Tag: Hot tea

Love at First Coffee: Q+A Interview with Joffrey’s Roastmaster, Chris DeMezzo

 

Q: Tell us about the first time you drank coffee.

A: “It was a year after I’d been working at Joffrey’s. I was roasting by the seat of my pants – scared to death and hoping I wouldn’t burn the place down. I would drink a bottle of coke every morning and all the sales people would tease me. Don’t ask me why I remember this, but one morning I had just taken a roast out and I said, you know what, I’ve been doing this for a while and I never stopped to try or taste what I was doing all day, every day. It was time to try it! So, the coffee I had just roasted was Mocha Java, I went over to the barrel, took a handful and ground it, brewed it and poured it into an old ceramic cup. I remember taking a sip and I did what I call a “Joffrey’s Roll Back,” which is when someone tries our coffee and their eyes roll back in their head because they’re amazed it’s so delicious. I was really, really surprised that it tasted so good. Of course, I drank it black. And at that moment I caught the spark and it’s never left me.”

“Being a thorough bread Italian and being one of five children, I grew up on my mother’s apron strings. I was always in the kitchen cooking with her. She would explain all the flavors she was cooking with so I had a pretty decent palate for tasting things. After I tried coffee I was inspired to experiment with the different flavors of all coffees. Let me try this Panama, let me try this Ethiopia; I began to taste everything. I started to experiment with different roasting profiles – some a little lighter, some a little darker, mixing some together. It was an epiphany that I could effect change. Instead of settling for what any coffee gave me, I knew I could bring out the flavors I wanted. I realized that roasting coffee was not a one roast fits all proposition.”

 

Q: When did you realize, you wanted to be a Roast Master?

A: “Fate. I came down to Florida, after working for Reynolds Aluminum in New Jersey manufacturing beer and soda cans. I did that for 10 years and the plant was closing because of a labor dispute. At that time, I had the option to relocate to another branch of our company, either in Tampa or Virginia. I had a sister that was living in Tampa at the time and liked what I had seen while on vacation. So, I sold my house in NJ with my wife Linda and we moved to Tampa. When I got down here, the job I was supposed to work at fell through.”

“My sister introduced me to Joffrey’s because she was doing part-time accounting work here. And my first reply was I don’t know a damn thing about coffee… I ended up talking to the owner and he agreed to hire me to for 8 bucks an hour. The next day I showed up and that was the first day of my coffee experience. They brought me in the back of this little room, pointed to a bag of green coffee and said this is what it looks like before you roast it. Then we popped open the top of a coffee barrel and saw what the beans looked like after being roasted. We walked over to the old-pre-world-war 2 Probat roaster. They showed me how to turn it on and then they said have a great day, we’re going to lunch. That was it.”

 

Q: What do you love most about traveling the world to source the best beans?

A: “Seeing beautiful places and meeting new people. It’s a mix of emotions because amongst so much beauty there’s also a lot of hardships. There’s a lot of poverty along with primitive living and working conditions. You have to tell yourself that you’re looking at it from your eyes, not theirs. For them, that’s a way of life. One of the most rewarding things is going back to places I’ve visited before and seeing how coffee roasters, in general, have begun to contribute to improving the living conditions of the people we owe our living to. You have no idea how hard these people work and the amount of labor that goes into producing and growing great coffee. If you did, you would appreciate it so much more.”

 

Q: What’s the best part about your job?

A: “The fact that Miguel (my roasting partner at Joffrey’s) and I can see people’s reactions when they drink our coffee, is the most humbling, rewarding part of our job. We travel to origin and see our coffee being grown and nurtured by people who truly care about the product. If the farmers aren’t growing great coffee, we wouldn’t be able to roast great coffee. It makes the days of standing in 120 degrees for 8-10 hours roasting delicious coffees for our deserving customers, well worth the effort.”

 

Q: How do you know when coffee beans are perfectly roasted?

A: “The appearance will tell you. Every bean goes through 4 phases when they’re roasting. The first phase is when the temperature reaches 212 degrees and moisture dissipates, making the color of the bean fade. Phase 2 happens about two or three minutes later when the beans hit around 270. That’s when the beans change from green to yellow because the chlorophyll disappears. Phase 3 is what I consider most critical. At 320 degrees, the sugar breaks down. Sugars break down one of two ways, they melt and caramelize to remain sweet or they burn and become bitter and astringent. If you’ve ever had a cup of coffee that made the hair on the back of your neck stand up, or if you’re the unlucky recipient of the last cup of coffee after its been sitting on a burner for hours… then you know what I’m talking about. A lot of roasters roast coffee to be extra dark and have “more body.” They want that taste. As a rule, Joffrey’s doesn’t roast coffee past the point of what I’d call a French roast. The darkest we’ll go is between a chestnut brown or indigo color. I like my Kenya’s to taste like Kenya’s and my Sumatra to taste like Sumatra. The final stage is when the beans have heated to the epicenter, pores expand and then you get what’s called a crack. The first crack is slower; the second crack is rapid. When you hear a crackle in the beans and that means the c02 is being released. It sounds like a big bowl of rice krispies.”

 

Q: If coffee didn’t exist in the world, I would __________. (fill in the blank)

A: “Being as coffee is the second most consumed beverage after tea (and water), I think I’d be pretty heart broken. Bored. Unsatisfied. I can’t imagine life without coffee!”

 

Q: How often do you drink coffee and how do you take it?

A: “I start every day with a French Press of coffee, using beans we’ve roasted in the past 48 hours. I drink it black because I like the taste of coffee. And I drink it up until noon usually. I used to drink a lot more coffee than I do now, but I’m drinking probably 4-5 cups every day now. Then I’ll sneak in an espresso in the afternoon. There’s so many different nuances to each type of coffee. Even though I might drink a Kenya today, tomorrow I’ll drink it again and probably taste something different than I did the day before. This is the greatest job in the world because there’s always something else around the corner. I can’t wait to see what flavor I’m going to discover next.

 

Q: What inspires you when you’re inventing new specialty drinks?

A: “The unwavering commitment that I can, and we as a company, can always make something better. If it was good today, it’ll be better tomorrow. I’m strictly a black coffee drinker, but I love seeing the expression on people’s faces when I make them their first real specialty beverage, like someone who’s never had a good espresso and is amazed that they could drink it without sugar and enjoy it. It’s like YEAH BABY, that’s what this is all about.”

 

Q: If you could compare your love to coffee with something else, who or what would it be?

A: “God, my wife and my family are up in the top of my love list. The other thing that I LOVE is cooking. I’ll cook anything Italian.”

 

 

Joffrey's 12 Days of Gifting Giveaway

When the scent of freshly baked gingerbread begins to fill the air, holiday celebrations are soon to follow! The winter months always bring us back to what really matters – togetherness with family, showing gratitude and making sweet memories. We romanticize dreamy sugar plums and snowflakes delicately landing on the tips of our noses. Everything is (quite literally) sugar coated, until the anxiety of gift shopping begins to settle in.

The art of gift giving can be hard to master, especially if you don’t know where to start! Luckily for you, we have craft-roasted beans and the perfect one-stop-shop. This year you can skip the lines and take your gift hunt online… But before you do, make sure you enter our 12 Days of Gifting giveaway!

From December 1st – December 12th, Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Co. will be gifting one prize per day to one of our amazing fans. To spice things up, we’ve also created a guide to help gift your way through the season! Now that we’ve selected gifts and recommended who to give them to, all you have to do is enter.

INSTRUCTIONS AND CONTEST RULES 

How to enter on Facebook:

  1. Visit our Facebook page here.
  2. Find the Giveaway post.
  3. Like the post and tag a friend in the comment section.
  4. Cross your fingers for the win!

How to enter on Twitter:

  1. Visit our Twitter page here.
  2. Find the Giveaway post.
  3. Retweet it!
  4. Wait until we announce the winner.

One winner will be selected and announced every day, from December 1st to December 12th. Cheers!

*Please note one entry per person will be considered

Let the Gifts Begin!

Joffreys social media 1

Day 1: Flavorites Trio for Your Favorite Co-Worker

This gift is a delicious way to thank your favorite co-worker for making your 9-5 that much better. An awesome co-worker who goes above and beyond is also a part-time therapist, professional cheerleader and the friend who advises you to put down that slice of Crumb Cake when you’re on a diet. Return the favor by surprising them with an energizing trifecta that tastes a little like heaven.

Read the flavor descriptions here.

Joffreys social media 2

Day 2: Holidays flavors pack: Winterwonderland Coffee, Jingle Jangle Java Coffee & Monin Syrup Set for the Boss Who’s Always on the Move

It’s no secret that bosses usually have more things on their schedule than they have time for. They spend their days running in and out of meetings, on conference calls and making challenging decisions. We love the holidays because they offer an opportunity to show appreciation to those who deserve it most. This year, give your boss a gift that says “thank you” for all they do.

Looking for another festive flavor? Check out our flavored coffee collection here.

Joffreys social media 3

Day 3: Disney Parks & Resorts Specialty Coffee Collection Trio for the Mom Who’s Craving a Caffeinated Vacation

Being a mom is one of the most rewarding and challenging jobs in the world. Packing lunches with handwritten notes on napkins, teaching valuable lessons and tying little shoe laces is a job within itself. Let’s not forget the infamous carpool duties, countless loads of laundry and being your child’s number one fan at soccer games. Moms are modern day super heroes, but even Wonder Woman needs someone to save her occasionally – and that’s where this coffee Trio comes in.

Click here to see for yourself.

Joffreys social media 4

Day 4: Tea Traveler Paired with Green Blackberry Jasmine & Wintermint Teas for the Yogi Master in Your Life.

Tea is the international symbol for peace, love and tranquility, which is why this gift has “yogi” written all over it. The fruity, floral tones of our Green Blackberry Jasmine tea are bright and uplifting, while Wintery Mint offers a cool escape after a hot yoga practice. Give the gift of relaxation to the yogi master in your life. Namaste!

Interested in exploring more of our amazing teas? See the full collection here.

Joffreys social media 5

Day 5: Holiday duo; Jingle Jangle Java & Stainless Travel Mug for Your Friend with the Long Commute and Adventurous Palette.  

Most people have a love-hate relationship with morning commutes. There’s the person who can’t wait to belt out their new favorite song with the windows down. The friend who uses travel time to catch up on long-overdue phone calls. And then there’s the grumpy cat, who despises rising before the sun to drive to work (…but we love them anyway). Despite their AM routine, these friends have one thing in common: coffee! Need we say more?

If you’re a commuter yourself, get your own flavored coffee fix here.

Joffreys social media 6

Day 6: Joffrey’s Mug with Hawaiian Kona Coffee for Your Friend Who’s Cramming for a Final Exam

The definition of coffee changes depending on who you ask. It’s life elixir to a coffee lover, pre-workout juice for personal trainers, an afternoon ritual for professionals, a source of energy for new moms – we could literally go on forever. But friends who are cramming for a final exam will tell you it’s the king of all occasions. Gift them one of our Origin coffees to power through those late-night study sessions.

If you’re like us and can’t get enough, check out all of our coffees here!

Joffreys social media 7

Day 7: Disneyland® Coffee Trio – Steakhouse 55, French Bistro Blend and Napa Rose – for the Big-Kid at Heart

Disneyland is a mecca of magical moments, and now you can relive them again and again! Our Disneyland® Resort Specialty Coffees keep your memories at the park alive, while indulging in the comfort of your own home. This gift is perfect for the Peter Pan in your life. Never. Grow. Up. (it’s a trap).

 

Joffreys social media 8

Day 8: Contingo Tea Tumbler Paired with African Celebration & Earl Grey Tea for Your Foodie Friend  

We love tea for its versatility. It’s one of our go-to’s on a hot summer day and an enchanting addition to cold winter nights. Tea is amazing by itself, but we love to cook with it too! Cookies, smoothies, soups, ice creams and oatmeal – tea can be the star of many surprising recipes. Isn’t it time to expand your foodie friend’s culinary horizons? Introduce them to their new favorite ingredient!

Don’t be afraid to buy a gift for yourself, too! Click here for our full tea collection.

Joffreys social media 9

Day 9: Set of 4 Tea Sachet Boxes with Joffrey’s Mug for Your Writer Friend

There’s nothing like cozying up next to the fireplace when the weather is frightfully cold, especially if you’re a writer. The comforting crackle of the fire, hot mug of tea in hand and spilling wondrous thoughts onto paper is a writer’s dream. Now you can make it come true. Let us be their muse!

These tea sachets are just the beginning. Click here for more tantalizing flavors.

Joffreys social media 10

Day 10: Coffee Party of 6, for Your Favorite Hostess

Upon ringing the doorbell, you’re greeted by a blanket of Christmas lights and welcoming holiday melodies. Familiar faces and warm ugly sweater hugs make your heart grow ten sizes. The scent of homemade egg nog awakens your senses and suddenly, you’re in holiday heaven. Where are you? The best party of the holiday season.

We all have a friend who takes pride in hosting the perfect party. Show your appreciation by being the perfect guest – bring enough coffee for everyone!

Are you usually the hostess with the mostess? Click here to explore our best selling coffees and teas! We promise, they’ll be a hit at your next gathering.

Joffreys social media 11

Day 11: Joffrey’s Roastmaster’s Limited Edition Mug & Winter Wonderland Coffee for Your Snow Bird

Our roastery is located in Tampa, Florida, meaning that this year (or any year), we won’t be walking in a winter wonderland… but we will be drinking it! If you’re from the North, but have migrated into the snowless states, it’s easy to get homesick during the holidays. Thankfully, we have the perfect solution for snows birds craving snowflakes and the crisp scent of winter. Remind them that they can have the best of both worlds, with Winter Wonderland coffee in hand and sunshine on their face. The gift giving forecast just got a whole lot brighter.

Start your holiday shopping now! Click here for more holiday flavors.

Joffreys social media 12

Day 12: The Grand Finale for Yourself! Includes a 16 oz. Bodum French Press, Monin Syrup Set and 6 Bags of Coffee (Jingle Jangle Java, Café Blend, Caramel Mudslide, House Blend, Costa Rica, and Guatemala Single Origin Café Femenino)

Did you really think we would forget about the most important person of all? You deserve the best coffee drinking experience, and we can’t wait to share it with you. Brew your favorites in style, with your new French Press!

Click here to treat yourself to a coffee and tea oasis. Happy shopping!

 

Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co. Social Media Giveaway

OFFICIAL RULES 

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

Participation constitutes Entrant’s (as hereinafter defined) full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules. Joffrey’s social media giveaways and contests are intended for legal residents of the contiguous United States of America (USA) and shall only be construed and evaluated according to U.S. federal law and Florida state law. Do not enter this giveaway if you are not located in the USA at the time of entry. The giveaway begins at 12:00 a.m., Eastern Time (“ET”) on December 1m 2016 and ends at 11:59 p.m., ET on December 12, 2016 (“Giveaway Period”). The Sponsor’s computer is the official time-keeping device for the Giveaway.

SPONSOR/ADMINISTRATOR: The Giveaway is sponsored by Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co., Inc., 3803 Corporex Park Dr., Ste #400, Tampa, FL 33619.

ELIGIBILITY: Entrants must be legal residents of the contiguous United States, including residents of the District of Columbia, who have reached the age of majority in their state of residence at the time of entry (“Entrant”). Employees, officers and representatives of Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Co. and their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, agents, advertising and promotion agencies and members of the immediate family (mother, father, sons, daughters and spouse, regardless of where they reside) and household members of each, whether or not related, are not eligible to participate in the Giveaway. Void in Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico and where prohibited/restricted by law.

HOW TO ENTER: During the Giveaway Period eligible participants are invited to enter the Giveaway by visiting Facebook or Twitter and following the instructions to enter the Giveaway. Each Entrant will be required to “Like” and tag a friend on our Facebook giveaway post OR retweet the giveaway tweet on Twitter. By doing so, the Entrant will receive one (1) Giveaway entry. During the Giveaway Period, there will be a limit of one (1) entry per person. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any person that submits more than maximum allowed entries.

All required criteria must be completed to enter and be eligible to win. Incomplete entries will be disqualified. The use of automated entry devices is prohibited and no mechanically reproduced entries are allowed; all such entries are void. Released Parties (as hereinafter defined) are not responsible for late, incomplete, incorrect, delayed, garbled, undelivered, or misdirected entries.

DRAWING AND NOTIFICATION: The Prize (as hereinafter defined) drawing will be conducted at random. The Prize drawing will be conducted every day from December 1 – December 12, 2016. Odds of winning the Prize will depend on the total number of eligible entries received throughout the Giveaway Period. The potential Prize Winner will be notified via Facebook or Twitter.

PRIZE & PRIZE CONDITIONS: There will be twelve (12) Prize Winners. The Prize Winners will receive the prize pictured in the corresponding giveaway post. No substitution or transfer of Prize will be permitted except by Sponsor, who reserves the right at its sole discretion to substitute the Prize (or Prize component) with another prize of equal or greater value in the event that any of aforementioned Prize components are not available.

The potential Prize Winners will be notified on Facebook or Twitter and must respond within seven (7) days of the date of notice or attempted notice is sent in order to claim his/her prize. If a prize or prize notification is returned as unclaimed or undeliverable to the potential Prize Winner, if a potential Prize Winner cannot be reached via Facebook or Twitter within seven (7) business days from the first notification attempt or if a potential Prize Winner is not in compliance with these Official Rules, then such person shall be disqualified and, at Sponsor’s sole discretion, an alternate Prize Winner may be selected.

GENERAL: By accepting the Prize, where permitted by law, recipient grants to the Sponsor, its parent, subsidiaries and related companies, and those acting pursuant to the authority of Sponsor, the right to print, publish, broadcast and use worldwide IN ALL MEDIA without limitation at any time the recipient’s full name, portrait, picture, voice, likeness and/or biographical information for advertising, trade and promotional purposes without further payment or additional consideration, and without review, approval or notification. IN NO EVENT WILL SPONSOR, AND HEIR RESPECTIVE PARENTS, AFFILIATES, SUBSIDIARIES, ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION AGENCIES, DEALERS, DISTRIBUTORS, SUPPLIERS, PRIZE PROVIDERS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, REPRESENTATIVES AND AGENTS (COLLECTIVELY, THE “RELEASED PARTIES”) BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR LOSSES OF ANY KIND (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES) ARISING OUT OF PARTICIPATION IN THIS GIVEAWAY OR THE ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, USE, OR MISUSE OF, OR ANY HARM RESULTING FROM THE ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, USE OR MISUSE OF THE PRIZE. By participating, entrants release and agree to hold harmless the Released Parties from any and all liability for any injuries, death or losses or damages to persons or property AS WELL AS CLAIMS/ACTIONS BASED ON PUBLICITY RIGHTS, DEFAMATION, AND/OR INVASION OF PRIVACY that may arise from participating in this Giveaway or its related activities or the acceptance, possession, use or misuse of, or any harm resulting from the acceptance, possession, use or misuse of the Prize. Prize Winner acknowledges that the Released Parties have neither made nor are in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation or guarantee, express or implied, in fact or in law, relative to the Prize.

INTERNET LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: If for any reason this Giveaway is not capable of running as planned due to infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the reasonable control of Sponsor which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Giveaway, Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process, and to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Giveaway in whole or in part, at any time, without notice and award the prizes using all non-suspect eligible entries received. No responsibility is assumed for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, entries, or for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or telephone lines, computer on-line systems, servers, or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any e-mail or entry to be received by Sponsor on account of technical problems, human error or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any Website, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to participant’s or any other person’s computer relating to or resulting from participation in the Giveaway or downloading any materials in the Giveaway. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE GIVEAWAY IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES OR OTHER REMEDIES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTEMPT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. In the event of a dispute as to the identity of a winner based on an e-mail address, the winning entry will be declared made by the authorized account holder of the e-mail address submitted at time of entry. “Authorized account holder” is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, on-line service provider or other organization (e.g., business, educational, institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address.

DISPUTES: All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules or the rights and obligations of Entrants’ and Sponsor in connection with the Giveaway shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions that would cause the application of any other state’s or jurisdiction’s laws.  By participating in the Giveaway, Entrant agrees that: (i) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with the Giveaway, shall be resolved individually without resort to any form of class action; (ii) any judicial proceeding shall take place in a federal or state court within the State of Florida; (iii) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering this Giveaway, but in no event will attorney fees be awarded or recoverable; (iv) under no circumstances will Entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and Entrant hereby waives all rights to seek, punitive, incidental, exemplary, consequential, special damages, lost profits, other damages, and/or any rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased; and (v) Entrant’s remedies are limited to a claim for money damages (if any) and he/she waives any right to seek injunctive or equitable relief. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Official Rules will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. If any provision of the Official Rules is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable, the other provisions will remain in effect and will be construed as if the invalid or unenforceable provision were not contained herein.

WINNERS LIST REQUEST:  To confirm the name, city, and state of residence of the Prize Winner, please send an e-mail to joffreysfans@joffreys.com within seven (7) days of winner notification.

SPONSOR: Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co., Inc., 3803 Corporex Park Dr., Ste #400, Tampa, FL 33619.

 

Trick or Treat, Joffrey’s Coffee is Sweet

We all remember running around our neighborhoods as kids in funny Halloween costumes and filling our pillowcases with candy.  And who could forget about the quintessential candy trade at the end of the night? “I’ll give you a pack of licorice for a king-sized chocolate bar.” Ah, the memories! Who says the Halloween fun can’t continue into adulthood? When you buy our coffee online,  you’ll find treats to satisfy the kid in you and your adult palate.  There are so many yummy flavors of Joffrey’s coffee for you to choose from! Let the adventures begin!

 

Chocolate Lovers, This is for You!

dark-brown-milk-candy

Loyalty to chocolate runs deep! If you love it now, you probably loved it back in your trick-or-treating days too. We’re right there with you. Chocolate is irresistible. Now you can overcome your chocolate cravings when you buy coffee online. Our Roastmasters have created an impressive assortment of tempting Joffrey’s coffee chocolate flavors just for you!

Whether you like a chocolate-nut combo, or you’re just nuts for chocolate, you’re in for a serious treat! Our Chocolate Turtle and Chocolate Macadamia Nut coffees are a tasty blend of caramel and nuts that will keep you smiling with every sip! Another nutty coffee mixed with a European flair is our Swiss Chocolate Almond, the perfect coffee to curl up with on a crisp October morning.

Then, jumping to another European country, we have our Dutch Chocolate. This is for all of you chocolate purists, who prefer chocolate to be the star flavor in your cup of Joe. When it comes to chocolate, the Dutch know how it’s done! Last, but not least, for our chocolate covered fruit lovers, there’s our Chocolate Raspberry coffee. It’s smooth and sweet with hints of flavor that will remind you of fruit-dipped chocolate. Joffrey’s coffee satisfies all guilty pleasures. It’s all about finding your favorite…but wait…there’s more!

 

Dessert Delights

food-colorful-dessert-sweet

Every neighborhood has that one family that hands out baked goods on Halloween, and it’s always a fun surprise. Now you can take your baked-goods experience on Halloween to the next level with Joffrey’s Coffee dessert flavors.. What better way to celebrate Halloween than with our Pumpkin Crème Brûlée? Imagine pumpkin pie with a hint of vanilla custard. Tempted yet? Not so fast… our Bananas Foster is also sure to please, with banana, brown sugar, butter and rum conspiring with specialty grade Arabica beans to create a dessert coffee that you can’t resist! We also can’t forget our Coconut Cream, flavored after one of America’s favorite pies…with a hint of graham cracker to seal the deal. Can’t choose one? Try all three!

For the cookie lovers,  you can’t go wrong with our Biscoffee Cookie Crumble, flavored after Belgium’s most popular cookie. Another crunchy cookie-inspired delight is Joffrey’s Butter Crunch coffee.. This coffee is flavored with hints of this yummy butter cookie to make it the perfect caffeinated pick-me-up with your sweet afternoon snack. Last and oh so loved is the Pecan Praline. Imagine a mix of pecan, caramelized sugar, and specialty grade Arabica coffee to finish it off with a richness fit for royalty! Yes, the world is a magical place for dessert lovers who buy coffee online.

 

An Ode to Sinful Cinnamon…and Joffrey’s Coffee

cinnamon-stick-cinnamon-powder-spice-flavoring-47046

What would the fall season be without its most beloved spice, cinnamon? Our cinnamon coffees embody fall in all its glory…and the sinfully sweet desserts that come with it. Joffrey’s Cinnamon Twist tastes like a snicker doodle hopped into your cup of coffee and melted…gifting your mouth with the flavor of a warm cinnamon sugar cookie and a pinch of spice. Our Cinnamon Vanilla Nut coffee is the perfect blend of creamy and nutty with a kick of spice, leaving hints of vanilla bean, almonds, and of course, cinnamon.

 

Hungry Yet?

After hearing about all of Joffrey’s sweet coffee flavors, there’s no doubt that you’ll be daydreaming of sugar, spice, and everything nice, and reminiscing about your Halloween days as a kid.  If your tummy’s rumbling, grab some dessert, brew a cup of your favorite Joffrey’s coffee and enjoy the moment! If you don’t have Joffrey’s coffee, now is the perfect time of year to buy coffee online and try some of our fall-friendly flavors. You know where to find us! Oh, and Happy Halloween!

 

 

Celebrate Fall with Joffrey’s National Pumpkin Day Giveaway!

There’s no better symbol of Fall than the majestic, sought after pumpkin! How did the pumpkin go from minding its own business to being the star of Halloween? Believe it or not, the Halloween pumpkin tradition actually started in Ireland, where the Irish would carve faces into turnips and put candles or burning coals in them to ward off evil spirits at night. When Irish immigrated to the U.S. hundreds of years ago, they wanted to keep up with the tradition. They discovered that the bright orange fruits in their new home country were much easier to carve than turnips…and some of them probably realized that pumpkins were a lot prettier too! (Sorry, turnips.) The Irish soon forgot about the turnips and started carving pumpkins instead. That’s how the modern-day Halloween Jack O Lantern was born!

Not only do pumpkins have an interesting history, they add so much fun and flavor to our lives. We use them to bake, decorate, carve, and most importantly, add their delicious flavors to our favorite fall drinks. (Who can resist a drink flavor that begins with “Pumpkin Spiced”?)  Since pumpkins spice up our lives in so many ways, don’t you think they deserve to be celebrated on more than just one day a year (Halloween)? We do too. That’s why we’re so excited to celebrate National Pumpkin Day on October 26th! To celebrate this glorious fruit, we’re giving away one bag of Pumpkin Crème Brûlée coffee and one bag of Pumpkin Pie Pu’Erh tea.

To win these fun fall coffees, enter the contest on Facebook or Twitter…and while you’re waiting for us to announce the winners, try to avoid passing the turnips in the produce section next time you’re at the grocery store. They’re not fans of pumpkin-lovers…

INSTRUCTIONS AND CONTEST RULES 

Here’s how to enter on Facebook:

  1. Visit our Facebook page here.
  2. Find the Giveaway post.
  3. Like the post and tag a friend in the comment section.
  4. Cross your fingers for the win!

Here’s how to enter on Twitter:

  1. Visit our Twitter page here.
  2. Find the Giveaway post.
  3. Retweet it!
  4. Wait until October 28th when we announce the winner.

The winner will be announced on October 28th, 2016. Good luck!

*Please note one entry per person will be considered

 

Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co. Social Media Giveaway

OFFICIAL RULES 

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

Participation constitutes Entrant’s (as hereinafter defined) full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules. Joffrey’s social media giveaways and contests are intended for legal residents of the contiguous United States of America (USA) and shall only be construed and evaluated according to U.S. federal law and Florida state law. Do not enter this giveaway if you are not located in the USA at the time of entry. The giveaway begins at 12:00 a.m., Eastern Time (“ET”) on Wednesday, October 26 2016 and ends at 11:59 p.m., ET on Thursday, October 27 (“Giveaway Period”). The Sponsor’s computer is the official time-keeping device for the Giveaway

SPONSOR/ADMINISTRATOR: The Giveaway is sponsored by Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co., Inc., 3803 Corporex Park Dr., Ste #400, Tampa, FL 33619.

ELIGIBILITY: Entrants must be legal residents of the contiguous United States, including residents of the District of Columbia, who have reached the age of majority in their state of residence at the time of entry (“Entrant”). Employees, officers and representatives of Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Co. and their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, agents, advertising and promotion agencies and members of the immediate family (mother, father, sons, daughters and spouse, regardless of where they reside) and household members of each, whether or not related, are not eligible to participate in the Giveaway. Void in Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico and where prohibited/restricted by law.

HOW TO ENTER: During the Giveaway Period eligible participants are invited to enter the Giveaway by visiting Joffrey’s Twitter and following the instructions to enter the Giveaway. Each Entrant will be required to follow our Instagram account and tag a friend on the Giveaway post. By doing so, the Entrant will receive one (1) Giveaway entry. During the Giveaway Period, there will be a limit of one (1) entry per person. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any person that submits more than maximum allowed entries.

All required criteria must be completed to enter and be eligible to win. Incomplete entries will be disqualified. The use of automated entry devices is prohibited and no mechanically reproduced entries are allowed; all such entries are void. Released Parties (as hereinafter defined) are not responsible for late, incomplete, incorrect, delayed, garbled, undelivered, or misdirected entries.

DRAWING AND NOTIFICATION: The Prize (as hereinafter defined) drawing will be conducted at random. The Prize drawing will be conducted on Thursday, October 27, 2016. Odds of winning the Prize will depend on the total number of eligible entries received throughout the Giveaway Period. The potential Prize Winner will be notified via Instagram.

PRIZE & PRIZE CONDITIONS: There will be one Prize Winner. The Prize Winner, will receive one bag of Pumpkin Crème Brûlée coffee and one bag of Pumpkin Pie Pu’Erh tea. No substitution or transfer of Prize will be permitted except by Sponsor, who reserves the right at its sole discretion to substitute the Prize (or Prize component) with another prize of equal or greater value in the event that any of aforementioned Prize components are not available.

The potential Prize Winner will be notified and must respond within seven (7) days of the date of notice or attempted notice is sent in order to claim his/her prize. If a prize or prize notification is returned as unclaimed or undeliverable to the potential Prize Winner, if a potential Prize Winner cannot be reached within seven (7) business days from the first notification attempt or if a potential Prize Winner is not in compliance with these Official Rules, then such person shall be disqualified and, at Sponsor’s sole discretion, an alternate Prize Winner may be selected.

GENERAL: By accepting the Prize, where permitted by law, recipient grants to the Sponsor, its parent, subsidiaries and related companies, and those acting pursuant to the authority of Sponsor, the right to print, publish, broadcast and use worldwide IN ALL MEDIA without limitation at any time the recipient’s full name, portrait, picture, voice, likeness and/or biographical information for advertising, trade and promotional purposes without further payment or additional consideration, and without review, approval or notification. IN NO EVENT WILL SPONSOR, AND HEIR RESPECTIVE PARENTS, AFFILIATES, SUBSIDIARIES, ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION AGENCIES, DEALERS, DISTRIBUTORS, SUPPLIERS, PRIZE PROVIDERS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, REPRESENTATIVES AND AGENTS (COLLECTIVELY, THE “RELEASED PARTIES”) BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR LOSSES OF ANY KIND (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES) ARISING OUT OF PARTICIPATION IN THIS GIVEAWAY OR THE ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, USE, OR MISUSE OF, OR ANY HARM RESULTING FROM THE ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, USE OR MISUSE OF THE PRIZE. By participating, entrants release and agree to hold harmless the Released Parties from any and all liability for any injuries, death or losses or damages to persons or property AS WELL AS CLAIMS/ACTIONS BASED ON PUBLICITY RIGHTS, DEFAMATION, AND/OR INVASION OF PRIVACY that may arise from participating in this Giveaway or its related activities or the acceptance, possession, use or misuse of, or any harm resulting from the acceptance, possession, use or misuse of the Prize. Prize Winner acknowledges that the Released Parties have neither made nor are in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation or guarantee, express or implied, in fact or in law, relative to the Prize.

INTERNET LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: If for any reason this Giveaway is not capable of running as planned due to infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the reasonable control of Sponsor which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Giveaway, Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process, and to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Giveaway in whole or in part, at any time, without notice and award the prizes using all non-suspect eligible entries received. No responsibility is assumed for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, entries, or for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or telephone lines, computer on-line systems, servers, or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any e-mail or entry to be received by Sponsor on account of technical problems, human error or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any Website, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to participant’s or any other person’s computer relating to or resulting from participation in the Giveaway or downloading any materials in the Giveaway. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE GIVEAWAY IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES OR OTHER REMEDIES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTEMPT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. In the event of a dispute as to the identity of a winner based on an e-mail address, the winning entry will be declared made by the authorized account holder of the e-mail address submitted at time of entry. “Authorized account holder” is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, on-line service provider or other organization (e.g., business, educational, institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address.

DISPUTES: All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules or the rights and obligations of Entrants’ and Sponsor in connection with the Giveaway shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions that would cause the application of any other state’s or jurisdiction’s laws.  By participating in the Giveaway, Entrant agrees that: (i) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with the Giveaway, shall be resolved individually without resort to any form of class action; (ii) any judicial proceeding shall take place in a federal or state court within the State of Florida; (iii) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering this Giveaway, but in no event will attorney fees be awarded or recoverable; (iv) under no circumstances will Entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and Entrant hereby waives all rights to seek, punitive, incidental, exemplary, consequential, special damages, lost profits, other damages, and/or any rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased; and (v) Entrant’s remedies are limited to a claim for money damages (if any) and he/she waives any right to seek injunctive or equitable relief. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Official Rules will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. If any provision of the Official Rules is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable, the other provisions will remain in effect and will be construed as if the invalid or unenforceable provision were not contained herein.

WINNERS LIST REQUEST:  To confirm the name, city, and state of residence of the Prize Winner, please send an e-mail to joffreysfans@joffreys.com within seven (7) days of winner notification.

SPONSOR: Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co., Inc., 3803 Corporex Park Dr., Ste #400, Tampa, FL 33619.

Hot Tea Cocktails and Drinks

A delicious blend of black tea, cardamom, citrus, black pepper, ginger, cloves and more.

A delicious blend of black tea, cardamom, citrus, black pepper, ginger, cloves and more.

In honor of Hot Tea Month, and not to mention the frigid temperatures sweeping the country, we invite you to break out of your typical tea bag rut and try our favorite hot tea beverage and cocktails recipes guaranteed to warm you up on even the coldest days!

If you find yourself torn between an indulgent latte and soothing hot tea, try this spicy and sweet Masala Chai Latte infused with cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and citrus.   This particular Masala Chai Latte is a bit easier to make since the loose leaf tea is already blended with spices, ginger, and citrus peels rather than having to add and steep your own.

Masala Chai Latte-makes 2 lattes

  • 12 oz. of near boiling water
  • 4 oz. of milk
  • Masala Chai tea in an infuser or tea sac- we like to use 1-2 teaspoons of tea for every 6oz. of water.  If you enjoy stronger tea, use more tea rather than steeping longer.
  • Honey or sugar to taste
  • Cinnamon sticks for garnish

In a saucepan, bring the water to a near boil and place the tea infuser or sac into water and simmer for 5 minutes. While the tea is simmering, steam the milk using a stand-alone milk steamer or steam wand from an espresso machine.   If you do not have a milk steamer, you may also heat the milk on the stovetop or in the microwave.  Heating milk is a delicate process; be sure not to burn the milk as it will affect the taste of your latte.   Once the tea has steeped, place a cinnamon stick in your mug and strain the tea into the mug using a mesh strainer.  Fill your mug about 2/3 of the way and then top with the steamed or heated milk.  Add sugar or honey to taste if desired and enjoy!

*Make this latte your own by trying different variations: try it with soy milk or top with whip cream and nutmeg for dessert!

For a new take on the classic toddy, try the following hot toddy made with Grand Marnier.

Toddy A L’orange-makes one cocktail

  • 1 oz. Grand Marnier
  • ¼ lemon
  • 6oz. of near boiling water
  • Orange Spice  tea in an infuser or tea sac-we like to use 1-2 teaspoons of tea for every 6oz. of water.  If you enjoy stronger tea, use more tea rather than steeping longer.
  • Honey if desired

If you typically enjoy your tea a bit sweeter, coat the bottom of your mug with honey.  Add the Grand Marnier and juice of the lemon.  Separately, heat the water in a tea kettle or on the stove to near boiling.  Add the tea infuser or tea sac and let steep to your taste.  Most black teas, like Orange Spice, typically need to steep for 2-3 minutes.  Once tea has steeped, pour into your mug and stir. For a bit more orange flavor, add a thin slice of orange to float on the top and enjoy responsibly!

What favorite hot tea beverages are you enjoying to celebrate Hot Tea Month?  Share with us below!