The third installment of the Intelli espressos–Organic “Kid O’s”. Member Jason Grafft and I pulled some shots this evening (the Maestro eventually stopped by and gave it a go as well). Jason pulled some great shots, but one really fabulous one, take a look:
STOKED!!!!!
If you do–pass it along! Share your pictures and stories with us (just email)! I’ll start:
Today Justin and I pulled some fabulous shots of Intelligentsia’s Black Cat (the conventionally grown blend), here’s a little sample of what we were getting:
See those stripes? See that viscosity? I feel so proud (especially because this particular pull was Justin’s)! Anyhow, my moment of triumph actually came when I frothed up some homemade almond milk for a Machaccino (my beverage of choice–more volume than a macchiato but not nearly big enough to be called a cappuccino). It was as if the planets were aligned–I pulled a great shot, frothed up some liquid velvet, and started to pour…
Now I know it’s not quite a “heart”–but it is at least a blob that vaguely resembles something sort of close to maybe being a little bit like one, possibly. I was stoked. It gives me hope for my future almond milk endeavors. Thanks for listening, and feel welcome to share the stoke when you get it! :o)
I begged and pleaded with The Maestro for e-permission to upload pictures of this Wednesday’s festivities. Finally, he relented! So, without further adieu, here they are!
A handful of revolutionaries gathered for the second time this last Wednesday to revel in the many sights and smells of lovingly crafted espresso. Member Jason Grafft was kind enough to contribute a bag of Intelligentsia’s Black Cat (single origin organic, not to be confused with the conventionally grown Black Cat espresso blend). He, unfortunately, had time for but a single hastily pulled shot before scampering off to be a responsible member of RCC’s faculty for the evening. The rest of us enjoyed an evening full of Black Cat creations and great conversation with fellow revolutionaries. Some highlights included The Maestro’s first ever hand-pulled shot, a short visit by Billy’s puppy (okay well it was a highlight for me), some homemade almond milk that actually frothed (highlight for the non-dairy folks, all two of us), an influx of UCR scientists (Shoutout to Chin, Simon, and Drew!), radio show host and Roastmaster General Cliff Young’s contribution (including some wines from John Alan and great conversation, thanks Cliff!), and, of course, espresso to last us well into the evening. Much of the evening was captured by amateur photographer Me on my new camera (things will be improving in the coming weeks on that front). Some video-journaling was also done by amateur videographer Justin, and clips may become available soon! Please remember that our next meeting will be Wednesday, June 4th. We will probably start earlier (3:00 pm or so) but will undoubtedly pull shots until well into the night. If you need directions to this week’s meeting location stop by Goodwin’s and chat with Chris, or feel free to send me an email at emhartop@gmail.com. Until then, stay safe and don’t do drugs (except caffeine).
One week ago Thursday marks the day that a lowly coffee server, a self-proclaimed gastronomist, that gastronomist’s husband, and a handful of the coffee server’s customers endured a torrential downpour and gathered their drenched bodies in an overly sterile rec-room. It was there, in that rec-room, that they examined the brief nature of their existence, charted a path for their future, and chose their fight. A coalition of coffee eenthusiasts was formed. The words “Espresso Revolution” were whispered. Determination mounted; to expose and over-throw mediocrity in all its forms and guises and traps and tricks. To expose commercial coffee for what it is; To educate the brainwashed masses of their misguided drinking habits.
One week ago Thursday a certain number of coffee enthusiasts, residing midst the desert sands of Southern California, resolved to create an oasis of sorts: to congregate weekly in rec-halls, to pull espresso shots, and to talk coffee. Consequently, a particular kind of commitment was formed along side: A commitment to unite their energies, their talents, and their passion for great coffee under a single blazing banner of artistic hope: ERACE IE — ERACE IE — ERACE IE. Like a politicians mantra the acronym resonated in the mind of that lowly coffee server. Two years of unbridled coffee obsession, with seemingly no means of adequate expression, finally channeled into the development of a useful, willing, and purposeful organization. ERACE IE — ERACE IE — ERACE IE — The drum beat continues — Erace IE — The Espresso Revolutionaries and Coffee Enthusiasts of the Inland Empire.
One thing is for certain; this group of misfits will not be satisfied until they erase coffee apathy from the hearts and minds of as many IE residents as they possibly can; until they erase forever crappy coffee as the tolerated norm for the IE coffee establishment, restaurant, and home kitchen.
And as the rag-tag coalition of ERACE IE grows in number, strength, and experience; as they gain momentum and repute as a contributing artistic force within their community, they hope to join forces with like-minded coffee professionals and all-out coffee nerds throughout Southern California, California, the West Coast, the Nation, and eventually the World to make as much of an impact on the global coffee scene as possible.
So, as Emily Hartop, one of the coalitions founding members and a senior editor of this blog, recently wrote:
VIVA LA REVOLUCIÓN!!!!!!!
May the grassroots grow deeper.
