Guatemalan Trio

We (Frank, Klaire, and Talia) just cupped three coffees right now:

1. Guatemala FTO

2. Guatemala COMAL

3. Guatemala Finca Sabanetas

Guatemala FTO: This has tremendous acidity, creamy and milky mouthfeel, oatmeal and maple sweetness. When it cools down, there is an explosion of chocolate that takes over the fragrance and flavor.

Guatemala COMAL: This is a limited edition coffee that is a huge favorite at Chazzano Coffee. There is a pronounced honey sweetness, oak-like woodiness, chocolate bark, chocolate mousse smoothness. This is a crazy bright coffee where there is a great amount of dancing on your tongue.

Guatemala Finca Sabanetas: The fragrance while still hot has every winter spice imaginable: cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg. There is low acidity (brightness) in this Guatemalan. When it cools it you'll experience malted milk balls and licorice notes.

I just cupped the Guatemala FTO as an iced pourover. It has a Kahlua and milk syrupy sweetness. We're going to try a 12-hour Cold Brew of the Guatemala. Come in and try it tomorrow.

We're One Year Old!

I'm roasting Costa Rica Tarrazu Santa Laura now. It's truly bringing a tear to my eyes, because it is the first coffee that I roasted 10 years ago. My wonderful mother-in-law always sends a nice check every October in honor of my birthday. Ten years ago, with that act of lovingkindness, I bought a small Fresh Roast Plus from thecoffeeproject.com, a great home roaster's site. After roasting a small 2-3 oz. portion of green coffee beans, I immediately ground them for French Press and tasted a coffee that was syrupy, chocolaty, and nutty. It was the best coffee ever-just like a fine glass of wine. Thus began my journey and my passion for coffee roasting.

I want to thank you, our loyal customers, for helping us to reach this one year anniversary. There is a blessing that Jews say when we reach a special moment in our lives - Praised are You, L-rd, our G-d, King of the Universe, who gives us life, who sustains us, and brings us to this (special) time.

Please come in today and tomorrow and say hello. If you find the coupon on the website, print it out, and we'll take 50% off of all of your purchases on Thursday and Friday (21 and 22). www.chazzanocoffee.com

Thank you,

Frank

Frank Lanzkron-Tamarazo, Chazzano Coffee

You don't have to be Jewish to drink coffee at Chazzano Cafe at the J

We're opening Chazzano Cafe at the J at the JCC of West Bloomfield on August 25. We'll be open from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, 6:30 a.m.-3p.m. Friday, and Sunday 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Many people have asked the question, "Do you have to be Jewish to go to the JCC (Jewish Community Center) of West Bloomfield?" The answer is definitely, NO! There is a tremendous amount of parking, at least 50 seats at the cafe including 15 seats at the coffee bar, and some awesome food next door at Jerusalem Pizza. Just walk in and say, "We're going to the cafe" and you're in. I hope that many of Chazzano's customers who live and work around the West Bloomfield area will visit us frequently for the same crazy fresh roasted coffee that you will find in Ferndale.

While you're at your computer, please Vote 4 the Best Coffee Shop in Detroit here: http://ctvr.us/chazzano

Lapsang Souchang-New Black Tea

I often joke (a bit) that G-d drinks Ethiopia Harrar and the angels drink Kona. I have an addition-G-d definitely drinks the Lapsang Souchang. This black tea has a rich color, and a smoky, caramelly, campfire smoke aroma. It will either produce a strong reaction of distaste or pure joy. With Lapsang Souchang, there are no moderate opinions. This is the most interesting around and it reminds me of fresh roasted French Roast coffee.

The origins of this tea come from a story from the Qinq era (Manchu Dynasty-1644 to 1912 C.E.). It is believed that the passage of armies delayed the usual time of drying the tea. Therefore, they didn't want to disappoint everyone, so they dried the tea, unnaturally over a fire. Our Lapsang Souchang tea has been dried and roasted over Asian pine. All of our tea comes from Zen Tea Traders in Royal Oak. Go to their website for more information. www.zenteatraders.com

Roaster brews up new career | detnews.com | The Detroit News

Roaster brews up new career | detnews.com | The Detroit News

The "Americano"

Recently, I have been experimenting with the "Americano," half espresso and half hot water. Many of you have been ordering this beverage and commenting on how great it tastes and how wonderful the crema looks. From where did the name "Americano" come? During WWII, our GIs in Europe were not used to the small cup of coffee that was extremely strong, the espresso. Some may have been given a "ristretto" which is the first couple of seconds of the espresso pour. Remember, espresso bars and specialty coffee roasters were not the norm before the advent of Starbucks. Therefore, the baristas diluted the espresso with hot water to make it more palatable to our men and women in the armed forces. When they came back from the war, they began to ask for an "Americano."
The perfect recipe for an "Americano" is freshly roasted coffee for the espresso, followed by a perfectly pulled double shot of espresso. What temperature should the hot water be and what is the ratio of espresso to hot water desired? Let us know if you have a particular way that you like your "Americano."