When I said that the AeroPress was one of my favorite brewing methods, I meant that I’m obsessed with it. My obsession has led to a second set of parameters that produce another fine cup in the AeroPress.

This method here came from a reader of mine named Sam. Sam and I started talking through email about the AeroPress and well… One experiment led to another and he came across the parameters above which has now been a favorite of mine.

I suggest you stop reading and go try this method out. Don’t forget to report back. I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts on how this method turned out for you all.

For the last few months I have been using a KeepCup which the company was kind enough to send me to test out. Ever since hearing about this environmentally friendly mug, I just knew I had to have it.

Truth be told, I feel I don’t have the need for one because I could never make it out the door before the cup was empty and screaming for a refill, but for those times when I’m on the go, these are definitely great mugs to have around. The KeepCup is the first Barista Standard reusable cup because they replicate standard takeaway sizes, and these bad boys can fit under most espresso machines. The next time you go to your local cafe for a caffeine fix, you can hand them your KeepCup instead of receiving a paper cup in return.

Let me break down some of the good’s and bad’s about the KeepCup…

FACTS:

• The KeepCup is the first Barista Standard reusable cup
• Made from plastic, but is BPA free, and non-toxic
• Dishwasher safe, microwaveable, and splash proof
• Can be recycled at the end of its life unlike most to-go mugs on the market

THE GOOD:

I love this mug plain and simple. It has a unique, almost out retro design that I just love. It may be made of plastic, but don’t let that scare you away. This mug is BPA free, non-toxic, and recyclable at the end of its life which is about 1000 uses. You never have to worry about buying a to-go mug and wondering if the mug will out live you. Eventually, this mug will have to be put down and when it does you can sleep comfortably knowing it won’t hurt the environment.

Another fun feature about this mug is the endless color combinations. Pick the color of the cup, the lid, the plug, and even the silicone band to make your mug unique. You have creative color control over this mug so you have the option to make the mug as bland, or as funky looking as you want.

It doesn’t stop there either…

Another thing to add to the uniqueness of this mug is the silicone band which can be used to personalize your coffee preferences by etching the inside of the text printed on the band. One downside which I will mention here is that the word strong is on the band. This is one thing I would love to see be removed, as its a useless word we should remove from the dictionary when talking about coffee.

Other than that personalized drink preferences, the silicone band adds a nice layer of protection keeping your hand nice and cool. The mug (if preheated first) can actually get quite warm, but not to where you can get injured.

What about those klutzy people out there? No need to worry, folks. If the mug is accidentally tipped over you won’t have to worry about any spillage. The mug isn’t spill proof by any means, but it does hold up quite nicely for those freak accidents we know happens all too often.

THE BAD:

Besides the word strong plastered on to the silicone band, the only downside I can find is that the mug does not stay hot long. If you preheat, I found I was able to get about an hour before the coffee cooled to room temperature. Although, that may not be such a bad thing after all. Who keeps their coffee around that long anyways?

BOTTOM LINE:

Two thumbs up for me.

The KeepCup sums up just about everything I could want in a to-go mug. It’s environmentally friendly, really cool looking, recyclable, BPA free and non-toxic, and very affordable.

Since testing, I have already purchased two more KeepCup’s thanks to Dear Coffee, I Love You. You can check out Brian’s “Damn thy Disposable” KeepCup’s here. They have since become my go to mug even in the mornings. I’m officially addicted.

_______________

The KeepCup ranges in sizes and prices as follows:

4oz – $8.50
8oz – $10.20
12oz – $12.20
16oz – $14.20

* Note these prices do not include shipping costs.

Head over here to design your KeepCup today.

The Coffee

Beans: Gichatha-ini, Kenya
Roaster: Kuma Coffee

Equipment/Brewing Method

Brew Method: Clever Dripper
Grinder/Grind Size: Baratza Virtuoso Preciso – Dial 24
Bean/Water Ratio: 24/350g / 3min infusion / 1:30 drop

Notes:
Very juicy aroma with a light vanilla or sugar cane sweetness. Juiciness starts to remind me of blackberries as the coffee starts to cool.

Each sip is big and juicy carrying notes of honey, tart blackberry, grapefruit, dates, and strawberries as it cools.

Ben Blake aka @DrawCoffee on Twitter said:

It’s like biting into and savoring a big juicy piece of sweet, tart fruit.

I couldn’t agree more with you, Ben!

Verdict:
It was hard to pinpoint exactly what fruits I was tasting in this coffee until the coffee cooled down to room temperature. Oddly, that was when this coffee really shined. Juicy strawberries surrounded my tongue with the perfect amount of sweetness, and just a touch of tart.

Something about having this coffee cold didn’t seem to bother me either. In the end I found myself liking this coffee cold instead of warm. Now I really wish I had done some cold brewing experiments before I destroyed this bag.

Score:
94/100pts

More Info About This Coffee

Region: N/A
Varietal: N/A
Processing: N/A
Altitude: N/A
Harvest Season/Date: N/A
Cost: Check for availability and roast schedule

The Coffee

Beans: El Salvador Santa Ana
Roaster: REV Coffee

Equipment/Brewing Method

Brew Method: AeroPress w/ Able Brewing Disk
Grinder/Grind Size: Baratza Virtuoso Preciso – Dial 24
Bean/Water Ratio: 19/230g 1min steep / 45 sec plunge

Notes:
Milk chocolaty dry grounds with an aroma that sings of dried figs, sweet tropical fruits and light chocolate hints.

Each sip is juicy with a very pleasing sweetness. Dried figs, spice hints reminding me of cloves, and a cocoa play lingering in the finish.

Clover Honey, Juicy Red Currant, Full Body, Clean Finish ~ REV Coffee

Verdict:
I had a fun, although limited, time playing with this coffee in the AeroPress, Clever Dripper, and even the Hario V60. All three brewing methods gave some good results, but since the coffee arrived at a week old I didn’t get a whole lot of time to really dive into each method extensively.

All three methods were good in their own way, but in the end I found the AeroPress won my heart with this coffee. I hope in the future to come back to this coffee and give it another go.

Score:
90/100pts

More Info About This Coffee

Region: Latin America
Varietal: Bourbon
Processing: 1515 Meters
Altitude: January – March
Harvest Season/Date: Pulp Natural, Sun Dried
Cost: $14.99 per 12oz

It seems that the idea of coffee subscriptions is really growing these last few months, but not just one roaster with a recurring delivery of fresh roasted coffee, but subscriptions offering a variety of fresh roasted coffee from various coffee roasters.

Craft Coffee was the first one (correct me if I’m wrong) to hit the coffee world hailing from Brooklyn, New York, and now we have LA Coffee Club hailing from Los Angeles, California.

Before you go closing this page down because you realize you don’t live in LA, let me point out that nowhere on the site does it say that the subscription is limited to people living in the LA area. Get happy now! You can order this subscription and pretend you live in LA drinking some of these phenominal roasters as well as finding some new roasters you may not have known of before.

At $30 a month you’ll receive two 12oz bags of fresh roasted coffee each month. Hopefully by now your eyes have widened at the ridiculous price. Don’t forget that you’ll be receiving coffee from roasters such as Handsome Coffee Roasters (my favorite), Intelligentsia Coffee, Klatch Roasting, and more…

For a full list of roasters you can visit this link here, but why would you do that and ruin the surprise of seeing what arrives each month?

Not only is the list of roasters mouth watering, but check out the above packaging. I wouldn’t have expected anything less. A yellow burlap looking sack with LA stenciled on top and a black bandana covering up the two bags of coffee hiding inside. I wouldn’t mind toting that bag just about everywhere I go.

I’m going to stop myself right here and just tell you plain and simple:

The Coffee

Beans: Gethumbwini, Kenya
Roaster: Kuma Coffee

Equipment/Brewing Method

Brew Method: Clever Dripper
Grinder/Grind Size: Baratza Virtuoso Preciso – Dial 24 (medium + grind)
Bean/Water Ratio: 26/350g / 2 minute infusion / 1:30 drop

Notes:
Aroma is very mellow with a sugary sweetness claiming the first introduction. Underneath honey flows through and then the cup opens up with a very lush blackberry note reminding me of blackberry jam.

The taste begins with a blackberry note that is sweet, yet tart. Honey follows suit bringing more sweetness to your palate. As the coffee cools, hints of mandarin orange can be found. The blackberry note is round and juicy, lingering around after each sip.

Mixed Berry Jam, Black Currants, Mandarin Orange, Candy Sweetness ~ Kuma Coffee

Verdict:
I was able to enjoy two helpings of this coffee. The second bag was an even lighter roast than the first. I didn’t get a chance to compare them side by side, but they were both extremely delicious coffees. I found the second bag even juicier than the first. It was so tart and mouth puckering, yet sweet and delicious.

The Clever Dripper, and even the AeroPress produced truly wonderful cups of coffee time after time. A wonderful example of a truly beautiful Kenyan coffee.

Score:
93/100pts

More Info About This Coffee

Region: Thika
Varietal: SL28, SL34, K7
Processing: Washed
Altitude: 1800 Meters
Harvest Season/Date:
Cost: Check site for availability

The Coffee

Beans: Guatemala Finca El Injerto Maragogype
Roaster: Bird Rock Coffee Roasters

Equipment/Brewing Method

Brew Method: AeroPress w/ Able Brewing Disk
Grinder/Grind Size: Baratza Virtuoso Preciso – Dial 24 + Micro Adjust to “F”
Bean/Water Ratio: 17/220g 1 minute infusion / 45 sec plunge

Notes:
Aroma carries a sugar cane and doughnut sweetness while light hints of grapes, apricots, and wine begin to slowly emerge underneath.

Each sip dominates with a sugar cane/doughnut like sweetness, coating your tongue and lingering around long after each sip. Underneath the intense sweetness I found brown sugar, chocolate hints, and slight fruit hints like oranges or apricots.

Apricot, sugar cane, syrupy with a rum-like finish ~ Bird Rock Coffee Roasters

Verdict:
I had a hard time deciding whether or not I liked this coffee in the Clever, or the AeroPress, but it seemed the AeroPress brought out more of those underlying fruit notes while the Clever gave a little more sugary sweetness. Either way, both methods were produced wonderful cups.

This is a very sweet cup of coffee featuring all kinds of goodness. Prepare your tongue for sweet, yet fruity domination.

Score:
93/100pts

More Info About This Coffee

Region: Guatemala
Varietal: Maragogype
Processing: N/A
Altitude: N/A
Harvest Season/Date: N/A
Cost: $17 per 8oz

I thought it would be fun to take a look back at 2011 and pick out the 10 most memorable coffees of that year.

Looking back, I realized that I had quite a few Kenyan’s that year. (I guess I became a little obsessed.) What really stood out to me though, was that 2011 was a spectacular year for coffee… Well, at least for me and my taste buds. I had so many coffees that I enjoyed, and quite a few that really left a lasting impression on me.

So, without without further adue… My top 10 most memorable coffees of 2011. (In no particular order, or rating.)

1.) Honduras Los Portillos (New Harvest Coffee)

2.) Holiday Fusion Blend (MadCap Coffee)

3.) Bali Natural Kintamani (One Village Coffee)

4.) Don Medardo (Handsome Coffee Roasters)

5.) Costa Rica Aguilera Bro’s Micromill (Tonx Coffee)

6.) Kenya Fairview Estate (Gorilla Coffee)

7.) Ruthagati AA (Handsome Coffee Roasters)

8.) Elefante (MadCap Coffee)

9.) Kenya Kirinyaga Mamuto (Terrior Coffee)

10.) Ethiopia Sidamo (Doma Coffee)

The Coffee

Beans: Honeypot Espresso
Roaster: Kuma Coffee

Equipment/Brewing Method

Brew Method: Clever Dripper
Grinder/Grind Size: Baratza Virtuoso Preciso – Dial 24
Bean/Water Ratio: 26/350g / 3min infusion / 1:30 drop

Notes:
A perfect summer coffee featuring a honey sweetness, perfect for those hot days, and and delicious berry like play that reminds me of strawberries. Hints of mandarin orange emerge soon after.

Each sip is crisp and refreshing. A light bodied coffee with mandarin orange, a very pleasing honey sweetness, candied strawberries, and a lingering chocolate play that stays long after each sip.

As the coffee starts to age the coffee becomes sweeter and starts to morph into an even chocolatier cup.

Mandarin Orange, Apricot, Brandy ~ Kuma Coffee

Verdict:
When this coffee arrived I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly this one grew on me. Don’t let this mellow coffee fool you. It might be mellow, but it’s also crisp tasting, and seriously refreshing as a pour-over.

I never got around to trying this as an espresso so I can’t give you any thoughts on that, but experimenting with this coffee in the Clever and the AeroPress lead to some great results.

Overall, this coffee was a nice change compared to the big fruity boasting coffees I was also drinking for the week.

Score:
93/100pts

More Info About This Coffee

Region: Boquete
Varietal: Catuai, Typica, Bourbon
Processing: Honey Processed
Altitude: 1670-1825 Meters
Harvest Season/Date: N/A
Cost: $16 per 12oz

The Coffee

Beans: Honduras Bertilio Reyes Portillo
Roaster: New Harvest Coffee

Equipment/Brewing Method

Brew Method: Clever Dripper
Grinder/Grind Size: Baratza Virtuoso Preciso – Dial 24
Bean/Water Ratio: 26/350g 3 minute infusion / 1:30 press

Notes:
Juicy grapes upfront, sweet honey, and tart strawberries make up the aroma of the coffee.

Each sip follows with a lively acidity, juicy grapes, chocolate, strawberries, along with lemon hints, and oranges. A clean cup that doesn’t disappoint or lack with flavor.

Chocolate, plum, grape, sweet lime, clean finish, a beautiful balance is the star of the show ~ New Harvest Coffee

Verdict:
This coffee marks my second experience with the wonderful New Harvest Coffee. This particular coffee is the brother of Aldolfo’s lot, a farmer whose coffee I sampled not too long ago, and one you might remember, Honduras Los Portillos.

The moment Honduras Los Portillos arrived I was instantly blown away with the bright fruity notes the beans carried all the way to that first cup I made. It was an impressive coffee, and made for a memorable 2011. It even made my top 10 list of coffees in 2011 I enjoyed the most.

Honduras Bertilio Reyes Portillo, on the other hand, is another wonderful coffee even though it did not live up to the expectations I know I shouldn’t have compared to his brother’s coffee.

Breaking myself away from comparing the two, I did in fact enjoy this wonderful gem of a coffee. It did not disappoint, and I would highly recommend you try this before it’s gone.

Score:
93/100pts

More Info About This Coffee

Region: Honduras
Varietal: N/A
Processing: N/A
Altitude: N/A
Harvest Season/Date: N/A
Cost: $16 per 1lb.