While we're talking coffee...

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