If you are Traveling, have this List with you!

25 Coffee Shops Around The World You Need To See Before You Die

Caffeine addicts all over the world, unite.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/yezminvillarreal/coffeeshops-you-need-to-see-before-you-die

A list of coffee shops around the world that may be the perfect destination spot for the Travel Bug in you. 

Take a look at this web as provided by BuzzFeed that will give you a glance of all the different places to see and taste! 

Happy Travels my Friends! 

 
 
 
Just a couple of the great photographs to see from the site! 

Fix the Sip! 5 Reasons why your Coffee Taste Bad!

5 Reasons why your Coffee Taste Bad! 

Yes, ladies and gentlemen you all know what I am speaking of, the mystery from comparisons to the latte at Pete's Coffee & Tea or Starbucks to the mug at home. I have pondered on the thought of resisting the urge to walk to Starbucks to simply spend $3.45 on a cafe I can make for Free at home. The issue is all over us people and we need to create a revolution....ok not a revolution but a solution. :) 

So I decided to research some things that can possibly be a solution to the sad sad feeling of having sour coffee in the morning to pretty much make your day... well sour. I make coffee every morning with the Italian Espresso Maker, plus I also have the French Press from Starbucks and of course the 12-cup Coffee Maker for guests...if I ever get that in my studio. Obsession to get that perfect taste is a challenge I am ready to take on! But as I have the "Oh-so Happy" feeling in me every morning, not really, I make that coffee with the Italian Espresso. I add Soy and Agave to the cup and stir with a thrill it will send chills down my spine.......nope, not there.

So I Googled, what other option is there. 

According to TheKitchn.com, there are 5 common reasons people will nag and complain about their Kup of Joy. 

1. Coffee Beans are Stale.... Excuse me?
1. Buy Fresh Beans, invest in a Grinder which will give that fresh grind-ness taste.
2.  Store the beans in the Pantry
2. Experiment with Different Roasts
1. People have their preferences about that one Brand of Coffee, but there is nothing wrong on cheating with your Brand with another. ;)
2. Go from Dark, Medium, Light and see what is your sense in the roast level.
3. Clean your Materials
1. A simple and easy thing I think most people will understand, having clean equipment is important to make sure the taste is pure and smooth.
2. Clean after every use to avoid leaving residue and that metal taste behind.
4. For the 12-cup Coffee Makers
1. Do not leave the pot on the warm plate too long, it will burn and the taste will be long gone.
5. Water Quality
1. Most important, believe it or not the purity of the water is what creates that taste in the beginning.
2. Evident because it is a water based drink, so used bottle water or purified water to create that quality taste. 

Well, that is what I see as the solution to the problematic irritation of sour and regretful coffee in the morning. So go on my Dear Friends and experiment with various roasts and preparations as I know you all faced this issue and would like that quality taste similar to the coffee shops you spend money on.

Oh Paris, Paris, Paris, What can I say.

"Paris is known as the city of love as it has a favorite destination for couples wishing to enjoy their honeymoon. It has historical, dramatic places and minutes after you can watch the Seine River going by while quietly sitting on a bench. Paris dazzles a person's eyes with the aforesaid reasons. The beauty of Paris and its contrast from one's own city also bring a feeling of excitement and experience that one has not felt before. Great place to relight romance and fall in love again because it's spontaneous rather than routine." Something I researched on Google there. 
And I thought, what makes this city so grand? I saw San Francisco when I traveled to Paris but with more people and Museums; it was an adventure through the Metro stations and walking miles a day to avoid traffic with a car. The night I saw the Eiffel Tower was the night my eyes became exactly like the "anime eyes" on TV. I was struck with beauty and how magnified the tower was in front of my eyes, I couldn't believe I was standing in front of it so close that I can see the details of the architecture. I fell in love, not because of the "city of love" but because one of my dreams came true, seeing Paris and the tower has been on my mind since my childhood. As a little girl I read the stories of "Madeline" a little french orphan who attended a private catholic school that had numerous adventures in Paris. The pictures of the city were marvelous and I told myself," One day, just one day I can see what she saw." And true, I was in the city of my Bucket List, and it was amazing, because ever since that first glimpse of the tower on TV, magazines, websites, etc, I knew I just had to see it in person. After being mesmerized by the "dream come true" feeling, I had to stop for coffee because it was cold and I needed to sit, sip, and enjoy the sensation of Paris. Many cafes to choose from, so we went to the corner cafe and ordered a "cafe con creme" which was delicious! Not sure of the milk they used or the beans they roast but the taste was so warming it was a hug to my skin as a welcome to the best city in France. I couldn't absorb all the sensations my body and soul were experiencing but it was magnificent because I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world and as said by many, "The beauty of Paris and its contrast from one's own city brings a feeling of excitement and experience that one has not felt before." 

World 'Cup'

So the World Cup is almost at its end...yes it is sad for the entire population to feel something precious is leaving their TV's. But as we watch the SemiFinals and discover that Germany is about to sabotage Brazil (Perdon Brazil), I ponder and take notes for future posts and I was curious to Google some information on the coffee industry between these two countries. We all see the different countries listed at Starbucks or the local grocery store, so I took the time to research as if I were to write a term paper. And here are the interesting facts I have discovered thanks to Google:

Germany

• Known for Flavor and Smoothness (Starbucks says the same thing)
• 55,000 tons production in this recent decade (Really?!)
• An economic worth of $1.5 Billion Euros (Not USD!) of imports
• Berlin and Hambug are the popular cities for increase sales
• An "Accessory to City Chic"---- Expresses Individuality and Confidence (At least I'm not alone)
• Famous Brands; Dallmayr, Eduscho, Jacobs, Niederegger, Tchibo (Umm can't pronounce)
• And most importantly, a Strong, Full Flavor without the bitter after taste (Yes THANK YOU!)

Brazil 

• "They grow an awful lot of coffee in Brazil"- Frank Sinatra
• Largest production of Arabica 
• Nutty, sweet, low in Acidity
• Develops bittersweet and chocolate roast taste
• Common in high-end espressos and even Dunkin Donuts (Hmm.. I shall try now)
• Because they grow at low altitude it means the taste will have a low acidity (I wonder how that works)

So here is the big question....Brazil or Germany coffee. Well unfortunately the Brazilian tropical sunshine was destroyed by the thunderstorm of Germany in soccer, but the taste is a challenge I will soon let you all know who may win. 

Piccolo Italia

I'm not sure how many times I have been to SF, but every time I do visit I feel I discover many new aspects of such an industrial city that comes to mind as memorable. Walking the streets feels like a small walk compared to taking a taxi or even the bus. I enjoying walking because I can discover the small shops, alley restaurants and corner shops. If you have been to SF the main spots are evident; Shopping Center in Downtown, Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Bridge, etc. But what I find fascinating and most can agree is the art of the buildings themselves. Easily distinguished some of the buildings still carry the history with a modern style of today. So as I was walking down the main streets a gentleman with an accent that I can call "hollywood Italy" introduces me and my fiancé to the building. I say hollywood Italy because it simply reminded me of a film I've seen earlier with a similar accent. So we sit and take a second to quickly look at the art within the walls. There were paintings of Italian villages and women draped in the silk beauty, there was green vines surrounding the corners and even spanish music in the background? Well I assume the restaurants can do this considering most of the people who come in are foreigners and are oblivious to the culture. So I was full from eating Mexican food while watching Costa Rica loose to the evil Netherlands in the World Cup, which is why the dessert menu was up and ready to be looked at. A nice way to sooth the taste buds from spices and onions. I remember while in Spain I ordered a Tiramisu with a Cortado, great combination because it was sweet and moist the lips. So I ordered a tiramisu to try to remember the taste from Spain and indulge in the romantic scenery with my fiancé and sip the coffees that connect us both. I will say this was best for us in the day because the tiramisu was moist and sweet, had cocoa powder and a creme very sweet to the mix of a cappuccino and a cafe latte. Recommended because its a great way to end the day full of thoughts and to-do list and so far a marvelous satisfactory need. 

Chocolate bar

In a simple and easily edible way to describe this is..... Chocolate Bar. That's it. I mean look at it...can you see how mouth-watering this looks. It's a dream come true for me. After a long day of getting lost in the famous Louvre, I was ready to collapse with exhaustion and say "I am done". But no... must fall into protocol and be like all Paris folks...sit, order, drink and enjoy. What better way to raise energy for the walk back home? Well this seems to be the number one way to hit diabetes but in fact my dear friends it was a ride to heaven that soothed the muscles from the walk and sent chilled down ones spine. I enjoy many chocolatey things because it seems to be the way God would intend it to right? I ate or rather I drank it because it was my message from above. People, when you see chocolate in front of you, do the merciless world a favor and eat it because if not...then it is a sin my friend.  

Macchiato exquisite

What captures the mind from distractions and To-Do List? A book, music, food, sex, etc. What really sets those into the explicit world of taste and adventure? It's a world of adventure and tastes to be discovered that sets the soul to travel and begin seeing what truely sets the heart to beat. France had that taste of wonderness and delights. A simple sip for a 5 minute break of walking the streets sends the elaborate relaxation the body yearns for. I look at this beverage with loads of caffeine as a natural drug that can be enjoyed with no guilty, rather it be a guilty pleasure. This Macchiato was average for the Paris Community, the sips were like water on the go and it was easy and quick to purchase. Outside with a cigarette and the cup in one hand was a message of "I have things to do but I will stop and enjoy my Me Time". Interestingly I found this fascinating because although the smell of tabacco was not as pleasing, it was normal for the community to do so. It was artistic in a way that I may never be able to explain, Americans do the same, but it is on the go. French folks see it as a reward and down time, the cup is small, can be sipped in 3 or 4. So as I sipped mine, I look at the folks walking, sitting and enjoying themselves only to realize that I too can do the same without feeling "late" or "behind".