I should
really be a millionaire by now. There are so many ways this could have come
about but I believe the easiest means would be as a coffee pusher. By that I
mean I should have received commission, probably from Starbucks since that’s my
favorite, for all those non-coffee drinkers I have made caffeine addicts.
Let me
assure you those new coffee lovers have never regretted a moment since this
wondrous beverage entered their lives. It is not only delicious it is what
saves many from murdering someone at work.
I have
loved coffee for what seems like an eternity. College I suppose was what made
me need it on a regular basis, then graduate school and working full time made
me a morning, noon, and night consumer. I am the type of coffee drinker that
has espresso in my cup while I am yawning. At this point I honestly don’t know
if it helps keep me awake but I just love it. There is something about smelling
freshly brewed coffee that makes getting out of bed to go to work a little more
manageable.
My love
of coffee is one of the first things you learn about when you meet me. I most
likely have a thermos of it in my hand whether I am commuting, running errands,
or even getting my nails done. I wear it like a perfume. Come the fall holiday
season the first thing that excites me isn’t hearing Christmas music but rather
seeing that Starbucks has put out their infamous red cups. That’s how I know
holiday latte season is upon us. It truly is the most wonderful time of the
year. I even organize the afternoon trip my coworkers and I will take when they
go on sale. Buying one and getting one free is too good of a deal to miss out
on. I am kind enough to make sure everyone has a “thunder buddy”.
Since I
am a girl who most definitely hearts coffee, and F.Y. I. decaffeinated coffee
isn’t a type of coffee, there was an event I just had to attend. The New York
Coffee Festival was coming to town!! I signed up immediately.
The only
kind of similar event I have ever been to was The New York Times Travel Show (http://bit.ly/2dwLCOE). I figured this
festival would be a similar event where a big venue has many stands where you
go around sampling goods and learning about the different brands. Of course I
was right.
The New
York Coffee Festival was hosted in the 69th Regiment Armory. This grand
building is a certified national landmark used nowadays for trunk shows,
Victoria Secret Runway Shows, and remains the nerve center for the U.S. 69th
Infantry Division, which played a crucial role during World War II. There is
nothing like having a little history mixed in with my coffee.
This
coffee festival started out on a sour note. I had tickets for the ten a.m. to
one p.m. slot but when I arrived at eleven a.m. I had to get on the back of a
line that went clear around the block. Apparently we all had the same timed
entrance tickets, which now seemed pretty pointless. Thankfully the line moved
pretty quickly and we were assured once we entered we would not be rushed out.
That calmed me down.
You can
smell the coffee before you see it. That made getting to the head of the line
harder rather than easier. But once we were inside it was like we had stepped
into Willy Wonka’s factory but there was coffee instead of candy which was like
a dream come true.
The
armory is a big space but it was poorly laid out. In some sections there was
barely any space to walk from table to table between the hordes of people and
the stands. Meanwhile there was a lot of dead space in the center, towards the
back. If there was a plan to their layout I never figured it out.
After
having a few scolding hot, yet delicious coffees I knew I need to find a cold
brew. Between the crowds and drinking nothing but hot beverages I was about to
become a puddle. Luckily I found just what I was looking for.
Sunup
Green Coffee was one of my absolute favorites out of the entire festival.
According to their website:
“Sunup is brewed from organic
coffee beans that have never been roasted. Not only is it brighter in color and
lighter on your tongue than roasted coffee, but it’s smoother going down and
feels great on your stomach. A simple recipe of only two ingredients…made from
organic green coffee and cane sugar.”
Sunup is
the easiest drink I have treated my stomach to and it was grateful. I got the
caffeine I need, with a new drink I actually like, plus there isn’t any acid
burning a hole in my esophagus. It is quite literally the perfect drink.
Damn I
think I spoke to soon. My other favorite drink was of course from France. There
really isn’t anything that country does that doesn’t make me smile. This next
drink has me smiling just thinking about it and I haven’t yet figured where I
can get my hands on it next.
1883
Maison Routin is a line of syrups that are mixed into seltzer water and their
brewed coffee. What you get is an iced beverage that is mildly sweet with a
flavor you cant quite put your finger on. I could have walked around with one
of those cups in my hand all day. It’s what I miss the most.
Besides
the many cups of coffee I tasted, that includes the ones with alcohol at the
Baily’s and espresso martini stands, I also watched more brewing demonstrations
than I could count. I was impressed by them all but one stole the show.
I have
never seen any episodes of Breaking Bad so I was never a fan but I do love
Bryan Cranston and now I love his Breaking Bad counterpart Walter White. Well
Walter’s Coffee that is. But when you see a guy dressed in a bright yellow
hazmat suit “brewing” coffee that looks like dry ice is swirling around it, you
are going to walk over to see what the hell he is doing.
I didn’t
notice the name of design of the shop until later. The gimmick, idea, and
creativity are off the charts here. The coffee was also fantastic and I had a
nice little chat with the owner. I hope to visit their shop in Bushwick
sometime soon.
Despite
coffee being the theme of this festival tea was not left out in the cold. I had
a sample of TeaPigs’ liquorice and mint tea. It is unlike any tea I have had.
The flavor was subtle but bolder as it went down. It was refreshing and
comforting without being overwhelming. I would have bought one of the small
boxes they were selling but they were slightly out of my price range that day.
Half way
through the festival my stomach was begging for food, despite the low acid in
the coffees I was drinking. Not to be outdone by coffee, the festival had a
section in the back called “The Village”. The food was for purchase for the most
part but it was delicious and had quite an array of items. There was avocado
toast, crepes, peanut butter cups with flavors like bacon, and pretzels, like
the everything one I had. It filled the spot until my friend and I were done
with all things coffee and could move on to lunch at Marta’s (http://bit.ly/2cZ3Bwa).
One of
our final stops was at Toddy. This is technology brews cold coffee that you can
keep in your refrigerator maintaining the high quality of the beans. But that’s
not all.
“The Toddy, a cold brew system
that creates a superior-tasting cup of STEAMING HOT coffee. And, with 67% less
acid than hot brewed coffee, it's easier on sensitive stomachs….By extracting
the bitter acids and oils that other brewing methods leave behind, the Toddy
Cold Brew System produces a smooth, low acid concentrate ideal for hot or iced
coffee or tea.”
For a
brief history and significance it has on our lives, please watch this short
video provided to us by the Smithsonian Channel:
I bet you
are getting a craving for a piping hot or iced cold cup of coffee right now. I
know I am!
Fall must
be the season of food festivals. I feel like I am seeing more announcements
than ever before. But if I had to choose another to attend this year it would
have to be the Beignet Festival taking place in New Orleans this weekend. I am
devastated to miss this. I wish one would fall on my birthday; I would be there
in a heartbeat. That would be one delicious birthday celebration.
There was
a dumpling festival the week after I attended this event but I could not make
it due to a previous commitment although I am marking it down to note for next
year and the year after that.
Another
stand out festival is the Chile Peppers event happening at the Brooklyn
Botanical Gardens. There will be all sorts of goodies to be sampled as well as
purchased such as chocolate, hot sauce, candies and even pickles made with you
guessed it, Chile peppers. That’s for those of you who are a little bit spicy.
If you go
to the Travel Channel link below you will find the upcoming food and wine
festivals nearest you. Who doesn’t need a list like that on hand?
No
worries if you do not have love for fried desserts or coffee (probably means
you’re an alien) there is a festival out there for everyone. A “Festivus for
the Rest of Us” if you will!
Serenity
now!!!!
Last but
certainly not least, in a twist of fate New York City hosted another coffee
assembly this weekend. The NYC Craft Coffee Festival featured “twenty specially
curated roasters and coffee shops with unique beans and flavor profiles with a
soundtrack provided by live entertainment at Villain in Williamsburg.” For food
Brooklyn Biscuit Company and the Doughnut Plant were their selling their
specialties. For a moment I was sad I missed seeing Doughnut Plant but then I
got a grip when I remembered their newest location is near my home and I can go
there anytime.
As for
the NYC Craft Coffee Festival I will hit them up next year as I am now focusing
on 2017.
To be
continued……………………………………………………………………………..
For More
Information:
For Other
Foodie Festivals:
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