Tag: coffee

Dear friends, some beverages pair well…and some…well…

Carl Setzer

While on my way back from Mountlake Terrace’s Double D Meats, I really wanted some coffee…and a pumpkin scone (I love them so). For the coffee part, I opted for a good ol’ pumpkin spice latte. They goofed on a prior order and offered me a free iced white chocolate mocha. So I think “absolutely”! On the drive home, I sipped my PSL merrily. Once I got home, though, I thought I’d take a sip of the mocha. Um…poor choice. The mocha paired, well, horribly with the PSL. I needed to give my mouth a good rinsing.

So, dear friends, when offered a free beverage, take a moment and think about how it will blend in with the rest of your meal.

Discussing Coffee

Carl Setzer
Ah, Beautiful Coffee!

Coffee came up several times for me today. Ok, well that sounds like a case of indigestion. Coffee came up in discussion several times today. Which got me thinking…

Coffee holds a special place in my life, and my heart. First: well, coffee goes back to childhood. I adored smelling coffee brewing growing up. Loved the feel of the old Starbucks in Pike Place, back when there were spices and stuff. That very first espresso. The sophisticated feeling of sitting in cafes. Oh, so very much delight in the old, old feels.

Being a broke college student post-Navy, the cafes on Capitol Hill, Queen Anne and the U-District were important haunts. Places to study, to read, meet friends; so very critical at that point of my life. Low cost style and elegance.

For just over 5 years, I worked on the Corporate Social Responsibility team at Starbucks. For a year before that, I was part of the Public Affairs team, within the Global Communications group. I lived and breathed coffee during that time. That’s where I learned about roast curves, growing regions, different flavor profiles, the agricultural impacts upon the coffee, as well as the “processing method” and the instrumental way that impacts flavor.

I got to gently counter disparagement to my former employer. Even though I was laid off from there, nor is it my favorite coffee (that honor is tied between Ladro and Tony’s right now). (Fun fact: Tony’s was roasting Ladro’s beans until very recently). Yet I think highly of Starbucks, both in the coffee quality as well as the quality of the company. Several of my dearest friends came out of that experience.

Also, I went by Narrative Coffee’s space again, and saw Cafe Wylde. Both are places I want, well, need to try out. And I think I should write more about coffee here. Kinda fits a “Not Just Seattle” theme, don’t you think?

Care to recommend other coffee establishments for me to try? I’ll need to craft a list of my explorations to-date soon.

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What a lovely day!

Carl Setzer

Today was pretty delightful. First, got to sleep in…always a boon.

My wife and I hit the Brook’s Tent Sale. Though I’m no longer a runner, my wife and son are. And I’m something of an avid walker, so good shoes are valuable to me.

Next stop, a friend of ours, who makes killer cinnamon rolls, made some killer cinnamon rolls and shared some with us.

We then went and walked around the Edmonds waterfront. One of our favorite places. Calm, peaceful, and people who will actually politely greet each other.

On our way home, we stopped at Mel & Mias, a gem of a bakery/coffee shop in the Perrinville neighborhood of Edmonds/Lynnwood. Charming, delightful place. Light and inviting aura, and excellent treats. Oh, and coffee that’s quite unique. Today got to try a monsoon coffee from India. I’ve never had Indian coffee, so that was a delight in-and-of-itself. The processing for this is unique. They basically cage the coffee beans and let the rains clean away the husk and pulp of the cherry. It had mild citrus and berry notes which paired well with our cherry tart.

For dinner we went to help celebrate our favorite Mexican place’s (La Raza) 8th anniversary. Though we had to leave before the mariachi band arrived, it was great seeing the good folks there having a deserved good time.

Nothing monumental or life changing. Mostly, just life affirming and charming. The sun shone brightly, which was a pleasant change. All in all, no complaints.

Here’s wishing every one of you a blessed Easter, no matter which faith your practice. May we all find peace and joy…in the small things.

Getting Back to Coffee Fundamentals: Fundamental Coffee

Carl Setzer

Founded by two old friends from my Starbucks days, Scott McMartin and Tim Kern (Tim sadly died last year), Fundamental Coffee represents so very much to me. I relied on their coffee knowledge at the ‘Bux. Today, I trust Scott’s expertise even further. Clearly, he’s learned so very much on this journey running his own coffee company. Give them a taste!

Here in Lynnwood, you can get their coffee at Alderwood Mall’s Seattle Coffee Gear.

Website: http://www.funcoffeeco.com/

Find them on Facebook, too.