Monday, December 28, 2015

Saturday, October 24, 2015

chemex...





sometimes when you're tired 
of studying, you just need to make 
yourself some chemex


-susanna



Tuesday, September 23, 2014

20 cups of coffee: PT's Coffee Roasting Company






Cup no. 4: PT's Coffee Roasting Company
Topeka, KS

Got to spend a week at my capitol back in February at a government leadership class called Teenpact. It's awesome! My goal was to get to some kind of coffee shop during the week but time was never really on my side. I'd heard that Topeka had some good ones and couldn't stand the thought of not getting to try at least one. On the last day right before heading back to Wichita, my dad let me drive out of the way to one of the PT's coffee shops. I'm telling you, after a week of nasty hotel coffee, this place was like heaven!

Didn't have a ton of time there but still managed to buy a bag of coffee beans, nutella no-bake cookies, a hot mocha for me, and a couple iced mochas for my dad and sister. Somehow I ended up coming out of there with zero amount of pictures which will explain the lack of them. I know. It's terrible. But hey, this gives just you a another reason to go there for yourself and drink more coffee.

The coffee shop itself was different. A lot of brick & wood. Very, very tiny, but then again maybe my coffee shops in Wichita are huge. I don't know. Anyway, I wasn't very impressed.

The barista was nice though. When he didn't have anything in particular to recommend, I got my mocha. It was good. Nothing stood out about this mocha being different from the others I've tried. The nutella cookies were amazing though!

The beans were awesome! There was a whole shelf thing full of different kinds of packaged whole beans that had been roasted that week. I couldn't make up my mind so I went with the AD ASTRA since it had to do with Kansas. Took it home and those beans turned out to be a very good dark coffee. If I go back, I would definitely get more of the Ad Astra. Very, very good!! Totally recommend it!

So in the end, I liked the mocha, loved the coffee beans, and didn't care for the coffee shop itself so much.

Now you must go check out their Facebook page.

Has anyone else been there? What did you think? I'd love to hear about it!

~Susanna

Saturday, August 23, 2014

20 cups of coffee: Reverie



Cup no. 2: Reverie Coffee Roasters
Douglas Street in Wichita, KS

If you came to Wichita and had me show you around town, Reverie Coffee Roasters would probably be the first stop on the list. This is my no.1 favorite coffee shop in town all because their coffee is seriously the best! They put a ton of effort into making their products awesome. Reverie Coffee Roasters has been open for a little over a year and is doing great. They are trying very hard to make it a community thing by using and selling local products in their shop.  



My very first time to visit the Reverie was January 2nd of this year. Since then I've been there several times and have spent every penny I own. No seriously, it's bad.  Almost ever time I've gotten cold brew Toddy. The reason for that is because I love Toddy coffee and theirs is seriously good!!




The coffee shop itself is super cute! I love the big red sign on the back wall that has the meaning of their name. Plus, in my opinion you have to have brick walls in a coffee shops and they've got them.




A few more cool things about the Reverie are...
-They roast their own coffee beans and sell them.
-Friday afternoons they give free cupping parties.(I've been to one. It's a great way to learn more about coffee and meet other people.)
-Only coffee shop in Wichita I've been too that sells pourovers and Toddy cold brew!
-Staff here are super nice, friendly, and helpful.



I was in just a while ago and tried an iced mocha made with Cocoa Dolce's chocolate.  This one was ok. If you read my review about Cocoa Dolce you would know that I really like their hot mocha made with their chocolate. But there is something just a little strange about the cold coffee and chunks of chocolate mixed with ice. Now I've had Reverie's regular iced mocha before and I love it! So next time I'll stick with that or a Toddy because I know they're good.

Now go check out Reverie's website and Facebook page where you can learn more. And come to Wichita. I'll take you there!


~Susanna

Saturday, August 16, 2014

lawn mower coffee?


Coffee humor for your day. This video always makes me laugh.




 Somehow I don't think I'll be trying this...

~Susanna

Saturday, August 9, 2014

20 cups of coffee: Cocoa Dolce





Cup no. 3: Cocoa Dolce
Found at Bradley Fair, in Wichita, KS


Cocoa Dolce Artisan Chocolates is an adorable little chocolate lounge on the east side of Wichita. Here, the atmosphere is perfect to have that long conversation with your best friend. The music is always perfect and the decor is very cute! 


Cocoa Dolce is first and foremost a chocolate shop. And their chocolate is GOOD! They also sell coffee, wine, and gelato. This gelato is my absolute favorite in Wichita! No one else tastes near as good. Seriously! In the fall, Cocoa Dolce has a pumpkin cheesecake flavor that is to die for!


About every time I get coffee at Cocoa Dolce, it's gonna be their special chocolate mocha. Unlike any mocha I've ever had, this one is made with their chocolate. It is super rich and super good! Definitely a lot sweeter and way more chocolaty then your normal mocha. I love it! If you go in and can decide what to try, get this!!!


As you can see in the photo above, presentation is somewhat lacking on the coffee end. But the taste of this mocha actually did make up for most of it. 
 
Now go check out their Facebook page. They have a lot here pictures than I do.  :) 


~Susanna

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

TODDY Milkshake Recipe




Want another reason...or excuse...to own a Vitamix? Here you go and you're welcome.

This last week we had a lot of leftover ice cream in our freezer from my sister's wedding. Being a good person, I couldn't let it just sit there and had too do something. Since there was also leftover coffee that could mean only one thing...Toddy Milkshakes!!!

I looked up several different recipes and ended up just throwing things into the Vitamix. So here is my own twist to the coffee milkshake .


Before you get started there is one thing you must know - It is important that you use the cold brew method for this recipe to get a good coffee taste. If you use reg. chilled down coffee, you'll have to use a lot more to get a strong coffee taste and then the consistency won't be very thick.



Toddy Milkshakes
all measurements are estimates, because I hardly ever measure anything. :)

yes, that is a big box of ice cream on the right.


-1 cup  Cold Brew Toddy (same thing as cold brew coffee)
-3 1/2  cups  Vanilla Ice Cream   (tastes best if you use Braum's)
-Handful of  Girardelli bittersweet chocolate chunks
-2 to 3 T. Torani Chocolate sauce

and a Vitamix (can use other blenders but this one does work best.)


Instructions:
Throw everything into the Vitamix. Turn on and slowly go up to 5 for a minute.


Taste it! Sometimes it needs a little more coffee or ice cream. Depending on how you want yours to taste.


Pour into 2 pretty glasses and top with more chocolate syrup or better yet...whipped cream!


Enjoy!


~Susanna