I Have Passed the Point of No Return
It was not until this morning on my way to work that I realized I may be a coffee snob. I was walking to the subway with my roommate and as I was ready to walk past our neighborhood coffee joint, he asked, “Do you want a coffee?” My response was no. As I waited for him to come out all I could think about was, “I wonder when those beans were roasted?” and, “What coffee would I make once I got to work?”
What would it be? Kenya, Brazil, Sumatra or my special stash of Ethiopian Aleta Wondo. I turned down the coffee I used to love, a large coffee with milk and two sugars.
My discovery of specialty coffee was an eye opener. Citrus, berries, chocolate, honey and floral flavors all brought out of the coffee bean by the way each one were roasted. No need to add milk or sugar, freshly roasted, specialty coffees are sweet and creamy on their own. I think if most people tasted the coffee they drink on a daily basis side by side with the Kenyan coffee I am drinking right now, they might not ever go back either.
The more I think about it, I don’t think I am a coffee snob, I have just seen the light, or maybe it was just too much caffeine.
-Matt Russo
Roastmaster
March 6th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
I’m excited to see Artisanal branching out into coffee!
March 6th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Matt…nice! I’d love to hear more…
March 6th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
If the coffee is as good as the cheese, I can’t wait to taste it!
March 6th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
I have also passed the point of no return!
gotta love the magic bean.
March 6th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
i have the urge to have you roast some coffee for me.
March 7th, 2009 at 1:36 am
Matt,
Glad to see you continue your life quest of pursuit of excellence. First it was Kentucky barbeque, then cheese and now coffee. NYC is lucky to have your skills.
Gary
From Beijing China !
March 7th, 2009 at 8:05 am
looking forward to new some coffee recommendations from you!
March 7th, 2009 at 9:09 am
Matt, Great news… But I have a few questions. We all got pretty deep in coffee beans at the Uptown Store around the time you were there. I love coffee but was really challenged by the espresso making thing. I really gave it my best shot (har, har, har..) but made very few really good cups; a little milk saved most of them. I like black coffee but found it very hard to get the quality flavors you speak of. I’m sure the beans were decent. How are you drinking coffee these days? Brewed? Shots? Can’t wait to check it out. Great to hear from you. C.
March 7th, 2009 at 11:01 am
Welcome to the dark side my friend
March 7th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
i’d like to try some of that!
March 7th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
haha well written! im glad your lovin your job!
March 8th, 2009 at 12:11 am
I wish I could come up there o grab a cup of that! Good work Bro.
March 8th, 2009 at 1:01 am
that sound like something that comes from the saying “once you go black you never go back.”
March 8th, 2009 at 1:02 am
IM IN i want to try it matty! lets go coffee tasting. cant wait to see what you brew up
March 8th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Looking forward to the day I wake up early enough to make you make me a cup of coffee. Sounds delicious. On a related note, Sync Sound Inc is looking for a new coffee supplier… chocolate and honey flavored coffee sounds much better than our current blend. I’m pretty sure it’s a Colombian roast. Glad you’re liking your new job!
March 8th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Sound great, Matt! Sometimes it’s good to be a snob.
March 8th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Would love to try some! Any chance you can put together a “1/4 lb sampler” of all 3 beans to order?
March 8th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
I have some Dunkin Donut’s Coffee in my freezer from august. wanna trade?
March 8th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
French Vanilla!
March 9th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
How do I get a cuppa that coffee?
March 9th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
I like coffee almost as much as I like cheese. Maybe even more so in the morning . . .
March 9th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
hey Matt: feel happy to undestant what caffein about?i love coffeee!!!!!!
March 10th, 2009 at 6:29 am
oh my good i need my Caffeine!!!!!more coffe please
March 10th, 2009 at 8:10 am
I freely admit being a coffee snob. I got started on the good stuff when I was barely old enough to walk. No milk or sugar for that three-year-old; she preferred not to dilute her freshly ground Sumatra. Do you ship to Tennessee??? Keep us updated!
March 10th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Coffee snob?!? Only way to be!
March 10th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Sounds like you’ve got some great coffee. Will need to try some. Bye-bye.
March 11th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
I’ve had plenty of $.99 Bodega Coffee, and enjoyed it, but once you open a sak of Ethiopian, Congo or some supple beans from Bali, it’s tough to go back. Keep it up, I’ll keep reading!
March 12th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
I can’t wait to try some.
March 15th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
I’m not a huge coffee fan, but maybe I will be persuaded by the help of your expertise. Proud of you brother!
March 15th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Coffee snob isn’t a bad thing.. It’s like chosing a lexis over a toyota! I prefer roasted coffee beans, a pump of carmel and extra choolate drizzle, snob? Maybe, but it makes me happy!
rock on coffee snob! We know what we like!
March 16th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
If your taste in coffee is as excellent as your abilities as a chef, then coffeelovers would be wise to follow your advice!
March 20th, 2009 at 11:28 am
I wish I had the ability to be a coffee snob. My goal is to just not spill it on myself, but I do say you have encouraged me to try this amazing blend.
March 25th, 2009 at 10:02 am
Its just a coffee, but it could make your day
Yes, I love coffee!