It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion.
It is by the beans of Java that thoughts acquire speed.
The hands acquire shakes, the shakes become a warning.
It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion.
With apologies to Frank Herbert and “Dune”.
The financial success and relentless expansion of StarBucks is clear evidence that most people don't really know what good coffee tastes like. StarBucks has to offer so many flavored, sugary drinks because the coffee beans are over-roasted and taste like burned particle board.
There are alternatives. Most cities have quality local coffee shops where one can get fantastic coffee, often at half the price of StarBucks. But what if you want great coffee at home (or the office)?
While in Seattle last week, I was fortunate enough to visit Espresso Vivace for a shot (or two) of their fine coffee. Espresso Vivace was founded by David C. Schomer, who authored Espresso Coffee: Professional Techniques, one of the most in depth books on the art of the espresso pull. (Note: I read this book, but only understood about half of it; the other half almost gave me a PTSD flashback to college chemistry.) I’ve wanted to visit Espresso …
