UN ESPRESSO PER FAVORE

Was watching Burt Wolf on PBS today during lunch and he was touring around Trieste and eventually went to the Illy espresso testing labs and factory. 3 million cups per day served around the world. I wonder how this compares to Starbucks? Illy is more common in nicer hotels/restaurants, and probably has a larger dominance in Europe, whereas Starbucks has a stranglehold on the US market.

Makes me also wonder if Starbucks has the same sophisticated science laboratory that Illy utilizes. For some reason I doubt it. Illy actually captures a chemical fingerprint of the coffee when it comes in for taste testing and then they can compare this fingerprint to the actual delivery when it comes into the factory for processing. This way they can determine whether they are getting what they originally selected. Coffee is such a strong flavor that it's harder to pick up the subtleties that something like wine or cheese might release.

The founder claims to have been the first to use compressed air, as opposed to steam, in order to make a shot of espresso. Apparently, he scientifically determined the temperature at which more of the coffee flavor would be extracted. Somewhere between 170-230F, from what I recall.

A couple of weeks ago while I was in Utah for business I made a stop to the Salt Lake Roasting Company. Usually one doesn't think about coffee when in Utah because in general nobody drinks it. The per capita consumption has got to be dismal. Similar to their anticipated alcohol consumption. Regardless, SLC Roasting has their act together and offers an enormous selection of tasty blends and thoroughbreds.

I picked up a pound of coffee myself: 1/2-lb 100% Kona and 1/2-lb Indian Monsoon. I've had their Kona before and as all 100% Kona, is a very unique flavor and smoothness. I'm not a coffee afficionado, but this is one that is different enough in taste that almost everyone can differentiate it from normal everyday coffee. As for the Indian Monsoon, it tastes excellent as a coffee, but the smell is by far the strongest and most refreshing I have ever experienced. My father recommended this blend and so I gave it a shot. I'm hoping that his influence did not sway my opinion of these characteristics. Waking up to the smell of Indian Monsoon is bliss. I know that sounds politically incorrect...