CAFE SESSION WITH STEVE: JUNE 2024

Hello, coffee connoisseurs, and welcome to our sizzling June Café Session! With the summer heat cranking up, it’s the perfect time to dive into refreshing coffee drinks to keep us cool. Summertime in Denver is in full swing, with the city buzzing with outdoor festivals, park picnics, and endless adventure opportunities.

Speaking of adventures, have you checked out our blog post where we explore the fascinating connection between coffee and the great outdoors, perfect for those planning their next hike or camping trip. You can find it HERE.

Let’s not forget, June is Pride Month, and the city is alive with vibrant celebrations and parades. It's a time to embrace diversity, love, and unity while enjoying some of the best coffee Denver has to offer.

So grab your iced coffee, find a shady spot, and let’s embark on this month’s caffeinated journey together. Cheers to summer, adventure, and the joy of coffee!

WHAT ARE SOME REFRESHING SUMMER COFFEE DRINKS THAT CAN HELP BEAT THE HEAT?

If you haven't noticed by now, Denver is breaking records—not the good kind, though. We’re not even in July and we’ve already had glimpses of what the summer heat will bring. With real-feel temperatures soaring above 100 degrees, random afternoon thunderstorms bringing hail, and days so hot you could fry an egg on your patio furniture, it’s a scorcher! Usually, when we think of coffee, we imagine a nice hot cup of joe. But what else is out there to beat the heat and still give you a nice jolt?

Here at Rise, we’ve created a tasty, not-too-sweet version of the tea refreshers many of us have come to enjoy. The difference here is that we use an unsweetened black iced tea base and top it with a hint of Energy Tea to add flavor without overloading you with sugar. In fact, black tea has about as much caffeine as a regular cup of coffee, so with the Rise Refresher, you’re not missing out on much of the caffeine from your coffee but still get to enjoy a cold beverage. Try the Peach Mango flavor; it’s honestly my favorite drink for an afternoon kick!

Another local favorite is the Chaga Matcha, but iced. This easy transition from hot to cold offers the gentle smoothness of green tea with the added benefit of Chaga to keep you more alert and focused throughout the day. Of course, most coffee shops can make just about anything on their menu cold—just ask your local barista and they’ll let you know. But do us all a favor and don’t ask for a cup of hot coffee poured over ice. That’s a slap in the face to any roaster who takes pride in their practice.

Need help choosing between Cold Brew and Iced Coffee? Check out our blog: “How to Choose: Iced Coffee or Cold Brew?”

On a side note, one interesting drink I discovered while researching this question is a Sunrise Espresso, which is basically a glass of orange juice topped with a shot of espresso. It might seem weird, but it’s actually quite tasty. Heck, we even put espresso in our martinis now, so why not try it with some OJ?

HOW DOES THE ALTITUDE OF DENVER AFFECT THE BREWING PROCESS AND FLAVOR OF COFFEE?

This one is a bit tricky because you might think that as long as you follow your preferred brewing guidelines, nothing would be affected. However, brewing coffee at high altitudes, like in Denver, comes with unique challenges. At higher elevations, water boils at a lower temperature because of the decreased atmospheric pressure. In Denver, water can boil at around 195°F instead of the usual 212°F. While this might not seem significant, it can impact the extraction of flavors from the coffee beans. Many coffee roasters have their brewing process down to an except science, where everything is broken down to the milliliter or gram, and the temperature at which the coffee is brewed – typical between 200-210°F- is considered crucial for releasing the right flavors and gasses from the coffee bean to achieve the best flavor and aroma.

Much like cooking pasta, I suggest using the manufacturer's recommended brewing instructions until you find the method you prefer. For example, if they say to cook pasta for 12 minutes but you like it al dente, you pull your pasta early. Forgive me, my Italian side took over, and I almost forgot we were talking about coffee there for a bit—I was about to share some secret family recipes! As I always say, the best part about coffee is that you can cater it to your liking, so mix things up and figure out the way you like to drink it!

If you have a topic or question you’d like me to tackle next month, don’t hesitate to ask! Submit a question or problem in the comments below!