What is the worst coffee shop in Hawaii?

This is a very subjective question, worthy of reflection and ACTION.

Hawaii is the source of legendary Kona Coffee, grown in the rich volcanic soil in Hawaii.  Since I have not, to my detriment, been to many coffee shops in the great state of Hawaii, I believe a field expedition is needed.

My goal would be to define “Coffee Shop”, and review as many as possible (being my usual honest and reflective self).

11 Days In Kona: Coffee Travel, from Amazon Books

The first series of reviews to be published would be Coffee shops where that is their primary business, not diners or restaurants that serve coffee.
In addition, we would seek out the “Best of the Worst”, serving the most wretched brew that can be served without the health department condemning the business.

I propose we get a kick-starter campaign, or Go fund me, and have a dedicated field expedition to each island and review coffee shops, perhaps 10 a day, focusing on the candidate for the “worst” shop. Part of the money raised can go to the shop for improvements, a website to promote our on-going research, a donation to charity, and supporting the research team.

I would be honored to lead the team in such an endeavor, and if interested readers contact me with their desire to fund and participate, I will build the initial website, GoFundMe, Kickstarter, etc., Start the funding effort, and promote the quest!

Fear not, my Hawaiian brethren, we shall (when funded) find the best of the worst!

“A pau e pono ai ka ke aloha a me ke kope”
(Translation from the Hawaiian: “All you need is love and coffee”)
Mahalo.

Wonderful Kona Coffee, from Amazon

I hope you found my point of view enlightening and informative.

Has Starbucks Pike Place Roast gone Downhill?

To my knowledge, Pikes Place has not changed. Here is the story of Pikes Place roast, which is celebrating it’s tenth year in production! Celebrating 10 years of Starbucks Pike Place Roast – Starbucks website  Pikes Roast was Introduced in 2008.
Not everybody liked it, note this scathing article in the NY Post: NO PLACE FOR PIKE AT STARBUCKS
While I found Pikes Place Roast to be an acquired taste, it is now one of my preferred brews. I believe this is because I started drinking it regularly, and became accustomed to it’s flavor.
They good news is that if you don’t like the Starbucks experience, most servers will gladly substitute another coffee rather than see you suffer through a bad coffee experience.
May your life be bolder than your brew.

 

Shameless self promotion: I have a Pinterest section on coffee and food, if you like my point of view.
Got Coffee? Starbucks Pikes Place Roast on Amazon

Coffee Madness. It is upon us….

First of all, I want to confess to being a coffee bigot.  I know what kind of coffee I like, and will venture into unexplored (by me) coffee territory,  but I mostly like a dark roast, usually Kona, Starbucks Pike Place roast, or similar coffees.

Two cups a day is my typical limit.  A three cup day is a hard day, and bad coffee is not in my program.  Not to say that instant coffee or starbucks Via has not crossed my lips, but hey – let’s brew, OK?

today I got an email promoting – get this – “Mushroom Coffee”.

Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee, USDA Organic Coffee with Lion’s Mane and Chaga mushrooms, Productivity, Vegan, Paleo, 10 Count, Packaging May Vary
Touting the benefits of my favorite fungi in my favorite refreshment.
They even sell it on EBay and Amazon.
I am not a purist or a prude, but these marketing guys will do anything to increase sales and mix more stuff into the grinds, to increase yield. (that means make more money buy cutting the  coffee with other ingrdients).  If this takes off, like caramel macchiato or frappuccino, or even Kopi Luwak (the legendary coffee in the movie, “The Bucket List“.  see it).
Let us spend a few moments talking about grinding beans, and brewing a decent cup of coffee.  anyone can make a good, drinkable cup of coffee, and own the process and technique, without undo stress or aggravation.  Your guests, coworkers, and family members will be appreciative of your efforts – or they can google their butts over to a nearby Starbucks.
Coffee can be bought Ground, or instant, or in K-cups.  I like fresh ground coffee, the “just released” flavor is exquisite, although it can be messy.  I highly recommend a “burr” type grinder, but a propeller type will; do well too.
Antique Wooden Coffee Mill Grinder Pair - 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" & 6" x 6" x 7"
These are wooden coffee grinders, usually antiques or reproductions, available on Ebay.
Henry Charles Manual Coffee Grinder, Adjustable Conical Ceramic Burr, Brushed Stainless SteelKRUPS F203 Electric Spice and Coffee Grinder with Stainless Steel Blades, 3-Ounce, BlackCuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill
Here are three grinders, manual, propeller, and Burrs style.

Brewing is the next step.  While some like a french press, I am a fan of the pour-through and the Keurig.  Each has its pluses and minuses.
French Press Coffee Maker (8 cup, 34 oz) With 4 Level Filtration System, 304 Grade Stainless Steel, Heat Resistant Borosilicate Glass by Cafe Du ChateauWicked Java Joe 2 Cup Pour Over Coffee Dripper Makes Amazing Barista Quality Brew. Paperless, Reusable High Grade Stainless Steel Coffee Filter w/ Bonus Coffee Scoop & Bag Clip - Red HandleCuisinart DCC-3200AMZ PerfecTemp 14 Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, Stainless SteelKeurig K575 Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker with 12oz Brew Size, Strength Control, and Hot Water on Demand, Programmable, Platinum
Here are some of your brewer choices.  How many cups will you be brewing at a time? that may determine your best machine for the job.  Single cup pour-throughs and the Keurig are good for individual cups, although the keurig will cycle faster when you have more than one person needing a caffeine fix.  Keurig cups also come in many varieties, which means your co-caffeinators can have lots of K cup choices for flavored or specialty coffee.
This is an old-fashioned wooden pour-through:
Chorreador,Costa Rican Handmade Portable Foldable Wooden Stand Coffee Mak... NewPremium Stand Drip Pour Over Coffee Maker, Traditional Wooden Chorreador Handmade in Costa Rica, 1 Reusable Cloth Filter (Colador,Bolsita) Included
Image result for costa rican wooden coffee maker
These kind of wooden coffee makers are popular in Costa Rica.  Notice the bold colors.  They take their coffee seriously there!
So much for my primer on coffee and brewing.  There are even more ways to prepare coffee (don’t get me started on espresso makers) and making coffee for crowds.  your choice of coffee (or coffee beans) is your next step.  I am putting some links to my favorites here, Kona beans and Community coffee from New Orleans.
Cafe Au Lait from Cafe Du Monde, Costa Rican Dark Roast, Jamaican Blue Mountain, Starbucks Pike Place Roast, All good.  Not to mention all the “boutique” brands that are available. All of these can be bought as beans, k cups, ground, and in some cases – instant.
However you enjoy your coffee, don’t be intimidated; find one you like and go with it.  If you want to impress a date, get an espresso machine (don’t forget the steamed milk and pastries).
If you like the New Orleans roasts, learn to make beignets – fried donuts sprinkled with powdered sugar – absolute heaven!
Cafe du Monde Mix Beignet Mix, 28 oz, Pack of 2Image result for cafe au lait and beignets
Beignet mix from Amazon, Cafe au lait from Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans
I want to thank you for indulging my brief coffee blog, descending into brewing, grinding, and coffee that I personally enjoy – and you can as well!  Share with your coffee challenged friends, or coffee snobs who will educate you on what they know!  Most of all, no matter how you make it, enjoy that wonderful, warm brew that gets your motor running in the morning and humming at every coffee break!
Happy Caffeination!
Shameless self promotion: I have a Pinterest section on coffee and food, if you like my point of view.
Consider sharing it and take a peek at my other works:


All rights reserved by Alan Chenkin & Primrose Path LLC.  Remember to give credit to the author and any cited works. Some links are promoted so the author can maintain his Starbucks coffee habit. If you enjoyed this blog, please feel free to share .This Blog was Human-generated by the author, and not produced by a Russian blog Engine.

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