Coffeeopolis » News

Finally…a coffee powered car!

Matt — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:51:38 +0000

Proving that coffee truly is the solution to all of the world’s problems (ok, so not really), a team of crazy Brits has modified a VW Scirocco to be powered by coffee! Well, not entirely. You see, it uses a charcoal fire to heat the coffee grounds, splitting them into carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas is then burned in the engine to propel the car. Hardly efficient nor eco-friendly but hey, it’s still a coffee-powered car! (link)

Starbucks Via

Matt — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:26:12 +0000

After a slow rollout earlier this year of their new instant coffee, Starbucks has made a big push lately to really get this product out. Most stores are offering a free taste test, Via versus brewed, for which you’ll receive a free cup of brewed coffee for participating. I’ve tried the Via myself, and while it’s not as good as a good cup of brewed coffee, I found it better than most restaurant coffee. Despite being an obsessed coffee lover who grows and roasts his own coffee, I still see a place for Via in my life…I found that it’s perfect for camping or backpacking, if you’re trying to pack light you just can’t beat it. The packets are incredibly small, and there’s no need to bring your brewing equipment along, or to deal with coffee that had been ground days before (let’s face it, bringing coffee grinder camping is really, really wrong!). Speaking of camping though, if you’re not convinced that Via is the way to go, then I recommend either a plastic french press, or an AeroPress. The AeroPress is great if there’s only one coffee drinker in the group, otherwise a large french press would be better. Time has a nice write up on Via if you’d like to learn more.

Free sample of Starbucks’ instant coffee

Matt — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:57:34 +0000

While I truly expect Starbucks’ instant coffee to be worse than fresh brewed, I admit I’m willing to give it a try, especially when they’re giving away free samples! You can get your own sample here.

Would you buy instant coffee from Starbucks?

Matt — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:39:23 +0000

I don’t care that Starbucks spent twenty years developing their new instant coffee. I just don’t see the appeal. People don’t go to Starbucks to buy packs of coffee they can drink later. They want fresh brewed, aromatic, tasty coffee. This is going to be the biggest flop since New Coke. (via Bloomberg)

Enjoying coffee…on a budget

Matt — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:08:08 +0000

In today’s rough economic times, every dollar saved can mean a lot. Spending $3-4 at Starbucks can be tough on a daily basis. With this in mind, many are looking at ways to enjoy coffee at home more. Lifehacker has a nice high-level guide at how to do so, you can read it at this link.

Twitter used to double business

Matt — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:59:57 +0000

A coffee shop in Houston, The Coffee Groundz, is using Twitter to allow customers to preorder their drinks…they show up, the drink is ready, no waiting. Read more here. (via ShinyShiny)

Free coffee at Starbucks!

Matt — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:39:19 +0000

Pledge five volunteer hours in your community and get a free tall size brewed coffee from your neighborhood Starbucks! Read more about it here.

Cars that run on coffee

Matt — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:53:21 +0000

In the search for eco-friendly alternative fuels, scientists at the University of Nevada, Reno, discovered that you could extract the oils from spent coffee grounds and use those to power a car, in much the same manner as other forms of plant-based fuels (like using cooking oil). Yet another nice use for old coffee grounds (composting is my favorite use). Plus, you get the added bonus of coffee-scented exhaust fumes! Read more in the New York Times.

Coffee may cut the risk of dementia

Matt — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:02:41 +0000

A recently study finds that coffee, or rather the caffeine from one cup of coffee a day, can reduce a person’s risk of dementia. Seems it helps strengthen the barrier between the brain and the bloodstream. Do we need yet another reason to enjoy coffee? Of course not. But this does indicate that caffeinated coffee may be healthier than decaf. Read more at the BBC website.

Alfred Peet passes away

Matt — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 15:59:29 +0000

Alfred Peet, founder of Peet’s Coffee, passed away last week (cancer was the cause). While perhaps best known of his chain of Peet’s Coffee & Tea stores throughout the western US, his influence spread much further. For example, the founders of Starbucks got their start in the business working for Mr. Peet. You can read more at the SFGate or New York Times.