Coffee Roaster Blamed For Fire

KPHO News

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- A Scottsdale woman blamed a faulty coffee roaster for a first-alarm apartment fire overnight.

The fire broke out around 1 a.m. in an apartment near 82nd Street and Camelback Road.

The woman living in the unit told firefighters her friend was roasting coffee beans when the roaster caught fire. She said she tried to put out the flames, but was unsuccessful.

Robert's Note: This story is a lesson for all us home-roasters.
WATCH YOUR COFFEE as you roast!

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Coffee Hacks with Mark

Coffee aficionado Mark Frauenfelder demonstrates his favorite portable coffee maker, the Aeropress and makes a delicious cup of methamphetamine-free espresso. While you enjoy your first cup, watch this mesmerizing gogo dancer, Miss Foxie Moxie.

CLICK HERE TO BUY AN AEROPRESS



Source: Boingboing.net

Will Starbucks offer free wi-fi?

FREE WI-FI AT STARBUCKS?

The blog mill heated up last week following Computerworld's predication that Starbucks would begin offering free Wi-Fi in order to compete with McDonald's, which is peeling away some customers with less- expensive coffee.

Brandon Borrman, a Starbucks spokesman, didn't exactly shoot down the idea when he told the Seattle P-I that the company doesn't comment on rumors or speculation. The company gave a similar response regarding a prediction from an analyst earlier this year that Starbucks would raise its prices, which the company did shortly after saying it wouldn't comment on rumors or speculation.

As Computerworld notes, the international coffee retailer was a pioneer in rolling out wireless Internet access for customers with its T-Mobile connections, which can be used for a connection fee. But the practice, which began in 2002, appears a bit outdated as independent coffee shops and Tully's, a small Seattle-based chain, offer free Wi-Fi as a way to differentiate themselves from Starbucks.

McDonald's said earlier this month that it would offer free wireless Internet access across its 1,200-strong restaurants in Britain, making it the country's biggest provider of free wireless broadband access.

Source: Seattlepi.com

Dunkin Donuts recalls 1 million glow stick toys

Dunkin' Donuts on Wednesday announced a recall of 1 million pink and orange "glow stick" toys for choking and strangulation risks to small children.

The company said that the Chinese-made glow sticks were free giveaways with donuts at Dunkin' Donuts stores nationwide from Sept. through Oct. 2007.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said the glow sticks are not properly labeled to warn consumers that the cap and lanyard can detach, posing a choking hazard. Additionally, the agency said the lanyard poses a strangulation hazard to young children. Although no injuries have been reported, the CPSC advised that consumers should immediately take the recalled glow sticks away from children and return them to any Dunkin' Donuts for a free donut.

(That's a lot of free donuts!)

Source: CNNMoney.com

Being Juan Valdez

A "Colombian idol"-style search transformed a humble farmer into the 21st century version of TV's coffee icon. Meet the man behind the mule.

By Matthew Fishbane

Oct. 16, 2007 | You know Juan Valdez: He's been the rugged, mustachioed icon of Colombian coffee since 1960. That's when a Madison Avenue ad agency, realizing the potential of campesino cachet, invented a name even gringos could pronounce, and hired an actor to play the role of a humble coffee grower. The TV commercials asked, "Where do the beans come from?" and Juan Valdez would answer, strolling through lushly planted hills, "I hand-picked them myself."

Last year, in a passing-the-poncho ceremony widely publicized in Colombia, the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia introduced the new, improved Juan Valdez: a 38-year-old farmer from the village of Andes. Carlos Castañeda was the real deal, a third-generation coffee grower with a seven-acre farm and two cows. He was chosen after an elaborate, reality TV-style search that involved competitors in a variety of games and tests -- a bizarre mash-up of "Colombian Idol" and "Survivor."

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It's Health In A Cup

Study: It's Not Just A Cup of Coffee, It's Health In A Cup

October 14, 2007 12:52 p.m. EST

Cherry Mario - AHN News Writer

Nashville, TN (AHN) - Are you enjoying a cup of coffee in the morning, while reading your favorite newspaper or just relaxing after working eight-hours? Well, keep on sipping, because its not just a simple beverage to buzz you up, it has health benefits.

According to a WebMD report, coffee is a rich source of disease-fighting antioxidants.

This type of antioxidant, along with the magnesium found naturally in coffee, affect blood sugar levels and are thought to be responsible for the link to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.

The study ranked black tea as second source of antioxidants, and bananas as third, in the average American diet.

Tomas DePaulis, PhD, research scientist at Vanderbilt University's Institute of Coffee Studies said that their research shows that coffee is far more healthful than it is harmful.

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Lavazza in Blu, 100 % Arabica Espresso, 8.8 Oz Ground

A 100% Arabica blend, Lavazza in Blu is comprised of beans from Brazil and other portions of South America. This mild flavored coffee has a slightly sharp flavor that is enhanced by its superb aroma. Based on our testing, Lavazza in Blu is the only preground espresso that we recommend for use in a commercial portafilter. It can also be used in the bypass doser of your super automatic machine.

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