Sunday, March 09, 2008
Food, "Dish"
Hit me with your best shot
By Kirsten Ott
CREDIT:Courtesy of Starbucks
Try a different Starbucks drink for free this week during the Art of Espresso consumer education event.
CAFFEINE FIX
Starbucks Art of Espresso Class Schedule
*This is only a sampling of when some of the classes are occurring. All Starbucks will be offering the class at some point this week. Check with your favorite store for the time and date of its scheduled class.
Wednesday, March 12, 6–8 p.m.
Toco Hills (North Druid Hills and Lavista)
2826 North Druid Hills Road
404-320-7561
Friday, March 14, 2–4p.m.
Peachtree Industrial Blvd. & Moore
1041 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. (Suwanee)
770-904-2558
Friday, March 14, 6–8 p.m.
Cumberland Market
2680 Cobb Parkway (Marietta)
770-955-0337
Saturday, March 15, 10 a.m.–noon
Colony Square
1197 Peachtree Road
404-685-0287
Saturday, March 15, 11:30am–1:30pm
GA Aquarium
250 Park Ave. West
404-577-7571
By Kirsten Ott
Drinking a well-pulled shot of espresso is not much different than enjoying a well-chosen glass of wine. Though the after effects are clearly varying, it’s the meditative qualities of breathing in the wafting aromas as you cup your palm around the drinking vessel that matches that of a wine tasting. Once you’ve allowed your sense of smell to be awakened to the drink, sipping—or slurping—begins. These are just some of the steps taken in the Art of Espresso consumer education classes held at Starbucks throughout the week (see sidebar for times and dates). The goal of these seminars is to share with the customers the joys of drinking espresso—to recognize and appreciate the flavor, acidity and the body.
The terms that bona fide coffee connoisseurs use are quite like the ones oenophiles reference when gushing about their favorite wines, such as bright, earthy, spicy, crisp, creamy, bitter and fruity. With a barista’s guidance through the tasting experience, customers will learn to pick up on the varying notes and mouthfeel of their dark-roasted drinks. The free events are open to the public and include tastings of the espresso beverages regularly offered (Americano, latte, mocha and cappuccino), a background on espresso beverages and how they are made, educational demonstrations of the customization options and insider advice on how to pair your favorite espresso drink with pastries, brownies, cookies, scones, chocolate and cakes.
Whether you’re a hard-core addict who makes single, double or even triple trips to Starbucks in a single day for your caffeine fix or your knowledge of the coffee bean and its magic-like powers is limited to heaping grocery-store-brand bagged coffee grounds into your wheezing brewing system on its last leg or somewhere in the middle, the Art of Espresso event seamlessly answers your deepest coffee questions. For example, did you know that espresso beans are just coffee beans roasted for a longer time? That’s what gives them the richer, sweeter taste. Despite what you may have felt when staring at the mysterious ordering board of choices written in Italian lingo, an Americano is nothing to fear; the blend of hot water and espresso is surprisingly creamy enough on its own—there’s no need to add milk or sugar. However, you can request that most anything you want be added to your drinks, and no one will laugh. “Everyone’s palates are different,” explains Megan Brusseau, manager at the Colony Square Starbucks. So go ahead and order that triple four-pump nonfat with-whip mocha. But after one of these classes, you might find your palate has a taste for something different. www.starbucks.com. SP
When she’s not checking out restaurants, interviewing chefs or nodding off after her fifth glass of wine, Life, Food & Style Editor Kirsten Ott dishes culinary and cocktail insights. E-mail her at kirstenott@sundaypaper.com.