If there is one thing I know to be true in my life, it’s that coffee is always the answer. With a caffeine habit that keeps me between 1 to 3 cups a day, I was looking forward to the delivery of my coffee beans from Current Coffee Roasters. That is until I realized I wasn’t even sure I knew how to make “real coffee”.
Digging through packing peanuts I uncovered freshly packed bags of light, medium, and dark roast coffee beans, simultaneously realizing that despite that delicious aroma emanating from my package, I was going to have to wait to consume my new coffee because these freshly roasted beans were quite a bit different than my usual plastic Keurig k-cup and I wasn’t equipped with the essentials.
Once I obtained a coffee grinder, found deep in the depths of my dad’s basement, I was ready to brew my new coffee. Turns out brewing your own coffee will change your opinion on coffee forever. I consume my caffeine in many ways, but more often than not you can find me spending unnecessary amounts of money at chain coffee shops like Starbucks and Dunkin. Not only did my home-brewed coffee taste better than these $5 a pop fancy lattes, it was supporting a local small business, which made it even more appealing.
Current Coffee Roasters is a Schenetady-based online social good company. Not sure what that means? This video explains it pretty well. Each month they support a different local organization, with 10% of each sale going to these non-profits. November’s featured charity was the Troy Boys and Girls club, which you can learn more about here.
As I poured my beans and hot water into my French Press I was nervous. Making coffee is serious business and I have struggled to find the perfect technique when it comes to my French Press. There was something in the air though because my coffee came out perfectly. I started with the medium roast because dark roast is my favorite and you have to save the best for last and it was a good choice. I don’t put any sugar in my coffee, and that sometimes leaves me struggling through some bitter sips, but with just a splash of almond milk my Current Coffee was the perfect balance of bold flavor with subtle hints of chocolate and caramel.
I’m guilty of waiting until the very last second to get out of bed in the morning so there’s a very small chance I’ll ever have time in the morning to grind beans and brew coffee. But this means my Current Coffee is reserved for the weekends, and there is nothing sweeter than a slow winter Sunday, wrapped in my favorite blankets, enjoying a real, good, comforting cup of joe. As I write this I’m already looking forward to brewing my next cup(s) this weekend.
P.S. Christmas is coming. Need a gift idea? How about some coffee beans for the caffeine addict in your life.