Arabica Output Falling in India

This article from the Economic Times of India details the falling production of Arabica beans in favor of Robusta. Though Robusta is, well, more "robust", they are in fact generally thought of as inferior coffee beans compared to Arabica beans. Part of the reason for the fall in production in India is attributed to a two-year old infestation of "white stem borer" (a wood termite), as well as a labor shortage (is everyone in India now working "offshore" for American companies?). On top of that is the simple demand for cheaper beans, and that's just what robusta beans are.

Do your bit by always buying coffee beans that are comprised in large part of Arabica beans. Demand creates supply. On top of that, your flavor experience will be better.

Read more here about Arabica and Robusta coffee beans.

Espresso and Yoghurt

Hmm...this article caught my eye - a recommendation to add espresso to your yogurt. I'd do it. Why not? The article comes from dreaded spoke in the axis of evil, also known as Iran. The Tehran Times no less, in the section of the article sub-titled "Customize your yogurt" recommends

Add 1 tablespoon of cool espresso or extra-strong coffee and 1 tablespoon of chocolate syrup to 6 ounces of plain yogurt to make Mochaccino Yogurt.

I know that yogurt features highly in Middle Eastern cooking, and of course where else do you think Arabica beans come from, but this sort of caught me by surprise.

By the way, despite Arabica coffee beans coming from the Arabian Peninsula, tea in fact reins supreme in Iran according to my Iranian cubemate at the office.

Cowboy Steak with Espresso Coffee Rub

Here's an espresso coffee recipe that you weren't expecting. No, you don't drink this one; it a recipe for a steak rub and was featured on the Food Channel. Hey, anything with espresso coffee as one of the ingredients has to be good!

Cowboy Steak

1 1/2 teaspoons ancho chili powder (i.e. dried poblano chili), or chili powder of your choice
1 1/2 teaspoons espresso coffee; fine ground (just like it always should be, guys!)
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander (some countries call this cilantro)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/4 pound top sirloin steak; 1 1/4 inch thick


Spray a large nonstick pan with cooking spray and preheat it over medium-high heat.

In a small bowl combine all the ingredients for the rub and coat the steak well on both sides.

Cook steak for 14 minutes, turning once, for medium to medium-rare.

Allow steak to sit for 5 minutes before drinking, I mean, serving.

Moving Back to Vita Espresso Beans

I'm allowed to change my mind, am I not? I've been getting my espresso beans from Victrola coffee roasters in Seattle by ordering online for some months now. See my previous post about Victrola. When I first started out I was getting their classic "Steamline" roast, and then more recently they came out with a new roast called "Triborough". I liked both roasts pretty much, but over the last few orders I have found it hard to get much if any crema out of the Triborough beans. I even bought some beans in the store when I was up in Seattle last month knowing they would be hot out of the roaster. Same thing!

So, this week I went back to my previous Seattle favorite Espresso Vivace Coffee Roasters and got my old favorite, the Vita espresso roast. Oh, and some green beans for my own home roasting. Oh boy! How good to see that rich creamy crema issuing forth into my cup...and what fantastic flavor. I just finished a flat white and am in heaven all over again.

Synesso Cyncra Espresso Machines

EspressoCoffeeSnobs.com is all about making coffee at home, but a recent trip to Port Townsend in Washington state saw me stumble upon a great little coffee shop with at great big espresso machine. Turns out the machine, a Synesso Cyncra, is made in Seattle and there are only about 200 of them in service in the U.S. I can't recall the name of the coffee shop, but it atop the hill above Port Townsend in the little row of shops near where the Saturday morning farmers market is held. If ever you're in the area, pay a visit for a great cup of coffee, and a gawk at the Synesso Cyncra. Here's the website for the manufacturer: synesso.com.

Another coffee shop I've heard you can check out a Synesso is Ninth Street Espresso in Manhattan. Go have fun!