Taste Testing!

February 25, 2011

Let me start by saying, “Wow”!!  I received lots of emails from readers, sharing their favourite beverage.  I was so surprised!  Who knew people were actually reading Mommy Jingles! Awesome!  As a result, for the last two weeks I’ve been busy sampling your suggestions.

Lacey, Tyler, Kim, Jody, April, Danielle, Sue, Ally, Dan….to name a few; not only did you share your Star Bucks drink of choice; you shared your knowledge too.  I did not know you could request extra  “shots”, extra hot, no-foam/half-foam, half-sweet, continually I am amazed at the variations that can be made of a simple drink.  I have to admit that I’m beginning to feel that this is not, “the more you know – the better”; the increasing complexity is starting to feel like “the more you know – the more confused you are”. 

As promised, I have tried some reader suggestions.  The “strong vanilla latté” (a variation of my personal favourite) was first on my list.  As soon as I’d finished ordering, the look on the Baristas face said it all. “Strong what?!”  Lesson #2, while in some parts of the world strong might mean add an extra shot of espresso, here, it means you haven’t a clue what you’re talking about.  In this town, it’s say it like it is.  “I’ll have a vanilla latté with an extra shot of espresso?”.  None of this “strong” business or “one-pump please”.  Thank you Kim for the extra bounce in my step and very strange looks.

From here it was a vanilla bean frappuccino, chai tea, a skinny caramel latté and caramel macchiato all making the, as Lacey called it, The Star Bucks Deliciousness List (Thank you Lacey and Danielle).  My taste buds were introduced to sweet naughtiness, from here, there’s no turning back.

In short, here’s what I’ve learned:

The Latté, generally speaking, is one shot of espresso filled with steamed milk, topped with light foam. (a 1:8 ratio of espresso to milk)

The Cappuccino, like the Latté, consists of espresso and steamed milk.  The difference being the steaming process.  By infusing more air into the milk it becomes more foamy and frothy.  Your glass contains one shot of espresso, followed by a third of milk, then topped with a third of foamy goodness.

The Macchiato, more of a 1:1 ratio of espresso to milk however, it can vary depending on the place.

You’re reading this thinking, I still don’t understand. Well, you’re not alone. Me neither! Bottom line…espresso, milk, and a whole lot a steaming!  At the end of the day, don’t be afraid to ask the staff for help in finding your deliciousness drink!  That’s what they’re there for.

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In latté-unrelated news, our beloved mini-van finally reached rock bottom.  After being nursed along, it was time to consider moving on.  The Mama-shuttle was requiring more and more upkeep and it made sense to put that money toward something else.  I don’t know about anyone else, but when you start looking for a vehicle that comfortably seats a family of five, and all the junk that we carry along with us you quickly realize that isn’t a lot out there.  We soon realized that our options were another mini-van or a larger SUV.  The new mini-vans could not only seat five, you could pitch tents in there!  They have everything a mother could wish for and more.  Just a little too much more.  I had loved my van yet, even I was ready to say goodbye.  In the end, we found our new friend, an Acadia. 

We arrived to do the vehicle exchange a mere 48 hours ago only to watch my two youngest fall apart as their loved van was driven away.  I was shocked.  I had no idea that they would react this way.  True, this was the only vehicle they’d ever known and with that lots of memories for them too.  Even I had a brief moment…yet it quickly passed. No longer would I be driving the sour-milk smelling van with its gum-filled carpets and unidentified food particles; we had a whole new car to slowly steal of its “new car” smell and unstained carpets! Oh, it was good!!

  “Have a great weekend!”

The Latté.

Gone are the days when one simply asked, “May I have a coffee please”, or “A spot of tea would be nice”.  Today there is a world of double-doubles, single-triples, four & two, half-caff.  Half caff?   You see, up until September of this year, my beverage drink of choice had been fountain pop.  McDonald’s fountain pop nonetheless.  However, the time had come for me to move on and I was using good old black coffee as its replacement, which was not doing the job; then one day a friend of mine bought me a latté.  I had my suspicions of a drink containing milk and hopefully some caffeine, however, beyond that...clueless.

This vanilla latté was delicious and I was hooked.  There was just one problem… how on earth was I going to order one myself.  I asked my friend more specifically explain what I was drinking, to which she replied, a “Vanilla Latté”.  Certainly it wasn’t as simple as that. Was that all I had to say when ordering? A simple, vanilla latté please.  The she drops the bomb. Well, you can have it with 1% milk or skim milk, decaf or half-calf, then sugar free syrup or not, foam or no foam….my brain had stopped all efforts to retain the words coming out of her mouth.  Gibberish would have made more sense.

Seven weeks passed and several failed attempts at ordering my finely tuned latté.  Yet, I persevered and finally felt confident that I had not only manufactured that perfect latté order, but would make its request via drive-thru!

I sat tall in my seat as I rounded the bend to the speaker, “Hi! What can I get started for you today?” -  “Oh God! Crap….I can’t think! Um…what the… I’ll just be one moment.”  I collected my thoughts then politely asked for a venti, non-fat, sugar free, vanilla café latté. – “Alright then, that’s a venti, skinny vanilla latté”.

“WHAT? Skinny who? I’m sorry, WHAT?!! Seriously??  Didn’t I ask for a sugar free, non-fat latté thingy?”  – What was happening? Where did this skinny stuff come from? Of all things sacred!  - I must have mumbled loud enough for the “voice in the box” to hear as his entertained chuckle caught my ear!  I was mortified and now extremely confused.  As I approached the window to collect my latté, the baristas smirk was just enough to add severe embarrassment to the menu.  Still, I had to ask…”why are you calling my drink skinny?” 

Today, five months later, I am as equally as muddled as ever.  I have, however, mastered my request for a “venti, skinny vanilla latté. Sadly though, my latté repertoire ends there.  Since my early days at the drive thru window of Star Bucks, I have also learned that you may even request extra foam, or no foam; perhaps you would like your beverage “extra hot”! – Intimidated and bewildered, I ask you, where did the simplicity go?

In talking so some other friends, I realize I am not alone in this dilemma. The great “café latté” bafflement has caused  mental stress and confusion.  Just recently, a friend ordered a “Grande skinny mini” – Now imagine if he had ordered it extra hot!  We will not be held captive Americanos, Tazo teas, and Chai this and thats.   I will broaden my horizons allowing my tastebuds to be tingled by the Caramel Macchiato, to savor the cocoa of a Mocha delicately topped with whip cream!  Now, if only I knew exactly what any of this was!

My Challenge! – having taken the time to read this Blog entry, I ask you to please share your favourite beverage of choice.  Email themommyjingles@gmail.com, or simply post a comment here on my blog, then I will pick one of your suggestions to try for the week. I’ve got my StarBucks card loaded and I’m ready to start sampling!

In addition, there’s no question that I am going to have to do my own research on latté’s and macchiato! It would make sense that I have some smidgen of understanding of what I’m drinking.  I have concerns, I won’t lie.  It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve embarrassed myself ordering something I have no clue about. Still, my $5.59 is worth the adventure and the end result…YUMMY!!!

Look out local Baristas The Mommy Jingles are coming….for one of us, it won’t be good!

 (please don’t let it be me!)
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The Mommy Jingles One Year Anniversary is just around the corner!
February 19, 2011

38.7cm = Snow Day

According to Environment Canada 38.7cm of fluffy white snow fell in the metro area.  Personally, I think most of it fell on my van, as it looked more like a large skiing mogul than a vehicle.  None the less, there was no room for complaining.  After a quiet, argument free breakfast of pancakes, my little troops and I headed out to start clearing out.  The boys trotted off playing with their friends while little Gracie hung out with her Mama.  Today was a great day indeed.  Not only was it sunny and mild out, my husband had purchased a new snow blower for me after the debockle and inevitable retirement of our last one.

This Mama was a snow clearing machine!  Best part was my little munchikin following along side me with her "stroller blower" (as she called it).  Grace puttered along side her Mama quite proud of her snow clearing abilities.  "Look Mama, I did that!"

Who was I to argue with the kid, piles and piles of snow to clear and an almost 4-year-old to keep entertained and safe.  If she wanted to use the stroller as her "stroller blower", I was all over it.

Oddly enough, our morning was without incident.  Who would have thunk it!! Our street Mayor brought along a Tim Hortons green tea and the kids have spent the entire day filling their lungs full of fresh air! Closets, toy bins and two rooms gutted, three bags of garbage and two for goodwill....I think it's safe to say that this snow day was a great success and it's not over yet.

Dinner is cooking and a Miche party tonight to attend....how I love these days!