Allegro, Kenya Grand Cru

I'd say 4 out of 5. (I'm saving 5 for the ultimate coffee, I expect I'll know it when I sip it)

My sister, Abi, picked this one up last time she was at Whole Foods in KC.
     Sometime or another, I must have gotten a cup of this particular kind to sip while I strolled around the store, because the aroma immediately reminded me of being at Whole Foods.

It said on the package 'light roast', I usually don't like light, but this was quite nice. I'm not fond of anything too bold, but also not too mild either. Happy medium.



I prefer to have plenty of cream and a little bit of stevia with my coffee. I told Susi one time that if someone is drinking their coffee black than they are only drinking it for the caffeine. Okay, I know it's a bad idea to make sweeping generalizations like that. So I take it back.
     But are their people out there who actually like the taste of black coffee? Tolerable, maybe, but not exactly enjoyable. Okay, I know there is some who say they do. But did they start out liking it that way? Acquired taste? :P :D

Recipe Review: Columbian Chocolate

I would give this recipe at least four out of five. Often hot chocolate is just too sweet for me. But this was really nice. And when I was melting the chocolate with the coffee and cinnamon, the smell was simply wonderful.

Columbian Chocolate
Betty Crocker's Cookbook, Text Edition
1 pkg. (60z) semi-sweet chocolate
1 cup strong coffee
1 t cinnamon
Pinch of salt
1/2 t vanilla
In lg saucepan heat chocolate, coffee, cinnamon and salt over medium heat, stirring until chocolate is melted and liquid is smooth.
Add milk, heat through, stirring occasionally, but do not boil. Stir in vanilla. Just before serving beat with hand mixer until foamy.
10 servings, about 2/3 cups each.

Recipe Review: Hot Mocha Drink

This was probably the best tasting homemade mocha drink that I've had yet. And I think the difference is the use of un-sweetened chocolate.

Now, I would tweak the recipe a bit, less chocolate, more sugar, and skip the water and instant, using fresh brewed coffee in it's place.

Hot Mocha Drink

Companies Coming Cookbook

2 cups water

1 - 1oz. Unsweetend Chocolate Baking Square

1/4 cup Instant Coffee

2 T Sugar

2 cups Milk

1/2 t Vanilla

Some sort of whipped topping (I chose to use the kind that comes in a can) or marshmallows

Chocolate curls (garnish)

Stir first 6 ingredients in small saucepan. Heat slowly, stir often, until chocolate is melted and mixture is steaming hot. Pour into mugs. Add more sugar if desired.

Top with a dollop of whipped topping. Garnish with chocolate curls.

Makes 4 cups.

Recipe Review: Coffee Cooler

I loved the orange in this drink. I was unsure about the pineapple juice in it before I had tasted it, and I have say, next time I make it would just leave it out. It's not gross tasting, just kinda off, in my opinion. Plus is curdles the milk a little. I also had my Grandma Lulu, Auntie Marlys, Grandma Evi and Auntie Carol try some, and they all said it was interesting, and not bad, and Auntie Carol said it got better as she sipped it.

Coffee Cooler
A tall frosty drink is always welcome on a warm summer day. Serve this to your afternoon callers and yours is sure to be the most popular house on the street!
1/2 cupful of sugar
1/4 cupful of water
1 teaspoonful of grated orange rind
3 cupfuls of freshly made coffee, cooled
1 cup of chilled pineapple juice
1/2 cupful of light cream
Combine the sugar, water and grated orange rind, and simmer together over low heat for 10 minutes. Then cool, strain if desired, and add to the cooled coffee. Just before serving combine with the pineapple juice and cream. Serve in tall glasses with plenty of crushed ice or ice cubes. This makes 4 tall drinks.--J.R.H., Escondido, Calif.

When we brewed the coffee we made sure the make it dark, with the ice and all, we didn't want it to get watered down.

This Recipe is from my sister Susi's "Sunset-Kitchen Cabinet Recipes-volume two"

Teeccino, Mocha, Herbal Coffee

Teeccino is a caffeine free blend of roasted herbs, grains, fruits and nuts. They say on the can that it is high in potassium, and inulin.
It can be enjoyed on its own, or mixed with your regular coffee to reduce caffeine and acidity.
It's brewed just like coffee.

And can be served hot...

...or cold.
I can't say I loved it; you just can't beat good old coffee!! :P But as an alternative, it's pretty good. It looks like coffee, brews like coffee; really the only thing missing is the "caffeine".

I've also tried these coffee substitutes: Postum and Celestial Seasonings "Roastaroma" Of the three I think Roastaroma tastes the best and Teeccino is most like coffee. I just read that Postum has been discontinued! That's too bad!

I think it would be fun to compare all the substitute coffees and see which one is best.