Captain Caffeine’s latte art

Captain’s Log, Supplemental

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Coffee Geeks Unite!

I discovered my husband isn’t the only coffee lover who’s so uptight—er, exact about his coffee.

When in Grand Rapids, I discussed the espresso machine Captain Caffeine bought when I got my contract.

(What espresso machine, you ask? Well, my husband let me quit my biotech research position to try writing full-time for six months, and if I got a contract, then I promised him anything.

Yup, anything.

He loves his lattes and wanted a new espresso maker. I was picturing a $20 Krups machine. (Okay, maybe not $20, maybe like $50.)

Nope—he got this all-stainless steel contraption from Italy and a monster of a coffee grinder.)

Back to Grand Rapids—after describing said metal kitchen counter decorations, VP Mark Bolinder said he liked Captain Caffeine already. Well, guess what he’s getting in a week as soon as my husband roasts it?

(Yes, Captain Caffeine roasts his own coffee and can tell the difference between a week-old roast and a two-week-old roast. Scary, I tell you.)

My husband is working on what’s called latte art—baristas will form shapes in your latte with the foamed milk (and there’s apparently a very exact science to get micro-bubbles and not macro-bubbles that involves temperature and fat content, etc.—yeah, makes my head spin, too).

He’s finally making recognizable shapes. Hence the celebration:

What do you think? He’s currently working on making a flower.

Comments

Delia said…

All I can say is...

Ouch! My head's hurting from all the spinning! lol.

I'm seeing an apple, and if that's right then it's a really good apple. If it's not supposed to be an apple...uh...well...my vision's not so good.

Honestly though, that's cool.

Mon Mar 19, 06:33:00 AM 2007

Winter Peck said…

LOL! I'm just glad my newly addicted coffee lover husband isn't that particular about his drink. As long as its strong, sugared up and hot, he doesn't care.

Can't wait to see the flower.

Mon Mar 19, 06:55:00 AM 2007

Rachelle said…

Speaking as a former barista... that's whack!

P.S. I have to admit I'm almost -- almost -- as much of a coffee freak as Captain Caffeine.

Mon Mar 19, 08:46:00 AM 2007

Carol M said…

I enjoy a good cup of coffee but I'm not at all like Cajptain Caffeine. I will even drink instant! lol I didn't know you could make pictures like that! lol

Mon Mar 19, 11:06:00 AM 2007

Carol M said…

oops! Captain Caffeine! lol

Mon Mar 19, 11:07:00 AM 2007

Julie Carobini said…

I am so impressed, I just don't know what to say--and that's saying a lot, lol. Think I'll have my own captain take a look at this...hah.

Mon Mar 19, 01:54:00 PM 2007

Anonymous said…

Wow. I think I'm in coffee love with the Captain! And this from a girl who grew up on New Orleans' chickory---still buy good old Community Coffee. But what a man! Maybe he could reproduce your book cover?

Mon Mar 19, 02:07:00 PM 2007

Camy Tang said…

Delia,

Yes, it's supposed to be an apple. Isn't that impressive?

I also might be more impressed because previous attempts looked like a big white butt.

Camy

Mon Mar 19, 03:22:00 PM 2007

Anonymous said…

Oooo, pretty coffee. I'm going to have to print this picture out and take it to Panera tonight for the barista to copy when I get their caramel mocha.

Mon Mar 19, 03:24:00 PM 2007

Geekwif said…

Wow! I thought my husband was a coffee freak. Yours has him beat for sure! That latte art is quite a talent.

Mon Mar 19, 05:21:00 PM 2007

Jolene said…

Wow. Is that an apple? Looks like a pretty apple to me. :) Such talent...

Mon Mar 19, 11:41:00 PM 2007

Demian Farnworth said…

Love, love love, love, love it! I can so see it happening. This thing is going to be huge. Okay. Maybe not here in the Midwest, but huge...somewhere...

Wed Mar 21, 01:39:00 PM 2007

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