Coffee Cup Stain » Food & Drink

Studying with Coffee

Gail — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0000

For some people, the only time they ever drink coffee in their lives is in college. That moment where it’s obvious that the only way to finish the work is to stay up all night, and coffee becomes the answer to sleeplessness. It’s really unfortunate for them, because they are missing out on all the positive social aspects of coffee.

For other people, where staying up late means drinking a little more coffee than usual, the positives are already obvious, and the ability to stay up longer is just a side effect. The daunting task of poring over study guides might be a little less daunting, however, as coffee drinkers tend to be over-achievers anyway. The ads for the coffee generation from the last generation deserve a comeback, because it has become more commonplace than ever to find places that serve coffee as the deciding factor for a great hangout. And the studies seem to be showing that the benefits of coffee are perhaps surprisingly pretty high.

In terms of the connection between caffeine and alertness in studying, it’s fairly well-illustrated that there is more than a placebo effect going on. It’s still mysterious, however, that the link is also demonstrably high between type a personalities and habitual coffee drinkers. Which one did come first, and which one is the chicken? Do highly functional people drink coffee because it helps them to maintain their pace, or does coffee turn people into over-achievers?

Because there are still no definitive ways to determine personality or identity, these questions are going to have to remain unanswered. They are always fascinating to ask, however, because the link between personality and habit seems entirely apparent, even if there is no scientific proof. Tests that can tell what kind of person you are by your choice of coffee drinks have a similar appeal as astrology. Even the most jaded common sense would admit that there is something to it, even if most of the time it seems like another chance to talk about the obvious. Coffee drinkers are driven, and some are driven to staying up late and working, while others are driven to milk as much pleasure out of a moment as possible. Both of these types enjoy the habit, but may not both be motivated to achieve. Unless, of course, the definition of achievement changes. This could mean that the really successful college experience is one that is marked by enjoyment as much as by high marks, and this means taking the time to enjoy another cup and some company.

Studying with Coffee is a post from: Coffee Cup Stain

Canada Coffee Culture

Gail — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 01:10:49 +0000

It’s not that Victoria, BC gets overlooked when it comes to any kind of lively discussion of coffee culture, it’s that it’s cool enough not to care. Yes, the coffee there is that good, and yes, there are more than a few great spots to enjoy an espresso and enjoy the scene. For coffee houses, the scene is always tangentially related to the beverage, so they say. It’s about the conversations, the deep sense of curiosity and excitement that can only happen when young or hip people are gathering together. There may be no age limit to hipness, and young is only as old as you feel, and this isn’t just the atmosphere in the cafes.

The local scene outside the shops is also particularly attractive to interesting people who are doing, or hoping to be doing, interesting things. The popularity of victoria apartments isn’t just a passing phase, it’s been building for long enough now that there is something very elemental going on. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons that the local coffee lovers don’t really mind that Canada isn’t completely on the map that way it’s sister hip city Seattle has been.

It might not make a whole lot of sense. Looking at just the surface, the local coffee culture seems to be in pretty solid shape. While most of the larger cities (and excluding the monsters of these) have their share of excellent coffee shops, the numbers are typically close to a dozen. But here it’s a pretty staggering array of places to go. There may be a bit of a lack in cafes that are open past ten, and that’s true in most any city in North America, but there’s a sense that this, too, will soon change. There are more reasons for looking at www.rentstarlight.com than a good opportunity for one’s own career. There is a genuine sense that things are on the rise.

There is also a great deal of history here, and that’s not excluding the coffee shops. Roasters have been creating the kinds of coffee that made the boom happen since the early 70s, well ahead of the wave. The knowledge does pass down through time, and this has played a part in paving the way for sleek places like Habit. This one does tend to represent well for the area, as it is very bare bones in terms of trying to create an atmosphere that pleases. The focus is on the steps of making coffee, and this is more than enough to invite the people that make the atmosphere themselves. It’s a lot like how the neighborhoods work. The infrastructure is already very strong, but demurs to the possibility that human experience can transform it to reveal its real potential.

Canada Coffee Culture is a post from: Coffee Cup Stain

Coffee Shops Success in Troubled Economy

Gail — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Coffee shops are one of the industries that are not only surviving in these troubled economic times but are also, at times thriving. And while it’s also true that some small, privately owned shops have closed, it is also true that major corporations such as Starbucks have had to close down some of their stores, and condense their presence. Meanwhile, there are crowds gathered in numerous small, independent shops across the country as well as in some of the major chains. In addition to wondering how people can continually sink five dollars or more into a cup of coffee, it’s an important question to consider why some shops are remaining alive, in fact thriving, while others are falling victim to the times. Or is it really the social and economic climate that is driving only some of the businesses down, while not others? Is it simply a matter of great coffee , cute shop and beautiful Next Day Blinds ? Or are there other elements at work?

There are some important factors to consider here. For starters, regardless of the particular social climate you are intending to start a business, there are some important preliminary elements that can literally make or break your active company. Establishing a solid business plan, gathering the appropriate-and accurate- supplemental information, initial financial investment money and other aspects that seemingly have nothing to do with coffee play a critical role. In addition, conducting market research in your area will only be a plus, though this step is frequently overlooked by many new small business owners who feel their passion for the product or service will over-ride any mitigating factors. This is typically known as the ‘if you build it” belief.

So, you have your business plan, financial backing, and a solid professional career behind you. You’re about to open your first local coffee shop and are considering ways to stand out above the rest. Actually, this is where it gets interesting and frequently it is a simple matter of the shop’s atmosphere that can have a tremendous impact on establishing a solid repeat patronage. And this is where doing a bit of research on coffee shop interior design can be extremely helpful. In addition, there are some excellent professionals in the field that will know the exact approach to creating a cozy, yet professional environment. Windows are a particularly important feature of coffee shops, and the manner in which they are treated can greatly enhance their effect on the atmosphere. In addition, a professional will always have the best scoop on Next Day Blinds deals . Coffee shops remain a strong industry, even in these times, if you’re going to open one, make sure you put the necessary effort into all aspects of the business.

Coffee Shops Success in Troubled Economy is a post from: Coffee Cup Stain

Coffee Shops in America

Gail — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 00:32:54 +0000

It wasn’t more than twenty years ago that coffee came in a variety of four. There was caffeinated, decaf, and it came with or without cream and sugar. That’s about it. And coffee was never more than sixty-five cents for a cup. This actually pertains to American coffee and the American culture, the rest of the world had it’s own love affair with this sacred bean evolve at different rates. The major transition, with the American scene, began to occur early in the nineteen nineties. Of course the city that is highly recognized as one of the major motivated transitions of the coffee scene is Seattle, Washington At the time, the grunge movement was also in progress and from this northwestern port city, a major music scene and fashion, or lack thereof to some, emerged. Of course, also to emanate from this overcast region was the enticing aroma of a diverse range of coffee drinks. That’s right, coffee had evolved from that warm black fluid in a cup to it’s own genre of specialized coffee drinks. And the movement has only grown and solidified itself in a permanent place in American culture. In cities across the country @TransGlobe_MGT commercial property zones include a local coffee shop.

By Budgetplaces.com

Part of this transition included an explosion of coffee shops across the country. Companies like Starbucks, It’s a Grind and many others suddenly became as common as the standard convenience store and were integrated into the daily lives of many people. And while some people go to their local coffee shop to read, listen to an open mic performance and socialize, there are also those coffee die-hards who simply whip in for a shot of their favorite java concoction.

TransGlobe Property Management and various commercial property markets are changing a great deal. As Borders and other major book stores fall victim to the changes technology is bringing about to society and the book in hand is being replaced by kindles and other electronic devices, coffee shops remain intact in popularity and patronage. Many large bookstores incorporate their own coffee shops into their stores, which offers patrons the chance to browse their new reading material while enjoying a nice cup and maybe a pastry of some sort. However, with the decline in bookstore popularity, the in-house coffee shops are also in decline. With this being said, the standard popularity of a your favorite local coffee shop is not showing signs of trouble and while you might be bringing your kindle to your local shop, you’re not likely to be pouring your cup of brew from an electronic device anytime soon.

Coffee Shops in America is a post from: Coffee Cup Stain

Displaying a Menu

Gail — Sat, 28 May 2011 07:00:00 +0000

When you enter a restaurant you are instantly presented with a concept or theme, whether it is obvious or subtle. Everything from the sign to the interior design to the music being played, or the absence of music, combine to create an overall experience that supersedes and hopefully accentuates the food that you will be eating.

Think of how you experience the menu of a given restaurant. If it is a fast or fast casual restaurant or perhaps a coffee shop, you will stand in line and peruse a menu that is mounted on the wall or suspended from the ceiling. It may be hand written on a blackboard, displayed on a lighted box or appear on tastefully design posters. Each of these creates a different ambiance, as does the script and colors used as well as the words and pictures that are chosen to describe the food.

In a sit down restaurant you will be handed a menu at your table or booth. Some restaurants will use menu covers that may be made of plastic, vinyl or leather. They may hand you a simple menu that is printed daily to reflect changing specials. A waiter may even recite the day’s menu to you or, in the case of dim sum or dessert, show you the actual food that you can choose from. Again, each type of menu informs and enhances your dining experience. You get a feel for the concept behind the restaurant and the attention and care being put into every aspect of the food, service, and presentation.

Displaying a Menu is a post from: Coffee Cup Stain

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Singapore Vegetarians in Love

Gail — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 03:10:00 +0000

He was never much of a meat-eater to begin with, and unusually sensitive to the inner nature of things. Constantly drawing relationships between history and the human body, he had developed a complex system where one could explore the story of human civilizations on the planet by spending an hour stretching every morning. He always thought it was funny, in an ironic way, that he would have forgotten the lessons of history by lunchtime, and find himself face to face with the same walls once again.

Walls were always a perfectly fine metaphor for the relationships between people, and sometimes, when memory and history was involved, it became a curious exercise to measure the will of a couple to examine the historical moments that passed between them in the history of their brief love. In the grander scheme of things, every love is brief, and every lover is here for a very short time, and this used to make him sad.

Lately, however, he’d been wondering about the way his new romance had come about on the edges of a hurricane, one that took the world by surprise, like they always do. He wondered that the marks of history might leave their traces here, putting them in the position of forgetting each other utterly, without any warning.

Stranger things had happened before, and they would surely come up again in the grander scheme of things. These thoughts were too much to bear over a vegetarian lunch in Singapore of all places, where so much history and water were under the bridge but never really gone. If the lover were to show now, it wouldn’t be as elegant as he imagined it could be, because he was still in the midst of putting himself back together after a long morning of forgetting.

Singapore Vegetarians in Love is a post from: Coffee Cup Stain

The Music and the BBQ of Austin, Texas

Gail — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:37:18 +0000

I have had more than a few experiences of the BBQ to be found in Austin. The first time I visited the city it was on a whim, I knew no one and really had no idea as to what my week would entail. It is a city that is well known the world over, for the live music that happens in various venues, and many times just happens right there on the street corners. That first trip was incredible. I was lucky enough to have found one of the best Austin hotels, and with the information the front desk guy gave me, I found some of the best live music I had ever experienced, but I did not find the best BBQ.

I am in love with real BBQ, and I found a great place in Amarillo during my many road trips back and forth between Phoenix and Chicago, I was not really sure of where to go in Austin. My second trip to Austin, was all about that. About the BBQ. I had met a touring musician who lived in Austin and visited him last summer. Visiting a musician in Austin, well I knew that my live music needs for the week would be met, so I asked him to find me the best of the best, in the world of BBQ. He’s a Texan and he was ready to take on the quest.

Our first stop was a place called Artz’s, where not only do they serve up slow roasted ribs, coleslaw and black beans, but a good dose of live Bluegrass music every night of the week. The next night, we headed over to Cooper’s Old Time Pit, where you order your meals off the menu, by the pound. The next day was a Wednesday and we headed to a place called Driftwood, just about 30 minutes outside of Austin. We headed to Salt Lick, one of the most famous BBQ joints in Texas. We BYOB-ed it, bringing with us a six pack of Shinerbock, and had some of the most delicious slow roasted brisket –topping it off with a homemade piece of cobbler.

A Texas wedding happened the next night, atop a hill in what seemed to be the outskirts of town. My friend played music, while the grandfather of the bride tended the ribs he’s been slow cooking since last Tuesday. I had been to the most famous BBQ joints in Texas that week, but nothing could beat the food cooked on the hill that night, nor the music that was playing, nor the vibe created by a simple night of Texas true love

The Music and the BBQ of Austin, Texas is a post from: Coffee Cup Stain

“Street Eats” in New York City

Gail — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:48:53 +0000

The best restaurants New York City offers, are some of the finest dining establishments in the world. And certainly a night out on the town calls for one of these culinary experiences. However, make no mistake, to find some of the most authentic, and inexpensive meals in the city, the street vendors are nothing to scoff at. From pizza to barbecue, Mediterranean to German, it all can be found via the many corner joints and street vendors. One place that is quite popular sits in the neighborhood of El Alto. Here is where the El Peluche Truck is to be found. From chicharrónes to pasteles this Dominican cuisine will delight your taste-buds without lightening your wallet. Move along to the food stand of Hallo German Food. Located, usually, on 5th Avenue, this is one of the many places to get a true, stacked and loaded hot dog. The famous man behind the “wursts” is Babiel. He has been given the Vendy Award for his service and his fare, and has locals lining up for his quick and delicious dogs.

Just along the Manhattan Bridge, vendors of kebabs line the streets. From lamb kebabs to sweet potatoes, all of the food is cooked fresh over hot grills, on the side of the street! For cheap! And of course there is the pizza. Many restaurants offer take away slices, with a spice bar loaded with oregano, garlic and cheese. One can not walk through Times Square at any hour without seeing someone enjoying a folding slice as they make their way to their destination. One of my favorites, and something I was not expecting to find on a street corner, is the Red Hook Lobster Cart. The lobster is toasted on a grill, and along with it you can grab a bundle of crab claws, all on the corner of the street. Fresh herbs, spices and vegetables are available and this is one cart that will send you over the top, and onto the sidewalks of New York City.

“Street Eats” in New York City is a post from: Coffee Cup Stain

Bollywood in Singapore

Gail — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:04:30 +0000

Singapore is a gloriously international city state, with a very remarkable population that is enormously diverse. It is an endless source of fascination, for locals, expats, as well as people who’ve visited here, and after one trip, most people get a taste of the magic that is very peculiar to this place. There are always plenty of exciting new attractions, with live entertainments from all over the world. The local talent is fairly extraordinary as well, and there is an active arts community, creating fantastic new work in visual arts and performance. There are some practitioners who have dedicated their lives to learning very traditional forms, and there are also many interesting talents who excel in radical innovations.

Some of the best of these innovators combine art with technology, making some of the most exciting work in the world. The film industry has always been a place where art and technology come together, and there are certainly strong communities for film here. You can see how exciting the community is by visiting any Indian restaurant and asking if any movie stars have ever come through. Chances are good that there have been some famous guests, since it is a relatively small place, and with good restaurants, word gets around pretty quickly. You may not see anyone famous yourself, but you’re guaranteed a magnificent meal.

One of the most exciting times in film history for the local Indian film lovers here was in 2004, when the International Indian Film Academy held their awards ceremony here. It seems as though it wouldn’t take much to create a local buzz, however, because this year, when the Bollywood actors and actresses had a stop over in Singapore on their way to Macau, there was a tremendous buzz at the airport. Movie magic is highly regarded here, and celebrity fever is a very exciting local condition.

Bollywood in Singapore is a post from: Coffee Cup Stain

Great Activities Above and Below Ground in Sentosa

Gail — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:35:58 +0000

How do you go from a sleepy little fishing village to a military base and then an exciting popular tourist site? Well, check out Sentosa, Singapore and you will see. Tourists come from far and wide to this island and they find it all here. It doesn’t matter if you are young or just young at heart. It doesn’t matter if you live on the wild side or have a more sedate and intellectual personality. Are you single? Are you married with a family? It doesn’t matter. Whatever brings you to Sentosa, you will enjoy your time here. Whatever the reason, hotels Sentosa offers will handle your physical needs. The amenities offered are also first rate with your satisfaction top priority. The staff is very friendly, polite and helpful.

Now that you are settled in and ready to explore, let me tell you about some of the things you might enjoy. And there are plenty. What about the beautiful clean sandy beaches with their spectacular scenic views? And of course there are the water sports that go along with beaches. Not that active? Just relax under a big umbrella with a good book and a good drink What about golfing or hiking, enjoy the lush, green gardens. Be sure and see Underwater World and Dolphin Lagoon. You will be amazed at the sea life you can observe here. There is history to be found at Fort Siloso and the local museums, there are the theme parks and nature parks. And I mentioned the wild side. Well, you have the nightclubs and bars that offer the most popular music and dancing and a beverage or two. And the fabulous food, you can dine in elegance at a fancy restaurant, or walk along the beach and sample fresh seafood from one of the quaint little shanties. Are you convinced? Sentosa translated means peace and tranquility but there is a whole lot more.

Great Activities Above and Below Ground in Sentosa is a post from: Coffee Cup Stain