Minneapoliscoffeeblog

The best machine!!!!!

2008-01-13T16:44:00.000-08:00

Amazing.

Minneapolis Coffeefest!!

2006-11-18T21:48:00.000-08:00

So glad that Calhoun Square puts on this great event every year..Have to say that there was limited good, real coffee. Tillie's Bean was the hit, serving Waka Jawaka, Ethiopian Sidamo-both regular and organic- people were coming back beggin for 2nds..and 3rds...

Interesting that some other coffee shops choose not to highlight their coffee- but serve samples of soup...whatsthatabout?? If you cannot be proud as hell about your coffee, and highlight that- you need instruction.

A little bit of coffee to water ratio-info never hurt anyone. Remember for every 64 oz of water..you need about 4oz of coffee- thats the Golden Rule.

Let's hope Tillies won best in show..

Tillie's Bean Neighborhood Excellence!!

2006-11-10T22:12:00.000-08:00

My favorite new "crave" drink is a White Slipper. White Chocolate, Cinnamon, amazing espresso & whipped creme.......You can find a delightful one at Tillie's Bean- on the corner of 28th Avenue and 38th Street. Tillie's Bean is a two-time SCAA Golden Cup winner, and they make outstanding beverages!! Watch for a booth at the upcoming Coffeefest at Calhoun Square and taste some of the perfect java...even roasted by master roaster -and co-owner Dave Turner. Try some house-baked, homemade delightful pastries while you are there.

You might even see Tillie behind the counter...she's about 3 feet tall!! ( Tillie is the adorable daughter of Maggie and Dave Turner) See Dave roast.....

PNG Waka Jawaka.....

2006-10-27T19:33:00.000-07:00

Yummy nothing tastes better than new crop Waka Jawaka....

Papau New Guinea at it's finest....

Pears, cinnamon and butter.........

2006-10-11T15:44:00.000-07:00

Yummy yummy I got Burnt Sugar on my Espresso....
oh its is so delicious.
what could be better than Burnt Sugar, froth and espresso?

Bring back a good old fashioned 'Au-Lait"!

2006-09-01T22:55:00.000-07:00

Want to try something really good....?
All you have to do is order a Au Lait , or coffee served with Hot Milk. There's something so smooth and wonderful about the pairing of perfectly warmed Milk in fresh perfectly brewed coffee. It makes a nice change instead of a Latte, or cap, and the coffee flavor is very pronouced. Try it you will like it. My pick of the week is to watch for Ethiopian Harrar-preferably Dark Roasted for an Au Lait, or a Dark Guat....

Putting Minnesota On the Map of Fine Fine Coffee!!

2006-08-31T18:12:00.000-07:00

Fine Fine coffee.
Everyone always asks...where is the best coffee??
There is alot of stellar coffee if you know where to look....
What are we looking for??
Deep, rich reddish brew...
smooth flavor....coffee should taste like wine- it's all about the coffee to water ratio, it's about the grind, it's about the freshness....and do they ever in gods name wash their airpots??

All coffeeshops have the option of having good coffee, all restaurants have the option of having good coffee, some choose burnt weak brew, some choose to blame roasters after having coffee sit around for hours. Some choose to have the ashtray effect, and call it a day. Some our just plain coffee strength-aphobic....
check back for a list....

"Real Bread" to go with Real Coffee

2006-08-30T21:49:00.000-07:00

Aren't we so fortunate that we can enjoy the finest pairings of artisan breads and pastries to go with our fine coffee. Here is my favorite pairings:

1. Try a Chocolate Chip Briochette from the Real Bread Folks-only at the Midtown Market -only on Saturday...(I think website to sign up for weekly order is www.realbreadnet)the fruit-laden breads are great with Guatemalan.
Or
Get to the May Day Cafe ( they are pouring great shots of espresso) and get a loaf of Sourdough Whole Wheat bread..only on Saturdays..These pecan raisin things Madge whips up are amazing with a Hot Cold Press.

Do you think you make the Best Cold Press in town??

2006-08-04T16:58:00.000-07:00

A contest is happening....Do you think your coffeehouse makes the Best Cold Press??
I know some of these shops make a pretty killer cold press...

1. Audobon
2. Tillies Bean
3. Acadia Cafe
4. Corner Coffee
5. Clicquot Club
6. Lunablu Coffee Co.

I am interested in who makes the best!!! Any ideas...and addicts got an opinion??

More Golden Cups across the City.....

2006-07-06T13:48:00.000-07:00

Here's more Golden Cups!!
Fairview University Medical Center Espresso Bar!!

Monee's Coffee Cafe New Brighton

Tillie's Bean- 2nd year in a row!!

First Restaurants ever in the State: Cafe Brenda and Spoonriver!!

Great coffee on the outskirts...Rogers MN! Luna Blu Coffee Company!

2006-06-12T14:59:00.000-07:00

I am so happy to say there is really good coffee if you are driving out of Minneapolis a titch - maybe going towards Rogers or Elk River..theres a great spot called Luna Blu Coffee Company. They have of course a Golden Cup Award..and perfectly extracted shots. Even the politicos like to stop there, heard Gov. Tim loved the coffee. The Address is 14165 James Road Rogers, MN. Right off the highway and you cannot miss the groovy logo. I think I would highly recommend an iced cubano...

The Perfect Iced Cold Press...

2006-06-06T18:43:00.000-07:00

Here's what I think of: Cold Press made with Dark Guatemalan....Vanilla Extract, Ice, Cold Milk preferable Organic out of a glass bottle like Cedar Summit. Oh ya, the Vanilla Extract must be Nielson Massey Brand. And gotta have the Organic Whole Milk. What could be better?

Revolutionizing Decaf Espresso across Minneapolis!!

2006-06-02T16:16:00.000-07:00

Wow...
Tillie's Bean, May Day Cafe, & Cliquot Club Cafe so far pulling amazing new decaf espresso...Tillie's is using a fabulous new Dave Turner( Roaster Extraordinare) creation...that includes some African decaf's and Central American Decaf's, and May Day Cafe and Cliquot Club are pulling some of the oh so smooth single origin..aka..SO- Decaf Ethiopian Sidamo. Soon we will also see a couple new restaurants pulling exquisite decaf espresso shots. Whoever said decaf espresso had to be boring. It's not!!

S.O. decaf shot....can it be the god shot?

2006-05-26T17:59:00.000-07:00

Ethiopian Sidamo decaf shot up as espresso.....
wow can it be really true?
It was....and it tasted like a cross between a mouthful of cacao nibs and soft citrus all muddled together.

After tasting so much rather mediocre decaf...this was like a perfectly toasted marshmallow.
Why couldn't coffeehouses do S.O. decaf hits instead of a decaf espresso blend??

Minneapolis Golden Cup Awards!!

2006-05-16T16:26:00.000-07:00

Wow ...yet another coffeehouse takes a Golden Cup Award. This time it's the wonderful new cafe in Seward neighborhood- The Cliquot Club. Strong Brew tastes like wine. Think of that...........award winning coffee in Seward- that's fantastic!!
Got to love coffee that tastes like wine!!

WOW Cool New Coffeemaker!!

2006-05-09T19:31:00.000-07:00

Oh my what a great new coffeebrewer! Coffee tastes like a cross between Chemex coffee and cold press coffee. Lovely deep red-brown color, and smooth. A very cool new coffeetoy!

The Real Best of the Twin Cities....

2006-05-05T10:09:00.000-07:00

instead of who pays City Pages the most in advertising to win...and lets start with coffee categories...

1. Best Latte..??
2. Best straight up shot of espresso....
3. Best Dry Cap?
4. Best mocha?
5. Best brewed Cup....
6. Heres a really tough one...best decaf espresso.....and this only counts as a straight up shot..

anyone who works for City pages is ineligible to vote- as we obviously can see they cannot tell good coffee from bad coffee.

2006-05-05T08:47:00.000-07:00

Looking so forward to a fresh pastry from the May Day Cafe on Sunday- but must get over there on Saturday for some fresh baked artisan breads-Last week got a pizza crust( the best in town), a chocolate-cherry something, and an olive baguette just bursting with olives. Don't forget Saturdays the bread rack is out, full of the most gorgeous breads in town..you snooze you lose, get there early.

Hum...what coffee to drink this weekend?? Fruity sweet Bolivian....?? Caramelly Raisiny Colombian? Or Dark syrupy Guat??

People are raving about the coffee at Al Vento.....deep, bold cup. There's about to be an evolution of more fine restaurants having delicious coffee.

2006-05-04T21:29:00.000-07:00

Crema...........isn't that what it's all about?

2006-05-04T21:20:00.000-07:00

Here's the first day of the coffeeblog. Damn good Colombian Paez. Reminds me of sauteed buttered raisins. Love it. Had some hot cold press today that was so creamy.