Fixx Coffee

How much would you pay for a cup of coffee? 

While there is much debate about how much a cup of coffee should cost, there are two speciality coffees that stand alone in the pricing arena.

The most expensive coffee in the world, Indonesia’s Kopi Luwak costs wholesale approx $420 per pound.  It is made by collecting undigested coffee beans from the exotic palm civet , a small mongoose like mammal.    

The Monkey Parchment Coffee which is made from beans that have been chewed up and spat out by Rhesus monkeys in the jungles of India is regarded as the 2nd most expensive coffee in the world and costs approximately $320 per pound.

You can learn more about it here or watch the videos below.  

Have you tried either of these unique coffees?  What constitutes a good coffee for you?  We would love to hear your feedback…. 

Kopi Luwak Video

.Monkey Parchment Coffee

Kate Bush – Coffee Homeground

Lyrics:

Down in the cellar
You’re getting into making poison.
You slipped some on the side,
Into my glass of wine,
And I don’t want any coffee–homeground.

Offer me a chocolate,
No thank you, spoil my diet, know your game!
But tell me just how come
They smell of bitter almonds?
It’s a no-no to your coffee homeground.

Pictures of Crippin
Lipstick-smeared.
Torn wallpaper.
Have the walls got ears here?

Well, you won’t get me with your Belladonna–in the coffee,
And you won’t get me with your aresenic–in the pot of tea,
And you won’t get me in a hole to rot–with your hemlock
On the rocks.

Where are the plumbers
Who went a-missing here on Monday?
There was a tall man
With his companion,
And I bet you gave them coffee–homeground.

Maybe you’re lonely,
And only want a little company,
But keep your recipes
For the rats to eat,
And may they rest in peace with coffee homeground.

Well, you won’t get me with your Belladonna–in the coffee,
And you won’t get me with your aresenic–in the pot of tea,
And you won’t put me in a six-foot plot–with your hemlock
On the rocks.

You won’t get me with your Belladonna–in the coffee,
And you won’t get me with your aresenic–in the pot of tea,
And you won’t get me in a hole to rot–with your hemlock
On the rocks.

With your hemlock on the rocks.
“Noch ein Glas, mein Liebchen?”*
With your hemlock on the rocks.
“Es schmeckt wunderbar!”*
With your hemlock on the rocks.

The second leg of my road trip took me West to Clare and Galway. Being a Galway girl it was good to be on home turf.  

Ennis Gourmet Store-Barrick Street, Ennis, Co. Clare

My first stop this morning was to The Ennis Gourmet Store.  This is a Wine and Food Destination that is quite a unique one stop shop.  It provides both the locals and visitors to Clare with several choices under one roof – it is a cafe, shop, wine store, and a bistro where you can sit outdoors enjoying a meal with a glass of wine. 

Set up in 1997 and run as a joint business venture by Anne and David, they aim to provide the best of Irish and continental food to its customers in both the cafe/bistro and their hamper service.  They also stock a range of French and European wines and with David’s background as a wine importer and sommelier in Michelin Star restaurants, the store offers an excellent range in store. 

The food choices are very tempting so I indulged (once again….) before setting  off on my way.      

Ennis Gourmet Store stock Fixx, Cubita, Santiago and Serrano Coffee

Mortons of Galway

Morton’s of Galway is a gem in Salthill run by Eric Morton and his team whose ethos is the best quality food at the best possible price.   This does not necessarily mean the cheapest but quality is assured.   You can pop in for a small treat or do all your shopping, as the store houses a butcher, an extensive cheese counter,  a delicatessen, fruit and vegetables, seafood, breads, cakes, pastries, organic and gluten free food and a selection of wines.    As well as offering a fantastic shopping experience, Mortons is just 5 minutes from the Salthill promenade which is a great spot to people watch or just to take a stroll.  

Mortons of Galway stock Fixx, Cubita, Santiago, Turquino and Serrano Coffee.

Mc Cambridges of Galway-Shop Street, Galway

This family run business dates back to 1925 and is managed by Eoin, Natalie and Norma.   Situated on Shop Street the surrounding area is always buzzing with street performers and talent – this is a mecca area for buskers.  A spectacular performance recently was during St Patricks Festival, when street flashmobbers burst out from among the crowd and began to dance to Dancing in the Moonlight….

The store stocks the best in Irish and International food & wines as well as offering a custom made hamper service that is renowned throughout Ireland.

Just as I finished my last visit, my camera battery decide to give up so unforunately I am not able to show you any pictures of the store at this time.  But I promise I will do on my next visit. 

McCambridges of Galway stock Fixx and Cubita.

As summer kicks in, it is a great excuse to make a road trip to Kerry and visit some of our customers.  Last week I headed to Kerry which is one of my  favourite parts of the country.  The scenery is amazing and everyone takes the time to stop and have a chat. 

Here are some of the places I visited…

Kingdom Food and Wine Store – Tralee, Co. Kerry

Pat and Maeve are a husband and wife team who run a thriving business, Kingdom Food and Wine Store  which is located on the Listowel/ Limerick road into Tralee.  

Set in an old church, the store is crammed with exquiste foods such as cheeses, wines, asian products, pastas, homemade desserts, chocolates, scones, breads, sandwiches and ready to go meals.  All deli food is prepared on site and is available for take out or can be enjoyed in the outdoor seating area.  They also offer a bespoke hamper service for private or corporate use.  You will also find a range of our coffee blends here – Fixx, Cubita and Santiago.

I picked up a very interesting bottle of wine  which caught my eye, “Women in Wine 2009″ - my way of supporting the World Cup in Africa…:-)   

Well done Pat and Maeve on receiving the prestigious Bridgestone Best in Ireland Plaque and Award 2010  

“Local heroes like Piog Pies, or West Cork heroes such as Glenilen dairy products, are just some of the choice things that navigate their way to Maeve Duff’s fine deli and wine shop, a lovely space that is crammed choc-a-bloc with fine foods.”

They have a very busy sandwich and food-to-go offer, and whatever deli or cookery product you could imagine or desire will be found in here, making it Tralee’s one-stop-solution-shop.”

 

Denny Lane Cafe

Denny Lane Cafe is now in its 2nd year of operation and is run by Julianne Reen, owner and chef.  Julianne is a native of Tralee although I first met her while she worked in a cafe in Cork.  After taking a year out to travel, Julianne travelled around the world before deciding to set up in her home town.  All the food is cooked on site and offers something for all palates.  I can highly recommend the delicious Bubble Cake, a perfect choice with a cup of coffee. Denny Lane stays opens in the evenings.  Housed in a beautiful historical building, Denny Lane is often booked for private functions and events and recently played host to a fashion show as the floor space lends itself to a perfect catwalk.   

Denny Lane  pour Cubita Coffee

Chapter Forty

Opened in December 2005, Chapter Forty is a joint business venture by Mark Murphy and Bridget Tangney.  The chef is Simon Regan who was named Le Router Chef of Year 2004 and Bord Bia Chef of Year 2002.  Amongst many other accolades he has worked in a range of 5 star restaurants in New Zealand, Australia and the Middle East.  The cuisine is described as contemporary Irish with a hint of fusion.

I didnt have the chance to stay and have dinner on this occasion but from previous experience, I can certainly say that the team go out of their way to look after you and desserts are simply impossible to resist.  

Glad to see that the “T” from “Forty” was still in situ as mysteriously someone keeps robbing the “T” quite regularily.  Very strange indeed. ….”T” to go perhaps ….

 

 

Killarney Park Hotel

I popped into say hello to Niamh and the team at Killarney Park Hotel.  Great to see the place so busy as the Killarney Races were in full swing, so there was plenty of life and activity around the hotel.  I treated myself to lunch in the bar and did some people watching. I must admit I found it hard to tear myself away from the luxurious surroundings…

Bia Bia

This little gem is hidden away in Kenmare Shopping Centre so do take the time to seek it out on your travels.   The food is exceptional and the ice-cream is simply divine.   This business is ran by Rose and Margaret who both bring their own unique set of skills to the business. Rose’s background is in baking, and Margaret’s expertise is in coffee. Margaret had a mobile coffee unit that travelled the length and breadth of Cork before she settled down and took roots in Bia Bia.  They decided to add ice-cream to their product line and went to the UK to gain the necessary skills.  It has been a great success and they are proposing a Cuban ice-cream in the future …..we look forward to it ladies….  They also invite customers to invent their own flavour and run monthly and annual competitions whereby customers can win supplies of ice-cream. 

For the homeward journey, I decided to buy one of their giant cookies (the size of a pizza) and it certainly made my trip much more pleasurable!

Bia Bia pours and stocks Cubita Coffee.

Vanilla Grape Wine and Gift Store

This store is an absolute treasure trove of goodies – here you will find the local newsagent, fine wines, cigars, cards, chocolates and much more.  Proprietors Christine and Alain take great pleasure in sourcing quality products and all wines are handpicked on taste by Alain.  Both Christine and Alain have a great relationship with their customers and there is always time for some pleasant banter.  I would highly recommend you pay a visit to this store which is located in the heart of Kenmare on Henry Street.  Everytime I visit I love to get recommendations from Alain to try some new wines.

Vanilla Grape Wine and Gift Store stock Fixx, Cubita and Serrano Coffee.

Avoca – Molls Gap, Co. Kerry

Part of my trip took in the beautiful Molls Gap on the Ring of Kerry and I stopped off at Avoca to break the journey and visit their cafe and enjoy the scenery.   Our Fixx and Santiago are coffees available at Avoca Stores around Ireland.  

This was a great way to finish a busy day and I am planning to return again before the summer ends. 

 

What a fantastic weekend. It was great to see the sun shining and its amazing how it puts a spring in everyone’s step.  I had some friends over and thought I would try my hand at a refreshing coffee drink to take advantage of the good weather.  I made a Coffee and Vanilla Milkshake with hot chocolate sauce, chosen from one of my favourite books – Coffee Indulgences by Susannah Blake.  It was easy to make and went down a treat.  Here is the recipe which I hope you too can enjoy. 

Coffee and Vanilla Milkshake with Hot Chocolate Sauce

6 tablespoons espresso, cooled
480ml ice-cold milk
4-6 scoops of vanilla ice-cream

Hot chocolate sauce
2 tablespoon of golden syrup
6 tablespoons double cream
4 teaspoons cocoa powder

Serves 2

To make the hot chocolate sauce – Add golden syrup, cream and cocoa powder in a pan and heat gently. Stir continuously until the mixture just bubbles and then remove from the heat.

Add the following contents to a blender and blend- espresso, milk and two scoops of  ice-cream.   Pour the mixture between 2 tall glasses and add one or two more scoops of ice-cream and drizzle over the chocolate sauce.

Serve immediately.

Recipe © Susannah Blake
Image/Publishers © Ryland Peters & Small LtdÂ
Coffee Indulgences

You’re The Cream In My Coffee – Ambrose

 

Caffè Culture in association with Speciality Coffee Assn. of Europe (SCAE) is being held in Olympia, London from 23-25 June 2010.

Caffè Culture is the leading trade exhibition exclusively catering for Europe’s growing cafè bar market. It is an action packed event and has a great line up of activities as well as opportunities to network and generate new business. 

Here is a little about what is in store.

Caffè Culture will be hosting the prestigious World Barista Championships 2010. Last year’s winner, Londoner, Gwilym Davies, will be joined by barista champions from over 50 countries including Colin Harmon winner of the 2010 Irish Barista Championships.

The SCAE will be hosting their SCAE annual conference with insight and uptodate information on this dynamic industry.  Here is a snyposis of the programme.

Day 1: Managing change – A focus on change management strategies. 

Day 2: A Whole New World – An exploratin into different concepts for different markets.

Day 3:  Design 2020 – An Insight into the evolution of the cafe bar concept.

Speakers and leading industry experts such as Buck Hendrix, President – Starbucks Europe, Middle East and Africa and Richard Barclay, Senior Vice President – International Brands for SSP Group will share their experiences and knowledge first hand. 

I plan to attend the show and am really looking forward to meeting many of my industry colleagues, partners and friends.  Do let me know your plans while there and we may even get a chance to meet up for a coffee.  

For more information on Caffè Culture visit here

Great song by the group Sweet Coffee – Start Believin’

These studies suggest that taking a coffee break can make staff more productive and shift workers are better off brewing a cup of coffee rather than having a nap. 

What do you think, do you agree?

Coffee can help make your staff work harder…..

A new study suggests cup of coffee is better than a nap…

Congratulations to our Three Lucky Winners of our May Madness Competition – Win your Shopping for Free!

The winners have had their shopping basket, including shipping reimbursed so they can enjoy their coffee for free.

The winners are:

Emily McIntosh – UK

Tanya Rechberger – Australia

Susie Ryan – Chicago

Thanks guys for participating and we hope you enjoy your coffee!