My favorite way to brew coffee- using a French Press!

If you have not heard of Harold Import Company, you are missing out! They offer so many awesome and unique kitchen wares, there is guaranteed to be something you just cannot not live without on their website! HIC was kind enough to send me the new French Press from Aerolatte for my family to enjoy. (If you are unfamiliar with Aerolatte, I recommend you go check them out as well!!) 

When I was younger, I used to work at a well known coffee chain. I actually really enjoyed my job, and consequently became addicted to coffee. I learned fast that brewing fresh ground beans in a French Press was the way to go, as it creates the most epic cup of coffee! The flavor is out of this world, and unlike any other coffee machine or pot could reproduce. French pressed coffee is definitely my favorite way to enjoy a big, steaming mug of brewed beans.

I am in love with the Aerolatte French Press! It is so easy to use, and easy to clean. Since it had been so long since I last used one, I was unsure of how to use it. Luckily, the instructions were ridiculously easy, and the side of the beaker even has several indicators to remind you of the correct ground coffee scoopage, water level, etc. I cannot believe I haven't been using a French Press sooner!

It is available in 4 sizes! So there is something for everybody.

They offer a 3, 5, 7, and 8 cup press.

 I got to try the 5 and 8 cup.

(I usually use both at the same time to make a ton of coffee!!)

I love how easy the Aerolatte French Press is to clean. The glass beaker is easy to remove and safe to put in the dishwasher (which I do not own!). In which case, the mouth of the beaker is wide enough for even larger hands to fit in and give it a good clean. It seems to be stain resistant, and the actual plunger and metal screen seem to be free from rust! I'm thrilled to not have to worry about breaking or ruining these presses. I am not the most poised, and seem to constantly break things or forget about something soaking in the sink.

I was so excited, I couldn't help but take millions of photos.

I just adore how the sky is reflected on the lid of the Aerolatte!

Do you spot the tiny bee?!

Now you get to see the most delicious cup of coffee being made!

One scoop per squiggly line!

I just use my coffee pot to get the perfect temperature of water!

 Stir it all up, and put the plunger back on!

Let it brew for three minutes!

After 2 minutes, it is getting darker!

 Plunged, and looking bold!!

Ready to go! 

Today, Harold Import Company carries over 3,500 culinary supply products from their own Family of Brands, as well as their extended family brands from 25 countries around the world. HIC, Harold Import Co. products are available in over 10,000 retail outlets worldwide, so their products are always only a short drive or a click away!

Disclosure: I received the above item/s in return for an honest, sincere review. I was not expected to leave a positive review, and would never post something I didn't feel fully confident in. No monetary compensation was provided. The above opinion is the sole opinion of me and my family, and may differ from your own. I am disclosing in accordance with FTC 16 CFR Part 255. 

Bongo Java Giveaway! ends 5/15

 Bongo Java Giveaway

I was recently sent a delightful variety of fresh roasted coffee beans from the Bongo Java Coffee Roasting company. I will be reviewing them here on the blog shortly, so stay tuned! To kick things off and to make up for my absence, I am hosting a huge giveaway! This is just ONE of my many wonderful sponsors, so make sure to check back for updates, recent reviews, and lots of fun giveaways.

ENTER TO WIN!

Bongo Java is offering one of my lucky followers some of the fresh roasted coffee beans. 

 Open to US residents 18 years of age and older. The giveaway will end on 5/15/16.The winner will be chosen randomly, and will be contacted by email. They will have 48 hours to contact me back to claim their prize. Living the Paisley Life is not responsible for lost prizes or prizes that are not received.

 

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Disclosure: I received the above item in return for an honest, sincere review. I was not expected to leave a positive review, and would never post something I didn't feel fully confident in. No monetary compensation was provided. The above opinion is the sole opinion of me and my family, and may differ from your own. I am disclosing in accordance with FTC 16 CFR Part 255. 

Coffee of the Day- One Village Coffee

One Village Coffee is a regional coffee roasting company that supports non-profit organizations around the world. Their goal is to become a coffee roasting company with the reputation of roasting premium, specialty coffee that is fairly traded and affordable to the consumer. They provide premium, specialty coffee by roasting each blend/origin uniquely and frequently in small batches, having inventory in a just-in-time manner in order to provide the freshest coffee to the consumer.

One Village Coffee seeks to see change within the communities that they support through their "Coffee with a Cause" campaign where non-profit organizations will receive 10% of the revenue of designated coffee blends. They wish to help alleviate poverty in these regions through raising awareness and helping to fund national health campaign in Honduras, microfinance initiatives in Indonesia, educational programs in the garbage dumps of Cairo, Egypt, and clean water projects in the Keiyo Valley of Kenya.

Read more about One Village on B Corp.

Working with fair trade the Artist Blend has generated $3,656 for bee hive training and building of hives for the community of Marcala Honduras where One Village sources much of their coffee from the COMSA Coffee Co-op of 1000 farmers! I love when a company really gives back!

I was sent two different types of coffee from One Village Coffee: the Artist Blend and the French Roast. I am in love with coffee, and had super high hopes for these beans! They totally met my expectations, and I have really been enjoying the pleasant flavors of their coffee.

 I like the packaging. The graphics are nice, the label is clear and helpful, and the package itself keeps the beans fresh and dry.

The Artist Blend is my favorite, as it seems to be with many other people. The Artist Blend just so happens to be One Village Coffee's most popular blend. It is a medium/dark roast with a touch of earthiness followed by a light hint of fruit. Artist Blend is a robust coffee that combines the best of two worlds. Dark smoky and earthy flavors are met by lighter fruited flavors and creamy finish. 

I am a fan of French Roasts and other dark roasts in general, but this one takes the cake. It is damn near perfect. If anything, I need a better machine to really bring out the flavors in this coffee. I love the smokiness and the subtle inclinations of cocoa and lingering vanilla. This coffee has been a great pick me up as well as perfect for my first of the morning brew. It is roasted in the fine tradition of French Style coffee. Sipping on it as we speak, this dark and glistening coffee fills my mouth with dark cocoa, smoky notes and a black peppercorn like finish. If you like your coffees roasty this one is for you.

It was definitely fresh! No worries about that. And I did indeed tap the bottom of the bag when I was near the end of the bag. I like to grind my coffee fresh, in smaller increments. It really seems to help preserve the flavor for as long as possible.

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 Disclosure: I received the above item in return for an honest, sincere review. I was not expected to leave a positive review, and would never post something I didn't feel fully confident in. No monetary compensation was provided. The above opinion is the sole opinion of me and my family, and may differ from your own. I am disclosing in accordance with FTC 16 CFR Part 255.   

Coffee of the Day-Old Chicago Coffee Co. - Review and Giveaway

I was recently sent a bag of freshly roasted Mezzo Roast Colombian Coffee from Old Chicago Coffee Co. It was pretty bold, but was still very enjoyable black, without anything added. I could drink this coffee day after day. This coffee is strong and definitely packs a punch! This is a milder Colombian than the Blackened Roast Colombian coffee. Flavor retaining, it tastes the same as it cools. This medium roast Colombian coffee is superb, offering a generous flavor of vanilla and chocolate together with a fruity taste and a sweet aroma of flowers. This 100 percent Arabica coffee has a citrus acidity, more along the lines of lemon, and it is a very lively coffee with an aftertaste of sweet butter.

 Old Chicago Coffee Co. is offering one of my luck readers a bag of their Mezzo Roast Columbian Coffee. (Ground or beans!)

 Open to US residents 18 years of age and older. The giveaway will end on 1/21/14.The winner will be chosen randomly, and will be contacted by email. They will have 48 hours to contact me back to claim their prize. Living the Paisley Life is not responsible for lost prizes or prizes that are not received.

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  Disclosure: I received the above item in return for an honest, sincere review. I was not expected to leave a positive review, and would never post something I didn't feel fully confident in. No monetary compensation was provided. The above opinion is the sole opinion of me and my family, and may differ from your own. I am disclosing in accordance with FTC 16 CFR Part 255. 

Blanchards Coffee Review and Giveaway

Blanchard's Coffee Company is an independent, family-owned craft coffee roaster located in Richmond, Virginia. Certified Fair Trade and Organic, Blanchard's Coffee Co. is committed to roasting the very best, sustainable and delicious coffee possible.
 
They strongly believe that coffee roasting requires a thoughtful balance between science, art, observation and intuition. With that in mind, Blanchard's roasts in small batches—no more than sixty pounds at a time—with a hands on approach ensuring each batch’s quality, consistency and attention to the character of the coffee.

Confession: I am addicted to coffee. Okay, maybe not literally, but I do drink a lot of it. My whole family does. I have always enjoyed the taste of coffee, flavored, with cream, black, cold, whatever. I am in love with coffee! I prefer a dark roast, piping hot with nothing added. Sometimes though I prefer a simpler, lighter roast. Although it may not be the healthiest,it doesn't contain many calories, and it makes me smile. 

I was recently sent a bag of Blanchard's Coffee Co.'s Breakfast Blend. It is a classic, semi-bold Latin American breakfast blend. Strong enough to help you handle a groggy morning without kicking you halfway down the street. I rather enjoyed this coffee. It wasn't too strong, but it definitely woke me up! I chose to have it ground. It was really fresh when I opened it, and it remained fresh for days after. I enjoyed it several times (not always for breakfast!)

The first thing I noticed about Blanchard's Breakfast Blend was the scent. I love to squeeze the scent out of the one way valve, and this time I was certainly not disappointed. You could tell this coffee was fresh by the way it smelled. It had a nice, smooth acidity with enough bite to make your lips smack. Boy do I love a bold coffee first thin in the morning! I noticed a medium body, although it was never too heavy or overpowering. The aroma during and after brewing gave my initial aromatic experience with this coffee a run for its money. The fresh grounds smelled fantastic, but in the cup!? Don't even get me started. My mouth is watering just thinking about how good this coffee smells. Every sensory experience was one that I enjoyed. Meaning I loved this coffee through and though. Blanchard's Coffee Co.'s Breakfast Blend is overall, a very well balanced brew!

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Blanchard's Coffee Co. is offering up one bag of the same coffee I received to ONE lucky Living the Paisley Life reader.

Open to US residents 18 years of age and older. The giveaway will end on 2/17/14.The winner will be chosen randomly, and will be contacted by email. They will have 48 hours to contact me back to claim their prize. Living the Paisley Life is not responsible for lost prizes or prizes that are not received.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

  Disclosure: I received the above item in return for an honest, sincere review. I was not expected to leave a positive review, and would never post something I didn't feel fully confident in. No monetary compensation was provided. The above opinion is the sole opinion of me and my family, and may differ from your own. I am disclosing in accordance with FTC 16 CFR Part 255.