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Coffee & Espresso

Our Senseo Review - A year later

Last year, we were given a Senseo Single Serve Coffee Machine, and here we are now getting around to our review.  So after a year, the good news is that we're still using the machine.  Of course, the best part of the machine is its convenience of making a single pot without the waste of making a full pot.  And funny enough, we've even used it during dinner parties because we've been able to make custom made cups for individual tastes--dark roast, espresso blend, decaf, etc.

And since we've discovered Kona-Pods, the quality of coffee experience has been improved over the Douwe Egberts brand that Senseo recommends.  Some things we hope they improve is the water storage is accessed from behind, and raising the spout a bit higher for larger cups.  One solution is the larger capacity water tank storage unit that doubles the original capacity.

Overall, Senseo is a nice addition to your kitchen if you want the ease of making a single cup of coffee.

Senseo Single Serve Coffee Machine  |  $49 at Amazon

Wonderful Kona Coffee Pods for Your Senseo

Improve your Senseo and single cup coffee maker experience with Kona Coffee Pods

Over the past week, we've been trying Kona coffee pods from Aloha Island Coffee in our Senseo machine.  What a revelation!  Not to knock Douwe Egberts coffee, but using these coffee pods has really brought more enjoyment from our Senseo. 

These Kono pods come in a 20% Kona blend, or in 100% Kona coffee selections packed into single or double serving pods packs.  The taste from these estate coffee beans is clean and rich, and will bring a new dimension to your Senseo experience.

Kona Coffee Pods  |  order direct from Aloha Island Coffee

What Makes Hawaiian Coffee So Special

Coffee was first introduced to the Islands by Chief Boki, the Governor of Oahu, in 1825. He acquired coffee plants in Rio de Janeiro while aboard a British warship, the H.M.S. Blonde. These first coffee plants were planted in Manoa Valley, on Oahu, where they flourished. From this original planting, coffee trees were introduced to locations around the Islands, including the now famous Kona Coast.

Continue reading "What Makes Hawaiian Coffee So Special"

Coffee & Art at the Illy Galleria NY

Visit the just opened temporary Illy Galleria in NY until it closes December 15th.  We've seen many of these temporary retail concepts recently that gives retailers some buzz and traffic that might not otherwise come with a permanent location.  Illy's NY Galleria is certain to generate some exciting buzz with people who are coffee lovers, art lovers, or "where's the hot scene" lovers.

Get your coffee and bomboloni while you can at Galleria illy in SoHo, which opens tomorrow and closes on Dec. 15, at the end of its lease. With a chandelier of espresso cups overhead, above, coffee lovers can indulge in hot or iced drinks ($2 to $5), along with confections like bomboloni from Osteria del Circo, espresso nuggets from WD-50 and peanut butter sandwich bars from Tru in Chicago ($4 to $6).

The shop has a coffee and art library, a coffee-inspired painting by James Rosenquist, espresso makers to try out, and classes: 382 West Broadway (Broome Street); (877) 455-9347 or illyusa.com.

via NY Times

Bodum Insulated Glasses for Coffee Lattes

Bodum's Canteen Latte Glasses are made with a unique glass-in-glass technique to allow you to serve hot coffee and tea that's cool to hold without burning.

Bodum Canteen Latte Glasses | $19 for two at Crate and Barrel

Coffee Made Simple - CafeSolo Coffeemaker

Designed by Eva Denmark, the CafeSolo Coffeemaker makes a pot without any filters or machinery.  Zippered jacket keeps your coffee warm.

Eva Solo Cafe Solo Coffee Maker Gift Set   |  $89 at Cooking.com

Amazing Latte Art

Months ago I saw the baristas at my local Urth Cafe make these fascinating floral designs in the latte foam of my cappucinos.  Ever since then, I wondered that there must be some name for this art.  I just found out by accident today--it's called "latte art"!  Here's some great links to see the beauty of the latte art form.

• Collection of latte art images via Flickr
• A "how to" at Latte Art 101
• Latte Art Guide via coffeegeek.com
• Enter $1000 Latte Art Competition at Coffee Fest Seattle, October 28-30 2005
• How-to video "Caffe Latte Art"

Latte Pour photo courtesy of tonx.

Read More:  Espresso & Coffee  |  Chocolate

Specialty Coffee Pods for Your Espresso Machines

Looking for different specialty coffees to try in your espresso machines, and tired of the manufacturer's specified coffee pods?  We were too. 

We're so happy to have found Podhead.com, a company that meets the need for those of us wanting to try a wider variety of coffees in our espresso machines.  At Podhead, you'll find coffee pods for the Melitta One, Bunn's My Cafe, and Philips Senseo machines.  The selection ranges from Arabica, Brasil, Costa Rica, to Kona, Kenya & Organic Colombia coffees.

Visit Podhead.com to find a specialty coffee pod for your espresso machine.

Related Link:  The single shot espresso market has grown to form it's own standards.  For more information, visit the Easy Serving Espresso Consortium.