Merry Christmas to All.

Not sure if you all remember this commercial...

There Is A New Coffee Shop In Town.

appealing
Originally uploaded by pavasm.

The Coffee Studio is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful coffee shops I have been to. It is contemporary, chic and it is only two weeks old.

Unlike any coffee shops, The Coffee Studio only uses the quality ingredients in its drinks. What was the last time you see a coffee shop uses the organic milk as the regular and not an extra?

The owners, Miguel and Lee can not be more hospitable. I had a double pulled by Miguel, it was quite good, and it was better than some of the doubles I have had at my regular shop.

I like The Coffee Studio. I hope for those who visit my blog can find time to check it out. I am pretty sure that it will become your favorite coffee shop, too.

To read more about The Coffee Studio at MikeP’s blog SMALLCOFFEE

A Blog Filler (A Little Rant).

I was at a coffee shop getting some beans and a doppio (double espresso). There was a customer holding up the line with her endless coffee questions, one girl (a runner for that shift) was being helpful with that quizzing customer, and the cashier just looked back and forward the whole exchange. I was 3rd in line, and it stayed that way for the next good 5 minutes. Now the line was getting longer. I had seen this setting before, no biggie.

Alright, I was next. While the same cashier ringed up the person before me, a 3rd PBTC (person behind the counter) popped out of nowhere, “What can I get you?”

“I’ll have a pound of coffee and a double espresso.”

The cashier, “That will be $.25 extra”.

I mildly protested, “But, your other store will do it for even exchange. Ahh, forget it, just put it on my card.”

I didn’t have any singles, so I asked the cashier to break a five. She came back with some nonsense questions, so I asked again, “please break a five for me.” This same exchange went on one more time, and it ended with her rolling her eyes and said, “I heard you!” If you heard me, then why keep asking me some questions that made no sense?

Anyway, I tipped a dollar for the trouble.

In the end, I got a great double. It was a really good one in my recent memory. I like to think I tipped the barista who pulled me that shot...

21.

Based on Ben Mezrich’s Bringing Down the House, and it is coming to the theaters near you next March. That gives you plenty of time to read this book, and its better sequel Busting Vegas.

Chicago Transit Espresso.

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is toying with the ideas of having the limited hour coffee services on some of its “L” platform stops. Starbucks and Intelligentsia were mentioned as the potential vendors in the local WBBM News Radio segment.

Now Playing - Let It Whip by Dazz Band.

Food Pairing: Coffee and Food.

Another great find by James. This is a nice online reference for those with the adventurous mind or the inspiring baristi who are searching for their next tasty signature drink ideas.

Starbucks Sirena – BMW Designed Espresso Machine.

BMW has joined other car makers to design its espresso machine. Starbucks is now offering Sirena designed by BMW (actually based on a Saeco machine) on its website for about US$600.00. So, among BMW, Audi, and Lamborghini, I have to pick the Italian, unless Ferrari joins the race...

The Bottom Is In!

The greenback is so unloved even the supermodel Gisele Bundchen demands to get paid in any currency other than our dollars. I had a conversation with a trader friend of mine a few weeks ago, and later I ran a Fibonacci calculation, which offered the projection that matched the high end target in this Bloomberg news article. I am sure you all have heard of “Herd Mentality”, and Gisele is one of the confirmations that the bottome is near...

Jumper.

Looks interesting. I hope the movie will be as good as it advertised...

Catchy...Love IT!

Spotted this picture here.

"We Just Made The Car"

Love this commercial. Love the clip from Pretty in Pink. I am glad that I have finally located this well executed work of art.

Kimi, The Iceman!

I hope some of you watched the race because it was a great race. An exciting race! Well, it all depends who you were cheering for. The driver standing going to the race was Lewis Hamilton (107), Fernando Alonso (103), and Kimi Räikkönen (100).

The point leader, Lewis made a couple of rookie mistakes in the early part of the race and took himself out of the championship contention. Alonso didn’t have the speed to keep up with the Ferrari duo, who took charge from the green flag to the checker.

At the end, Ferrari pilot Massa made way for his teammate Kimi to take the checker and the 10 much needed championship points to top both Lewis and Alonso and becoming the 2007 World champion. A long shot before the race. Now a winner!

2007 F1 World Champion
01 Kimi Räikkönen 110
02 Lewis Hamilton 109
03 Fernando Alonso 109

Scoring system for each race;
1st = 10 points
2nd = 8 points
3rd = 6 points
4th = 5 points
5th = 4 points
6th = 3 points
7th = 2 points
8th = 1 point.

Here is clip where Lewis tried to retake his position from teammate Alonso at turn 4 and failed on the opening lap. Also a spectacular crash between Yamamoto and Fisichella.

New Toy.

New Toy.
Originally uploaded by Spinnaker007.

It lets me surf the net, internet calling my friends, and it plays my music and video files. How cool is that? This model is on sale right now to make way for the newer version N810, that has built-in GPS and a slide open keyboard for MSRP US$479.00.

I got my N800 for US$239.oo from Buy.com.

Happy 20th Anniversary!

Yup! It has been twenty years since the “Black Monday” in 1987. This quarter's quadruple witching also puts a damper in today’s market action.

Down To The Wire.

Formula One’s season finale is in Brazil this Sunday, 10/21/07. The 2007 championship is still up for grab among 3 drivers, with a tight 7 points difference between the first and third place.

This highly anticipated race has so much drama and rivalries within the team (McLaren) and between the teams (McLaren vs Ferrari) ahead of this race weekend. The usual overtaking spots are at turn 1 and turn 4, but with so much on the line, do expect some brave and breathtaking moves elsewhere on the track. It will be one exciting race!

The current standing is;
1 Lewis Hamilton (England McLaren) 107
2 Fernando Alonso (Spain McLaren) 103
3 Kimi Räikkönen (Finland Ferrari) 100

This race will be air live on Speed at 11:30AM E.S.T.

Tamping, Italian Style. Part 2.

I just uploaded a 3-part sequence video clips on how I would pull my shots. I have been doing the light tamp lately, and it works as well as the general 30 pound and 50 pound methods.

The first part of the clip shows that I dose as I grind for a better even distribution. Light and even tamp in part 2, and the demonstration of such method is just as valid as the others.

I do have to apologize for the poor quality of the clips...

Tamping, Italian Style.

None too impressed
Originally uploaded by CoffeeGeek.

I have been tamping with the Italian style lately, just to experiment the different ways of doing things. The outcomes have been pretty positive.

I find it better to dose as you grind, instead of letting the grinder to have a head start. Dosing while grinding produces a better even distribution in the basket, which avoids the clumps that could form inside the chamber, which subsequently end up in the basket. Those clumps cause uneven density in the basket which equals an uneven extraction.

After the dosing, I clear the excess and gently tamp the grounds to make enough clearance so the surface doesn’t touch the shower screen.

The down side of this method is a tired arm...No, I am just kidding...

Say, Andy, are you approved? : )

Hacienda la Esmeralda Tasting Party

It sounds like the special Esmeralda tasting party at Intelligentsia last night was a success.

I didn’t go because,
a) I am a Two Buck Chuck kinda coffee drinker
b) I didn’t want to have caffeine after 7:00PM
c) The weather was terrible all day

A friend of mine was at the party, and I guess I’ll hear from her later.

Update…Here are some pictures from the Hacienda La Esmeralda tasting party at Intelligentsia.

I Prefer Jay, But Dave Is Pretty Funny In This Clip.

Hi Tech Refrigerators.

One thinks it is a "barista", and the other is a Mr Par-tay. I like the later better.

Your Girlfriend Better Likes Coffee.

An amusing find by James.

Love the commercial, not the beer...It gives me hangovers...

World's Smallest Espresso Machine.

Aesthetic. Portable. Capable? That I don't know...

It is inexpensive enough to get one and put it on display.

Steve-O!

The Coffee Hound is making the news!

Esmeralda's Preview Party.

Intelligentsia is having a special preview party for the 2007 award winning Esmeralda at its roasting facility on October 1. For US$25.00, you get to taste one the most expensive coffee in the world and a ¼ pound of its less famous kin. I may just pony up the money for the bragging right.

We Have A Winner!

hold still
Originally uploaded by tonx.

It all started with James Hoffmann , the 2007 World Barista Champion, who came up with some sort of absurd yet interesting latte art challenge. The goal is to pour the latte art in whatever things you can imagine. About all the pours are technically difficult, but uninspiring, only a few pours caught my eyes. Like James’ and Stephen Morrissey’s rosetta pours in the open hands, Perrys’ art in a tomato, and Head CoffeeGeek Mark’s in the twin martini shaker caps. Nothing, but nothing can top this wild and crazy one by Ryan Wilbur from Intelligentsia in L.A..

Update…The challenge is getting more interesting…There was the mouth, and now the ear. Look at the way it is going, I don’t want to see the latte art in other orifices of a human body!

Surfs Up!

Some guys at o2m8 built a coffee machine that can be controlled via the internet. The only problem with this machine, KRUPS XN2005, is designed to brew one coffee capsule at a time. The next challenge for them is, as one reader commented, to build a capsule magazine. As for me, I make my own drinks…

Poor Man's Esmeralda.

For only $24.95 per 1/2 lb from Peet’s. Ok, this is not the same 2007 award winning 10bag, total of 500 pounds authentic auction lot of Hacienda la Esmeralda Especial, but it is from the same farm who brought you this famous exotic coffee.

Here is a better deal, for $29.95 for a 12 oz bag at Coffee Klatch.

Pavarotti (1935 - 2007)

Tsk...Tsk...Tsk...God Bless You...

If you can’t tell the difference between the two.

Hyper Espresso.

Illy has a new home espresso machine coming out in September according to an article in today's Wall Street Journal. This new machine (US$600~US$800) requires Illy's proprietary coffee filled capsules, which comes in about $50.00 per pound of coffee. As far as I know, it doesn't do latte art...

Pull Over And Have Some Coffee.

Volvo introduces Driver Alert Control, a safety feature that alerts the fatigued drivers to take a break...A coffee break...

Attention Stock Jockeys!

Sunny Micro (NASDAQ:SUNW) is changing its ticker to JAVA on Monday, August 27th, and, no, its business has nothing to do with "coffee".

You Can't Top The Original...

They all are HOT, old and new...


Funny video for sure...

Batman: The Dark Knight

They Caught Me.
Originally uploaded by Spinnaker007.

I saw this circus on my way home from work, so I grabbed my camera and came right back down...

If you are from Chicago, you will see the familiar landmarks in this trailer.

I am not a fan of this type of movies, but I thought it is great to have movies being filmed in Chicago.

Intelligentsia L.A. (Sunset Junction) Is Open!

Intelligentsia Sunset Junction
Originally uploaded by tonx.

Today is the day. If you ever happen to be in L.A., look them up! Read the first news article.

Overdosing on Espresso.

Poor girl, and I am not going to make fun of her...OD on espresso is not a good feeling. The aftermath of a caffeine binge during my Seattle trip two years ago is still fresh. I can't blame those shots because I was constantly on the go with every little to eat and not properly hydrated. I didn't end up in the hospital, just a big a$$ headache on the following morning.

Now, can someone find two copies of "Driving For Dummies" for this idiot and that shifty Stefan Eriksson??

Omigawd!

This could be a funny film or we might have seen all the cheese cheesy parts...

Teammates? No Teammates??

Alonso (right) is penalized for delaying his teammate Hamilton in the pit during the closing minutes of the final qualification, by doing so, Hamilton would not have the sufficient time and a chance to fight for the pole position of Hungarian Grand Prix. Alonso, the pole setter, has been dropped 5 positions and to start 6th on grid for tomorrow’s race.

Boy, this is better than the soap opera! Just in case you want to watch this race, it is live at 7:30AM EST, August 5, on Speed.

The New WBC Champ.

James Hoffmann, the barista champion from UK is crowned as the 2007 World barista champ this past weekend. His name has emerged from the coffee-centric forums and blogs onto the front page of the international news (although all of them misspelled his last name). I don’t know James personally, but I follow his blog and Flickr. In the end, I congratulate James and his team for the job well done.

Click here to watch his title winning presentation.

Bonus feature: Milk tasting. Selecting the right milk for James’ cappuccini.

Sun Lovers.

MB Kiting: 0903, Rokkaku & Icarus
Originally uploaded by ciordia9.

I am a sun worshiper. I love the sun in the big blue sky and the smell of the sun kissed skin, but I also concern about the skin cancer. This research report gives me some hope even though the researchers did this study on the mice.

Teammates....

If you follow Formula One (F1), then you'll get this commercial. If not, those two in the commercial are the fastest F1 drivers this year thus far, and they are teammates for McLaren/Mercedes Benz F1 team. The guy at the end is Mika Hakkinen, a 2 time F1 World Champion, also a McLaren/Mercedes Benz pilot.

August 3rd! Can't Hardly Wait...

Caffé RōM

Here comes another coffee bar in downtown Chicago. Caffé RōM, a new venture by the founder of CAFFÉ BACI. I walked by (Hyatt Center on Franklin & Monroe) the other day but I didn't go in. According to its press release, Caffé RōM serves its coffee from Caffé Umbria. It just happens the family that owns Caffé Umbria also owned Torrefazione Italia, which was later sold to Starbucks. I have never had Caffé Umbria's coffee before, but the coffee from Torrefazione Italia was decent, and they poured nice latte arts. I will go check out Caffé RōM one day, although I am more interested in its gelato.

How Creature Comforts Is Made..

Creature Comforts - Countryside Code

L’Orange.

ING (Internationale Nederlanden Group) is a global financial services company with its HQ in Netherlands. It has been quietly opening up cafes around the country, and there is one in Chicago.

A friend of mine texted me about it a week ago, and Chicago Tribune just ran a story yesterday. Go check it out, use their free wi-fi and drink their free coffee when they're open later this month!

I can’t believe CBS cancelled the show after 3 short episodes.

Dragostea Din Tei, An International Phenomenon. (I know I am a bit late to this, but it is better late than never)

Creature Comforts

Creature Comforts is a brilliant new TV show on CBS, a compilation of people who were interviewed with various topics. Their thoughts and comments were then conveying through the characters of the claymation.

He Walked Away With A Sprained Ankle.

If you missed the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal last weekend, you missed this spectacular crash...

What Would You Do to Win A Million Dollars?

The contest was long over. Even though I didn't make it to the final, I was satisfied with my result.

Then, I read something about the alleged cheatings among some finalists a few days ago, but it didn't elaborate on the details until today.

During the contest, I was amazed by some contestants who were able to pick big winners consistently, while I labored myself trying to keep up with them. Now we know that they took the advantage of CNBC's flawed software design.

Anyway, I had fun, and it was a lot easier to trade with the funny money with no emotional burden...

Are you μ + 3σ?

Panama's Hacienda la Esmeralda has done it again. The winning bid for this year's crop is $130.00 per pound (unroasted coffee beans), and I have already received a solicited email for $99.00 per 1/2 pound of the roasted cherries (if I remember correctly, it is up from $55.00 per 1/2 pound of a different roaster last year).

I like coffee, and I consider myself (knowledge of coffee and cupping ability) as any normal μ + 2σ coffee drinker. So, let me read and hear about it from those hardcore coffee folks. Unless you want to buy me a cup...

Love This Location.

But we are not meant to be together..

Busy Racing Weekend!

Memorial Day is the day to honor and remember those service men and women who died for this country. The Memorial Day Sunday, is also the day the world’s most prestigious automobile races will burn some rubbers. (thanks MikeP...Need to make sure the correct "rubber" is being burned here...)

Formula one will be broadcast live at 7:30AM EST, Sunday morning on Speed Channel, my favorite F1 pilot, the hard charging Fernando Alonso sits on the pole position. The circuit of Monaco Grand Prix is tremendously hard to overtake the car in front. It is not impossible, but it is very difficult. The only place to improve the position is done in the pit. The sooner the pit crew can get the car out to the track, the better chance for that driver to move up on the grid.

Not to forget about the exciting finish of last year’s Indy 500. It was the 2nd closest finish in history with the margin of victory in 0.0635 of a second! The race will be live on ABC TV station, with pre-race at 12:00 AM EST. Let’s hope Michael Andretti can finally win the elusive BorgWarner Indianapolis 500 Trophy.

2006 World Barista Champion, Klaus Thomsen.

Those Danish sure know about their coffee. Out of total 7 World Barista Championships (WBC), they finished in top 3 six times (except for 2003), and produced 4 world champions. Klaus was awarded with his WBC title in Berne, Switzerland last year.

Making espresso is one hobby of mine. It would be great to have a world champion to coach and improve my skill, but finding this clip while surfing youtube is the next best thing.

When making the cappuccino, the terminal temperature for steaming the milk is usually about 160~165°F (71~74°C). Klaus thinks the correct serving temperature is at 149°F (65°C), but he prefers his at the lower temp at 140°F (60°C). I also prefer my cappuccino at the lower temperature. I guess I obtained that habit from the days when I was learning the latte art. I made it just hot enough (or cool enough) for me to drink it fast, then onto practicing for another one. So that is my story.

Here is another story, I had a chance to taste an espresso and a single cappuccino from another famous Dane, Fritz Storm (2002 WBC Champ), when he visited Chicago 2 years ago. Those drinks were excellent.

Learning How To Pour Tulip

Learning how to pour tulip
Originally uploaded by Spinnaker007.

Spring is here, and the tulip latte arts are popping up everywhere like their real counterparts. I figure I'll learn how to pour one...

Actually it is quite simple to do,

1st, pour like you would do a rosetta, just a couple of wiggles,

2nd, make a solid dot and push the partial rosetta toward the opposite side of the cup,

3rd, finish with a heart.

Do it well with the clean definition like this one, now that is a challenge. (Looking at how Sammy pours with such an ease, makes me envious.)

The Formula One Great - Nigel Mansell (il leone)

Quotes:

"I consider myself one of a very small handful of drivers in the world that are top drivers. The best one? I don't think anybody can say they're the best one because, from one week to the next, you can be on form or off form a little bit."

With this clip, you will see why Nigel is one of my all time favorite race drivers.

Repeat!

finalists
Originally uploaded by tonx.

Not quite. Matt is not able to defend his title. Heather from Coffee Klatch, the 2003 champion recaptures the top spot this year, and becomes the first 2-time champ. Her lovely personality will represent US well in World Barista Competition in Tokyo.

1st Heather Perry
2nd Pete Licata
3rd Matt Riddle
4th Chris Deferio
5th Kyle Glanville
6th Peter Middlecamp

The Final 6.

Reg Barber's handiwork
Originally uploaded by CoffeeGeek.

WOW! Who da thunk it! The field is made up with three (out of seven) regional champions and one first timer from Black Sheep, St. Paul, MN.

In no particular order:

Matthew Riddle, Intelligentsia, Chicago, IL
Heather Perry, Coffee Klatch, San Dimas, CA
Chris Deferio, Carriage House, Ithaca, NY
Kyle Larson, Stumptown, Portland, OR
Kyle Glanville, Intelligentsia, L.A., CA
Peter Middlecamp, Black Sheep, St. Paul, MN
Pete Licata, PT's, Overland Park, KS

Money Never Sleeps Pal.

A little birdie tells me that 20th Century Fox is planning on filming Wall Street II.

Gordo the Great, way to go!

Look At The Shiftknob On This....

What a beautiful espresso machine! For about US$1750.00, you can get your hands on this limited produced Tonino Lamborghini coffee machine.

I got my eyes on the La Marzocco GS3, only if they offer the zero% financing...

Here We Are, Once Again.

The 2007 United States Barista Championship (USBC) is in Long Beach, California this weekend, which means I’ll be checking for any related news and pictures on my laptop regularly.

I am surprised to learned two former champions, Phuong Tran (2005) and Dismas Smith (2002 North American Barista Competition) are coming out of their sabbaticals to compete in this year’s event. How exciting!

I am sticking with my best guess from my early post entry.

My Day In The Sun! : )

My last go around didn’t fare well. I broke my rules in my final “Hail Mary” attempt to catch up with the competition, and it totally blew up (I think “collapse” is the better term) on me.

This time around, I stick with my plan and with some luck, I got my day in the sun. The competition ends in a week. Out of 1,450,045 contestants, I am happy with the result thus far...

Hermes House Band - Country Roads.

There is no music I do not like (except for raps and metals). In any case, with no disrespect to John Denver, here is a remix version of his famous “Country Roads”. (That fat guy in the video reminds me of Benny Hill...) LOL!

Bourne.

Jason Bourne...
The official website.

Latte Art in Motion - Rosetta.

Not sure if I like this pour...The beginning was promising, the execution at the end was so-so at best...

Rosetta With A Little Heart on Top

I was shooting for a fat rosetta like Kyle G.'s, by increasing the pour flow speed. I had to throttled back because I was about to lose control of my pour as it started to swirl. So, no fat rosetta for me...

Latte Art in Motion - Heart.

I am pretty satisfied with this pour.

Latte Art in Motion.

Click to see this one being made.

There is a latte art contest, and the winner takes home an espresso machine. I will try my best to pour a couple of hearts and rosettas before I decide which one to enter. You may see a few more in the coming days (if I am lucky enough.)

I am sure there will be some top latte artists gunning for the title but I hope I will win, because I have a plan for the winning. My plan is hidden within my blog somewhere, if you find it, wish me luck...

I hope I can win this contest. I want to donate the machine and auction it off on coffeegeek.com. All the money will go to coffeekids.org.

500 Horsepower Club - AMG CLK63 "Black Edition"

Pictures from autoblog.com.


A quick snap from Edmunds Inside Line:

"the CLK63 AMG Black Series is modeled on the company's F1 safety car. It is distinguished from the standard CLK63 AMG launched late last year, by an aggressive new lightweight carbon-fiber body kit. It consists of a deep front spoiler, heavily flared wheel arches, additional ducts in the front fenders, new side sills underneath the doors and a reprofiled rear bumper and trunk lid lip spoiler. It's powered by a 500-horsepower version of Mercedes-Benz's 6.2-liter V8....Drive goes to the rear wheels via Mercedes-Benz's seven-speed 7G-Tronic automatic transmission, with remote shift paddles on the steering wheel.

Mercedes-Benz claims a 0-60-mph time of 4.1 seconds, a good half-second faster than the standard CLK63 AMG, with top speed limited to 186 mph."

Dang, I would love to drive this car!

Website As A Graph.

This is how my blog supposed to look like as in a graph, and I can't make anything out of it even with the colored tags (maybe I am not suppose to), but I know my is not as organized as this one or this one.

Click here for your own graph.