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Stuff from last week

I had a lot of extra footage. most of it not worth watching. Have fun!

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TCC at Roskilde Festival

At this years Roskilde Festival - the largest music festival in Northern Europe - visitors will be able to have a delicious cup of TCC coffee. Together with our good friends at Manfred's, who will serve amazing and nutritious food, we'll be opening a coffee shop from Thursday when the music starts till Sunday when it stops.

You can find us at Manfreds in the Nordic area Hal B, booth number 09-09.



The menu will be simple; espresso, cappuccino, caffe latte, iced latte and americano at very reasonable prices too. We've got a great crew of experienced baristas behind the 2-group La Marzocco and Robur E grinder, so the quality should live up to our usual expectations.

Manfred's will be serving their infamous Coarse Pea Soup with cold-pressed rape seed oil, their thick Koldskål (look it up if you're from another country), fresh strawberries from Rokkedyssegård as well as some hearty sandwiches, buns and oat meal. Everything you need to come back to life after the concerts.

See you at Roskilde!
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A Unsed Bit - Cyclists

This is a small bit I taped for the show that I cut out due to length. It was sort of silly but here is is. I hate to waste anything

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Goodbye, Cold Friend

deadfridge2010_06

The refrig had a sudden attack and died. No warning. No sounds. Just woke up one morning to water on the floor.

This happened last Thursday. Of all the food items I lost, I'm sad about the two cartons of mascarpone cream that I was going to use to make frosting. Oh well, a big trip to Trader Joe's can fix that problem.

Just another reminder to eat your ice cream first.

A new fridge should arrive Wednesday so I'm out for this week's TWD (sorry, Pink Stripes) but hope to fill my fridge with the essentials: butter, cream, buttermilk, milk, butter, cream cheese, butter, and ice cream. Oh yeah, maybe some veggies too. ;)
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WBC 2010 London

Another World Barista Championship is over.

First of all: Congratulations to Mike Phillips, the new World Barista Champion. We're really happy to see Mike claim the title as he's a wonderful ambassador for specialty coffee and all around a good guy.



The whole WBC and Caffe Culture show was most of all a great opportunity to catch up with old coffee friends and meet new. By now it's like a family reunion every time, and sort of sad when it's all over. We just wish there was more time to talk with everyone. We had great talks with so many people, Mike Phillips, James Hoffmann, Anette Moldvaer, Stephen Morrisey, Tim Wendelboe, Tim Varney, Tim Styles (all those Tims...), Geoff Watts, Doug Zell, Peter Giuliano, Liz Clayton, everyone from La Marzocco and on and on. I really shouldn't have started listing any names, cuz I could go on for hours and I'm sure to be forgetting too many.


Linus & Geoff Watts


We're also really thrilled to have been selected by La Marzocco to get one of the first two prototypes of the brand new La Marzocco espresso machine named Strada. Kent Bakke offically presented the Strada and that The Coffee Collective will have a machine for field testing very soon. You can check out more about the Strada on the LM blog. And we'll blog much more once the machine is here.


The brand new La Marzocco Strada MP


Pressure Gauge on top of each group


For us, at the Collective, it was also exciting to go as a whole group. Besides the four owners, Casper, Linus, Peter and Klaus, we had two of our baristas join us, AnneStine and Mathias. Besides that we had four girlfriends/wives and two children, plus our "intern" Jordan Barber. So we should really thank our two remaining baristas, Sara and Sofia, for running the coffee shop while we were away. They streamed the whole WBC live in the coffee shop too, so they really were there with us in spirit.


Collective


Our Espresso blend was also to be found at the WBC Espresso Bar. We brought 20 kilos to be served during day 1, and our friend Jordan Barber volunteered for the task of pulling shots and serving cappuccinos for the visitors.


TCC & Jordan Barber


Outside the Olympia exhibition center, where the whole event took place, we visited some of London's good coffee spots. Square Mile roastery, Penny University, Kaffeine, Prufrock @ Present, Taste of Bitter Love, Fernandez & Wells, Milk Bar and of course Flat White. It was really interesting to taste the different coffees and even the same espresso in different locations. Overall we were quite impressed with how much the level has improved and we had some really great coffees. London, for it's size, still has a lot of opportunity for growth in great coffee places and we're sure it will evolve immensely in the coming years.




So now we're back home feeling really inspired and eager to see everyone again.
Thanks to everyone for making it a really fantastic week!
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Strawberry Shortcake Cake

LA Marathon 2010 - DaveyPop
Sorry I haven't been posting much lately. Lots of stuff going on...in addition to the World Cup's games at 4:30 am, my usual baking time. I apologize for missing several Tuesdays with Dorie weeks, and hope to get back into the swing of things soon. And special thanks to a few readers who sent me emails asking if I was okay! That was so thoughtful!

LA Marathon 2010 - DaveyPop
Remember Team Dave and the Los Angeles Marathon? I brought this lovely dessert to the post-marathon party. It's a great summer cake for a casual dinner party or way to highlight beautiful strawberries!

2010_0321LAMarathon_1711 2010_0321LAMarathon_1712
I adapted the recipe from Sky-High: Irresistible Triple Layer Cakes by Alisa Huntsman. Man, you have to get this book. It is Delicious with a capital D.

This cake is light (made with cake flour) and just delicious. Get her book for the filling which includes rose water. I didn't do that for this version, just macerated some strawberries in sugar.

Sky-High Strawberry Shortcake
Here is the Sky-High cake in three layers...see post here.

I've make this in a 6" triple layer before and it is quite lovely, but does NOT travel well at all. So this time I decided to make two 8" layers and assemble it at the party. Nothing like pulling out a whisk at the party...makes you look like a baker! :)

LA Marathon 2010 - DaveyPop

Strawberry Shortcake Cake
Adapted from Sky High: Irresistible Triple Layer Cakes by Alisa Huntsman, page 89

Cake:
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup plus 2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups cake flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2/3 cup buttermilk

1 1/2 - 2 cups heavy cream

Fresh Strawberry Filling (See the book for this recipe that includes rosewater...I just macerated some strawberries with sugar)

Whole strawberries, for garnish

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. I made mine with two 8" cake pans. The original recipes calls for three 6" pans.
2. Cream butter, 3/4 cup sugar and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition.
3. Sift together cake flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Add dry ingredients to the batter, alternating with the buttermilk in 3 additions. Divide among the prepared pans.
5. I don't remember how long I baked my 8" pans. The 6" pans bake for 20-25 minutes. I pulled them out when a toothpick came out clean. I let them cool for 10 minutes and then cooled them on a cake rack.

Assembly:
1. In a large chilled bowl, whip the cream with the remaining 2 tbsp of sugar until stiff.
2. Assemble the cake with cake, strawberries, whipped cream and repeat. Finish with your best strawberries on top. Enjoy!
Again, the book has a recipe for fresh strawberry filing that includes rose water.
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Viewership declining fast


Way back in 2009, The Sunday Morning Coffee show was the talk of the Internet. from the recent ratings, it would seem that very few even remember the show is still on. "This is not good" One TV executive said.

When asked about the recent decline, Jeff (host of the show) said, "We are just taking it one show at a time".

The jokes have already began - What is the difference between the Titanic and Coffee with Jeff? The Titanic had entertainment!

Rumor has it that Terrence, Willy and even his own son, Mark, have begun looking for new opportunities.

Stay tune for more later.
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Eat My Blog - This Saturday June 19th!!!

Los Angeles, Whatcha doing this Saturday? Well, hop in your car or get on the bus and get yourself over to West Hollywood for EAT MY BLOG!

Eat My Blog is a blogger bake sale benefiting the fantastic Los Angeles Regional Foodbank.

Eat My Blog Bake Sale
Saturday, June 19th
10 am - 4 pm
at Tender Greens
8759 Santa Monica Blvd. WeHo

More info on the Eat My Blog website!

I'm bringing Matcha Mochi Mini Bundts with Red Bean Filling and Muddy Buddies. Here are some files photos of the yummies:

Eat My Blog - Charity Bake Sale - Muddy Buddies
Muddy Buddies (gluten free)
(from last year's sale...I'm making these again!)


Matcha Mochi Bundt with An Filling - I Like Big Bundts
Matcha Mochi Mini Bundts

Hope to see you there!!! Bring lots of money and an empty stomach! ;)
- mary the food librarian
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Hacienda La Esmeralda Special 2010

As if the two new Kenyan coffees weren't enough we are now also ready to present this year's lot of the famous La Esmeralda Special 2010.


Wednesday June 16th from 16:00 - 17:00 there will be an open public cupping, where you can taste this spectacular coffee.


So what makes the Esmeralda Special so special?
Well, first off it's the variety Geisha, that was imported from Ethiopia into Panama in the middle of the last century. This variety apparently took really well to the Panamanian micro-climate around the town of Boquete and the Peterson family have done a great job in cultivating it. The coffee is selectively hand picked and then mechanically demucilaged, washed and then dried with sun or a combination of sun a machine drying. All the Esmeralda Special lots on auction were (of course) vacuum packed.

The Esmeralda Special have been awarded many times and it's the first farm I know of to have an internet auction for their own coffee. We like how the usual Buyer/Seller power has shifted in this regard. Since the farm started entering the Best of Panama competition (Panama's equivalent to Cup of Excellence) they have achieved the highest ever price for a coffee paid to the farm. This year the winning lot from BoP reached an astounding $ 170,20 pr pound! (Compare that to the Fair Trade minimum price of about $ 1,26 pr pound and you get an idea about how high this price is).

Esmeralda Special have won:
· 1st Place “Best of Panama” (2010, 2009, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004)
· 1st Place Specialty Coffee Association of America Roasters Guild Cupping Pavilion (2007, 2006, 2005)
· 1st Place Rainforest Alliance Cupping for Quality (2008, 2007, 2006, 2004)
· And actually many more competitions - we just can't be bothered to list more now...

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New Harvest from Kenya on the streets



Thanks to everybody who turned up to try our 2 new coffees from Kenya. Many turned up to just have a sip and the ones who could get seats saw a small presention where we talked about these 2 wetmills and why and how we choose to put some extra effort to get these specific coffees.

We have now put some of the pictures from Gatina and Kieni on Flickr.

Good questions from everybody- we love to discuss why a coffee have a specific taste.

A nice harvest indeed.
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How to Grow Golden Beets

Golden Beets

Yeah, this blog is called The Food Librarian.
Doesn't mention my gardening skills.
So, here they are.
How to Grow Golden Beets

1. Go to the interwebs. Go to Seed Savers. Pick up a packet of Burpee's Golden Beets.

2. When they arrive, call your dad and ask him about his garden...talk up the fact that golden beets are sweeter than his usual planting of red beets. Um, I guess it would be helpful to mention that your dad should have a backyard garden. That is helpful in this process.

3. Give the seeds to your dad on HIS BIRTHDAY. Didn't you know that the most appropriate gift to give your dad on his 78th birthday is Golden Beet seeds?

4. Have you dad start seedlings in a pot. Check them daily. Keep the birds away. Transplant when ready.

5. Have your dad grow the beets until they are big enough for YOU to drive over and pick them. Yes, YOU have to do some work here! :)

Golden Beets
This photo is from April 2010 as the beets were coming up!

Golden Beets
Love me my gardener dad! Next time, I'll review how to grow cucumbers, China peas, heirloom tomatoes and other veggies. Yeah, shockingly, it'll be a pretty similar process. :)

Golden Beets
Fresh from the garden... I like to clean them up and roast them with other veggies, or steam them and slice them for a salad. Golden beets are great because they don't stain your hands like red beets and are sweeter. If you don't have a retired gardening papa, pick some up at the Farmer's Market! :)

Red & Golden Beet Salad with Goat Cheese (Food Librarian)
My dad's golden and red beets! Yummmmmmmy!
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Tender Shortcakes with Raspberries - Tuesdays with Dorie

Tender Shortcakes - Tuesdays with Dorie
Tender Shortcakes

For this week's Tuesdays with Dorie selection, Cathy of The Tortefeasor chose Tender Shortcakes on page 423 of Dorie's book, Baking: From My Home to Yours.

Tender Shortcakes - Tuesdays with Dorie
Cathy is one of my favorite bloggers. She is hilarious and such a good chef and baker! Be sure to add her blog to your reader!

Tender Shortcakes - Tuesdays with Dorie
Since I made Strawberry Shortcakes recently, I made 1/8 of the recipe, used raspberries and made them really small. The shortcake is very simple to make and I could pretty much eat these biscuits all day! :)

Tender Shortcakes - Tuesdays with Dorie
Be sure to check out the other Tuesdays with Dorie bakers!

Recipe:
Cathy's blog,
The Tortefeasor
Dorie's book, Baking: From My Home to Yours, page 423
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New Coffees from Kenya!

On Wednesday June 9th at 16:00 o'clock we're proud to present two new Kenyan coffees!

The coffees are from two different Wet Mills - or factories as they like to call it in Kenya - both in the Nyeri region: Kieni and Gatina

Casper and Linus spent a week in Kenya in February visiting different mills and societies just as the harvest had been completed, but before any of these coffees were snatched up by others.

You can read about their trip here and here.


So join us on Wednesday at 16:00 when the two new coffees will hit the shelves and we'll be offering free samples brewed on French Press. Linus and Casper will show pictures and tell about their trip and how we source and buy coffees.

At 17:00 we'll be doing an open cupping session of these new coffees where we hope you will join in.

We'll be back with more info about these coffees and new labels for them in due time.

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Pasta with Swiss Chard and Shrimp

Pasta with Swiss Chard and Shrimp

Sometimes, when I channel surf, I run into the Duggars. The family on TLC with a zillion children. Once, I saw them go shopping. Damn. That was crazy.

Me? I'm the person at the meat counter saying:

I would like to buy one sausage link, please.

For this recipe, I bought 5 shrimp (shell-on) at the counter. They were on sale so it was $.50 worth of protein! Yes, 50-cents. Well, since they were previously frozen, I couldn't refreeze them so I just got enough for dinner. Me and my 5 shrimp.

I boiled some whole wheat pasta. Chopped half a head of red Swiss chard from the farmer's market. Sauteed in some garlic and olive oil. Then I tossed in the five shrimp and cooked for a few seconds before adding in the pasta. The Swiss chard dyed the pasta...that is why you see a pink tint. I finished it off with some salt, pepper and parm cheese. Dinner for one!
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Coffee With Jeff 6-06-10

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White Chocolate Brownies (with Blueberries) - Tuesdays with Dorie

White Chocolate Brownies (with Blueberries) - Tuesdays with Dorie
For this week's Tuesdays with Dorie selection, Marthe of Culinary Delights selected White Chocolate Brownies on pages 110 and 111 of Dorie's book, Baking: From My Home to Yours.

White Chocolate Brownies (with Blueberries) - Tuesdays with Dorie
Although Marthe picked this, all the TWD bakers know that Clara is cheering this pick as she was involved in heavy lobbying for this one. So I think this week is hosted by both Marthe and Clara! :)

I had to work this weekend so I didn't get a chance to visit the Farmer's Market, and the raspberries at the supermarket looked weak. I substituted blueberries instead.

I skipped the meringue topping because it doesn't keep well, and I'm bringing these into work. I'm sure lots of bakers tried the meringue so you'll have to check their blogs for the meringue covering.

White Chocolate Brownies (with Blueberries) - Tuesdays with Dorie
All by blueberries settled on the bottom of these mini-muffins so I will just serve them upside down! Be sure to check out the other Tuesdays with Dorie bakers! Whew! Sorry it's a day late, baking has been a challenge because my house is getting new windows installed...in the kitchen!

Recipe:
Marthe of Culinary Delights's blog, or...
Dorie's book, Baking: From My Home to Yours, page 110
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On the current situation in Guatamala

The harvest is finished in Guatamala and we have visited and selected this years lots from Finca Vista Hermosa. While we are waiting for the coffee to be all ready for export, nature is demonstrating its power in Guatamala.

After an erupting volcano and a tropical depression, the president has declared the country in a state of "national calamity".

Edwin Martinez of Finca Vista Hermosa has made a post about the situation here.

Edwin finishes his post with the statement that if "you’re wondering how you can help. You can visit, sometime when the airport is not shut down, and drink good coffee. Tourism and coffee are the #1 and #2 sources of revenue for Guatemala.."

We can promise that we will follow up on his proposal!
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The Show Will Return


I Know we are going on three weeks without a show, but that was for retooling. The Show will be back on June 6th.

Try to control yourself!
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