give me something different, unusual, and yes, weird. Weird is more exciting, or at the very least, more interesting and noteworthy. But is it Weird Enough for comment? I'll let you know.