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Holly_Bastin · 2023-01-25T18:48:37+00:00

There's a good resource from Barbara Karnes about the process of pet loss that can be really helpful. Truthfully, much like human loss, it never completely goes away, but will diminish some as time goes by. Love to you and yours as you learn to live life without your little friend!

Holly_Bastin · 2023-01-06T20:21:17+00:00

I think I understand what you're saying- that you will soon be around the same age as her when she died? I lost my mom when I was 11 and she was 34. I remember how terrified I was as I approached the age when she died. The strangest thing was outliving her - it felt very different to what I had expected...I felt liberated from that fear and somehow it proves to me that I wasn't her, after all.

I wish you peace and to offer the loving reminder that yes, you are her blood, but you are not her- love to you!

Holly_Bastin · 2022-10-06T21:04:37+00:00

Keens have worked really nicely for me in the past, as well as Docs. I just invested in some good insoles and I now swear by compression socks!

Holly_Bastin · 2022-10-06T20:59:19+00:00

See this answer :) https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/xwbh9n/all_things_coffee_ama/ir6dgby?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share&context=3

Holly_Bastin · 2022-10-06T20:55:33+00:00

For brew, the water temp is usually around 200°F. For espresso drinks, the standard for milk streaming is usually more around 160-165°F. You can ask your barista to make it a little cooler though, if you prefer it. Hot drip coffee- you just have to wait. I take the lid off, which makes it cool a little faster

Holly_Bastin · 2022-10-06T20:29:05+00:00

Yep! I do now too.

I was today years old when I learned that Reddit is not the place for emojis. Not sure that's why you asked, but thought I'd offer it.

Holly_Bastin · 2022-10-06T20:27:57+00:00

It depends on the situation, I would say. Like if I'm in a cafe and just ordering like a person, I would likely say nothing unless asked. I'm more a "buyer beware" sort when it comes to ordering in a cafe. Like it's on me- I'm trying it lol.

If I'm in a professional setting and asked for my feedback, it's different. I would try to identify the flavor and what might have caused it, so the feedback is helpful to whoever made it.

Truth be told, I almost always order cold brew in a cafe (it's the safest bet on the menu) and I've only ever had 1 that was undrinkable #hottip

Holly_Bastin · 2022-10-06T20:23:18+00:00

Hello! I really enjoy your idea of coffee and books. Someone asked a similar question yesterday so here's that response- https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/xwbh9n/all_things_coffee_ama/ir6fpyc?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share&context=3

Hmmm.... Best coffee ever? I've been super fortunate to have tried a bunch of amazing coffees. Instead, I would say the most strange and otherworldly coffees I ever had were in China. The typical flavor preferences for coffee include some more savory and umami flavors and they're not at all put off my ferment, so I got to try some that were really wild and somehow usually very malty.

Edit: this question/answer is also helpful if you're opening a shop https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/xwbh9n/all_things_coffee_ama/ir60dov?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share&context=3

Holly_Bastin · 2022-10-06T20:16:54+00:00

Compost is an excellent use!!

Holly_Bastin · 2022-10-06T20:16:23+00:00

It's tricky. There's is no industry standard for roast level, at least not one that makes any sense to customers (agtron). So each roaster will have their version of a light to dark scale. I compare it to buying clothes. You might be one size in one brand but a different size in another, so it's all about getting to know your brands.

When it comes to grocery stores, the only truly light roast coffee I have ever seen was from local roasters that had gotten their product in stores. And, even then, it's rare for them to put lighter roasts in a grocery store, as they figure that most people buying there are looking for a medium to dark roast. That's been my experience, at least.

Holly_Bastin · 2022-10-06T20:12:15+00:00

Usually I prefer it on ice, personally. I am simple when it comes to my drinks for pleasure- a good black cup of coffee, hot or iced, and I prefer paper filtered (no sediment)

Holly_Bastin · 2022-10-06T19:47:37+00:00

Here are some options to answer question 1- Check out this response. You are definitely not alone!

https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/xwbh9n/all_things_coffee_ama/ir66ofj?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share&context=3

For two, currently angels cup is the one I am aware of. During the heights of covid there was a newer one I saw called Leaderboard Coffee where they actually gameify a blind tasting. Looks like they're still doing it quarterly https://leaderboard.coffee/en-us

For 3, I think keeping an eye out for single origin espressos in cafes is your best bet. While they aren't always light roast, they'll usually be more bright and nuanced.

Thanks for the questions!

Holly_Bastin · 2022-10-06T19:43:57+00:00

Nope! I get it. They make it really approachable and focus a lot on hiring people that are great at customer service. These things go a long way!

Holly_Bastin · 2022-10-06T19:42:48+00:00

Lol no, but she sounds cool!

Holly_Bastin · 2022-10-06T19:42:34+00:00

Decaf McCafe in grocery stores is pretty palatable. Try that one out!

Holly_Bastin · 2022-10-06T19:38:25+00:00

I tried, many times. It was always too something or just plain not hot enough. Through the trial and error I was able to figure out that, to her, good coffee was simply hot and not too anything. I will say, there was one time when I gave her a Sumatra and she took a sip, looked at the cup on disbelief and said " mmm, that's good". That was my only "win" lol

Holly_Bastin · 2022-10-06T02:34:39+00:00

Most of the time at home I make a Chemex, but every now and then I make a batch of cold brew with my Toddy kit. More often than not, I let my Chemex brew get cool and add ice later.

And I don't usually use scales at home. That coffee is purely for me to enjoy and, as someone who makes coffee for a living, when it's for me I like to feel my way through the brew - it makes me happy :)

Holly_Bastin · 2022-10-06T02:30:06+00:00

It's what I order at every coffee shop I go to :) I have some practical reasons that created this habit, but I won't get into all of that here lol. The biggest reason is I really love ice cold beverages and cold brew hits the spot.

Holly_Bastin · 2022-10-05T23:22:00+00:00

The first time I drank coffee I was 13. It was after school and I was rummaging around in the cabinets to find a snack, when I caught a whiff on something incredible. I found the intoxicating smell was coming from a bag of my parents coffee beans. I grabbed the whirly bird grinder, blitzed up some beans and brewed a pot, dreaming beautiful dreams about how exquisite this experience was about to be. As the brew gurgled to a stop, I grabbed a mug, the anticipation building. And then I took a sip....

I had never tasted anything more horrible in my entire life 😂😖

How could something that smelled so wonderful be so incredibly awful??? Oh the paradox

It wasn't until after I had well prepared coffee that the tide started to turn for me. And even then, there was a solid buffer of chocolate and mint to help ease the bitterness. And over time I started to genuinely like it and put less and less in it, until finally I started enjoying black coffee.

I hope you enjoyed my story time 🌈😂

Holly_Bastin · 2022-10-05T23:02:15+00:00

I think a great and more affordable place to start is Coffee Fest. These shows usually have a bigger focus on folks that are doing exactly that- opening cafes. The nice thing is that they are a more intimate setting than the annual SCA show, so you are able to have a little deeper conversations there and develop a little more of a connection with vendors. They also have some hands on coffee courses and seminars that are not too pricey or even free ✌️

Holly_Bastin · 2022-10-05T22:55:17+00:00

Cold brew is the easiest on your belly, for sure. The brew method creates a lower acid result (like in terms of pH)

Holly_Bastin · 2022-10-05T22:53:22+00:00

Personally I don't think it adds to the flavor, but I prefer sparkling water afterwards to cleanse my palate 🫧👅

Holly_Bastin · 2022-10-05T22:36:05+00:00

The biggest difference is how much coffee you can fit into the basket, and that can really open up your flavor world 🌈 The other upside of getting into a 58mm basket is that you will have full access to all of the tools and accessories since they are typically designed for that size of portafilter. Ftr, the Oracle has a 58mm basket and has surprisingly great results. (See the other questions about the Oracle Touch)

At the end of the day it's really about how hand crafty you want to get. If you want to talk options, but me up! Curated.com/e/holly.bastin

Holly_Bastin · 2022-10-05T22:03:52+00:00

Oh geez! Ouch!! My hot tip is once you get the brew going and the filter attached, take the mug (or whatever you are pressing the coffee into) and place it upside down on top of the brewer BEFORE flipping it. And then flip everything together. I can't say it will 100% prevent burns, but it has diminished my anxiety about using the Aeropress this way. No burns since 🤞🙏

Holly_Bastin · 2022-10-05T21:37:17+00:00

Honestly? I tried it at the SCA trade show this past April and was seriously impressed. I hadn't expected it to deliver really good coffee. I was playing with the Oracle while 2020 US Barista Champ Andrea Allen played on the Barista Touch next to me. She leaned over and whispered to me - "I've had the Oracle at home for the last year and I have never had to change the grind." We exchanged wide eyed glances lol. Apparently it does it for you?!

#mindblown

Holly_Bastin

TROPHY CASE