Coffee - Stuff Parents Need

The Perfect Coffee for a World Traveler

May 8, 2015 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

Thanks to Starbucks for sending along some rare-origin blends. All thoughts and opinions are my own, as always.

My father-in-law is very much on my mind this week, as the family has gathered together in Phoenix now for his memorial service. Last night we watched an amazing video that was filled with photos and videos all about Dad. And as I looked at photo after photo of him, one thing became very clear: this man LOVED a good adventure. His curiosity and love of new things and places took him all over the world. He was easily one of the most well-traveled individuals I’ve ever known.

My father-in-law also developed an enjoyment of coffee late in his life (which I think is unusual…most folks fall in love much earlier in life if they are going to fall in love with coffee at all!). So when I opened a recent package from Starbucks and discovered a collection of rare single origin blends from all over the world, I immediately thought of Dad. These bags of coffee, in and of themselves, are fun little adventures. They are different from the norm. They are cultivated with great care and love. They have a unique flavor profile you simply cannot replicate.

They are, without a doubt, the kind of coffee my father-in-law would have loved.

These are such special bags of coffee, that I decided to pack one in my suitcase so that I could enjoy it on my trip. I’ve been experimenting with drinking it hot, or cold, or black or drowning in creamer. That’s how Dad would do it: by experimenting again and again until he found the most awesome way to make the coffee.

Starting with great coffee beans makes the process of experimenting easier (as every way I’ve tasted this blend so far has been yummy). But I have enjoyed the exercise of trying something different, and breaking away from my standard issue beans and my standard issue prep method.

I know almost all of you who read this blog have never met my father-in-law. But if I could make just one request of you: will you make one choice today that is the “adventurous” choice? Take a different route home from work. Pick up a fabulous bag of coffee and then make it a different way. Or go all out and book that trip you’ve been contemplating for far too long. That spirit of adventure is my father-in-law’s legacy, and I’d be so thrilled to know that he had an impact on your life as well by getting you to take a fun chance on something new today.

What I’m Learning: How to Grind Coffee Beans and How to Use a Pour Over Brewer

March 5, 2015 · by Tiffany Merritt · 1 Comment

I am proud to be serving as a Starbucks Ambassador this year. Complimentary coffee products were provided. My experience and my opinions are mine alone, as always. Affiliate links included.

It’s been a rough couple of weeks, y’all. I’m not yet able to face things day to day, but I can go hour by hour. Some of those hours feel quite normal. Others feel just plain awful, and it’s during those hours that I have a really hard time doing much of anything. I know so many of you who read this have experienced loss in your own lives and you understand the feeling. I take a lot of comfort in hearing from others, as it helps me to not feel so alone with the pain of losing a loved one. And I am also on the lookout for interesting little distractions that can help me keep my mind off of sad things.

Coffee is one of my happy things. I make no secret about that. I’m an iced coffee gal, and am hopelessly devoted to my Keurig, unless I’m getting the occasional chance to swing by a Starbucks, where I will promptly treat myself to, you guessed it, an iced coffee. I brew Starbucks at home, and it tastes fantastic. But it’s even better at the store. I used to think that the taste difference was in my mind…perhaps because I had the cool cup I thought it tasted better? But actually, it’s because of the beans that are getting ground just before being brewed. Having the very freshest coffee really does seem to make a taste difference.

how to grind coffee beans

So when Starbucks sent me a few different types of their coffee to try out (oh twist my arm!), I was a bit perplexed to discover that the packages were whole bean coffee. I mean, I knew that people ground their own coffee at home, but I never took the time to try it myself. Probably because I didn’t have a bean grinder. After researching these gadgets a bit and realizing that I could get one that is rated highly for just under $20, I decided to just go for it and see if the extra effort was really worth it. If you don’t own a bean grinder, let me tell you about my experience!

First, I appreciate that the bean grinder doesn’t take up a lot of space. We have a small kitchen so we have to be quite picky about how many gadgets we own. One friend pointed out to me that coffee bean grinders can also serve as spice grinders, and I thought it was just so sweet that she thought I would ever take the time to grind my own spices. What an adorable and completely delusional idea! I mention it because maybe you are the type to get your grind on with your spices. I’m not. I’m barely willing to try it for coffee, and coffee is my great love (aside from my family and all…). But if this helps you justify the purchase, well there you go.

how to grind coffee beans 3

I filled the bean grinder to the top of the silver portion and pressed the button for 9 quick pulses and got this result. This is a coarse grind, which I read was appropriate for pour-over brewers (more on that in a sec). I will say this: I could tell a difference in the scent potency of the freshly ground beans in comparison to the pre-ground stuff I normally buy. I thought that was a good sign for things to come! FYI, this was Cafe Verona. Darth Vader and I like our coffee the same way: on the dark side.

Ok, so now it was time to figure out this pour over brewer that Starbucks sent to me. When I first opened the package, I thought I was going to have to email the company back and very awkwardly have to tell them that the giant coffee mug with the cemented-on saucer that they sent me had a big hole in it.

Fortunately, I took a second to research it just in case it wasn’t, in fact, a giant coffee cup with a cemented-on saucer and a major product flaw. Turns out, this is called a pour-over brewer. It requires a coffee filter, a coffee mug, some hot water, and some ground coffee beans (preferably coarse).

You simply pour your hot water into the pour brewer, which is balanced on top of a cup. Not gonna lie…this did NOT look like a smart idea. And as it turns out, I definitely spilled some hot water in the process of trying it out. So there’s your warning from me…careful with pouring hot water!

I got my hot water from my Keurig to save time, and I couldn’t help but wonder if all these extra steps were worth it. I will say that the brewing process was super quick…totally done in about 30 seconds. And I did, in fact, have coffee waiting for me in my mug. Now, I’m not really that into hot coffee, as you all know, but for the sake of the experiment, I added a touch of sugar and a bit of cream and gave it a try. And it was quite good, I have to say. I drank the entire cup, and that’s just not something I normally do with hot coffee.

So after trying the pour over brewer, I have to conclude that it isn’t the right product for me just because it seems like some extra steps that I’m not really interested in going through since my Keurig has a permanent spot on my kitchen counter. I could see this being a great gift idea, though, for a friend who loves the ritual of making coffee, as it certainly adds an element of fun and even intention to the process. It is also a good choice for someone who doesn’t own a Keurig or any sort of coffee maker, because there’s no denying that this is quite the space saver!

I think the taste difference didn’t come from how the coffee was brewed, but instead from the fact that the beans were so freshly ground. I can’t tell you that I’m going to grind coffee beans every single morning because that’s just a lie, friends. But I can see myself doing this twice a week so that I have fresher coffee to look forward to each day. When you start with high quality beans, which you can count on receiving when you purchase Starbucks coffee, you are 80% of the way to an amazing cup of coffee. Go ahead and get the coffee bean grinder to get you the rest of the way to an absolutely perfect cup of joe. It takes a pinch of time, but it’s worth it.

How do you take your coffee, friends? Are you a bean grinder or do you think it isn’t worth the extra effort? Anyone out there tried the pour over brewer, yet?

How to Brew Multiple Cups of Coffee at Once in a Keurig: Introducing Keurig 2.0

December 20, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · 1 Comment

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #Keurig400 #CollectiveBias

My BFF and her family are on their way to visit as I type this. I have not seen them in WAY too long (1 1/2 years, I think?). We will have less than 24 hours to get to soak up each other, but I am going to make the most of it and reach into the depths of my soul to pull out extra energy so that we can visit for as long as possible.

And that means that we’re going to need some good coffee.

Fortunately, Santa came early (don’t you love how he’ll do that for us grown ups?) and brought the new Keurig 2.0 Brewer. This beautiful device is ready to handle any request you throw at it. Need a 4 ounce concentrated cup of joe? No problem! How about 4 cups of hot cocoa for 4 adorable little girls? On it’s way! And where is my beloved iced coffee? Just press the button, dear!

The Keurig 2.0 Brewer is an answer to coffee-lovers’ prayers who are currently still holding on to their coffee makers with carafes for when company is over, but who are also hopelessly devoted to their K-Cup packs for their own personal use. With the carafe option and the carafe packs, you no longer need both! Check out the four-cup carafe and K-Carafe packs.

I’ll have a pot of coffee ready to brew as soon as my company walks through the door this afternoon, as it will likely be a welcome sight after a long day in the car. And making that hot cocoa for all the kids can be done immediately afterward with a simple switch out of the K-Cup packs. I’ll even have some fun garnishes on hand.

The Keurig 2.0 has some extra fancy technology in it so that it can read the lid of each and every K-cup pack to know the optimal way to brew it. Just look for the notation on the K-Cup packs that it is for use in all Keurig K-Cup brewers. That’s how you’ll know if you are purchasing the right product!

I’m so glad to have the Keurig 2.0 on hand for our upcoming visit with friends (we actually think of them as family!). But when the hustle and bustle of the visit, and even of the holiday season is over and it’s just me and my personal daily coffee needs again, the Keurig 2.0 will be ready for me. I might even stow away a few cookies just for me and my iced coffee breaks!

Keurig 2.0: The Perfect Gift

This year Santa gave me an extra special treat in the form of an extra Keurig 2.0 Brewer to gift to someone else. I immediately thought of my friend Jessie. She is a fellow coffee afficianado and a mother of 3 little ones, so you KNOW she needs good coffee in her life. I really enjoyed surprising her with this treat following her middle child’s birthday party that she threw yesterday. That’s right, in the height of holiday madness this mama threw a birthday party. Someone get her a strong cup of coffee, stat! She’s earned it!

Keurig offers over 400 beverage varieties from 60 different brands, so there is truly something for everyone. I think it makes an incredible gift for the whole family. You can find it available for purchase now at Target.

What are you brewing up this holiday season? Do you have a favorite K-Cups brand or flavor I should try? Leave me a comment to let me know!

Starbucks #DeliciousPairings Make Saying Thank You Easy and Fun

April 27, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 6 Comments

Is there someone in your life who makes things just a little bit easier for you in some way? It may be a parent, a neighbor, a co-worker or a good friend. Do you ever take the time to give them a token of your thanks, especially when it might not be expected (so, outside of a birthday or big holiday)? I try to do special things like that from time to time, though I could certainly improve. I know I have taken people for granted in my life who deserve my heartfelt thanks.

Some of those people I don’t even have a direct connection to, but they still impact my life in a very positive way. In my case, my husband’s co-workers are absolutely wonderful people who are flexible and understanding of the fact that Tim has 2 little girls at home and a wife with a rather unusual job. They have supported me by voting for me in contests, giving Tim days or half days away from the office when I need to head out of town, or working with him so that he can come in late or even come in early at times. These people, even though I rarely directly interact with them, have a profound impact on my overall quality of life.

In celebration of Starbucks’ month of service (April), when all Starbucks partners are encouraged to volunteer, I decided to take the opportunity to give back to the people that support us every day. This past week was also Administrative Assistants’ Week, so the timing was absolutely perfect to bring some special goodies to Tim’s co-workers. Giving back doesn’t have to mean that you spend all of your time or all of your paycheck, either. Small gestures, made with love, are some of the best.

I headed over to my local Walmart to snag some Starbucks coffee and to get some baked goodies for the office. In the bakery section I found this signage:

It was really cool to see different roasts on display with basic descriptions of the type of flavor you would get. I will say that I wish the signage offered specific pairings suggestions, as Starbucks coffee really is sophisticated in its flavor profile. There are certain notes in each blend of coffee, and those notes pair particularly well with certain foods. I would have liked to have seen more signage explaining those pairings.

For example, I happen know that the Starbucks Veranda Blonde Roast pairs exceptionally well with milk chocolate, as well as with nuts. This is why I chose to pick up the banana nut muffins and some chocolate donuts, all made from scratch at the Walmart bakery. I braved this outing with little Layah in tow, and it was going absolutely wonderful until I realized that she had removed one of her shoes and dropped it on the floor. After an intense 30 minute search, I finally ran into an associate who had it at her register. Whew!

After that wild adventure, I was definitely ready for a little pick me up back at the house. And since I didn’t want to hand over these muffins and this coffee without making absolutely sure they tasted fantastic, I did a little taste test myself. Quality control, if you will.

First I tried some coffee. You will notice that I drink it iced. It tasted very light and yummy. I actually think the Blonde roasts are PERFECT for early afternoon coffee breaks, which is what I was having here.

Then I tasted the muffin. Since I’m “mostly” eating Paleo these days, bread and sugar are rare in my diet. So when I do have them, I REALLY enjoy them and savor them. This muffin was totally worth it, my friends. Moist, delicious, fresh. Well done, Walmart!

Then I took another sip of my coffee. And boom! Those complimentary flavor profiles came right out, making my coffee go from yummy to super duper yummy. What a treat it was to have both of these together. I highly recommend the pairing!

For those of you who haven’t purchased a bag of Starbucks coffee in a while, I wanted to make sure you that see this awesome offer on the side of the bag. When you’ve used up all your grounds for brewing at home, take that bag to your nearest Starbuks and get a free coffee! Woo hoo! That’s what I call taking good care of your customers! And while I brew my own coffee about 90% of the time, sometimes just having that Starbucks cup in your hand feels really special. And this way, it is free! 🙂 Starbucks is one of my very favorite brands to purchase for home brewing. The price is higher than store brands, but the taste, in my opinion, is worth the price difference. Plus, I find that the bags go on sale fairly regularly. That’s when I stock up!

Tim took the goodies I got at Walmart to work with him and let it be part of the big Administrative Assistant’s Day spread. He reported back to me that the 2 packages of muffins and two packages of donuts I picked up were gone in a flash. He also said that one of his colleagues made a point of telling him how absolutely THRILLED she was to see Starbucks coffee being offered. Evidently the office normally buys…let’s just say NOT Starbucks. Something much more economical. And even though this person LOVES LOVES LOVES coffee, she dislikes what the office has on hand so much that she never drinks it. So this was the pretty much the best day ever for her at the office. The entire bag of coffee was used up by day 2 in the office. I’m SO glad that everyone in the office loved the treats, and I’m glad I had the opportunity to express my gratitude for all the ways they help our family. It was nothing extravagant, but even so, it was still very special.

What about you? Are you a Starucks fan? Do you hit the coffee shops or brew at home? What is your favorite drink from the company? Ever tried the Blonde Roast line? And have you ever done a special coffee and bakery gift for someone as a thank you? Coffee is something I love to talk about, so please share!

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™. #cbias #SocialFabric. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.