Saturday 29 December 2007

COFFEE IN MY COCOA

Recently back again from labuan, as I have posted before, the land of cheap booze, cigarettes, textiles and of course chocolates. Surprisingly this time round, there were very little selections with coffee flavour, as compared to the last time when I could easily spend RM50 worth of chocolate with coffee in it. Anyway, since I am still in the mood for writing about it, I'll do a little introduction of each from my goodie bag:

SCHOGETTEN CAPPUCCINO
SKYPARK DUTYFREE, LABUAN
RM 3.90
RATING 8/10

One of the good ones that really has the coffee aroma in it.

VILLARS LAIT CAFE
SKYPARK DUTYFREE, LABUAN
RM6.90
RATING 7.8/10


GOLDEN BORONIA NOUGAT: CAPPUCCINO CRUNCHY
SKYPARK DUTYFREE, LABUAN
RM 0.80
RATING 4/10


I've never been a fan of Nougat, and the faint taste of coffee in it isn't really great.

CAFE BOHEME
SKYPARK DUTYFREE, LABUAN
RM60.00
RATING 8.5/10


This isn't exactly chocolate. Kahlua and Bailey's has long dominated the coffee and cream liquer selection but come this Christmas, we had something else to try out, and by general consensus, the family agreed that Cafe Boheme tastes better than Bailey's on the rock. It is actually coffee and cream in French vodka, and its well-balanced creaminess and light sweetness makes it perfect as dessert. Try pouring some over chocolate ice-cream.

Tuesday 25 December 2007

Starbucks® Christmas Blend 2007


Our festive blend of bold Asia/Pacific coffees and crisp and lively Latin American beans is back to spread holiday cheer all season long. We give this coffee a joyful, spicy warmth with a very special and rare ingredient: aged Indonesian beans.

Key term: Spicy

From many lands, one blend Every coffee bean carries a distinctive taste that is particular to its land of origin. By carefully blending beans from different regions, our coffee experts have created an interesting interplay of aromas and flavors.

Food Pairing
Anything spicy with hints of citrus enhances Starbucks® Christmas Blend's coziness—especially our Cranberry Bliss® Bar, gingerbreads and cookies with ginger, orange, cinnamon, nutmeg or cloves.

Origin
A blend of Latin American, Indonesian, and rare, aged Indonesian coffees.

PHILOSOFFEE ASSESSMENT

The difference between this blend and the other Indonesian beans is that Christmas Blend uses aged beans. Aging of coffee is a process whereby green coffee is held for a couple of years, allowing natural changes to occur. Aging process usually mute the acidity and improve the body of the coffee.

Aroma 7/10 a distinct earthy aroma infiltrates the senses reminiscence of a local day market after rain, cozy and familiar

Flavour 7/10 subtle hint of spice, complex enough without any particular one dominating

Acidity 5/10 low to medium

Body 8/10 full on the palate and tongue

Aftertaste 6/10 lingering taste on the back of the tongue, you'd either like it or not

PHILOSOFFEE RECOMMENDATION

Though the packet claims the keynote to be spicy, it is too subtle to be a first impression. Christmas, in my understanding, smells like cinnamon and apple and mint.

To perk up the Christmas feeling to this blend, I'd do it au lait. Best done using a press, of course. Take half a cup of steamed milk, throw in a sprinkle of cinnamon powder, and some brown sugar if you like it. Top with freshly pressed coffee. Remember it's 50% milk and 50% coffee. Whipped cream and nutmeg optional but still agreeable. Gingerbread and apple-crumble go well with this.

Merry Christmas!