Happy Canada Day!

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Happy Canada Day to everyone!! 

Although we've been in the UK for the last 9 years, hubby and I still consider ourselves very much of the Canadian persuasion. For the last 8 years, Canada day for us has meant, Tim Hortons coffee and street hockey in the middle of Trafalgar Square in London. But, alas, the festivities were cancelled this year. 

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To mark the BIG day, we're going to indulge in all the delights that we can think of to make us feel a bit more "at home". 

If you feel like bringing a bit of the "Great White North" to your day, check out these delicious recipes to get you in the Canadian mood! 

 Iced Maple Frappe

(makes 2)

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Make 180ml of strong black coffee. While it is still hot, stir in about 25g caster sugar until it dissolves, and then stir in 2 tbsp maple syrup and ½ tsp vanilla extract. Leave to cool, and then chill in the fridge until you are ready to serve it. Meanwhile, whip about 200 ml of whipping or double cream until it makes soft peaks. If you're feeling really decadent, you could add in about 1 tsp of sugar and 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract to the cream before whipping. 

When you're ready to serve, put the coffee & maple mixture in a blender with about 12-15 ice cubes and blitz until pale and frothy. 

Pour into two tall glasses. Spoon on some of the cream, and drizzle each one with a teaspoon of maple syrup. 

The perfect drink for a hot sunny July 1st! 

Maple Cream Coffee

(makes 2)

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In a small pan, combine 3/4 cup of whipping or double cream and 1/4 cup of maple syrup. Warm over medium heat until it is heated through, but don't boil it. 

Pour into 2 large coffee cups or mugs, and top up with your favourite brewed coffee. Top with a few dollops of freshly whipped cream. Delicious!

We didn't really need to tell you this but...

The BEST no-bake chocolate cheesecake

I don't know about you, but I love cheesecake. I love all kinds of cheesecake - plain vanilla ones, cheesecake with fruit on top, chocolate cheesecake,... you name it, I like it.
But I have to say that one of my absolute favourites is one that I make from a recipe by Martha Stewart. Her "No-bake Chocolate-Crust Cheesecake" is divine!
It's got a gorgeous texture to the filling - light, almost mousse-like. The other thing that I love is how easy it is to make. I think my record so far is 15 minutes - start to finish!

The other day, my loved ones and I had been invited to a BBQ with friends, and I had been tasked with making dessert. I asked my little one what I should make, and straight away he answered "chocolate cheesecake".
A traditional cheesecake takes time - the mixing, the baking in a water bath at low temperature, and the resting.... Time I didn't have after  a long day at work.
So, in my haste, I made something up that turned out to be pretty fantastic, if I do say so myself. (Well, so did the other taste-testers!!).

I basically took Martha's recipe, added a few things, changed some other things, and ended up with a gorgeous No-bake Chocolate Mocha Mousse Cheesecake that is to die for!!

With the bank holiday this weekend, it is the perfect dessert to make - it's quick and easy, no oven is required, and it pleases the masses (big and small!).

I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Photo Credit: Martha Stewart Omnimedia

No-bake Chocolate Mocha Mousse Cheesecake

• For the crust:
• - 7 ounces chocolate biscuit crumbs (*If you don't have access to store-bought biscuit crumbs, simply whizz up some chocolate digestives, some Oreo cookies, or some Bourbon biscuits)
• - 3 tablespoons sugar
• - 6 to 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1. Place biscuits in a food processor; process until finely ground. If you don't have a snazzy food processor, you can get the same effect by getting the days' frustrations out by putting the biscuits in a plastic zip bag, and bashing them to smithereens! 
• 2. Mix the biscuit crumbs and 3 tablespoons sugar in a bowl. Add 6 tablespoons of melted butter, and mix well until crumb mixture holds together. You don't want the mixture to be too dry, so add a bit more butter if it needs more moisture.
• 3. Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of a pie plate, preferably a spring-form pan (about 6 inches/ 15 cm). Press the mixture down, lining the bottom and half-way up the sides of the pan. (*Helpful tip! Use the back of a large spoon or the base of a measuring cup to help press and smooth out the crumbs). Put the prepared crust in the freezer while making the filling. 
•  
• For the filling: 
• - 1 packet cream cheese (about 250g), softened
• - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• - 1 tsp vanilla extract (make sure it's a good one!)
• - 1/2 cup double or whipping cream
• - 1/4-1/2 tsp instant coffee granules, dissolved in 1/2 tsp hot water
• - 150g dark chocolate, melted and cooled slightly
• 
  
• 4. Mix together the cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla, and dissolved coffee until well combined. In a separate bowl, whip the cream until soft peaks form. Fold this gently into the cream cheese mixture.  Lightly whip cream to soft peaks, and fold into cream-cheese filling. Slowly mix in the melted chocolate, folding it in carefully to make sure to keep as much of the fluffiness of the whipped cream as possible.
• 5. Pour the filling into the prepared biscuit crust, smoothing down the top. Place into the fridge for at least 30 minutes to set before serving. 
• 
  
• To serve:
• - 50g dark chocolate, melted
• - 1 pint fresh raspberries 
• 
  
• 6. Using a fork, drizzle on the melted chocolate. Serve with fresh raspberries. 
  
• (*If you don't have fresh raspberries available, you can also use frozen raspberries. Take 1 cup of frozen raspberries with 2 tbsp of sugar, and warm them in the microwave or on the stovetop. Serve with the cheesecake as a sauce). 

Another way to make this is in individual portions. Place the filling mixture into individual glasses (martini or wine glasses are perfect for this!) and sprinkle the tops with the biscuit crumbs. Then pour the raspberry sauce and fresh raspberries on the top! 

www.couva.co.uk

New uses for 'old' coffee!

While it might be hard to believe, there are almost 70 MILLION* cups of coffee consumed every day in the UK. With a population of over 63 million, that's a lot of coffee being consumed! 

And that also means that there is a lot of coffee grinds left over at the end of the day. But not all those grinds end up in the bin. While browsing the Caffe Culture blog this morning, I came across an article that I thought you'd find interesting.  The "bean to cup" coffee machine experts at Strong Vend have come up with some innovative ways of giving new life to old beans. 

Here are some of their most fab uses, according to Chris Strong from Strong Vend, for leftover coffee and grinds that are great for the environment... 

You can cook with them!

Using both the brewed and ground forms of the beans, they can add a wonderfully rich flavour to sweet and savoury dishes. As well as the traditional use in Tiramisu, you can really take the flavour of your culinary creations to the next level by adding in a bit of coffee...You can add some strong espresso granules to your chocolate mousse (have you tried the Couva take on easy chocolate mousse?!). You can stir in some strong coffee into cake mixtures instead of the recommended liquid. Or  how about some sticky BBQ ribs with coffee and pepper rub? 

Visit our Pinterest pages, and you'll find a wealth of great recipe ideas that make the best use of coffee in the yummiest ways. 

You can drink them up! 

Scientists from the University of Minho in Portugal have figured out a way of turning used coffee grinds into alcohol. By fermenting a mixture of used coffee grinds, sugar, and yeast, they have made a liquor that is similar to vodka and tequila. While most of the caffeine disappears in the fermentation process, imagine what your next Coffee Martini would taste like! Yum! 

Check out a recipe for a delicious coffee martini!

Use it to keep bad breath at bay!

Research has shown that sucking on a coffee bean helps to prevent bacteria that cause bad breath... who knew?! 

Feed them to your garden! 

Due to it's high acid content, coffee grinds make a wonderful fertilizer for your acid-loving plants (like Magnolias, Azaleas, Acers, etc).  Spread a thin layer of coffee grounds directly on the soil right near the root base.

The used grinds also make a great addition to your compost heap... Coffee is rich in nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, potassium so they also acts as a great booster  for decomposition. 

Use them to get rid of garden pests!

Coffee grinds are a great non-toxic way to reduce ants, slugs, snails and maggots in the garden. Simply sprinkle dry coffee grounds in a ring around infected plants to create an acidic barrier between the plant and pest. 

Use them to freshen up stale air! 

To get rid of some pongy smells, coffee grinds do the trick. Wrap some dry coffee beans or grinds in some cloth and tie it with some string (or you could use a clean sock). Place the coffee sachet wherever you need to freshen things up - your car, your fridge, your hubby's shoes!! 

Use them to get beautiful! 

Finely ground coffee beans make a wonderful exfoliator for your skin. Mix together 4-5 tablespoons of freshly ground coffee, a teaspoon of sugar or salt, and mix with some olive oil until it makes a thick paste. Gently rub the mixture into your skin (I would suggest avoiding the face), and it will help to gently remove dry skin, leaving your skin soft and smooth.

You can also use coffee grinds to help beautify your hair... Mix together some coffee grinds and your favourite shampoo. Work this into your hair, paying attention to the scalp (where the coffee grinds will help to exfoliate the skin and help remove build up). Rinse your hair well. You can then follow with  a rinse of cooled brewed coffee to add shine. 

Who knew coffee was so versatile?! 

Couva Coffee Couture...Keeping coffee hotter for longer! 

www.couva.co.uk

(*according to the UK Tea Council)

Design industry buzz about Couva!

I've always felt so fortunate to be able to work with Alex and Derek at Family (and friends) creative agency. They've always "gotten" the vision of Couva. From the logo, to the packaging, to the website, they've always delivered a really strong brand message that we love and think portrays us perfectly. 

And we're not the only ones who seem to love the work that they are doing! 

Check us out in this month's round-up of great design on wtpack.ru/moodboards/april/!

Thanks Alex & Derek! 

Couva Coffee Couture - Keeping coffee hotter for longer! 

www.couva.co.uk

All about Couva Coffee Couture

I’ve been posting for the last number of months all about coffee – coffee facts & figures, funny sayings, coffee in the news, and even information about where Couva has been out and about in the community. But one thing I’ve not done much of is actually talk about Couva! I thought I’d spend a little bit of time telling you all about why Couva Coffee Couture is so super (because Couva is super!)!

So, what is Couva Coffee Couture?

Couva is a range of functional and fashionable accessories for the discerning coffee connoisseur. The range includes cafetiere covers in a number of different sizes and covers for cups that fit takeaway cups and mugs.

The range of products have slowly grown and evolved from an idea I had for a birthday present for my dad a number of years ago. After many years of wrapping our cafetiere with a tea towel and an elastic band, I thought ‘surely I can come up with something better!’ And I think I have!

I know there are other cafetiere covers on the market, but our covers are really SO much better! And here is why: 

First of all, they look good! Have you seen our new Moustache range?! Just gorgeous!

None of that horrible rubbery neoprene wet-suit material that you normally see, and certainly no silly naff designs! We go to a lot of effort to make sure the fabrics in the range are beautiful, eye-catching, and will work well in your kitchen or dining room. We think about the current trends in home fashions and on the high street, and we try to translate that to our products.

Second, there is a special heat-reflective inner liner that keeps coffee up to 60% warmer*. This means that you can take time to enjoy your brew because you can be assured that your coffee will stay warmer for longer. You can linger over your cup, enjoying more time with loved ones without worrying about cold coffee – because nobody likes that!

Third, they are machine washable. This is kind of important because Couvas also catches the dribbles from the spout so they don’t get onto your counter or tablecloth. When Couva gets a bit grubby, just throw it in the washing machine and air dry! Simple!

Fourth, we like to think outside of the box. We use elastic closures because we want to make sure that our covers fit most sizes of cafetieres and cups. On our cafetiere Couvas, we’ve started using magnet closures because they are really easy to use (which is important for those who may have some trouble with their hands, like your Granny!) and they hold the Couva securely to keep all of the warmth in. For our Cup Couvas, we use a button closure so that you can use it on a mug AND on your take-away cup. For a little added extra, we’ve added a little pocket that is perfect for your loyalty card or your coffee money! Genius!

Finally, they are made in the UK and the quality is second to none. It’s really important that our products are made in an ethical way, that supports the talent that we have here in the UK. We’ve worked hard with a wonderful family-owned manufacturer in the heart of England to make sure that our products meet our standards and yours. 

We love our Couvas, and we know you will to!  Come and visit us at www.couva.co.uk! 

Couva Coffee Couture... Keeps coffee hotter for longer! 

www.couva.co.uk

 (*than not using a cover and about 30% warmer than other covers available on the market)

Review of London Coffee Fest 2014

One word to describe London Coffee Fest 2014 - AMAZING!

Now, I've never been to the London Coffee Festival before, so I didn't really know what to expect or have anything to compare it to. But I've been to a number of trade shows and consumer fairs in my time, so I had a pretty good idea of what it was going to be like... Boy was I wrong! 
Unlike many of the other shows I've been to, this event had a really great feel to it. The event was held at the Old Truman Brewery in Brick Lane in London, and thanks to the numerous different rooms at the venue, the overall feel was warm and intimate. Each space seemed to have a different theme and atmosphere. You had the tea, hot chocolate and chocolate in a light and airy main area that also housed the chill-out area and music stage. 

You then had the pop-up Street Food Market, with some wonderful culinary delights. Among my favourites were the dumplings from Dorshi and the veggie burgers from The Breakfast Club, while my son favoured Herman ze German bratwurst sausages with the great slogan "Our wurst is the best"!! 
Other areas included the Make Decent Coffee Lounge, the Kalhua Coffee Lounge (can you say 'espresso martinis'!!), and a wonderful array of artesenal coffee roasters showcasing the wonderful array of blends that they offer. One area that was particular popular throughout the weekend was the Competition Stage where the UK Barista Competition took place... spectacular! At one point, there were even belly dancers entertaining the crowds! 


The first 2 days of the even were strictly for trade, with the Saturday and Sunday open to the public. Over 20,000 people came through the doors over the 4 days, and the energy was just incredible (maybe it was the caffeine!!). This video will give you a bit of a flavour of what it was like to be at the festival - the buzz, the energy, the heat! (20,000++ people makes it a bit toasty inside a building!!)

Over the course of the festival, Couva Coffee Couture had the pleasure of meeting some terrific people (Hello to Progressive Supplies, Brew Tea Co, and many other friends that we met), we made some wonderful contacts, and put some smiles on people's faces (particularly when they saw our new Moustache range)! 

But you don't have to take my word for it... Check out some of the other reviews of the weekend at Brian's Coffee Spot, Freshly Brewed Cup, and a review of the wonderful event in pictures at Cups of London Coffee .

What did you think of the event? What were your favourites? We'd love to hear what you thought of the event! 

We can't wait for next year! 

Couva Coffee Couture... Keeping your Coffee Hotter for Longer! 

www.couva.co.uk

**HUGE thanks to Tassie and my family for coming and helping out over the 4 days - couldn't have done it without you!