martes, 31 de octubre de 2017

Planning a Trip to Colombia? Here Are 5 Coffee Destinations You Can’t Miss

We all know about Juan Valdez. But what else is there to explore around Colombian coffee?





Guarded by Andean beautiful mountains, hills, and valleys, Colombians receive every day with rich and intense coffee's aromas impregnating their streets and houses. Tradition, passion, and a great weather have turned this Latin American country into an absolute reference in the study of coffee's growing and culture. While it’s true that coffee does not originally come from Colombia, ever since its arrival, more than 300 hundred years ago, it has become an essential part of Colombia's identity and a piece of its history that's worth exploring and discovering, especially if you consider yourself a true coffee lover.

If there’s a word to describe Colombia’s cups of joe, that word is variety. It is thanks to different soils and climates all around its national landscape that we can enjoy the unique flavors and contrasts of their different beans and production's methods. That’s the main reason why UNESCO decided to name the famous “coffee triangle,” a set of extensive regions specialized in coffee production, a World Heritage Site. So if you’re planning a trip to Colombia to immerse yourself in Latin America’s worldview and traditions through coffee culture, you can’t miss these 5 locations:


Flavors of Bogotá Specialty Coffee Experiences
In a country like Colombia, you can expect to find some of the most charming and experienced cafés in the continent. It’d be hard to know which one to explore first. Which is why the people from Flavors of Bogota have created a special tour so you can discover Colombia's capital coffee's scene, try a great variety of coffee drinks, and learn from world-class baristas brewing it.

If you’d like to visit Bogota’s coffee houses on your own, then we recommend you to go to cafés like Amor Perfecto, Devotion, Café Chan Chan, Azahar, Bourbon Coffee Roasters, and many others!

La Victoria Coffee Plantation
Prepare to turn back in time in one of Colombia’s oldest coffee plantations, located in the little town of Minca, near Santa Marta. The Victoria Coffee Company has been working across the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains since its foundation in 1892. Nowadays, its owners provide a bean-to-brew educational tour, showing the whole process of growing and roasting Arabica coffee. Visitors and participants will see which was the old machinery used during the XIX century and will have a chance to taste different blends, accompanied by pies. La Victoria Coffee Plantation offers a glimpse into the amazing coffee's history of Colombia, with self-sustained production and fascinating methods.


Parque Nacional del Café
The National Coffee Park is located just outside the city of Armenia, in Quindio, one of coffee's triangle’s most impressive regions. If museum exhibitions and history are your thing, then this themed park offers you that and more. Discover coffee's history and have fun while riding roller coasters and bumper cars. An ideal experience if you’re traveling with children!


La Palma y El Tucán
If your love for coffee goes beyond drinking it and you actually desire to learn everything about it, programs for baristas residents, at La Palma y El Tucan hotel, offer a unique opportunity to spend two months learning about coffee’s production and brewing. Located only 90 minutes away from Bogotá, this place is surrounded by breathtaking nature and perfect for those looking for a chance to escape city's hustle. Book one of their cabins and get straight to the heart of coffee's experience!


Café San Alberto
As we said before, Colombian coffee triangle has been gifted with an incredible geography perfect for coffee’s cultivation. This beautiful landscape can be seen in the Hacienda San Alberto, located in Buenavista, Quindio, at 5,920 ft above sea level. Surrounded by the Andean mountains, you can enjoy Colombia’s most decorated coffee with an unforgettable view and beautiful sunsets. It's a perfect spot to enjoy top quality coffee and learn about alternative brewing's methods from true coffee experts and cultivators.

Wherever you go in Colombia, you will always find amazing places to visit and experience the coffee culture first hand. Colombia’s dedicated and passionate people will show you a world you’ve never seen before, which will help you appreciate every little detail and secret behind coffee's growing and brewing.

Colombia will always be part of That Coffee Roasters’ heritage. Our deep roots in the Colombia's coffee region can be seen in each of our products and services. So trust us, once you’ve been to Colombia, you’ll never see coffee the same way!



Colombia's rich culture and art await you!



Phone Number: (305) 821-8811

lunes, 30 de octubre de 2017

The Perfect Soundtrack for Coffee Lovers

Coffee has always been a perfect companion for many artists and musicians.



Rainy afternoons, energetic mornings, happy moments or sad weekends... It doesn’t really matter what kind of day it is, a warm cup of coffee is often the best companion to fit your mood and make you feel better. Just like music, this lovely beverage has inspired and boosted many artists around the world who have dedicated great songs and lyrics to it. That’s why we’ve put together a perfect playlist to listen to while enjoying what you love the most!

Whether you drink your coffee to wake you up in the mornings, to watch the rain falling in the coziness of your living room or as a perfect excuse to finally catch up with friends and family, we have a song and a cup of coffee for every moment. In this selection, you’ll find songs that were inspired by coffee and others that just fit perfectly that coffee mood we know so well. So without further ado, turn up the volume and enjoy!



We just couldn’t help including this soul classic released by the great Otis Redding in 1966. It will fill you with that odd sense of nostalgia for past times, and it might just be the perfect tune if you’re in a “sittin’ and talkin’ with your baby over cigarettes and coffee” mood.


The Boston-based singer and songwriter gifted us with this fun, but not very well-known, tune as part of her 1985 debut album: Step Into the Light. If you love your mornings with a bit of folk rock and a lot of caffeine, we guarantee you will love it! You’ll be full of energy and good vibes to start your day.



Nothing says Sunday morning like Sunrise, by Norah Jones. The successful American singer seriously knows how to keep us in bed all weekend with her soft voice and peaceful melodies. Jones gives us a perfect song for enjoying a simple latte while letting sunshine filter through the window panes.



Even if we didn’t want to include this amazing song in the list, it’d basically be a crime to leave it out! Let yourself be taken away to a classic and busy café, full of nostalgia and good times, as Sinatra timelessly sings about how much coffee grows in Brazilian fields.


Just like our coffee, we love to get exotic and unique! Give a listen to this flirty and fun song by the French duo Felipecha. Its title translates to “Coffee Morning.” If you end up dancing along with your partner while enjoying a cappuccino on a Saturday morning, well, that’s just a plus!


We could never forget our Latino roots! This classic, by Juan Luis Guerra, is absolutely beautiful and we guarantee you’ll love it. In this piece, the Dominican composer sings out his hopes that coffee will rain over the countryside and improve its people’s fortune. Now, for this particular playlist, we’re thinking about the song’s acoustic live version, which you can find in Juan Luis Guerra’s Youtube channel. The perfect tune to end the afternoon!


If you prefer to use your coffee break as a moment to be on your own with your thoughts and do some thinking, then Left Alone, by Fiona Apple, is your perfect choice. Its quirky beat and clever lyrics will have you tapping to the rhythm. Piano notes will feel like raindrops falling on your city's streets.

Maybe you’re a hopeless romantic, sweet vanilla latte lover, but you’re definitely not alone. Dedicate this song to that special one who makes you feel all warm-and-fuzzy inside and ask them out to bond over some espresso!


Kids from the 80’s and the 90’s, raise your hands if you too went through an Alanis Morissette phase! We want to bring this one back for the ones who love a passionate and intellectually fueled conversation around a cappuccino. Get inspired by this piece that Morissette dedicated to her twin brother in her MTV Unplugged performance, back in 1999.


Do you like to sip some black coffee before hitting the road? This piece is full of the best blues and rock ever made to fit that mood. And if you’re one of those who knows that coffee beats tea anytime, English vocalist Steve Marriott completely agrees with you, so don’t let his origins fool you!


11. The Heart of Life by John Mayer

Do you need a coffee's boost to make you feel better and get you out of that gloomy mood? Then maybe you should drink it with this song, but we do warn you: it might get you emotional in noo time. You don’t have to worry, Mayer’s performance will remind you that things are always okay in the end and that fear is just a friend that’s misunderstood.

That’s the end of our selection! Did we leave one out? Is there a special song that always gets you in that coffee cup kind of mood? Let us know in the comments what you think about this song list and which others would you add. After all, what better way to fill yourself with positive energy than enjoying those things you love? That’s exactly what we do every day, here, in That Coffee Roasters!


Are you in the mood for a cup of coffee? Listen to these songs while at it!




Phone Number: (305) 821-8811







viernes, 27 de octubre de 2017

Cooking with Coffee: Top 7 Best Recipes

How to turn your food into something delicious by adding coffee.

From its distinctive aroma to its unique flavors, there’s just something about coffee we can’t resist. It raises our dopamine levels, it makes us happier and more productive, and it kicks the energy back into our bodies so we can reach our goals every day. If only we could put coffee into everything we consume, wouldn’t that be just perfect?

Alright. We might be low-key addicted to caffeine, but hear us out! We always think of coffee as a rich beverage full of contrasts, but it actually has a potential to be much more than that. Its earthy and acidic properties fit perfectly with many other ingredients with which you could create amazing combinations to spice up your routine and try something different for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even snacking. So keep reading and find out our top 7 best recipes to prepare with coffee!


Let’s start with something easily done and served, perfect for a different breakfast. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour.
  • 2 tbsp sugar.
  • 1 tsp baking powder.
  • 1 tsp baking soda.
  • ¼ tsp salt.
  • 1 cup buttermilk, well shaken.
  • 1 large egg.
  • 2 tbsp instant coffee granules.
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled.


Preparation:

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

  1. In a measuring cup (or small bowl), combine the buttermilk, egg, instant coffee granules, and melted butter. Beat until all is adequately mixed and coffee granules have dissolved.

  1. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined (batter will still be slightly lumpy – be sure not to overmix).

  1. Heat up your skillet and spray with nonstick spray or oil. Using a ¼ cup measure, scoop the batter onto the hot skillet. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side and flip. Serve warm with butter, maple syrup, and more coffee.

Recipe by:  Adrianna Adarme.

Note: Add more sweetness by serving them with fresh fruits and icing sugar. Enjoy!



Do you know any other coffee lover like us? This heavenly delicious cake could be a perfect gift and a well-thought surprise for their birthday! Be sure to have all the ingredients and try it out:

  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for the pan.
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for the pan.
  • 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped.
  • 1 cup brewed coffee.
  • ⅔ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch process), plus more for dusting.
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature.
  • 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature.
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.
  • 1¾ teaspoons kosher salt.
  • 1½ teaspoons baking powder.
  • 1½ teaspoons baking soda.
  • 2½ cups (packed) light brown sugar.
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil.
  • ¾ cup chilled heavy cream.
  • Granulated sugar.

Preparation:

  1. Preheat oven to 350˚.

  1. Butter and flour a 13x9" baking dish, tapping out flour excess.

  1. Heat chocolate, coffee, and ⅔ cup cocoa powder in a medium heatproof bowl set over a medium saucepan of barely simmering water (water should not touch the bottom of the bowl), stirring until chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth.
  2. Let cool, then whisk eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla into the chocolate mixture.

  1. Using an electric mixer on low speed, mix salt, baking powder, baking soda, and 2 cups of flour in a large bowl just to combine.

  1. Add brown sugar, oil, ½ cup butter, and ½ cup of the reserved chocolate mixture, and beat on medium speed until flour is evenly distributed and the mixture is smooth, for about 2 minutes.

  1. Add remaining the chocolate mixture in 2 additions, scraping down sides and bottom of bowl as needed and beating until smooth after each addition. Scrape batter into prepared pan and smooth top.

  1. Bake cake until top is firm to the touch and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 30–40 minutes. Transfer cake pan to a wire rack and let the cake cool in pan 15 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack. Let cool completely.

  1. Just before serving, whisk the cream in a small bowl to soft peaks. Add granulated sugar to taste and beat to medium peaks. Top cake with whipped cream and dust with a little cocoa powder.


Recipe by: Alex Lau.


Thanksgiving is coming, and this is a perfect opportunity to try something new and make holidays something unforgettable! Take a look at this turkey recipe! You’ll find a complex mixture of ingredients that will grant you a marvelous, bittersweet result.

  • 2 gallons water.
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar.
  • ½ cup ground coffee, preferably chicory coffee.
  • 1 large onion, halved.
  • 12 large thyme sprigs, tied together.
  • ¼ cup kosher salt.
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns.
  • 2 cups light brown sugar or 3 cups cane syrup (see Note).
  • One 11-pound turkey.
  • About 3 cups hickory chips.
  • Vegetable oil, for brushing.


Preparation:

  1. In a large saucepan, bring 1 gallon of the water to a boil; keep warm. In a large stockpot, combine the cider vinegar, coffee, onion, thyme, salt, and peppercorns with 1¾ cups of the brown sugar and the remaining gallon of water. Bring to a boil.

  1. Holding the turkey by the legs, carefully ease the bird into the hot brine, neck end down. Add enough of the hot water to the stockpot to cover the turkey and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 1½ hours.

  1. Carefully remove the turkey from the stockpot. Strain 2 cups of the braising liquid into a heatproof bowl and stir in the remaining ¼ cup of brown sugar. Discard the remaining braising liquid.

  1. Meanwhile, light a charcoal grill or preheat a gas grill. A few minutes before the turkey has finished simmering, add 2 cups of the hickory chips to the coals.

  1. When the chips start smoking, brush the turkey breast with oil. Set the turkey with its breast down on the grill. Cover and smoke over a low fire or flame for 15 minutes.

  1. Baste the turkey with the reserved braising liquid. Turn it upside and baste it again. Cover the grill and continue smoking the turkey for about 40 minutes longer, occasionally basting it with the braising liquid and adding more coals or hickory chips to the grill as necessary.

  1. The turkey is done when an instant-read thermometer inserted in the inner thigh registers 165°. Transfer the turkey to a cutting board and let it rest 20 minutes before carving.

Recipe by: Food & Wine


It might be a little bit hard to imagine coffee rub mixed with cheeseburgers, but we assure you that it’ll be worth it. Coffee will bring out the meat's flavor. You can even save this recipe to try it with similar meals.

Coffee rub:

  • 1 tablespoon freshly ground coffee.
  • 2 teaspoons (packed) golden brown sugar.
  • 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper.
  • ½ teaspoon ground coriander.
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano.
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt.

Burgers:

  • 8 slices applewood-smoked bacon.
  • 1 pound ground chuck.
  • 1 pound ground sirloin.
  • 8 slices smoked provolone, smoked caciocavallo, or smoked Gouda cheese (about 8 ounces).
  • 8 potato-bread hamburger buns.

Toppings:

Preparation

  1. For coffee rub:

    1. Mix all ingredients in a small bowl (can be made 1 week ahead). Store airtight at room temperature.

  1. For burgers:

    1. Cook bacon in a large skillet until crisp. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Break in half. Gently mix chuck and sirloin in a large bowl. Form meat into 8 patties, each 3 ½ to 4 inches in diameter and ⅓  to ½ inch thick. Using thumb, make a slight indentation in center of each burger. Cover separately and chill.

    1. Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Sprinkle 1 teaspoon coffee rub on top side of each burger. Place burgers on a grill rack and rub the other side. Grill until slightly charred, about 4 minutes; turn.

    1. Place 2 bacon slice halves atop each burger. Cook 3 minutes.

    1. Top each with 1 cheese slice. Cover and cook until cheese melts, about 1 minute longer. Place burgers atop bottom halves of buns. Top with onion slices and tomato slices. Spoon dollop of Texas Barbecue Sauce over. Cover with bun tops and serve, passing additional sauce alongside.


Recipe by: Fred Thompson


Inspired by his father’s recipe, this chef brings us a different version of the coffee rub. Choose the one you like best and enjoy the intense flavors of the meat and coffee.

Spice Rub

  • 2 tablespoons Aleppo pepper.
  • 2 tablespoons finely ground coffee beans.
  • 2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper.
  • 2 tablespoons (packed) dark brown sugar.
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika.
  • 1½ teaspoons mustard powder.
  • ¾  teaspoon chili powder.
  • ¾  teaspoon ground ginger.

Steak

  • 1 2-inch-2 ¼-inch-thick bone-in beef ribeye (about 2-2 ½ pounds), preferably dry-aged, at room temperature for 1 hour.
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt.
  • 4 tablespoons grapeseed or vegetable oil, divided.
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter.
  • 1 garlic clove, lightly crushed.
  • 4 sprigs thyme.
  • 1 sprig rosemary.
  • Flaky or coarse sea salt.

Spice Rub


  1. Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl. Transfer to an airtight container. Spice rub can be made 1 month ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

Steak


  1. Preheat oven to 400°. Set a wire rack inside a large rimmed baking sheet. Season steak with kosher salt and 2 tablespoons spice rub, pressing onto all sides of meat and adding more spice rub by the teaspoonful if needed to coat the entire surface.

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large cast-iron or ovenproof skillet over high heat. When oil begins to shimmer, place the steak in the skillet (be sure to have the fan on high as the rub creates some smoke). Sear steak for 1 minute (any longer and the rub will start to burn). Transfer steak to a plate and carefully drain fat from skillet.

  1. Wipe skillet clean with a paper towel. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in the skillet and sear the other side of steak for 1 minute. Add butter, garlic, and herbs to skillet; cook until butter is foamy. Carefully tip skillet and, using a large spoon, baste steak repeatedly with butter for 1 minute. Turn steak and baste its other side for 1 minute.

  1. Pile herbs on top of the steak. Transfer skillet to oven, and roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center of meat registers 125° for medium, 15-17 minutes.

  1. Transfer steak to prepared rack; let rest for 20 minutes. Cut steak from bone, slice, and sprinkle with sea salt.


Recipe by: Josef Centeno




This list wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t include our favorite coffee dessert! Get all the ingredients and enjoy its sweetness:

  • 1 pre-packaged graham cracker crust.
  • 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened.
  • ⅔ cup powdered sugar.
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract.
  • ⅓  cup milk.
  • 1 pint coffee-flavored ice cream, softened.
  • ½  cup chocolate chips, melted (optional).

Preparation

  1. With an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add in the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk and beat until creamy.

  1. Add in the ice cream and beat until smooth.

  1. Pour mixture into graham cracker crust and freeze in the freezer for at least 3 to 4 hours, or until completely firm and frozen.

  1. Before serving, drizzle it with melted chocolate, if desired.


This classic gift from Italy is an absolute must if you want to enjoy the best of coffee desserts. Check out what you need to prepare your own:

  • 8 ounces semisweet chocolate.
  • 1 cup sugar.
  • 4 egg yolks.
  • 1½ teaspoons vanilla.
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, cut into pieces, room temperature.
  • 1¾  cups chilled whipping cream.
  • 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder diluted in 1¼ cups hot water, cooled.
  • 1 12-ounce prepared pound cake, cut into 3 1/2x1x1/2-inch strips.

Preparation:

  1. Finely chop chocolate in a processor. Set aside.

  1. Mix sugar and egg yolks in a processor for 30 seconds. Add vanilla and process until pale yellow, about 1 minute. Add cheese in batches and blend until smooth. Transfer to medium bowl. Cover and chill for 1 hour.

  1. Beat whipping cream until stiff. Fold into cream cheese mixture. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled, about 1 hour. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead.)

  1. Pour espresso into large shallow dish. Dip cake strips in the espresso, turning to coat all sides lightly. Arrange strips in the bottom of a 10-cup shallow dish, smoothing with fingers to mold together. Sprinkle with half of chocolate. Top with chilled cheese mixture. Sprinkle remaining chocolate over. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead.)


Recipe by: Suzanne Solberg


Whichever recipe you decide to try, let us know how did it go! Will you be including coffee in your meals now? Or do you still prefer your caffeine in a cup? Visit That Coffee Roasters’ webpage to find our products and get what you need to start experimenting!
Make all of your meals better with coffee!






Phone Number: (305) 821-8811


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