So, the first recipe I wanted to tackle was Espresso Infused Meringue Cookies from the Happy Good Times Blog. I think now would be the appropriate time to point out that these meringues didn’t turn out how I think they were supposed to. They were still good (seriously!), but I think I lack the necessary skills to create this lovechild of baked goods and candy. Also, I may or may not follow directions well…

Ingredients

• 3 large egg whites at room temperature 
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• Pinch of salt
• 3/4 cup white granulated sugar
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoon finely ground espresso or coffee beans (we used Velton’s Twilight Blend)
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla (I used powdered, but I don’t think that’s necessary)

Directions

• Allow whites to come to room temperature (about 20 minutes)
• Clean and dry your mixing bowl
• Line baking sheet with parchment paper
• Pre-heat oven to 275 degrees F
• Stir together sugar, espresso grounds and vanilla – set aside
• Using a mixer, beat whites on low speed until foamy
• Sprinkle cream of tartar and salt over foamy whites
• Increase mixer speed to medium, and beat until medium peaks form
• Increase mixer speed to high, and add sugar mixture one tablespoon at a time
• When stiff, glossy peak form, spoon meringue onto your prepared baking sheet
• Bake for 60-70 minutes in the top third of your oven
• Allow to cool completely on the baking sheet
• Store in an air-tight container for about 3 days.

After reading through that, and seeing my pictures, you may have a couple of questions. Questions like: ‘Kaylie, did you use bottled egg whites instead of fresh ones?’ or ‘That sounds like a lot of meringue mixture; did you double the recipe?’ The answer to both of those questions is yes, that is exactly what I did! Remember what I said about not following directions? Well, it’s not that I don’t follow them so much as I try to take shortcuts. Shortcuts which may or may not ruin the finished product.

How so? Well, the meringues were very delicate on the outside and soft on the inside. Not fluffy soft, more like ‘too heavy to rise so it sunk to the bottom’ soft. The result? Something like hollow egg shells that were nearly impossible to keep intact while removing them from the baking sheet.

The crew here at Seattle Coffee Gear still ate them, cutting the sweetness with an iced latte (courtesy of Brandi). I just wish they had turned out pretty and delicious. If there are any readers with mad meringue-making skills, please let me know what I did wrong! I’d love to try these again and have them turn out. In the meantime, I will just need to redeem myself with next week’s recipe … Wish me luck.

Watch as Rade, Allison, Bunny and our newest ingenue, Kaylie, sip and select their favorite.

Watch as he walks us through his recommendations for packing machines that weigh over 35 lbs.

Watch her craft this lovely drink — which we’re fairly certain is perfect for breakfast. There’s gotta be some vitamins in there, right?

Ingredients

• 1 oz Monin Blood Orange syrup
• 1 1/4 oz vodka
• 4 oz lemon lime soda
• ice

Directions

Fill glass with ice; add vodka and syrup, stir well to combine. Top with lemon lime soda and garnish with an orange slice.

Studies have shown that drinking at least three to five cups of coffee a day in midlife can cut Alzheimer’s risk 65 percent in late life.

A July 2011 study by researchers at the University of Florida found that ‘coffee seems to have an unidentified ingredient that combines with caffeine to reduce brain levels of beta-amyloid — the abnormal protein that is thought to cause the disease,’ published the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

In early studies, USF researchers believed that caffeine was probably the ingredient that provides protection because it decreases brain production of beta-amyloid. However, the same study also claims that it may not be the caffeine itself but a combination of the caffeine and coffee’s compounds that, when combined, increases blood levels of a growth factor called GCSF (granulocyte colony stimulating factor). Alzheimer patients are known to have low levels of GCSF.

In their studies, long term treatment with coffee enhanced levels of GCSF and memory in mice with Alzheimer’s. Three key benefits researchers found were:

1. GCSF recruits stem cells from bone marrow to enter the brain and remove the harmful beta-amyloid protein that initiates the disease
2. GSCF creates new connections between brain cells
3. GCSF increases the birth of new neurons in the brain

While this has only been tested and verified on mice, it does demonstrate that coffee can have a strong impact on the progression of Alzheimer’s, to the extent that it’s worth more study. Dr. Chuanhai Cao, one of the study’s lead authors, said, ‘Together these actions appear to give coffee an amazing potential to protect against Alzheimer’s — but only if you drink moderate amounts of caffeinated coffee.’

But who’s to say adding those extra cups of coffee won’t give you a memory like an elephant when you’re in your 90s? Better safe than sorry.

Seattle’s Best Coffee released survey results last week in which 32% of coffee drinkers surveyed recommend bonding over morning coffee to keep a relationship healthy. In fact, coffee was significantly more likely to be recommended than the usual suspects of flowers, dinner at a nice restaurant and jewelry.

This may have something to do with the physiological effects of coffee consumption. Caffeine blocks certain receptors, allowing dopamine (a neurotransmitter associated with desire) to roam more freely. Romantic, eh?

So don’t panic if you haven’t written your loved one a poem or made outrageously fabulous plans for the day. After all, you’re doing something that will strengthen your relationship all year long!

So we asked one of our shipping gurus, Tristan, to walk us through preparing a machine for shipping. Since he packages up all of our returned repairs and we receive few reports of shipping damage, we figured he was the guy to ask.

Find out his tips and best practices for packaging a machine that weighs 35 lbs or less.

Under $25.00
#1: Aeropress – $25.95
A specialty tool approved by many newbie espresso lovers and coffee connoisseurs alike, the Aeropress is a one stop shop to make that caffeinated drink you love when you’re on the go. Simple, easy to use and with minimal necessities, all you’ll need along with the Aeropress are coffee filters, grounds and hot water and you’ll have a cup o’ joe as good as (or better than!) your local cafe.

#2: Hario Coffee Coffee Dripper V60 – White Ceramic – Medium 02 – $22.55
Perfect for that single serving or a small group of friends, Hario pour overs are simple to use but produce an excellent cup. All you need is a coffee filter, your favorite coffee grounds and hot water and you’ll be sipping on a quality drink in a matter of minutes.

#3: Bialetti Moka Express Stovetop Espresso Coffee Maker – 6-cup – $24.95
Want that strong cup of coffee without the hassle of plugging it in? The Bialetti Moka Express Stovetop just needs hot water, your favorite coffee grounds, a few minutes on the stovetop and it’ll be percolating a rich cup of coffee in a flash. (And if you really want to avoid electrics, throw it on your wood stove!)

Under $50.00
#1:  Sowden Soft Brew Coffee Maker with scoop – 27 oz.  – $39.95
Some like it hot while others like it cold, and the great thing about the Sowden Soft Brew is that it’ll brew both kinds of coffee. Using a micro-thin metal filter with half a million microscopic holes, the Sowden Soft Brew brews up a smooth cup of coffee with no need for plungers. All you need to do is measure out your preferred amount of coffee, pour in hot or cold water, brew for four to eight minutes (for hot coffee) or overnight (for cold coffee) and you’ll be sipping on rich and smooth java.

#2a: Chemex Handblown 6-cup (30 oz) coffee maker with wood collar and tie – $35.90
Not your average looking coffee maker, the Chemex uses a chemically corrected method of brewing to extract the most flavor out of your favorite coffee beans. Using glass that is both heat resistant and does not absorb odors or chemical residue, you’ll be drinking a more natural cup of coffee with a full, rich-bodied flavor.

#2b: Frieling Insulated Coffee Maker French Press 1-2 cups – $49.95
Frieling has taken the  french press process up a notch by giving their press double wall insulation, keeping your coffee hotter four time longer than your average glass french press. Multipurpose and seasonal, not only can this stainless steel press be used to make coffee but take out the plunger and it becomes a stylish pitcher for cold drinks on hot summer days.

#3: La Cafetiere Thermique Cafetiere  – 8 cup  – $39.99
Sleek yet sophisticated with a little whimsy to it, the La Cafetiere Thermique Cafetiere changes up the average french press by giving the press a new look and style. Taking a cue from other upgraded presses, the Thermique keeps coffee hotter three times longer with its double wall stainless steel body. And unlike other presses made of glass or stainless steel with a round look, the Thermique has a unique angular design.

Under $100.00
#1: Bodum Santos (Pebo) Stovetop Vacuum Coffee Maker – $79.95
Why not combine coffee and chemistry — or at least a little mad science? While you’re really crafting a delicious cup of joe, it will feel like you’re mixing chemicals to make some crazy concoction with this vacuum pot. But fear not! Watch the magic happen as you place the Pebo on the stovetop, and see the water from the bottom orb get sucked up into the top orb, then saturate your favorite coffee to produce an excellent brew.

#2: Handpresso Portable Espresso Machine – with Domepod – $99.99
Whether it be at the top of the mountain while you’re hitting the slopes, out in your tent in the middle of the forest or at the airport before you catch your flight, owning the Handpresso means there’s never a place where you can’t scratch that espresso itch. An easy to use portable espresso machine, it’s also lightweight and small, so can fit almost anywhere.

#3: Espro 3-cup Press – $69.95
Can you really improve on the well-designed, classic press pots of yore? Espro thinks you can! Their Single Serve Press outshines other presses by micro-filtering and preserving your coffee’s flavor twice. With a unique metal filter, it keeps grounds out of  your cup and lets the oils in so your cup o’ joe is richer with a full-bodied flavor.

Over $100.00
#1: MyPressi TWIST Portable Espresso Maker 2.0 – $149.00
New gadgets are always fun to find, but they’re even better when they make life a little simpler. For coffee lovers who are always on the go, the MyPressi TWIST provides excellent espresso shots no matter their locale. Using N02 & C02 capsules to facilitate extraction, your shots will rival those of the cafe’s down the street.

#2: Walkure Karlsbad Porcelain Coffee Maker – 12.5 oz/28.5 oz  – 80.00/120.00
Straight from Germany, this innovative coffeemaker will amaze you! Who would’ve thought you’d get a smooth clean cup of coffee through a ceramic filter?! The Walkure Karlsbad Porcelain Coffee Maker uses a two chamber method, allowing you to brew your coffee like a pour over with its crisscross ceramic filter. Customers love it because it’s easy to clean, easy to use and — unlike other pour overs that use paper filters — it’s less wasteful.

Up in these parts, we asked Brandi to revive our Valentine’s Day 2011 recipe to showcase one of our definitions of sin: Lots and lots of chocolate. This mocha incorporates a touch of strawberry and amaretto, giving it a rich, sumptuous flavor that will have you running to the nearest confessional.

Watch Gail go through features and specs, boil up some water and then demonstrate how well the kettle pours. To see it in action with an actual pour over, take a look at Allison’s Chemex filter tete-a-tete.