Mokk-a's Cafe Italia Has Clearly Captured the Hearts and Palates of the Peachy's Pantry Panel!
Brilliant and Persistent (two qualities tough to beat!) Karen has continued her caffeinated journey to Italy, and though Peachy's not Italian, we have had quite the luck with the quality concentrated in this country across the board, right down to the golf wear we just featured. Now wearing her Italian outfit, Peachy thinks drinking this winner of Karen's before she hits the course will give her an even greater edge. No one's going to be hearing FORE! now thanks to our liquid secret weapon. Let's hear what the panelists think:
If you've ever sipped a cup of coffee in Italy, then you know the sheer perfection that is Italian coffee. My one and only visit to Italy was 15 years ago, and to this day, I still talk about the amazing coffee I had there! However, try as I might, I've been unable to replicate that experience back here in New York. No matter how many fancy coffee shops I visit, it's just not the same. However, thanks to Mokk-a Coffees and their Café Italia, I can finally enjoy coffee with the taste and aroma of the best Italian coffees, right in the comfort of my own apartment. Founded by American Karen Glavimans, who was inspired by her travels in Europe to bring the quality of European coffees to America, Mokk-a is based in the Netherlands, although all of the coffee distributed in America is roasted and packaged in Houston, TX, to preserve freshness. To get the recipe for the Café Italia blend, Ms. Glavimans worked tirelessly for four months. Having tasted an amazing cup of coffee in southern Italy, she asked the roaster if they'd be willing to sell her the recipe, and received a flat denial. But her persistence paid off, and the roaster finally agreed, four months later. The end result was clearly worth it: Café Italia is a strong, rich blend with hints of fruit, nuts, and chocolate. It's a great pick-me-up first thing in the morning, but would also be great for an after-dinner treat. Love, love, love it!
I love an Italian Roast! Okay, I love anything Italian, but especially Italian coffee! Mokk-a’s Café Italia is a great medium-dark roast that makes a great cup of coffee no matter how you like it. One great thing about a medium-dark roast is you can feel comfortable serving it to a group without worrying it will be too strong for some and too light for others. As Goldilocks would say, this one is “just right”. It has a slightly nutty undertone, which adds the perfect nuance to its smooth richness. Try it as an espresso, just like the Italians. It’s great as a regular coffee or latte as well.
The recipe for this blend hails from Southern Italy, with its rich flavor and creamy finish. With its hidden touch of almond, this bean blend will delight as an after dinner coffee treat. The lightness of your touch with the amount of coffee you use will determine the strength of the brew. You can make a delicious "Cafe Americano" with this, or a mean espresso. Flavor it with syrups for an iced treat, or serve at your coffee break as a quick shot. Mokk-a has taken the time to develop international deliciousness in a cup, just for us. Their approach to coffee blending adds history, flavor, and mystery to each blend. With their plantations around the world, their coffee blends achieve satisfaction for every palate.
If I could be anyplace in the world, it would be Italy. I can picture it now...sitting outside, enjoying the cool breeze come in off the water, steaming cup of coffee in hand. Too bad my reality is me in my kitchen with dirty dishes calling my name and the only breeze I feel is coming from the dusty ceiling fan. Well, at least I've got the steaming cup of coffee covered! And what a cup of coffee it is; Mokk-a's Cafe Italia. The recipe for this coffee hails from Southern Italy and is perfect for espresso, filter coffee or French press. Mokk-a's Cafe Italia is rich, strong and complex; the perfect start to any morning. The icing on the cake (or should I say, the crema on the coffee)? The special blend of beans gives this Cafe Italia a creamy texture and hints of fruit, chocolate and almond. Perfecto!
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The recipe for our Italian roast comes from Southern Italy, near the town that gave birth to the poet Horatio who minted the phrase “Carpe Diem.” Seize the day with Café Italia. Perfect for espresso, filter coffee or French press. A beautiful, strong, and elegant coffee with an aroma that will engage you as a perfect wake-up call or dessert cup. The blend of beans gives Café Italia a creamy texture and a flavor burst that’s fruity, sweet, with traces of chocolate, and hidden in the mix, a touch of almond.
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Owner & CEO Karen Glavimans tells us:
This is the story of an American coffee lover determined to bring Europe’s finest coffees home.
I followed my dream to the tiniest, most romantic villages in Europe...the passionate south of Italy, the trade area of Sweden and the Bourgogne region in rural France.
My search began while traveling in Sweden with some friends. We stopped at a café and it was there that I fell in love. The coffee’s flavor was exquisite. I lingered in that café until they told where it came from. It was the divine creation of a very small local roaster. I searched for him, spoke with him and fortunately for me, he loved my ideas & American creativity. He agreed to work with me and Café Svenska was born.
Something inside compelled me to go on, although it may have just been the caffeine….
My journey took me to Italy next. After sampling a number of coffees, I arrived in Naples in early February 2008. There I met Angelo, the son of the owner of a small roasting facility. We drove one hour outside of Naples to the small village where his family lived. I told them how truly unique I thought their coffee was and asked if they would sell me the recipe. Angelo, turned in his chair and promptly responded, “You must be crazy!!” This conversation continued until June of that year when he signed the contract. Finally! Café Italia was mine!
My next coffee-quest destination was Puligny-Montrachet, in the beautiful Burgundy region of France. I was going to meet with an elderly roaster I had heard about there. He was 80+ years old and his recipes had been passed down through generations. Entering his very small shop (which looked like something out of a Harry Potter movie) I explained that I had tried his coffee and found this particular one lovely. Would he also consider selling me the recipe?
And so the story goes…….In early 2009 Café Svenska, Café Italia and Café France, introduced as The Most Innovative New Product on the Market, had their official launch in the US market.
We will continue searching for these coffees which many regard as “The Charm of Europe”. Travel with us and enjoy these excellent Old World tastes in the comfort of your own home!
