Mr. Brown Blue Mountain Style Iced Coffee

by Nick (Coffee Detective)
(Montreal)

Canned Coffee from Taiwan

I picked up this can of coffee at the supermarket this morning, simply out of curiosity.

And yes, I drank it. : )

It does taste something like coffee, but that’s about it. It’s overly sweet, and far too weak.

But what tempted me to buy it and take the photo wasn’t any expectation of a great coffee, but the rather odd marketing at play here.

The coffee is imported from Taiwan, but has this peculiar photo of a man who seems to be European or North American. Maybe an ice cream seller, or possibly an opera singer. But he certainly doesn’t look like anyone I have seen behind the counter at a coffee shop.

Then we have the rather sneaky name, Blue Mountain Style.

I imagine the idea is to infer that the coffee is in some way related to Blue Mountain coffee. Well, it definitely isn’t.

Odd marketing for a product that tastes only vaguely of coffee.

But I guess canned coffee is more popular in the Far East than it is here, and perhaps the marketing approach works well over there too.

Cappuccino and Biscotti in the Garden

by Nick (The Coffee Detective)
(Montreal)

Cappuccino in the garden. Bliss!

It’s a nice day in May, sunny but not too hot! Perfect for enjoying a homemade cappuccino and biscotti in the garden.

Which got me to thinking about how many people drive to a coffee shop to get their cappuccinos and lattes. I know, there is the social aspect to hanging out in a coffee shop. But even so, with my own espresso machine, I can make espressos and cappuccinos that are better than I’ll get in even the best coffee shop.

What’s that? You can’t afford a few hundred dollars for an espresso machine? Well, count up the cost of all the coffee drinks you buy from coffee shops in a year, and I bet you’ll find you are spending enough to buy a really good espresso machine for your home.

Besides which, you can’t beat walking out into the garden with a fresh-made brew. When you make it yourself, it’s still hot, and it isn’t served in a disposable cup.

I love coffee in the spring time!

Coffee Shower Cream from Yves Rocher

by Nick (Coffee Detective)
(Montreal)

Coffee Shower Cream

It seems coffee is making the move out of the kitchen and into the bathroom.

A while ago I reviewed a sample collection of shampoo, conditioner, shower wash and body cream, all from Barista Bath and Body.

Then yesterday I was in a store and noticed this coffee shower gel from Yves Rocher.

It seems the idea of using coffee in specialty beauty products is now making the leap into mainstream brands.

What do you think? Would you buy it?

BTW – if you come across any other bathroom or beauty products which contain coffee, be sure to use the comments link below to send in a photo.

Saturday Morning Latte…

by Nick (Coffee Detective)
(Montreal)

I enjoy my coffee during the week - at the breakfast table, or at my desk as I work - but…

It’s not the same as going out to local café on a Saturday morning, and having a latte while looking over the menu for brunch.

Sitting together for an hour or so, nursing our coffees, browsing the papers, eating our meal, greeting people we know...it’s a whole different thing.

And I wouldn’t get the same feeling at a Starbucks. I know, I’m fussy. But for me, nothing beats a good coffee at a truly local café, owned and run by the people behind the counter who make your coffee and your meal.

This, for me, is part of the coffee culture. Great coffee, relaxed surroundings, conversation...and people you know.

What's your favorite spot for a weekend coffee? To answer, just click the "post comments" link below.

More about the gourmet coffee lifestyle...

Coffee Beans and Raspberries

by Nick (Coffee Detective)
(Montreal)

Raspberry flavored coffee

I felt inspired to step out this afternoon and take this photo of coffee beans and fresh raspberries. That's the nice thing about looking at all the different flavored coffees - they give you inspiration to pair coffee beans with fruits and nuts. : )

Do you like the photo? Let me know what you think.

Nick

Reusable Permanent cone coffee filter+glassware SET

by Mia
(Earth)

GREEN SUSTAINABLE REUSABLE PERMANENT just great

Try the coava kone coffee filter maker from notcot website

GREEN SUSTAINABLE REUSABLE PERMANENT... what else to say, then:just GREAT!

(http://www.notcot.com/archives/2011/03/coava-kone-coffee-filter-maker.php)

Nescafe Vanilla Cappuccino

by Nick (Coffee Detective)
(Montreal)

This is cappuccino? Really?

I found this in our local supermarket. How can they call it “cappuccino”? Is it even legal? The first few ingredients are: sugar, skimmed milk powder, glucose solids, coconut oil and instant coffee.

Seems to me it should be against the law to describe a product in a way that is so misleading.

Or, to put it another way…Yukkk!

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