Coffee and . . . the iPad?

Image from Apartment Therapy: The Kitchn

While browsing the latest coffee news I came across an interesting new release to the coffee world - a coffee iPad application. The Intelligentsia Coffee iPad (or iPhone, whichever you prefer) application allows users to learn new coffee brewing methods, it provides a brewing timer, it details different coffee grinds and blends and also gives updates on all the latest from the Intelligentsia Coffee and Tea Company - just to name a few of its capabilities.

Now, I'm not that up on the cutting edge of technology - meaning that I am not an owner of an iPad. Or an iPhone. But this app looks pretty sweet for those of you who do have one of those fancy Apple gadgets. I would love to have a little personal coffee guide helping me with brewing and blending. And just think of all the things the Stovetop Baristas could explore with such a guide . . .

Coffee Pot Rock

Here's a little coffee buzz for you, below is Coffee Pot Rock in Arizona.
A coffee enthusiasts favorite natural wonder.

google

visitarizona.com

Novick 

You can even get Coffee Pot Rock on your coffee mug.

Zazzle.com

-Becky

The "Beauty" of Coffee

Image by Omar_MK via Flickr

For the Stovetop Baristas we can’t imagine starting our day without a cup of coffee, but that perfect cup of coffee in the morning can also beauty aid. Yes, coffee yet again proves to be more irreplaceable in our lives.

Thanks to Care2, this post will be about how coffee can “clean, exfoliate dead-looking skin, give hair a warm glow and shine, and more.”       

So before you brew that last cup of coffee see what else those grounds can do for you.

Deodorize with Coffee Grounds: “Coffee grounds will get rid of the oniony, garlicky, or fishy smells that cooking leaves often behind on our hands: just rub a handful of used grounds all over your hands and then rinse with warm water. You can also fill a muslin bag with used grounds to deodorize yourself all over in the bath or shower.”

I've seen people do this to their hands, it totally works.

Coffee Hair Glow Recipe:
”This recipe smells divine and it really works: you’ll have more lustrous hair after just one application.”

“Make a strong brew (espresso if possible) and allow to cool until only warm, not hot. Apply the coffee to dry hair and allow to remain on for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water.”

Exfoliating and Firming Perk-Up Facial:
”This will gently firm and tone your skin, minimizing pores and sloughing off dead skin so the fresh new skin underneath is revealed. Those with dry skin will want to follow the facial with a moisturizer.”

Mix 1/4 cup used coffee grounds and one egg white, combining well. Massage gently onto face, then allow to dry. Rinse off with warm water.

-Becky 

Make-at-Home: Roast Your Own Coffee Beans

I consider my dad to be somewhat of an expert on coffee. He roasts his own beans and keeps a notebook of the different roasts and the roasting times - it almost strikes me as an art form. So, when it came time for the Stovetop Baristas to do a video post I thought, who better to help me out?

While I was home over Thanksgiving break I asked my dad if we could do a how-to video with him on roasting coffee beans. He agreed, but then he had an idea - why not do a video on roasting coffee beans in a hot air popper? Because, after all, we are the Stovetop Baristas and we're all about creating coffee without the fancy machines. Great call, Dad. So here is our video on roasting coffee beans in a hot air popper!

(As a note, when roasting coffee beans don't forget you have to start with the green, unroasted beans! You can order them online or check a coffee store near you.)

Just in case anyone was wondering, the coffee beans turned out great. I had some lovely  homemade coffee in my apartment a couple days later! Special thanks to coffeegeek.com where I found the basic instructions!

-- Alissa and Becky

Related articles

• Roast Your Own Coffee (patspapers.com)
• Home roasting coffee in a popcorn popper (cookinginmexico.com)

Our Favorite Coffee Shops

View Our Favorite Coffee Spots in a larger map

Growing Coffee

Ever wonder how coffee is grown?
Check it out.

Starbucks VIA . . . not bad

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

There has been a sample pack of Starbucks VIA in my pantry for quite some time. And this morning, I decided it was time to break it out - I needed that morning coffee kick and I overslept my alarm, therefore this was the perfect solution.

These instant coffee packs are exactly like the lemonade/iced tea/Gatorade packs you can add to a bottle of water so you don't have to drink just plain water. You simply dump this little pack of coffee into a mug, heat up eight ounces of water and add that in! It doesn't get much simpler.