If you’re interested in joining in on the group review, pick up a bag via GoCoffeeGo or directly from Higher Ground in the next two weeks. Then on Tuesday, April 24th, we’ll do a group tasting together and share all of our thoughts about it.

Now it’s time to figure out how we’ll do the group tasting. Do you want to do it as just a standard review and in the comments discuss what we smell and taste? Or do you want to do some sort of tasting with a live chat and video via Ustream? If you vote for this one, I hope you’ll be willing to join in the live chat or it’ll be pretty lonely for me. I’m also open to other suggestions, so if you have another idea, feel free to mention it in the comments below.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Group Coffee Tasting Update (and another poll) is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

I’ll write the review of the coffee (or maybe do a podcast or video for it) and I’ll leave plenty of room for you to share what you think of it. Maybe you’ll taste the chocolate that I’m talking about in a specific coffee. Maybe you’ll pick up a certain spice that I didn’t even detect. I thought it would be a great way to chat about our favorite caffeinated beverage instead of me just droning on and on about the coffee and what I think about it.

But I’m going to need your help. Man, I’ve been pretty demanding the past few weeks, but this is going to be easy.

First, I need to come up with a name. So far the best I have is Coffee With Mike. I think we can come up with something better than that.

Second, I need to know what kind of coffee would you like to try. Do you want one that’s designed for a French Press, Espresso Machine or both? The reason I ask is because coffee roasters will often roast a coffee specifically for the way it’s brewed, like how coffee roasted for an espresso machine is often roasted a little bit darker.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Please, take a second to vote in this poll and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below if you want to tell me what you’re thinking about this project.

Thanks for your help!

And oh yeah, make sure you stay connected via Twitter, Facebook or the email newsletter so you know when this whole project comes together!

Poll: What Kind Of Coffee Do You Like? (And A Sneak Peek At Something New) is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

I’ll admit, I used to be that guy who went to Dunkin Donuts and asked for extra cream and sugar. I remember once, my dad spotted me adding cream and milk to my coffee and asked “Do you want any coffee with your cream and sugar?”

Then I realized that good coffee didn’t need to have gallons of milk and loads of sugar added to it. Good coffee tasted, well good! I didn’t need to hide the flavor anymore, I wanted to taste the dark nutty roast flavor, hints of chocolate, etc.

Anyways, how do you drink your coffee?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Last month’s poll was “Where Do You Buy Your Coffee?”

It turns out that the majority, 38% of you said the grocery store. Most of my coffee comes from online retailers and specialty coffee shops, it looks like maybe I should do more grocery store coffee reviews. It’s been a while since the last time I reviewed a grocery store coffee.

howard said:

Mike i use a variety of sources for my beans.
the survey wanted just 1 so i said grocery.
our local food mall has pretty decent fresh beans
and a good variety of organic sources.
(must be my luck)

Local coffee shop/roaster, finished in second place with 32% of the vote. I thought that this would be the number one answer, but I’m sure a lot of people don’t have a local coffee roaster.

J Martinez said:

Depends on what kind of coffee. Local store for my everyday drink, but for the “special occasion” stuff that I keep around I buy fine coffee online. As for the carbon footprint, well, I’m not sure it’s any worse than when I drive to the store.

Online had 16% of the vote.

Mike said:

I get my coffee from Good Dog, best coffee around!

Jamie said:

As you know Florida does not have very many coffee shops that are worth going back to. I order online as my first choice, and local roasters as my second. I’m signed up for newsletters on a ton of coffee roasters which keeps me informed on any deals that come along.

Chain coffee shop had 13% of the vote.

And other finished with 2%.

Thanks to everyone that voted and left a comment.

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Photo by tomylees.

Poll: Do You Drink Your Coffee Black? is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Last month’s poll was “How Did You Make Your Coffee This Morning?”

The number one answer with 38% of the vote was the drip coffee maker.

However, only a few were brave enough to admit it in the comments.

The number two answer with 18% of the vote was other.

French Press was a close third with 17% of the vote.

Single Serve Coffee Maker had 16% of the vote.

Espresso Machine finished up last with just 11% of the votes.

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Photo by nicely85.

Poll: Where Do You Buy Your Coffee? is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

I can’t believe it’s already March! Time flies when you’re drinking lots of good coffee. Anyways, since it’s a new month, it’s time for a new poll. March’s poll is How Did You Make Your Coffee This Morning? Please take a couple of seconds to share how you brewed your wake up call this morning and don’t forget to check out the results from last month’s poll.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

I was planning on making my coffee this morning with my French Press. I had a new coffee that I wanted to try this morning, and nothing brings out the flavors like a French Press. However, the real world got in the way. I was in a rush with a million things to do and took the short cut, I brewed my coffee this morning with a drip machine. I’m saving the new coffee for tomorrow when I hopefully have more time.

What about you? How did you brew your coffee? Am I missing any choices that I should add to the poll?

February’s poll was What Do You Think About The Trenta?

It seems the majority of you don’t think very highly of it. With 33% of the vote, the number one answer was “I haven’t tried and don’t plan on trying it.”

Number two with 25% of the vote was “Who cares?”

Eighteen percent of you said “I haven’t tried it, but can’t wait to try it.”

“I hate it. Starbucks has gone too far.” had 12% of the vote.

And “I love it. Starbucks is a genius.” Also had 12% of the vote.

Photo by eclectic echoes.

Poll: How Did You Make Your Coffee This Morning? is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

February’s poll is “What Do You Think About The Trenta?”

Starbucks officially let loose their gigantic 31 ounce coffee cup to consumers in select markets. In case you haven’t heard, the Trenta is 916 ml, while the average human stomach can only hold 900 ml. I know people that bring giant thermoses and travel mugs filled with coffee from home, but I only know a handful of people that have tried the Trenta.

What do you think? Have you tried the Trenta and loved it? Do you think it was the greatest invention ever? Or did you hate it? Do you think Starbucks has lost their mind? Do you think is just hype? Or maybe the sign of the downfall of the American society? Ok, maybe I’m getting a little crazy now. Take a second to vote and leave a comment about why you love or hate the Trenta.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

I happen to live in one of those select markets where I can buy the Trenta and I can confirm that it is real. However, I haven’t tried it yet. I think it’s too much coffee. I know that doesn’t sound right coming from me, but I don’t go to Starbucks for their regular coffees. Going to Starbucks has become a treat for me, where I can indulge my sweet tooth in white chocolate mochas and 31 ounces of a dessert drink like that is just too much for me. Even if I did order one of their coffees, I think it would be too much. By the time I finished half of it, the rest would be cold or melted.

January’s poll was “Which Do You Need More?” Cell phone or coffee?

It was close all month long, but in the end coffee won with 55% percent of the vote.

Jamie said:

I love my iPhone, but I cannot live without my coffee. So yeah, I need my coffee way more. Plus, whatever I do on my cell I can mostly do on a laptop

Joe said:

Gotta have my #coffee. It would be nice to go without the cellphone or any technology for a while. But coffee? I’ll keep that.

howard said:

Mike – if i am in an area of no reception,
i’ll stash the cell. bring on the brew!!!

Rose Casanova said:

This is a difficult one, but I lived without a cell phone for many years and I’m sure I can live without one again. I have never lived without coffee!

Darrell said:

There are days I pretty much go without the cell phone, but go without coffee – Never!

Cell phone finished with the remaining 45%. Which is good that it lost, because every time cell phone was in the lead, I was starting to think I should change this to a phone blog.

Alex said:

I love coffee, but I NEED my phone. I’m ashamed to admit it, however.

Poll: What Do You Think About The Trenta? is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

Today, I need your opinion. I put together a short survey and need your feedback to make Daily Shot Of Coffee a better blog.

It’s a quick, simple survey that will really help guide Daily Shot Of Coffee. In the survey, I ask what kind of coffees you’re drinking and how you’re brewing them. I also ask what coffee topics would you like to go more in depth about.

So, please take a few minutes right now to TAKE THE SURVEY. I promise that it’ll be quick, painless and a lot easier than taking the SAT’s.

Thank you to everyone that has helped make Daily Shot Of Coffee a better blog and community.

—

Photo by splityarn.

Daily Shot Of Coffee Needs Your Opinion – 2011 Reader Survey is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

Happy New Years! I hope you had a safe, fun filled New Years Eve celebration with lots of coffee last night and that you’re not nursing a killer hangover today. Remember coffee is good for a lot of things, but it won’t help your hangover.

For a lot of people, New Years is about resolutions which sometimes include giving up things like cigarettes or fast food. Some people even give up their cell phones or coffee (Shocking, I know!) A recent poll by FilterFresh asked which of those two would you give up first? More than half, 53.9% said their cell phones. That means 46.1% said they would give up their coffee.

I’m connected at the hip to my phone, but there’s no way I would choose it over coffee. Some days, I would even pay someone to take my the ringing and blinking away. However, there’s not enough money in the world that would make me give up my coffee.

So what about you? If you had to give up your cell phone or your coffee, which would you rather give up?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Here’s some of the other results from FilterFresh’s poll:

How do you get your daily shot of caffeine?
Coffee 95.4%
Soda 1.5%
Tea 2.3%
Energy Drink 0.0%
Other 0.8%

How many cups of coffee do you drink per day?
One cup: Exactly what I need to get me started 23.6%
Two to three cups: Almost awake… 58.7%
Four of more cups: Admittedly, I have a problem 17.8%

Is coffee a meal replacement?
Yes 17.8%
No 82.2%

Does coffee improve your mental focus?
Yes 72.3%
No 19.6%
What was the question again? I didn’t have my coffee yet! 8.1%

Would you tell someone if they have coffee breath?
Yes 31.9%
No 68.1%

At what age would you let your child(ren) drink coffee?
Over 18 31.7%
Over 16 41.7%
Over 12 12.4%
Over 10 2.3%
Whenever they want 12.0%

Would you have a meeting with your boss before your morning cup of coffee?
Sure, why not? 34.7%
Absolutely not! Dealing with my boss in the morning requires a lot of caffeine beforehand. 29.7%
Depends on the day 35.5%

Do you order “frou-frou” drinks when no one is looking? (whipped cream hazelnut banana frappuccino, etc.)
Yes 34.0%
No way! 66.0%

Does drinking coffee improve your libido?
Yes 9.2%
No 39.2%
Couldn’t hurt 51.6%

Do you make the next pot of coffee when you find it empty at work?
Yes, always. If I didn’t, that would be rude 69.5%
Yes, if some if someone is watching 6.0%
No, not my job. 24.5%

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Photo by GuilleDes

Poll: Which Would You Give Up? Cell Phone? Coffee? is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

December’s poll is “Do You Want Coffee For Christmas?” Of course, I’m not limiting this poll to just Christmas; Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are included too!

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

This year, I’m hoping to get coffee and some coffee related accessories. I’m always worried that my friends or family will get me something that I don’t like, but they know to stay away from the giant plastic tubs of coffee. I would love if they would get me some coffee that’s from their neck of the woods, something that I couldn’t get at the local chain coffee shop. Hint, hint!

What about you? Is coffee or something coffee related on your Christmas list?

Last month’s poll was “Are You A Fan Of Flavored Coffee?”

The winner with 36% of the vote was “I Hate Flavored Coffee.”

canuk_guy said:

When I have a flavoured coffee, I don’t think of it as having a coffee. I’m having a taste of whatever “flavour” it’s suppose to be … if that makes any sense. If I’m having a coffee it’s black and hot.

Tied at 32% of the vote was “Sometimes” and I’m A Fan Of The Flavored Coffee.”

howard said:

the experience i have locally at SBs and other trendy coffee spots is that they prepare flavored coffee with TOO MUCH SWEETENER. it would be my preference to keep flavor and coffee separate from SWEET coffee and ask the customer do you want sweet with that coffee ???

as long as the coffee is good coffee i am fine with just the coffee flavor experience. as long as the flavor is REAL flavor, i can handle flavored coffee when it’s presented.

Rose Casanova said:

There are two kinds of “flavored coffee.” The first being the beans are flavored and the second is adding flavors post brew. I cannot drink the pre-flavored coffee. It gives me such a bad stomach ache however I can add flavors. I do like adding Peppermint and Mocha flavoring to my brewed coffee. I ask for two pumps of each instead of the usual four pumps. It makes it less sweet and I can still taste the coffee.

Raza – TheCoffeeMakerStore said:

Yeah, I admit it… I like sugary, syrupy, creamy drinks with whipped cream on top.

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Photo by allerleirau.

Poll: Do You Want Coffee For Christmas? is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee

This month’s poll is “Are You A Fan Of Flavored Coffee?” The holiday season is just around the corner and flavored holiday coffees are starting to show up. What do you think of the flavored coffees? Are you a fan? Do you like them sometimes? Or do you hate them?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

My answer is sometimes. In a past life, I was a huge fan of flavored coffees, some of my favorites were Maple Bacon Morning and the White Chocolate Mocha. It was all I drank. However, that was before I discovered the joys of a properly roasted and brewed coffee that didn’t need to be covered up with artificial flavors. I still go for an occasional Peppermint Mocha during the holiday season, but on an every day basis, I’d much rather have my coffee black and enjoy the natural flavors of coffee.

What’s your opinion on flavored coffees and why?

October’s poll was “Does Fair Trade Matter To You?”

With 40% of the vote, the number one answer was “Yes, but I think there has to be better.”

“No, I couldn’t care less” came in second with 31% of the vote.

And “Yes, I always by fair trade” came in last with just 29% of the vote. I’m surprised that it came last, but I’m curious if that answer will change as the Fair Trade market share continues to grow.

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Photo by Chris Blakeley.

Poll: Are You A Fan Of Flavored Coffee? is a post from: Daily Shot Of Coffee