Coffee, New organic Italian olive oil from Umbria - chefshop.com/enews
|
|
 |
EXCLUSIVE
SUBSCRIBER
5% OFF CODE |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 A Mixture of Gold
Coffee is very cult like in Seattle. Those of us who like to drink a good cup of joe, have our favorites. It may not be just one place or just one barista. But, in any neighborhood we know where we like to go, and we are willing to go to great lengths to get it.
Some swear it is the bean and the roaster. Others, like me, know it is the barista who makes the coffee great. I have one favorite barista who seems to remember everyone's coffee order by sight. She can run the till, have three to five orders going at the same time, and carry on about the morning's news in a continuously flowing conversation that passes from one customer to the next!
So, what do you do when you don't have a barista to make your cup of coffee? You make your own. This is when the blend of beans and the roaster become critical. It is hard to argue against your neighborhood roaster, as there is nothing like freshly roasted beans.
But, when you compare a local roast to a master roaster like Miscela D'oro, you realize that there is a enormous difference that results in the final cup. This third generation family started roasting artisan espresso in 1946. It is their attention to detail, (where the beans come from, how they blend, and 65 years of roasting experience,) that makes this coffee one of the finest available here.
David, our friend who brought you Pernigotti Cocoa, and who was in the coffee business, highly recommended we try Miscela D'oro. So we did. We thought it would be the perfect addition to our store. There is nothing like a free espresso while you visit us at the shop to make for a nice conversation starter. Anyone can pull an espresso in 8 seconds from our cool, countertop espresso machine.
Given all the great coffee around Seattle, we viewed having coffee in the store would be a great perk, and were cautiously optimistic that we could brew up a little business around the hermetically sealed beans. Our warehouse neighbor from Big People Toys, who graciously supplied us with an antique Mah Jong table and chairs for our "Café". He is now a regular, stopping every morning for a cup of espresso and takes beans home to his wife.
With all the excellent customer feedback from the store, we are now offering it to you ... and, though we can't offer you a free espresso, we can let you know that good beans make for a good cup of joe.
Shop now for Miscela d'Oro!
|
In the news
Since we started over ten years ago, we have been very lucky to represent a wonderful swatch of excellent artisan foods from around the world. With this has come wonderful accolades from the food press.
Today, we are sharing some of our favorites in our "In the Press" category.
Shop now for the best of the press picks!
|
|
|
|
|
Umbrian Olio Nuovo from Etruria
We had to wait a long time to see this oil. It was worth the wait! By far the best Italian oil of the year. A classic taste and what we have come to expect from Etruria. If you have been holding out for an oil this year, this is the oil to get. We like the clean flavor and the pure oil feel. It has a kick, without knocking the back of your throat out. Yet it is not so tame that you forget you are having a new oil.
If you want an oil that Giuseppe uses at home, a "real" oil that the "people" use, this is the right choice for 2011.
Etruria started as a company that takes the classic Umbrian "family" recipes and formulas and shares them with us here stateside. What's in the "box" is not some specially created food for the American market, it is, in fact, what Giuseppe grew up eating; what his Mom makes and cooks with.
Enjoy the authentic tastes and flavors of Umbria, starting with this wonderful Organic New Oil from Etruria!
Shop now for Organic Etruria Olio Nuovo
|
|
|
| |
Pickled Raisins from a Boat
After tasting and testing for three weeks, this is my favorite! I like the bite of the golden raisins and mustard seeds combined with the twist of vinegar. Those are the pronounced flavors, but within that there are hints of more. It is great to take a spoonful and let the flavors move around in your mouth!
Large golden raisins cured in a sweet and tangy syrup of cider vinegar, mustard seed, thyme, arbol chili and bay leaf.
A wonderful paring with roasted pork tenderloin or grilled fresh sausage. For a great side dish, add the raisins to couscous pilaf or coleslaw salad along with cider vinegar, olive oil and fresh parsley. Gently warm pickled golden raisins in a skillet with a spoonful of olive oil, add a splash of champagne vinegar, chopped parsley and toasted European pine nuts. Spoon over sea bass or sole.
|
|
|
DESIGN: JODI LUBY & COMPANY, INC. NEW YORK CITY, NY; EMAIL STRATEGY: CRM Group USA, SEATTLE, WA
|
|
