The exploration of different ways to get your caffeine fix!

 As the weather is becoming bearable and sitting outside becomes enjoyable, my go-drink is Yerba Mate.      Yerba Mate comes from the naturally  caffeinated leaves of a native species of holly tree, Ilex paraguariensis. Yerba Mate grows deep in the rainforest, and is grown and cultivated by yerbateros. Yerba Mate is predominantly drank by people in Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, and Southern Brazil. Each country has their own twist on how to make "un buen mate." I learned to prepare and drink my mate like Uruguayanos drink theirs.      Yerba Mate has a multitude of benefits (that are science backed) that shouldn't go overlooked:  1) They contain a plethora of antioxidants and nutrients 2)  Can boost energy and improve mental focus 3) May enhance physical performance 4) may protect against infections 5) May facilitate weight loss 6) Can boost immune system 7) Lowers blood sugar levels 8) May lower risk of heart disease      ...

      When one thinks of high culture in the coffee world, many think of Italy; and for good reason. They have been doing it right since the beginning. I thought it pertinent and my duty to explain just a little bit of the art and science behind espresso, and further more, how to drink espresso in Italy.     Espresso is not just an art, but a science. Many baristas can attest to the difficulty that comes with trying to make the perfect shot. Who knew that 1 oz of liquid could cause such a struggle. There are so many variables in creating the perfect espresso: dosage (of the grind, and how much you're going to extract), grind setting (how course or fine the grind will be, making the shots slower or faster), bean type   (the origin, flavor and roast of the bean), extraction (the water going through the beans, extracting the oils and flavor from the bean and roast), water temperature , heat of the shot glasses (if the shot glasses aren't hot enough, the es...

  Back in January, one random afternoon, I was watching the sitcom "One Day At a Time." During the episode  One Day at a Time, Cuban Morning , the Cuban grandmother, Lydia, had this amazing scene of her dancing to Celia Cruz while simultaneously making this "cafecito" for her family. Now as coffee enthusiast, and in all honesty wanting this experience of getting to dance to Celia Cruz and make a café cubano, sparked this immediate need to purchase a Moka pot and get cracking on the recipe.     When it comes to coffee, it takes me about 8 trials before the recipe and my tastebuds come into harmony. A key to maintaining the authenticity of a recipe from another culture is making sure one get's the recipe from a person of that specific culture (and preferrably language if possible). For me, that meant scouring every video about "cómo hacer/preparar un buen café cubano." At the end, it felt as if I had watched a million YouTube videos, wanting to get this ...