Big Chill Weekend

So many great bags of coffee to choose from!

I just returned from a “Big Chill” weekend in Indian Wells with my “Writer’s Group.” We had the delicious luxury of sampling lots of Intelligentsia coffee….the Summer Solstice Blend was: “A refreshing cup for summer, reminiscent of a great Chardonnay–juicy yet round, buttery yet buoyant.” This is what it says on the bag and apropos! The Flecha Roja, Costa Rica: “A lively marmalade-like acidity blends into notes of maple, creme brulee and cherry. The resolute finish hints of nut toffee and sweet walnut.” And then there was the Los Delirios, Nicaragua: Finca Las Termopilas: “Aromatics of golden raisin and cane sugar. The laid back acidity furnishes a smooth mouthfeel with notes of Dutch cocoa, fig preserves and green grape.”

What a delicious start to the day! At Sweet Butter we will proudly serve Intelligentsia coffee….so you must come by and sample like we did. Intelligentsia Coffee stamps the roasting date on each bag of coffee. On the back of each beautifully packaged bag it reads: “At Intelligentsia, great coffee is our tireless pursuit. In our efforts to seek out and foster the best coffee in the world, we travel year-round to farms dotting the globe. Collaborating directly with growers, constantly sharing knowledge and evolving coffee, we strive to create enduring partnerships that expand economic opportunity and culinary possibility. The result is nothing short of a rare and remarkable experience.”

My friend, Deborah, brought this gorgeous basket of vegetables from Underwood Family Farms. She was given this as an end-of-year gift from one of her First Grade students at the Curtis School. I couldn’t help but take a photo. The radishes were the best I’ve ever tasted. With some Sweet Butter, Fleur de Sel and Country Bread you’d have a perfect Peasant’s lunch!

An edible still life from Underwood Family Farms in Somis California

And I had to share this last photo….a hummingbird sitting in her nest on a branch in the kumquat tree by the pool. That’s one smart bird…choosing such a special spot to lay eggs!