Caffeine Trivia 12.25.14

Merry Christmas!

Caffeine Trivia 11.20.14

MAKING TURKISH COFFEE IN AN IBRIQ – Two years ago today, I was in Kusadasi, Turkey so it’s fitting that today’s trivia is on making Turkish Coffee:  Turkish Coffee (also Arab Coffee) is made in an ibriq, a small copper pot with a long handle. Two teaspoons of finely-ground coffee plus one of sugar are added to a cup of water and the mixture is brought to the boil. The ibriq is taken off the heat as it comes to the boil, usually three times, and then it is poured out and drunk. A cardamom seed is sometimes added for flavour. The drawback of this method is that boiling the coffee causes the more delicate flavors to be lost.

  

 

I Love Paris in the Springtime…..

This is a reposting of my blog written in 2008: When I told my friend Henry about my new blog, Caffeine Chronicles, and how bad the coffee was in Spain….he immediately responded that’s why I loved Paris so much.  You guessed it, the best coffee I’ve ever had was in Paris…everywhere in Paris. 

They have something very similar to cafe con leche…they call it Cafe Creme…but to the tenth power.  My first introduction to Cafe Creme’s taste and kick came very shortly after arriving in Paris on the morning of April 20th, 2007.  Yes, I remember the date.

I was on a business trip to Paris – participating in an incredible real estate expo.  Lynda and I were on the same flight from Miami (this is same Lynda that referred me to the Preciosos Hotel in Madrid with the Starbucks down the street) and she agreed to go with me to the Eiffel Tower before we started to work at the expo the next day.  It was great to have Lynda go with me because she speaks French…I do not…and she’s been to Paris before.You see, going to the top of the Eiffel Tower is one of the things on my list of 50 things I have to see or do before I die.  I composed my list of 50 when I turned 50.  In fact, three things on my list were accomplished during my trip to Paris (more on that later).

It was cold…very, very cold standing in line with all the other tourists waiting to buy a ticket.  My decision was to buy a ticket to go to all three levels, culminating at the top.  This was huge, considering I have a fear of heights.  My heart raced all the way to the first level, but I stayed on the lift.  My heart never beat harder going to the second level platform.  There we had to get off, walk up two flights of stairs (metal grating) and get into a small elevator that would take us to the top….a glass elevator.  I did not know that a person could survive when their heart and stomach relocate to their throat.

It was worth it!  What an absolutely incredible 360 degree view of Paris.  I can honestly say, it took my breath away, not from fear, but from the sheer beauty of this city.  There was also a bonus…a coffee shop at the top.  I had my “first” cafe creme and unbelievable pastry called a pan du chocolate (pardon my spelling).  The coffee was fabulous, rich, dark and very strong with the sweetest tasting milk that I’ve had.  I was hooked.

Only one other of my fears needed to be overcome that day while I was conquering my fear of heights, very nicely, thank you very much – my fear of birds.  There were pigeons everywhere and they were bold.  They are used to being fed by vistors to the top and they approach you.  I’m talking right up to your feet.  I had to throw small bits of my pan du chocolate some distance away from me just to get them away, far away from me.  But these were smart pigeons, they saw the hand that was feeding them and demanded more.  Sorry, but my fear stems from a flock of pigeons that desended upon me at a young age at Miami’s Bayfront Park…..just like the movie “The Birds”.

Needless to say, it was one item on my list of 50 that exceeded my expectations.  It also had that bonus…my first Cafe Creme.

Later…..

Happy Valentine’s Day Caffeine Lovers!

Caffeine Trivia 11.13.13

   Can’t believe one whole year has gone by already…I was looking back at what I posted a year ago and found this…what a wonderful trip and what incredible coffee!  Here’s to memories:

This morning’s Caffeine Trivia is taking a break from my Trivia and bringing you a live update:  I have landed in Caffeine Motherlode: Italy.  I am here for four days before boarding a cruise ship that will take me on a coffee lover’s cruise…Italy, Greece and Turkey…some of the BEST coffee in the world!  And rest assured, I am up to the task of tasting and enjoying and writing about each and every cup.  Caffeine Trivia will continue while I am on my cruise but be on the lookout for my Caffeine Critiques from my Cruise!

Thanks a Latte

As a real estate instructor and trainer I am often in front of some of the best and brightest in our industry.  I also am in the position to hear some of the best and most innovative marketing that today’s REALTORs are using to stand out from the crowd.   I am often the receipient of many of the “samples” of these marketing pieces and I have to share with you that some of them are truly in the memorable category.

Through this blog vehicle, I have received some of your marketing ideas that share our obession with coffee and most specifically, Starbucks.  Your customers also have an addiction for Starbucks and many of you have shared that when you receive referrals from your previous or current customers that you show your appreciation with a Starbucks Gift Card or Coffee Bean Gift Pack….I call that “Thanks a Latte”.  I heard a twist on that in one of my classes last week.  This REALTOR sent a Starbucks Coffee Gift Pack to his small but fervent group of stark raving fans, reminding them that he and his marketing techiniques are “Not the Same Old Grind”.  This was a gentle reminder that he was available for them and their family and friends, no matter what their real estate needs might be.  Every day, as they make and then drink the coffee, they are reminded of him.

Do any of you utilize marketing techiniques that capitalize on our love of caffeine?  Or any other unique marketing techniques that you don’t mind sharing with our reading audience?  I’m off for another cup…have a great day.

It’s Not About the Coffee (reposted from 10.23.2008)

On many previous occassions, I have written about my love for not only coffee, but for the written word – I love reading books.  While I fully use the internet for just about everything possible, I still buy books – that’s right…I still buy books…off Amazon.com and have them delivered to my office.  I so look forward to receiving that brown cardboard box with it’s treasures, I can hardly wait to open it and begin reading my latest purchases.

As a real estate trainer and instructor, I am in front of rooms of real estate agents, many of them under a lot of pressure today to keep their business running during tough economic times.  I congratulate them for taking the time “on their own dime” to get better educated and prepare themselves for today’s market. I also take the opportunity to share with them my latest reading treasure(s) – I bring along a copy of my book for them to peruse on their breaks, but more importantly, I call their attention to how this particular book offers insights that transcend to their business.

I am delighted with the response to my latest “treasure” – Howard Behar’s It’s Not About the Coffee – 10 Principles of  Personal Leadership from a Life at Starbucks.  These 10 principles apply to us all and judging from the feedback from some of my students, is very relevant to our real estate business or any business for that matter. Do yourself a big favor, get a copy of this treasure for yourself.

Wow – That’s a Lotta Joe!

Just read an article: Industry experts credit a handful of diverse factors driving coffee’s escalating popularity. The most cited is the growth in hot-selling home-brewing gadgets, with single-serve coffee makers leading the pack. Other strong factors: gourmet offerings, coffeehouses with hip appeal and health benefits.

Experts credit coffee’s new-found image as healthy for driving up sales. Coffee, caffeinated or decaffeinated, may help extend the lives of people who drink it daily, according to researchers at the National Cancer Institute.

Men who drank two to three cups a day had a 10 percent chance of outliving those who drank no coffee, while women had a 13 percent advantage, according to the 2012 study.

Source: USA Today http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/04/09/coffee-mania/2069335/

 

I Love Paris in the Springtime

Good morning readers of The Caffeine Chronicles ~ In honor of a very special day tomorrow, April 20th I am republishing my very first blog post: I Love Paris in the Springtime.  April 20th 2007 was the day that I drank THE best cup of coffee I have ever had in my life…it’s remains the best cup of coffee ever.  April 20th 2007 was also the day that I realized one of my personal dreams: the climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower! I hope you will take a step back in time and indulge me with a reprint of my very first blog…first blog of any kind!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

When I told my friend Henry about my new blog, Caffeine Chronicles, and how bad the coffee was in Spain….he immediately responded that’s why I loved Paris so much.  You guessed it, the best coffee I’ve ever had was in Paris…everywhere in Paris. 

They have something very similar to cafe con leche…they call it Cafe Creme…but to the tenth power.  My first introduction to Cafe Creme’s taste and kick came very shortly after arriving in Paris on the morning of April 20th, 2007.  Yes, I remember the date.

I was on a business trip to Paris – participating in an incredible real estate expo.  Lynda and I were on the same flight from Miami (this is same Lynda that referred me to the Preciosos Hotel in Madrid with the Starbucks down the street) and she agreed to go with me to the Eiffel Tower before we started to work at the expo the next day.  It was great to have Lynda go with me because she speaks French…I do not…and she’s been to Paris before.You see, going to the top of the Eiffel Tower is one of the things on my list of 50 things I have to see or do before I die.  I composed my list of 50 when I turned 50.  In fact, three things on my list were accomplished during my trip to Paris (more on that later).

It was cold…very, very cold standing in line with all the other tourists waiting to buy a ticket.  My decision was to buy a ticket to go to all three levels, culminating at the top.  This was huge, considering I have a fear of heights.  My heart raced all the way to the first level, but I stayed on the lift.  My heart never beat harder going to the second level platform.  There we had to get off, walk up two flights of stairs (metal grating) and get into a small elevator that would take us to the top….a glass elevator.  I did not know that a person could survive when their heart and stomach relocate to their throat.

It was worth it!  What an absolutely incredible 360 degree view of Paris.  I can honestly say, it took my breath away, not from fear, but from the sheer beauty of this city.  There was also a bonus…a coffee shop at the top.  I had my “first” cafe creme and unbelievable pastry called a pan du chocolate (pardon my spelling).  The coffee was fabulous, rich, dark and very strong with the sweetest tasting milk that I’ve had.  I was hooked.

Only one other of my fears needed to be overcome that day while I was conquering my fear of heights, very nicely, thank you very much – my fear of birds.  There were pigeons everywhere and they were bold.  They are used to being fed by vistors to the top and they approach you.  I’m talking right up to your feet.  I had to throw small bits of my pan du chocolate some distance away from me just to get them away, far away from me.  But these were smart pigeons, they saw the hand that was feeding them and demanded more.  Sorry, but my fear stems from a flock of pigeons that desended upon me at a young age at Miami’s Bayfront Park…..just like the movie “The Birds”.

Needless to say, it was one item on my list of 50 that exceeded my expectations.  It also had that bonus…my first Cafe Creme.

Later…..

Do you take palm trees in your coffee? Or just cream?

This cup of coffee looks custom brewed for Miami              

                                                                                           

 

Originally uploaded by billaday