More then Coffee

Can coffee be used for more then just the social aspect of friends?

Yes. 

Today coffee has become another social drink. Numerous people get together and catch up over a cup of coffee. I have shared a couple of instances where this takes place. 

Yet, what are others ways that social aspect of coffee can be used? I answer that with the opportunity to share the Gospel and what God is doing in life. 

I was able to ask a few questions to a friend who trained me when I began at Latte Donatte regarding faith and coffee. She also attended Maranatha Baptist Bible College for 4 years having very similar views of God. 

This young lady had worked at Latte Donatte for several years. Her testimony still lingers with the customers that she came in contact with. Here are her answers to the questions.

1. How did you get interested in coffee?

I've been drinking coffee pretty much since I was a kid and always enjoyed the atmosphere of coffee shops. The more I learned about coffee and it's origins the more I appreciated it and wanted to work with it on a daily basis.

2. Did you start off in the business world as a Christian? If so, what are some challenges you faced? 

  Yes. I've been a Christian since I was a kid so I face challenges at work like any other Christians. The only challenge I've had in regards to Christianity is being scheduled to work during church services, but my boss respects my beliefs and gives me the time off whenever she can.

3. What are ways you are able to display your faith to customers?

Christianity isn't something you put on and take off, so I "display" my Christianity at work as I would at home or at the grocery store. I openly talk about my beliefs and answer questions regarding my faith. They see that I am different because I am joyful, and their curiosity as to how anyone can be so consistently at peace gives me ample opportunity to talk about God's love.

4. Do customers openly talk about religion or God with you?

 The awesome part about coffee shops is they were started so people could gather and converse with people from different backgrounds with diverse beliefs. So yes, some customers are open to talking about religion while others stick to the weather.

5. Have you been able to share the Gospel or lead someone to the Lordwhile in the coffee shop?

  I've had opportunities to share the gospel with several coworkers. You spend a lot of time with each other and sometimes it takes a while for people to warm up before talking "religion".

6. How can a coffee shop be used for God?

 I use the shop to meet new people. You never know who's going to walk through that door, what their story, and what their needs are: but I'm ready to listen!

My thoughts: 

It is cool to see how people view religion at a work place. Some are very closed off while some are open to discussion. Several times people ask questions or bring up the ability to talk about God. It is intimidating at times, yes. Yet, very cool to see how bringing a Bible and reading it can open to a hour discussion with someone. 

Coffee shops are used in many ways. As I would like to open my own I cannot forget my Savior who has given the passion and ability to learn so I can open my own one day.

The Miracle of Burlap

Burlap Bags

What most people think of are sack races, musty and potaoes.

What about coffee?

 Many people do not realize that burlap sacks are what coffee is shipped in from the country to the roasting companies here in the states.

One use many of you may not have thought of for these fine bags are accessories!
Coffee as a fashion accessory. Yes, it is possible!

Take for instance:

D.I.Y Coffee Bags

This is a project that I would like to do this summer. A casual bag, with your own design that you can make yourself!

What do you need for this new creation of yours?
- Burlap Bag
-other materials depending on how production of bag will take place.

Here is a video that shows one way to make this cool purse or bag.



Coffee Purse from Jillian Suleski on Vimeo.

Home-made Coffee??

Thinking of becoming your own at home barista?

Confession. I spend way to much time at Latte Donatte, which means money too. What did my parents get me for Christmas? My own espresso machine! 

I love it! Visiting Latte Donatte still happens however, even with my own machine. 

At-home espresso machines are a luxury. I have made numerous ones for my family whenever they are around. 

At-home espresso machines have become very easily accessible.They are not just accessible, they are also easy to use! 

If your thinking of investing in one and do not know what to look for here are 3 general tips are you to look for. 

1. Cleaning ability

Whenever make something dirty, got to clean it up. Right? Espresso machines can be a detailed cleaning job if done right. Clean it early and often! Having a clean machine will result in a better coffee that you will enjoy!

2. Steam Wand

Highly important for latte drinkers. The steam wand, it is what can make or sink a drink. How it foams and heats your milk will make a difference if the machine is right for you. It is controlled by the steam knob, which regulates how much steam you put through the milk. 

3. BAR of pressure

15 BAR? I even had no idea when I first got my machine, what that meant. The word BAR stands for amount of pressure being applied onto the coffee during the brew process. The more BAR's of pressure the better and faster your coffee will be! I suggest anything more then 9. This will bring you to a higher quality machine, yet worth the money! 

Here are some espresso machines that are sold for homes and commercially. 

Happy Coffee Making!

Coffee the new Water?

http://www.wimp.com/coffeefaucet/

The new invention of today: Tap Coffee. 

It is called Top Brew by Scanomat.

For those who drink more coffee then water.

Here is your new home technology/kitchen product. 

For those who want fast and easy

Ready in 15 seconds. At push of button on your iPhone, iPad, or Tablet. 


Top Brew is new to the coffee market.
 It may be a while before I venture into getting one, but it is something I am thinking of!

Push on the link to view the Top Brew in action:                 
              Coffee Faucet 

What's in a Mug???

"What's in a mug? That which we call coffee 

By any other name would smell as delectable." 

The taste of coffee is important, yes. Yet, what we drink is a high priority. There is a difference between paper and a travel mug. Quality, ease of use, and design are contributing factors to how useful a coffee cup is to a devout coffee consumer! 

Here are several designs and ideas to use with travel mugs. 

Original 

Great idea for iced coffee, tea or juice. 

Espresso maker for anywhere you go!

Personalize: notes, reminders, phrases.
Make your cup look like what you want. 

Wedding or Party gift ideas. 

Literal recharge of "battery". 

One of the many unique travel mugs available. 

Caribou Coffee

Dunkin Donuts

Starbucks

Inventive
Turns white when holds hot coffee!

Don't Cry Over Spilt Coffee

First time use of Prezi!

Stories from several barista's I know. The topic may concern an even that may have happened to you too. Share your coffee spilling story(ies) in the comments section!

Copy of Don't Cry Over Spilt Coffee on Prezi

"would you like cream or sugar?"

Photo's of just several of coffees available to the millions of coffee drinkers. 


Choices, choices, choices.
Come in for just a cup of coffee and in return "20 Questions" beings:

            "Would you like our House Blend or Coffee of the Day?"

           "Would you like cream or sugar?"

 "What size?"

Your response: I just want some coffee!

Getting a cup of coffee is more then just asking for a cup. What kind of flavor do you want to experience with your coffee: dark, bold, light, fruity, chocolaty? 

Here are some kinds of coffees that you can get either on a rotational or everyday basis from your local coffee shop! 

These are all either blend of several coffees or from a specific country. Each coffee has the description of the place the bean was grown, and the characteristic you'll experience when tasting the coffee. 

           

Enjoy! 

Friend to Friend, Coffee to Heart

Coffee: the Social Drink of the Year!! (besides alcohol)

This fact results in many friends meeting over a cup of coffee at coffee shops. We have many who come in routinely or weekly to meet and catch up. When I first started working at Latte Donatte relationships between the customers were evident, but then even those friendships were shared with my fellow employees. After 2 years of working there and serving these people coffee what has come about? Friendships. 

Coffee is more then a comfort food.

 It's the basis for many new friends

 I get to see on a regular basis! 

When going to work I get to look forward to at least 3 friends/groups coming in every time... without fail!

The first group to normally come in is a duo of 2 ladies who... though they are best friends they never come in at the same time. Both ladies get the same drink, Large Caramel Beze Chiller (with no whip!). It's a triangle friendship!Lisa is the first to show up. With her we normally talk about the prank of the day to play on Tracey. This either includes lying about Lisa's new hair color, which is "Tracey... Lisa's hair turned out awful!" (words from Lisa herself), or when Tracey calls in me or Karen (fellow barista) lie and say that Lisa got that last of the chiller base that we have in stock... Never fails to get Tracey every time!! These 2 ladies are a joy to talk to! Yet, like I said before, they rarely ever come in at the same time!

While the pranks against Tracey are evolving I have The Guys showing up. These guys are one of my favorite parts of working in a coffee shop. They are the classic older guys who meet every morning for the coffee, talk about politics, sports, go on with their day and come back the next morning! It's great! The group normally ranges from 4-10+ guys, plus few of their wives and girlfriends of course! Yet, they know all of us girls and are worried if we miss a day that we normally work. I have seen many groups of guys at restaurants but had never thought about the relationship they would have with the employees. Till now... I get a hug, wishes, advice, jokes, a "good luck in school" every day from them!

Who could complain about that?

Grandpa Karl
My third friend at Latte Donatte, is the "Grandpa of Latte". He's the man who lives by coffee. But I guess having 4 cups a day will do that to you! His visits are not an hour long, 15 minutes if he isn't buzzing around town. Yet, the visits can brighten a day. I repeatedly say to my family that if my grandpa was still alive they would get along great! He worries about us girls when we are down, worried that we may be thinking of leaving for another job. Say we have a boy interested and he'll remind us that we are taken! (because he is the only man us girls need) He's another grandpa to several of us. 

Customers can be the greatest part of a job.
 I get to serve some incredible people. When out in town I can see some of them and carry on conversations, more then just coffee. Many lessons have been learned, jokes shared, ideas shared with my customers. They are more then just incoming money, but friends I look forward to seeing and serving. 

Advice of today:

Strike up a conversation with your customer or barista, you never know they are the friend you'll see every coffee break!

Photo's of Liquid Bliss

I am hoping to have a photo post for you asap! It will be a progression of something we like to call Latte Art! Stay tuned!!

Words from Experience

Working at a coffee shop and any work place you get to meet some unique people! At Latte Donatte we have 8-10 employees, all ranging from experienced in life to learning algebra 3 in high school.  One employee especially has gone through many things in the realm of a coffee shop, and no this is not my boss. Karen Vogel, an employee who I am very privileged to work with multiple days in the week.


 Her bright spirit with employees and knowledge of coffee is very pleasurable and easy to work with.


I had the opportunity to sit down with her and ask several questions regarding life in a coffee shop and thought sharing her story would be beneficial. She has gone through the customer, barista, and owner stages of a coffee shop enjoying parts of each step. Knowing she had her own coffee shop we began there.

How did you get involved with coffee shops?
 (Her reply was inspiring considering I would also like to start my own coffee shop one day.)
    
Would you believe that her answer was based on 7 years of vacation down in Florida? Her husband, her and couple would go down to Florida every winter and daily they would go to a coffee shop that opened her view to the environment of the coffee shop. She used words to explain the environment such as "friendly, calming, the sway of the palm trees, it just had a feeling that was welcoming."
   
 Karen's inspiration to me: the spark for a dream can start from something simple as... the experience a coffee shop.


What happened with the inspiration?

From there she started the journey that would end with a coffee shop in the Johnson Creek Outlet Mall with 2 other partners. They were in establishment 1998-2004. Daily serving Alterra Coffee and local artists works  to daily shoppers was Karen's now dream come true.


Karen as a Barista
   -Saw big change in location. She commented on the change in customers. "At a mall you have your regular shoppers who meet their girlfriend or family, drink coffee then go shop. In a small town you traffic, you have "the guys" (as we call them at Latte Donatte) who come in every morning and we know who each other are by our first name.

                                     

 It is fun to see the interaction between the barista's and customers.

 Going from work to school. I get several "good luck at 

school Katie" in morning as I rush to class. 

                         

   - Karen stated some things that get her excited about work. Her favorite thing being the other person she gets to work with on that day. Several observations were noted about customer approach to ordering when certain people work. She really noted the dislike of "turnover employees" and how regular customers like seeing familiar faces versus several different ones who they do not know.


   - Ever think maybe work is boring? Not for Karen. The running joke is that she gets all the exciting stories while working. She told me numerous items that make working at a coffee shop not a monotonous job.
          
 Take for instance... Police coming in for a questioning about a customer that had bought coffee from you earlier that morning.


Those lovely customers we all that that just push our patience to the limit. Her favorites are those who are chatty about some very random things. What do barista's get to do at those times? Smile and continue the conversation... somehow!

Latte Art [Rosetta] from Tyler

         - Having a new customer and hearing their excitement about  
            the place!
         - Making a drink that is definitely worth the money! And just
            because it looks pretty!


Working with talented and open people is a benefit I get daily at a coffee shop. We are a family, of customers and employees. Grateful to Karen for the knowledge she has passed onto me and I hope to you too!
                             

Webster's Coffee Dictionary

How would you describe coffee?

Mud water? A magical drink that wakes you up in the morning? A smooth, textured, and flavorful drink that is compatible with many different flavors? The one person you could ask is the Barista at your local coffee shop. Yet, ever enter the coffee shop and not know what to ask or how to ask it?

Why are people stumped when it comes to what they want for a coffee?

Because they are not familiar with the terminology of coffee and what is in coffee. Here are helpful definitions that can help you for the next time you walk into the coffee shop for your next cup.


Square One:
      Espresso: This is what is used in the majority of drinks made in a Cafe. It is served in 1-2 oz servings in drinks. Using very finely ground beans they use pressure to compact it so the water running through is able to get the high concentrated taste that many in the world today enjoy.


      Foam/Froth: Heard the song Taylor the Latte Boy? She has one phrase in the song "and thank you for the extra foam". Ever wonder what she meant? Foam and Froth are the same things. While steaming the milk they "bubble it" to create millions of tiny bubbles increasing the milk capacity. This technique makes the milk smooth and light tasting. It is used in lattes, cappuccinos and any other drink that people want it on.

Drinks

   Cafe' : French word for coffee
  
   Cafe au Lait: Similar to the Latte expect substitute the strong Espresso with Drip Coffee.
    
     Cappuccino: Yes there is a difference between Gas Stations and Coffee Shops. Some places will call these Italian Cappuccino's. The cappuccino is one of the strongest espresso drinks. Using espresso, a little steamed milk, and mostly foamed milk.

    
 Latte: Similar to the Cappuccino. The only difference is more steamed milk is used with a small layer of foam to finish off the top.
     
Mocha: Probably the drink that is used to introduce someone to coffee. It is a latte with chocolate powder. White, dark, or milk chocolate.


Tasting: This term is used with what we call drip coffee or brewed coffee.
    
Acidity: Refers to the bright, tangy, fruity characteristics found in the coffee.
    
Body: The texture and feel of the coffee. It has a strong, creamy, and pleasant feel if the coffee is full bodied.
     
Roast: Used as the combination of the many characteristics of coffee. Customers tend to ask for which is the lighter and which is the darker roast of the day. Darker roasts have a stronger taste, while lighter roasts do not have the strong bitter taste found in darker roasts of coffee. The beans roast level does have some effect on the taste yet the acidity and body have contributing factors too.
 
Taking peoples orders for their coffee can be entertaining. I get to hear many different versions of what the drinks are. This is when the barista's take those moments and get to tell you about what we get to do as a job, make coffee! So next time you go to your local coffee shop, or a Starbucks. Try out a new drink since you now know some more terms of coffee drinks.