Starbucks Mocha Coffee: A Chocolate Waterfall

This week was American Chocolate Week.  One of those events that sneaks up on you.  Or at least it snuck up on us.  Fortunately, we found a good way to celebrate with Starbucks Ground Mocha coffee.  Their new line that utilizes natural flavors.

We were encouraged to try this new flavor after testing it a demo.  Walmart was sampling it at select stores. We had to have some for our very own.  Our mornings are never complete without a freshly brewed cup of coffee.

So, after adding a bag to our basket, which proved more difficult than we expected.  It was flying off the shelves and ours was the last one.  Usually, we buy coffee from a grocery store rather than from a coffee shop.  This Starbucks Ground Mocha will be a new addition to our coffee rotation.  A new flavor to add to our ever growing list of favorite coffee blends.

As we walked through the store we saw a Starbucks display in the bakery.  The coffee was a sign that we needed to stop in the bakery.  We needed to pick out something to go with our coffee.  Obviously, it had to be something chocolate.  Sadly, there were no double chocolate muffins.  Apparently, we're not the only ones that love them.  Instead, we chose some cream cheese brownies.  They're a breakfast food, right?  It didn't matter because we were celebrating chocolate!

All for the love of chocolate we can give up a healthy breakfast for one day of the week.  As we tasted our coffee black, which Alison insists upon.  You don't know what to add until you know how it tastes!  We were glad we picked the mocha because the cream cheese brownies enhanced the flavor.  Twas as if a warm chocolate waterfall poured into our mouths.  The chocolate abounded in our kitchen that morning.  A perfect way to celebrate American Chocolate Week.

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™. #cbias #SocialFabric

Starbucks at Sam's Club #DeliciousPairings

Alison:Did you know that its Starbucks Holiday Coffee Season?

Susie: No...I didn't know there was a coffee season.

Alison:Well it is!  We absolutely love all things coffee at my house, so we headed out to Sam's to see if they had some.  Even though we use lots of coupons when shopping, coffee is typically something you never find a great deal on.

Susie:I think you mean never.

Alison:For this reason we try to find coffee brands we love at stores like Sam's because they're a much better deal.  I mean where else can you pick up a 28 oz. bag of Starbucks coffee for $18.98?

Susie: I can't think of anywhere.  Unless of course you travel straight to the source.  But that would include airfare and most likely a strange journey with donkeys or some other stinky animal.

Alison: Uhhh...I think you over thought that one.

Susie: Says the person who'll end up on a donkey.

Alison: That will never happen. Another reason I wanted to pick up the Starbucks holiday blend was to use it as a little treat for the Prayer Shawl group over at Our Lady of the Wayside since November 15th was National Philanthropy day.  They knit and crochet shawls for those in need.  Their annual bazaar is coming up this weekend, November 17th, and I wanted them to have a little treat for all their hard work.

Susie: It's true.  They are quite amazing.  I mean, not many people knit and crochet in such quantities.

Alison:I expected to see a huge holiday Starbucks display, but there was only this sad little box of holiday coffee in the coffee aisle.

Susie: I know, it's more of a sad shelf.

Alison:I didn't see any other holiday coffee displays either.

Susie: Giant goose egg.

Alison:I also picked up some pumpkin and cinnamon muffins to make it more of a #DeliciousPairings coffee klatch for the volunteers.

Susie: Muffins.  They remind me of puffins, except you know with a P instead of an M.  Puffins are so cute!

Alison: I suppose they are...

Susie: Plus puffins remind me of all sorts of holiday decorations and cartoons!

Alison:As you can see, I'm not the only one who loves a great holiday blend! Seven decided to love the bag while I was setting up my Starbucks Holiday coffee spread. 

Susie: He is well trained.  There's a reason he's the favorite.  He has great taste!

Alison:No one can resist coffee in our house. The proof is in the sniffing.

Susie: *deep inhale* I don't smell any coffee.

Alison: It's not coffee time.  You had coffee this morning!

Susie: What?  I can't have more?

Alison: Not right now! While I do love lattes, I also love a great cup of coffee at home.  I tend to pick artisan roasted coffees as I love all the flavors you get in a cup.

Susie: More accurately a whole pot.  One cup is not enough.

Alison: I do love a holiday blend as it has great flavor notes such as cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger.  Picking up a bag this size is always a great idea if you love to brew your coffee at home like we do.

Susie: We almost always use a french press to make coffee as it allows all the great tasting oils to shine through flavor-wise.

Alison: I typically find Starbucks coffee to be a little strong tasting.

Susie:That's one way of putting it.  Dark might be another.

Alison: But the holiday blend was surprisingly tasty with a little cream and sugar added.  First, we tried the coffee alone.

Susie: Then we quickly mixed until our lips no longer puckered.

Alison:My sister and I definitely noticed a holiday spice taste.

Susie: Which is a good thing, or else that'd be one lame holiday blend.

Alison:Next we tried the muffins, I had the cinnamon.

Susie: I had the pumpkin.

Alison:Then, it was time to see if they brought out extra flavor notes in the coffee.

Susie: Surprisingly, they did!  After tasting a treat containing similar flavors brought out the cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger notes in the Starbucks holiday blend.

Alison:This afternoon I brought the coffee and muffins over to the Prayer Shawl group.  The ladies over there love coffee and treats.

Susie: Heck, who doesn't love coffee and treats?  Probably that donkey carrying all that coffee.

Alison:They were excited to get to try them.  Most commented how much better the coffee tasted after they'd tried the treats.  The huge bag of Starbucks holiday coffee will last them well into the new year!

Susie: They like to savor their coffee.

Alison:Sam's Club will open at 7 am on Black Friday and will greet members with free Starbucks Holiday Blend coffee and Artisan Fresh pastries (while supplies last).

Susie: Coffee?  Can I have some coffee now?

Alison: I don't see why not!

Susie: Wooo! *slurp* Mmmmm.


“I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™. #CBias #SocialFabric.  All opinions are my own."

Our Trip to the Seattle's Best #RedCupShowdown at the Illinois State Fair

Alison:Remember last week when I told you we were going to the State Fair?  Well we did go Friday for the Seattle's Best Coffee #RedCupShowdown.

Susie:Duh, remember who drove the whole way?  I think I know that we went.

Alison:Yes, but they don't know!

Susie: You just told them that we went.

Alison: *rolls eyes*It started quite early at 8:30 am and was two intense hours (for the competitors).  There were thirteen people competing at the fair for a $500 first prize which also included a trip for two to New York to compete in the final Red Cup Showdown.

Susie:Hey! Don't think I didn't notice that eye roll just because you typed it instead of doing it!

Alison: So, you do proof read the posts?  At least you're paying attention.  While the audience didn't get to sample the entries, I do have a special treat for you.  The three finalists all offered to share their recipes with me to share with my readers.  So now when you make these amazing drinks it will be almost like you were there with us at the competition.

Anthony won first place with his Cafe Mocha en Fuego pictured above:

Ingredients:

3 oz chocolate chips, chopped finely

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

1 tablespoon sugar

1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon chile powder

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1 dash of cayenne pepper

5 tablespoons Seattle's Best Dark Roast, ground

15 oz. water

15 oz. 2% milk, cold

Whipped Cream

Chocolate Sauce

Directions:

1.  Heat first seven ingredients in a saucepan on medium-low heat stirring until combined, then take off heat.

2.  Add ground coffee to filter and add water to coffee maker and brew.

3.  Fill bottom 1/3 of coffee mug with milk

4.  Microwave until steam starts to come off milk, around a minute

5.  Take mug out of microwave and insert a wire whisk.

6.  With the whisk in between your hands, roll the whisk back and forth until the desired froth is obtained.

7.  Mix the chocolate mixture, coffee and frothed milk in equal parts.

8.  Add whipped cream and chocolate sauce on top.

9.  Dust with spices (chile powder and cinnamon).

Second place went to Seattle's Best Almond Joy pictured above:

Ingredients:

1/2 lb Seattle's Best Level 4 Coffee
4 quarts cold water
coffee ice cubes
2 tablespoons Cream of Coconut
1/2 cup Chocolate Almond Milk
1/2 cup Soy Milk

Directions:

In a large container combine coffee and cold water. Stir well and cover container and let steep overnight (but no longer than 12 hours).  Strain using a strainer and cheesecloth to get the coffee filtered.  Refrigerate. This gives you cold brewed coffee.  You can use this to make coffee ice cubes, just pour into molds and freeze.

In a shaker add; ice cubes (coffee ones preferrably), cream of coconut and both milks.  Shake vigorously and pour into a glass.  Fill the rest with coffee.

Optional Whipped Topping:

1 can (about 1/4 cup) Unsweetened Coconut Milk (Native Forest Organic) mixed with powdered sugar.

Optional Garnish:

Mix 14 ounces of shredded coconut with 15 ounces of corn syrup.  Chill.  When firm, roll into balls and press into melted Baker's Chocolate (three ounces).  Dip balls into slivered almonds and put in freezer.  Throw ball on the end of a swizzle stick, such as a sugar cane.

Unfortunately, I didn't get a great shot of the third place winner's drink.  But Patricia did supply me with the recipe to share!!  It's called Christmas in July:

Brew 4 cups water with one coffee scoop of Seattle's Best Coffee #3.  After coffee is brewed, freeze into ice cubes.

Combine:

1 1/4 cup egg nog
1/4 cup whipping cream
4 tablespoons malt
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Blend in a blender.

In bottom of Melitta pot place two scoops of chocolate covered toffee pieces.  In the filter place one scoop of Seattle's Best Coffee #3.  Pour boiling water over the coffee grounds and let drain into the carafe until 1 1/2 cups of coffee is reached.  Add this to the mixture in the blender with 6 coffee ice cubes and blend again.

After blending, set aside.

Place:

1/4 cup egg nog into a small deep bowl
1/4 cup whipping cream
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon of clear vanilla

Whip into soft peaks.

Pour mixture from blender into three glasses, place a layer of the whipped cream on the top and add sprinkles of chocolate toffee pieces on top of the whipped cream.

Alison: Jeff Mauro, who has a show on the Food Network and another starting this fall, was the host and one of the judges.  He's originally from the Chicago area and it showed that he loved being at the Illinois State Fair.

Susie: Let's be honest, who wouldn't enjoy the fair?  An excuse to eat strange foods and make weird sound effects.  Check and check.

Alison: Sound effects?  Are you certain we're related?

Susie: Hey, you're the older one, I'm pretty sure you know I'm not adopted, but you can always ask Mom.

Alison: I'll pass. And we're focusing...he was pretty entertaining too.  He kept the crowd laughing and the competitors from getting too nervous.

Susie:Anyone that can keep me laughing before I've had my coffee is in good in my book.

Alison: I also got to take a picture with him.  :)

Alison:Besides being at the fair to see the Red Cup Showdown we also wanted to see some livestock and sample some amazing fair food.

Susie: It was more like how far can we walk; you are just lucky I know how to read a map.

Alison:We saw a gorgeous sheep being sheared and groomed for showing.  Love that it had a dark black face and such a snowy white coat.

Susie: I keep telling you that it's a Suffolk sheep.  That breed naturally looks that way!

Alison:Then we found this perfect spotted pig.  We actually watched it for a while and it actually moved closer and stuck its head under the feeding trough so we could get a better picture.  :)

Susie: I swear she wanted to take this pig home with us.  Truly, if she could have gotten it into the car she would have smuggled it out.  That's how much love she has for this pig.

Alison:Then off to see the cows.  I'm always amazed at how huge they are.

Susie: That's normal! It's like you've never seen animals before!

Alison: This one was poised perfectly to get a photo.  Love the brown and white markings.

Susie: *sigh* I'm telling you it's the breed! Hereford cows are brown and white!

Alison: After all that it was time to sample some fair delicacies.  This is a red velvet funnel cake.

Susie: Which I practically got dragged to, you say red velvet and she'll do anything to get there.

Alison: OMG it was soo good.  Almost like a red velvet donut.

Susie: See she doesn't even know I'm talking about her, she's imagining it all over again.

Alison: There's only one booth that sells these at the fair and it's definitely worth seeking it out.  I was told that the first day they actually sold entirely out of red velvet funnel cakes.

Alison:Next we stopped at the Dean's Dairy building where they were carving this cow entirely out of butter.  It's not quite finished here in this picture, but the details are amazing.

Susie: Shortcuts always lead to the best finds.  We were all set to go around it, but we found a statue made of butter.

Alison:We did stop to sample a cream puff there and it was huge.  The biggest I've ever seen.

Susie: I think they can figure that out since you can tell it's almost as big as my entire face.

Alison:Also the tastiest.  I've never tasted a better cream filling.  It was so good I've already emailed Dean's about maybe sharing their recipe.  We'll see if I get a reply.

Susie: We can only hope.  My cream puffs are good, but that was like rainbows dipped in clouds good.

Alison: I'm going to just pretend I know what you're talking about so we can move on.

Susie: You weren't exactly selling the awesomeness of the cream puff.  I think now they'll know how good it was.

Alison:On the way out there was this really, really big statue of Lincoln which actually looked like it was made of papier mache.  Quite imposing.

Susie: You think I could get away with building one of those in the backyard?

Alison: No. On so many levels no.

Susie: You just don't understand my need for artistic creativity.  Plus that would take care of our crow problem.

Alison: The Seattle's Best Red Cup Showdown is now off to the Iowa State fair.  That's the last stop on its tour with the final showdown taking place later this August in New York City!!  You can find all the details on their facebook page and follow along on twitter.

*I am a member of the Collective Bias Social Fabric Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and Seattle's Best Coffee #CBias #SocialFabric.  All opinions are my own.*

Seattle's Best Red Cup Showdown at the Illinois State Fair

Illinois State Fair

Alison: Did you know that the Illinois State Fair starts tomorrow in Springfield?

Susie: Wait, why are you telling me?

Alison: Going to the state fair always makes me think of the musical State Fair and in particular the song "Our State Fair".  I've never been to the state fair here in Illinois.  But we're going this year.  :)

Susie: Hold up, what's this WE bit?

Alison: Well, someone has to take fabulous pictures of me at the fair!

Seattle's Best Red Cup Showdown

Alison: Did you know that Seattle's Best is going to be at the fair this weekend?

Susie:  I think you're tricking me.

Alison: They'll be there with a special exhibit August 9-11th.  Visitors to the exhibit will be able to sample iced coffee drinks with wild flavors like elephant ear lattes and cotton candy mochas.

Susie:  This is sounding better.  You mean I get to drink coffee for free?

Alison: Yes! Free coffee!  You love coffee! Especially Seattle's Best Coffee!

Susie:  Back up a sec, elephant ear latte?  Cotton candy mocha?  Um, that sounds a bit unusual.

Alison:  But that's the thing you're trying different flavors!!

Susie:  Alright, alright.  I'm willing to try it is Seattle's Best after all.

Alison:  Isn't it wonderful! Also fairgoers can get their photo taken inside a life-sized red mug, win prizes and receive a free sample of Seattle's Best coffee to brew at home.  All the information is on their facebook page.

Susie:  More coffee! You're just lucky, I love coffee.

Red Cup Showdown

Alison: Friday morning is the Red Cup Showdown hosted by Celebrity Chef and Food Network Star Jeff Mauro.

Susie: Morning! Ugh, that's too early!

Alison: Remember there'll be coffee!

Susie:  I'm listening...

Alison:  The Red Cup Showdown will be in the Hobbies, Arts and Crafts building starting at 8:30 am.  Competitors will be creating yummy coffee drinks for a chance to win up to $500 and a years worth of free coffee.   The finalists get to go on to NYC to compete for a chance to win $10,000 and have their drink on the menu at Seattle's Best shops.

Susie:  I love competition! It's going to be a nail biter!

Alison:  I'm not sure we can say that.

Susie:  You're right.  How do we know if these people bite their nails...Maybe they're hair twirlers!

Alison:  That's not exactly what I meant...moving on.  This is the part of the fair I'm really excited about. Did y'all know that I used to be a master barista?  I love the smell of a good cup of coffee almost as much as the taste.  The things I can do with or without an espresso machine would amaze you.

Susie: Amaze them?  Hey, I'm sitting right next to you! Where's my amazing cup of coffee?

Alison:  We're in the middle of a post! You have to wait!  I'm not competing in the #RedCupShowdown but I'm just as thrilled to get to see it.  I can't wait to see what recipes the competitors come up with.

Susie:  Me too, I bet they deliver when they claim to make amazing cups of coffee.  I'm still waiting you know.

Alison: You can follow the competition on twitter!

Susie:  Ooo and a clip from the Ohio State Fair!  Now, it's finally time to drink my coffee!

*I am a member of the Collective Bias Social Fabric Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and Seattle's Best Coffee #CBias #SocialFabric.  All opinions are my own.*

Torani Syrups

 
So I was lucky enough to be sent some bottles of Torani syrup for the holidays.  And since coffee is a staple in this household, it was the perfect thing.  :)  As you can see they sent 2 huge bottles of hazelnut and gingerbread.  Everyone here is in drink heaven.  They also sent me a cute little recipe book and some free product coupons.  Torani syrups are a great way to add more flavor to your favorite drinks.

We actually love coffee, tea and all things like that at my house so much that we have a Bodum hot water kettle.  It boils water in no time flat.  Which sure comes in handy.  And we always make coffee using a Bodum french press.  This allows us to get all the great tasting oils in the coffee into our cups instead of being stuck in a silly paper filter.  This is actually going to be a pot of Choffy.  Choffy is organic roasted cocoa beans that you brew like coffee.  It has none of the side effects of coffee and has a fantastic chocolate taste.

There truly isn't anything better than a hot cup of Choffy with some hazelnut syrup.  Torani flavored syrups are available in over 122 flavors, which include regular and sugar free varieties. Please go to www.Torani.com to see all the flavors.  As a special offer you can use the code "shespeaks" to get 10% off your order. 

*Shespeaks sent me these products for review.  All opinions are my own.