« 'Mr. Pibb + Red Vines = Crazy Delicious!' | Main | One instrument you can't take on a plane »
January 09, 2006
On coffee.
I have two competing ambitions coming into the year 2006. One is to stick to a budget and the other is to consume the best coffee that I can reasonably get my hands on.
Problem: Exceptionally good coffee is often ridiculously priced. Even kind-of good coffee is often overpriced. (One exception was La Colombe on 19th & Walnut, which had much better coffee at a quarter cheaper than Starbucks.)
Solution #1: Free coffee in the break room. Although functional, this just does not cut it from a taste perspective. It's sad when even a freshly brewed pot tastes like burnt plastic.
Solution #2: Bring coffee from home. This is functional, tasty, but sometimes just lukewarm by the time I get it to work. Plus, this morning I got the coffee all prepped then left it on the #@%$ counter at home-- this has happened more than once and, as you can imagine, is very upsetting.
Solution #3: Starbucks gift cards. I was the lucky recipient of, not one, but two Starbucks gift cards this Christmas. Good, tasty coffee with bonus feel-good marketing vibes for free-- perfect! I was planning to stretch these out by indulging only in tall coffees, but I can't seem to keep my hands off the peppermint mochas and frappuccinos. Now that they've got this cinnamon dolce latte thing coming out, it seems solution #3 will be short-lived.
Should I lower my standards? Or just break it off completely and go to Lipton mid-February?
Posted by Stephanie at January 9, 2006 02:52 PMHey, If you are into the pumpkin spice variety like Allison is, here is what I do to enjoy a suprisingly similar taste without the starbucks price. I use run of the mill, cheapo coffee grinds and add some McCormick Pumkin Pie Spice to it and then brew it. It's not horrible, really it's not.
Posted by: Teri at January 11, 2006 12:19 PMWhen all else fails lower your standards. Hot Tea isnt bad. Nothing like some good Earl Grey with a little milk every once and awhile.
When I do get a craving for coffee they have a Seatles Best Coffee on post and I'll always grab a coffee there...usually a white chocalate mocha (I'm a sissy coffee drinker).
Allen
Posted by: Allen at January 9, 2006 08:01 PMA French press is a good idea. Plus, that way you can grind the beans really fine and get a silt-like sludge at the bottom of your cup! I swear that's what got me through 8 a.m. Accounting in college.
Posted by: Allison at January 9, 2006 05:03 PMIntriguing... But won't I look like a coffee snob? Oh, right. I am a coffee snob.
Posted by: Steph at January 9, 2006 04:22 PMBuy a French Press. I assume you have hot water available at your office. Just remember to bring the beans and a spoon and you're all set.
Posted by: Johnny Rotten at January 9, 2006 04:16 PMAfter much contemplation, I decided for myself that I might as well stick with Starbucks because (a) I finally know how to order and (b) I like it that way. We don't have much in the way of local coffee joints here in the suburbs and I'm too lazy to make it at home like I should. Until I get fired or run out of money, I'll probably continue to support Evil Corporate Coffee.
At least I limit my Starbucks trips to 1-2 times a week.
Posted by: Allison at January 9, 2006 03:28 PM