I've done some recent posting about coffee and it is no secret to anybody who knows me that I am a "Coffee Snob"... big time. I am a total coffee junky and bow down before its power over me. I am weak to resist its strength... so I don't even try.
I spent many years hanging around in coffee shops- living the starving artist, beatnick poet life- before I began working in them. I worked in one of San Diego's first gourmet independent cafes. It was a coffee shop and art gallery and was my home for several years. After that, I helped another friend open her own coffee shop and helped to set up the espresso machine and select her coffees and menu. Opening night of the cafe, I sweated solo behind the espresso bar after I finished my shift at the other coffee shop. Years later I worked at Starbucks- after years of bemoaning them I finally went "inside" and developed a huge amount of respect for the company and the products. Then, after that stint, I was offered a job running another boutique independent, but had to turn it down... and it hurt to do so.
Why all this background on my caffeinated life? To set the stage that I know a thing or two about what makes a good coffee and that's because I have to say that I have seriously fallen in love with the coffees made by my friend and fellow cyclist Mark Ritz of Kinetic Koffee. Mark sent me a care package of coffees that I have been sharing with the office and also drinking at home. I have been happily sipping Morning Mayhem, Breakfast Buzz, French Konnexion and Espresso Kinetico. I can honestly say that these beans all get a rousing Masiguy endorsement- two very happy (and caffeinated) thumbs up!
Out of all of them, so far I love the Morning Mayhem for my regular coffee and the Espresso Kinetico is delicious for my homebrewed espresso drinks- as pictured the other day. If you like organic coffees and would like to get coffee lovingly roasted by a fellow cyclist, then you really must give the Kinetic Koffees a try.
And, just so you know... I am giving some consideration (serious consideration) to working with Mark to develop a custom blend or two for Masi-branded coffees. So if you are already a Kinetic Koffee fan, you might just get a new roast or two to try soon.
Now I can't wait for morning so I can grind up some fresh beans!
Tim
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21 comments:
oooooh, masi coffee...i like the sound of that.
sounds like a match made in heaven and a perfect extension of the brand. i happen to love the morning mayhem and other roasts from kinetic koffee. they have some super cool labels and packaging and the guys who run the company are just great.
When you get to the point where you roast your own, then you will truly be on the dark side.
j.
I had a chance to sample some of Marks brew at the Otter, working in a tent close to his. He had come into our tent and asked about our new MY '09 product. I did a regular "feature/benefit" run through, but didn't really think the guy was a "consumer", more of an industry person. It turns out he did a stint at the Hill, so he has a strong tie to our little niche in this world of commerce.
When I went over to his tent, I got to watch a very well done product demo of the single shot brewing device, which I've decided to order. He showed how to brew a single shot of expresso, in less then 3 minutes, I was timing it. it was clear accurate, and answered all the questions a person could have, if they were interested. Thank you for mentioning a great brew, and a genuinely nice person. I look forward to your attending our little soire in July, see you there.
Tacissimo
masifolk,
our tim took a little tumble at the velodrome last night. it happenned during the long motorpace burnout that warms up al categories of rider before the usual mix of races begins. we'll have to wait to hear from the guy before we know the details. sorry i can only get this in a comment...
Tim:
I hope you recover quickly. That was an ugly crash last night and it left many of us shaken.
Get well soon.
Michael Gardiner
i don't know how many of tim's loyal listeners will see this comment, but tim was involved in a crash at the SD velodrome last night and hit the boards hard enough to knock him out cold. he was in the ICU over night and will be in surgery today to fix his thumb. he sustained broken ribs and few fractured neck bones. i will update you here as soon as i know more and also at racer blue squirrel tim is currently at mercy hospital in san diego.
Tim - I hope your ok, got word (from the fredcast twitter feed) that you had a accident last night and it was pretty bad. Please keep us posted. I wish the best for you.
Fritz posted information about your crash over on Cyclelicious, Tim. Heal up fast. And let us know how you're doing.
BTW...hospital coffee is truly the pits. You'd think that with the rates they charge for the room you could at least get a good cuppa.
Ed
Get well soon MasiGuy!
If your a fain of this blog you need to go here
http://racerbluesquirrel.blogspot.com/2008/04/not-cool.html
now!
Off the coffee subject. Tim had a pretty bad crash at the track last Tuesday. I spent most of the warm up chatting with him about racing and safety. I don't know what happened but when I came around for the sprint, there he was laying on the track. I believe he is still in the hospital and will be for a few more days My thoughts go out to him and his family. . Get well soon Tim!
Steve
Team DeWalt
i'll buy 5 pounds if you promise a speedy recovery. :(
Dude! I just heard about the accident. ALL my best wishes and I pray you are up and well VERY SOON!!
Hey, man!
Heard about your crash...That's sucks!
But you're going to get well and being able to get back to the boards and roads soon, I'm sure!
Best wishes from Brazil
Tim- I just heard what happend, Hope you are doing well and hope you have a speedy recovery.
Hi Tim, Hope you are ok and on the mend after your awful crash...I saw it mentioned on Bikebiz from Carlton...fingers crossed for your recovery...Nick G ( Perth Australia )
Learned fro SAra Best's blog that you were injured. I hope it was not horribly serious. You look hurt but not critically so in the picture, but the Aspen collar is concerning since it likely means cervical fractures(???). Hope you are back in the saddle again soon! Take care and heal up soon.
~cat
Mark is a class act. I traded him an old Rossin frame that didn't fit me for a couple of Kinetic jerseys. Its hard to say who got the better deal. Thanks for promoting a long-time industry buddy!
tim, heard about the track wreck. get well!
Everything in this life happens for a reason, especially when bad things happen to good people there is a definite reason.
Out of what seems to be extreme misfortune something good will reveal itself eventually. Keep reminding yourself of this, and when in pain don't look for relief but look for answers.
Ask why, ask for reasons why, and above all ask for the answers to be revealed to you. The answers will come to you just as surely as you will recover from this.
Dave
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