Arizona Coffee

If you have a favorite barista, now is your time to say who.

I just created a group for coffee professionals (and geeks) on LinkedIn.

If you’re looking for a job, or people in AZ that are coffee professionals, go ahead and join! There’s a discussion component to it, too. So feel free to begin a topic, if you want.

I just had a chance to visit the new Coffee Wizard opening this week in Tempe. Located on the SE corner of University and McClintock on the south side. They are associated with a car wash (optional) and have their own drive-thru, too.

Daniel Suh is working with Ron Cortez on this venture, and it looks like a winner. They will be serving Cafe Cortez coffee — Ron’s coffee roasting company.

On October 31st the are having their grand opening. They promised some special offers for customers that day. Then, on November 1st they begin normal hours (6am to 7pm), seven days a week.

Ron Cortez, owner, shows us his new toddy bottles.

Coffee beans in the hopper.

Coffee Wizard looks like a great place, and I look forward to my next visit.

Coffee Wizard
1845 E. University Drive
Tempe, AZ 85281
Phone: (602) 418-4350 ‎
Twitter: @azcoffeewizard

Jen from Cartel wins the night with first place in the Urban Beans Latte Throwdown. There was an absolutely huge crowd there to witness the competition, with almost a dozen baristas competing.

Photo album on Facebook.

It was great to see a bunch of coffee house owners, as well. I met Jeff from 32 Shea, Don from Black Cat Coffee, and Urban Beans owners as well. Judging with myself were Brian Clemens, and Ron Cortez (who is opening the new Coffee Wizard on November 1st).

• 1st Place: Jen
• 2nd Place: Perry
• 3rd Place: Will

Thanks to everyone that came out, and to Daniel Suh for organizing everything. You can see a photo album on Facebook, here.

Have you ever cooked with coffee? I saw this neat idea where they’re doing a coffee themed dinner at The Four Seasons with Press Coffee Roasters coffee. I’ve never tried cooking with coffee before, but like the idea of marinating a steak with coffee. Here’s one recipe to get you going.

Firecreek Coffee Company is moving to a new location, and its current shop has been transformed into a restaurant called The Grotto (with new owners).

The move comes, Funk said, because his business with Whole Foods Market and AJ’s Fine Foods has been growing, as well as his restaurant customer base. Firecreek is moving to a much larger facility, and Funk says he will announce the details soon.

Source: The Arizona Republic.

A few months ago I received a few sample cups from SmartCup. They have designed a way to put a French press on a disposable cup (for coffee to-go). They call it the XPress lid system.

Here is how they describe it:

XPress lids works in the same fashion as a French press. The XPress lid allows the drinker to experience the flavor and aroma of quality coffees because it allows the coffee grounds remain in direct contact with the brewing water and the grinds are filtered from the water using a mesh filter.

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Lets hope this doesn’t describe your favorite coffee shop. Watch: Coffee Snobs.

Hat tip: Echo Coffee

Black Cat Coffee is now open. It’s in the Safeway Shopping Center on Indian School Rd at 47th St.

They are serving Passport Coffee, a variety of local pastries, and have large open front doors. It’s a couple of doors down from Over Easy (where Sacks sandwiches used to be).

Black Cat Coffee
4730 E. Indian School Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85018
Phone: (602) 553-2228
Twitter: @blackcatcoffee

I can’t get over this excellent weather right now. Sure, it’s a little bit hot this week, but it’s so nice outside during the mornings and evenings. Prime coffee shop patio weather. This is why we live in Arizona!

Cassandra Cushing of Kaleidoscope Coffee shared some of her research into Wet Grinding with some interesting posts.

Wet Grinding Part 1, and Wet Grinding Part 2.

It sounds like they’ve been doing some fun experiments at the Friday coffee gatherings run by Ron Cortez. I need to get out there soon. Here’s some more background, shared by Ron Cortez on Twitter, about wet grinding.

Also, In My Mug looks like an interesting show.

Urban Beans will be hosting a Latte Throwdown on Friday, October 21st at 7 pm. The cost to compete is $3 for early registration (email info@petitepour.com) or $5 at the door. Competitors can start to arrive starting at 6 pm to try out the competition machine (Nuova Simonelli Aurelia).

There will also be coffee education with free coffee tastings at the event. Urban Beans will also offer special beer and wine specials. The event is open to the public and everyone is encouraged to attend!

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Here’s a photo of a cappuccino from Firecreek Coffee Company, in Cave Creek. I love visiting this coffee shop.

Firecreek Coffee Company
6501 E. Cave Creek Road
Ste 8
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
Phone: (480) 437-9999

On a recent morning, I ventured with my family to Orange Table in Scottsdale for breakfast. Here was my cappuccino. I should note, the store is now under new management (happened that same day, I believe).

Orange Table
7373 Scottsdale Mall
Suite 6
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Phone: (480) 424-6819