This is your last chance to buy Peet’s Burundi—a berry perfumed and caramel textured East African coffee redolent of Kenya’s berry perfume, but with the bold, caramel texture enjoyed in Burundi.

Tucked in between Rwanda and Tanzania, Burundi sits in the heart of that grouping of East African jewels which consistently provides interesting African flavors: berries and body, clarity and heft.

Given the country’s remote location, it is difficult to get coffee out on time to be savored at the peak of the season. But Peet’s managed to do so, because Burundi coffees are at their finest this time of year.

According to Peet’s, the coffee is so good they are making it the heart of their upcoming Anniversary Blend—but it’s a treat to taste alone, so they’re also offering the top pick of the lot for one last roast.

Order online here by Tuesday, March 3, for the last roast.

Named for the indigenous Batak ethnic farmers, Peet’s Sumatra Blue Batak is a super-select coffee that grows in the Lake Toba region of North Sumatra.

Unroasted, it takes on a deep blue hue due to a unique form of processing developed in Indonesia called “wet-hulling”, which enables faster drying (this is critical, as it rains a lot in Sumatra). It also helps develop a profound, syrupy body.

Sumptuously full-bodied with the richness of late harvest dessert wine and the heady aroma of sweet, cured tobacco, this hand selected coffee won’t be available for very long.

Order online here by Tuesday, March 3, for the last roast.

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The Organic Coffee Cartel just released its “Nite Owl Dark Roast” coffee, as well as a contest to win tickets to the premiere of the forthcoming feature film Watchmen.

Watchmen photographer Clay Enos enlisted his Organic Coffee Cartel (OCC®) to produce a first-of-its-kind movie tie-in coffee for Watchmen, the upcoming film adaption of the celebrated graphic novel.

On Tuesday, February 17, OCC introduced Veidt Enterprise’s “Nite Owl Dark Roast,” a limited-edition confection and collectible designed for fans and organic coffee gourmands alike (a portion of the proceeds from the special roast will be donated to charity).

One side of the uniquely crafted steel can resembles artwork straight out of the Watchmen universe; the other side features Enos’ striking black and white portrait of Nite Owl, played in the film by Patrick Wilson. With just one run of cans produced, this is sure to be a distinctive and rare collectible.

Adding to the excitement, the OCC is sponsoring a contest for one lucky customer to win two tickets to the Los Angeles premiere and after-party for Watchmen on March 3, 2009 (orders must be placed before February 26, 2009).

“Nite Owl Dark Roast” Coffee is only available online while supplies last through the OCC’s webstore. Click here to purchase.

The OCC “is a loose federation of coffee professionals and one photographer who are pooling their knowledge, talents, relationships and resources to create a charitable coffee company that blends creativity, quality and goodwill.”  The OCC sells 10-oz. collectible cans of seasonably available, limited-edition, single-origin coffees sourced, imported and roasted by Cartel members. Each run of cans features a different photograph from Enos’ coffee-related travels. There are no salaries drawn at the OCC, and the majority of profits are given away to coffee-related charities.

Opening nationwide on March 6, 2009, Watchmen is a complex, multi-layered mystery adventure set in an alternate 1985 America in which costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society, and the Doomsday Clock—which charts the USA’s tension with the Soviet Union—moves closer to midnight.  When one of his former colleagues is murdered, the outlawed but no less determined masked vigilante Rorschach uncovers a wide-ranging and disturbing conspiracy with catastrophic consequences for the future.  The film stars Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Patrick Wilson.

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Well, they also have other good stuff for coffee brewing, including the Kenya french press coffee maker (pictured above). The Bodum French presses are easy to use. Simply add your favorite ground coffee, hot water, press and enjoy the most aromatic delight in the shortest period of time. The Kenya French presses are available in three different sizes: 32 oz. ($29.95), 16 oz. ($24.95) and 12 oz. ($19.95). Get yours here.

And while you’re at it, check out the IBIS electric water kettle (pictured below).

It boils 50 oz. of water in about 4 minutes using a 1500 watt power heating element directly in contact with the water, which means the energy enters the water without getting lost heating up the metal body of your traditional kettle. It’s made of a heat-reinforced polypropylene plastic and a stainless steel heating element, with an  easy to read water level indicator that shows in ounces and liters the amount ready to boil. Whether it is 10 oz or 50 oz the Bodum kettle will automatically cut off power after the water boils a short while. Bodum has also provided the Ibis with a special “scale filter” which reduces the amount of calcium in your water. With this filter your tea and coffee will become even more aromatic and tasteful. The kettle is cordless and available in a 1.7 liter, 50 oz, capacity for $39.95. Buy it here.

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Orla Kiely uses color and pattern to create bright, fun accessories for the home. Her newest works are currently at Target, and include sets of mugs that are sure to compliment any decor. From colorful flowers set against an orange background (see above), to whimsical flowers against a blue sky, to (my favorite!) green apples and pears on a white background, these Orla Kiely mugs are sure to get a lot of compliments, as well as a lot of use.

The mugs are only available in stores, so to find a Target near you, click here. To find out more about Orla Kiley, click here.

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Caribou Coffee recently announced that a national consumer magazine has named it the top gourmet coffee in its 2009 national ranking of coffees. Overall, Caribou Coffee ranked second for all coffees sold at the retail level.

To celebrate, the company will offer $1 bakery items to all Ohio customers who purchase a large beverage at Caribou Coffee from now through March 22, 2009.

The $1 bakery promotion will be available at all Ohio Caribou Coffee locations. All available bakery items, including multi-grain bagels, breads, coffee cake, cookies, donuts and scones, will be featured. Customers purchasing any large Caribou Coffee beverage and a bakery item could realize a savings of as much as $1.50.

For more information, visit your nearest Caribou Coffee or click here.

About Caribou Coffee
Caribou Coffee (CBOU), founded in 1992, is the second-largest company-owned gourmet coffeehouse operator in the world based on number of coffeehouses. Caribou Coffee is a recipient of the Specialty Coffee of America Association’s (SCAA’s) 2008 Roasters Choice Tasting Competition Gold Award.

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I used to use the “pink stuff”. Then I switched to the “blue stuff.” Then it was the “yellow stuff”. Then I gave up all chemical sweeteners in favor of natural Stevia. But since Stevia has, until now, only been available in liquid form, I had to rely on organic sugar for baking purposes.

Not anymore.

Fans of Stevia take note— Truvia™ is a new zero-calorie sweetener created from the leaves of the stevia plant. Stevia, which is a member of the chrysanthemum family, is native to portions of northeastern Paraguay and has been used to sweeten foods and beverages for more than 200 years.
 
Unlike most stevia-based sweeteners, which are typically a mixture of many components from the stevia leaf, Truvia natural sweetener is made with rebiana, the best tasting part of the stevia leaf.

That’s good news, but the great news is that Truvia can be used in baking and cooking.

To find out more about Truvia, click here. http://truvia.com/

To buy Truvia, click here. http://truvia.com/where-to-buy.html

For recipes that call for Truvia, click here: http://truvia.com/recipes.html

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Recchiuti Chocolates and Kona is an elegant box of Michael Recchiuti Belgian-style chocolates and a 1/2 pound of Peet’s Reserve Kona coffee. This online exclusive gift comes in a gift box. Buy it here.

Treat your Valentine to a monthly “tour” of Peet’s artisan coffees. One pound a month of Peet’s single origin coffees or signature blends, starting with Sumatra Blue Batak and Raspberry Truffles. The 12-month option comes with a free Peet’s Logo Tumbler. Get it here.

Or how about Sumatra Blue Batak and Chocolate Hazelnuts from Charles Chocolates, all packaged in a Peet’s gift box and ready to give (decaf option available). Buy it here.

Chocolate lovers are sure to enjoy Recchiuti Signature truffles — dark chocolate ganache coated in dark chocolate and dusted with Pernigotti cocoa powder — paired with Peet’s French Roast (also available with Decaf French Roast). Get it here.

If variety is more your speed, try the Grand Sampler and Raspberry Truffles, featuring creamy raspberry truffles paired with Peet’s  signature blends — Major Dickason’s Blend®, Arabian Mocha-Java, French Roast, Guatemala San Sebastian, Sumatra and Kenya Auction Lot. Get it here.

And, last but not least, get the Reserve Coffee Gift for (you or) your honey, which features two of Peet’s finest Reserve Coffees. The first is their top-grade, estate-grown, 100% pure Kona, which is mild and smooth with sweet overtones. The second is their Jamaica Blue Mountain, both subtly complex and aromatic with a silky texture. This gift includes one half pound of each coffee, showcased in an elegant gift box. It’s also a one-day limited roast, so to ensure delivery before Valentine’s Day, place your orders now for the only roast on Wednesday, February 4. Buy it here.

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Call me a sucker for packaging, but I already have my eye on Bella Blend.

Although it is specially roasted for the  Velo Bellas, an international women’s bicycle racing team, this medium roasted blend features hints of berry and spice with a smooth aftertaste. Sounds delicious! The Bella Blend is recommended for espresso or drip and offers a rich crema. Buy it here.

Owner Jason Benford sells his coffee online here, and for a list of stores that carry his coffee, click here. Interested in becoming a wholesaler? Click here.

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Just this past weekend, the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) presented the 2009 Western Regional Barista Competition January 23 through 25 at the Spring Arts Tower in downtown Los Angeles, Calif.

The SCAA event was hosted by Intelligentsia, which is headquartered in Chicago but has coffee roasting and retailing locations in Los Angeles. Over 20 baristas from California competed in the three-day event.

The top three competitors were:

First Place: Nick Griffith, Intelligentsia Coffee, Los Angeles, Calif. Second Place: Devin Pedde, Intelligentsia Coffee, Los Angeles, Calif. Third Place: Ryan Willbur, Intelligentsia Coffee, Los Angeles, Calif.

Competitors were required to make 12 beverages, including four espressos, four cappuccinos and four original signature drinks of their own creation, all within 15 minutes in front of a panel of accomplished industry judges. Competitors were judged on taste, beverage presentation, technical skills, station cleanliness and overall impression.

Nick will compete for the national title at the United States Barista Championships (USBC) in Portland, Oregon, March 5 through 8.

The winner of the USBC will go on to represent the United States in the World Barista Championship in Atlanta, Georgia, April 16 through19.

The SCAA is the world’s largest coffee trade association dedicated to creating a specialty coffee community. They recognize, develop and promote specialty coffee by setting and maintaining quality standards for the industry; conducting research on coffee, equipment and perfection of craft; and providing education, training, resources and more.

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Although I adore collecting cute coffee/tea mugs all the time, there’s something to be said for the simplicity of glass mugs. They’re streamlined, see through, and make any beverage look great without trying too hard.

I recently stumbled upon these Bodum Double-Walled Mugs and Glasses, and feel in love with their clean lines and various sizing options, such as 15 oz. Double Wall Glass Latte Mug, 15 oz. Double Wall Glass Mug/Bowl, 10 oz. Double Wall Glass, 4.7 oz. Double Wall Glass Espresso Shot, 10 oz. Double Wall Glass Mug, 16 oz. Double Wall Glass Mug, and 16 oz. Double Wall Glass.

These mugs/glasses are perfect for hot or cold drinks, do not leave condensation rings behind, and are both microwave and dishwasher safe.

What more could a girl ask for?

Want your own set? Get them here.

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