We simply love what Woolies did for Fairtrade Coffee Week.

Here’s a look at Deluxe’s brand spanking new spot in Franschhoek. The feel of the place is just as stylish as their Church Street roastery, the only difference being that they’ve replaced the dismantled vespa artwork with that of a bicycle. Super cool. The shop is found at Reuben’s where the deli once was and serves to supply restaurants and guesthouses in the area with coffee as well as the coffee served at Reuben’s restaurant during the day.  An awesome little spot that is worth the drive or cycle.

Open daily from 7am to 3pm.
Franschhoek Main Road
Contact Jo Sinnfield
072 464 1240

Brandslut is giving away a nifty little Nespresso Pixie in aid of the Black Top Rally – a 3500 km mission across South Africa to raise funds for the Missionvale Care Center in P.E. The rally has been sponsored by Ford and by following them on Twitter you’ll unlock 50 bucks towards the mission. You also need to tell Brandslut why you should win the Pixie. But you’ll need to hurry as the competition closes at midnight tomorrow. More details here.

Forget Green Tea! Asha Kandiah from UK based York Coffee Emporium sheds some light on the effect of Green Coffee on weight loss.

“Unroasted coffee beans may help you lose weight,” sounds like the latest tagline for an advertising campaign to make you buy coffee. However reports on a recent study carried out by professor, Joe Vinson, PhD, showed that green coffee beans may actually aid weight loss.

The research, which is very much in the early stages, took place over 22 weeks and entailed giving 16 overweight test subjects supplement courses of green coffee extract. They tested the supplements at different strengths (700mg and 1,050mg) and included placebos. No diet was implemented. Each subject’s calorie intake was tracked during this time (an average of 2,400 calories) and they also did some form of physical activity burning an average of 400 calories a day.

The results showed the test subjects lost and average of 17lbs; as this is an average, some participants lost considerably more than others. The results also showed that the test subjects lost more weight when taking the higher doses of the supplement.

So what is it about the green coffee bean extract that can make you lose weight? It’s purely speculation at the moment but Joe Vinson believes it’s linked to the chlorogenic acid found in the coffee beans when they’re unroasted. It’s thought that the plant compound might help hinder glucose absorption in the body.

Now before you rush out to buy unroasted coffee beans, it has to be stressed again that this research is still in its early stages and there are plans for a larger study.  You also have to consider if this will turn into another excuse to avoid the hard work of losing weight by doing exercise. There are more health benefits to be had from exercise that just losing weight and in order to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle it’s better to make a lifestyle change rather than find a quick fix.

Sleepy people and tickling the coffee bone – coffee packaging doesn’t get cooler than this.

Via www.nikibrown.com/designoblog/

http://uglymugcoffee.com

How great are these recycled coffee ipad covers and travel bags? They are locally made by Wren design and available via etsy.com. Tribe Coffee Roasting will also be stocking the travel bags soon! Watch this space for more details.

The Deli has been open for about two years and to be honest, I’m a bit bleak that I haven’t been there up until now. The place is simple and honest and that’s what I enjoyed most about it. The coffee is good, there’s a great vibe and the food is healthy and hearty. The breakfast menu has all the regular players and the lunch offering of fresh salads, hot dishes, sarmies and quiches etc, changes daily. The interior is kitted out with long tables and benches, Tintin posters and other interesting bits and pieces. There are also a bunch of tables on the pavement outside where you can enjoy your coffee – which is the Deluxe house blend/ Fast Eddie’s Espresso blend, by the way. A great spot, definitely worth a visit.

Monday to Friday 08h00 to 16h00
Saturdays 08h00 to 13h00
190 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock, Cape Town
021 461 8056
nicky@thedeliexpressco.co.za
www.thedeliwoodstock.co.za

Via zerode.wordpress.com

This is super exciting for all the geeks out there…

“Cloud texting company ZipWhip has created an espresso maker that can take orders simply via an SMS. The TextSpresso is a hack of the Jura Impressa XS90 coffee machine. The innovative coffee maker is able to brew a cup of hot beverage when the user sends a text message to the specific phone number. In addition, the model is able to print the drinker’s name onto the foam using edible ink, before placing the cup onto a warming tray.”

via PSFK: http://www.psfk.com/2012/04/make-a-cup-of-coffee-from-your-bed-just-by-texting-video.html#ixzz1rekvRcED

If you find yourself on the Garden Route this Easter, do yourself a favour and make a stop past Doubleshot in Plett. Karin and Karin, former Lufthansa flight attendants and coffee fanatics, started Doubleshot in 2008. They handed over the reigns at the end of last month to diehard regulars and sisters Alison, Lesley and Sue, who excitedly and passionately will be running the show from here on.

You’ll find Espresso Lab coffee, prepared just as well as it is at the source, and a handful of tasty bites. The space is open and inviting with a few artworks on the walls and simple yet stylish furniture.

In addition to the great coffee and awesome vibe, their coffee machine deserves special mention – Doubleshot are rocking a Kees van der Westen Mirage and it’s pretty damned handsome.

Upper Level, The Square Lifestyle Centre, Main Road, Plettenberg Bay
Monday to Friday from 07h30 to 14h00.
Saturday from 08h00 to 13h00.
Twitter: @godoubleshot

* All the best to Karin & Karin as they start a new adventure in Germany.*