Cupa Cabana has been busy this Winter! We’ve been traveling New Jersey and New York and bringing our Mobile Espresso Bar to a number of Bridal Expo’s. We served over 1,000 free Espressos, Lattes, Cappuccinos and other specialty beverages at these half dozen or so Bridal Shows. Whether we were at the The Berkeley or The Grand Summit Hotel, soon to be brides all asked the same question- Do you serve “Goodbye Coffee”????? (sometimes also referred to as “Exit Coffee” or “Farewell Coffee)

The answer was always yes, but now we have upped our game. Not only will our trained barista staff be there to serve throughout the dessert portion of your reception, they will also have to-go cups for guests who wish to take a gourmet beverage for the road. Want to design your own cups? What about a package of organic cookies with that latte? Ceramic mugs? Gift Boxes for the mug?

We can do it all. That’s why we are happy to inform all the brides out there…YES, we do GOODBYE COFFEE! Share your vision with us today so we can make it a reality.

Ever wonder why the coffee you buy at the Cafe tastes better then your coffee at home? Why does the coffee sitting on the burner at your local gas station tastes so acidic and bitter? There are dozens of factors that determine the taste of the coffee. However, there are a few easy steps you can take at home to ensure the best brewing results. Proper storage and brewing methods are the key to a consistently great cup of coffee.

First let’s discuss storage.

It is crucial to store your coffee away from light, moisture, and heat. Your best bet is a airtight glass or ceramic jar, kept away from ovens and other heat sources and stored in a dark place out of direct sunlight. Ensure that you are only purchasing coffee in a 1-2 week supply. Coffee begins to lose its freshness a few short hours after roasting and much faster once ground. Remember that sunlight, heat, and moisture are the enemy.

The most common brewing gaffes are easy to prevent. Clean your coffee machine regularly by running a batch of warm water and vinegar through the machine. This will prevent the build up of oily residue inside your machine. Ensure you are using the correct coffee/water ratio. A general rule of thumb  is 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground coffee for every six ounces of water. Make sure you are using good tasting water. Bad tasting water makes bad tasting coffee. Try a Brita Machine or bottled water if you don’t like the taste of your tap water. It is important that the water you are using to brew coffee is around 195-205°F. The easiest way to accomplish this is to run the water through your coffee machine once before adding the grinds. When the water has fully ran through the machine, put the hot water back into the top and begin brewing the coffee. A typical counter top model takes about 5 minutes to fully brew a pot of coffee. This is important to monitor, as it can alter the taste of your finished product. After brewing, try to enjoy your finished product within 20 minutes.

There are many other ways of improving your coffee experience. Several more advanced methods can become very expensive, and  time consuming. The majority of these tips and best practices are extremely affordable and only take a few extra minutes on to your coffee brewing routine. Interested in what else you can do to learn more about coffee and the art of brewing? I recommend trying this:

• Learn about the different blends of coffee and find one that suits you the best
• Visit your local coffee roaster to ensure you are using the freshest possible coffee
• Invest in a Grinder and grind fresh
• Roast your own beans

Most of this information can be found on the National Coffee Association USA. To read further please visit www.ncausa.org

On Saturday January 1st, the inauguration of new Yonkers Mayor, Mike Spano took place at City Hall. Cupa Cabana was honored to be in attendance serving our specialty beverages to hundreds of Mayor Spano’s supporters and well wishers. Mayor Spano was as exited to become Yonker’s 42nd Mayor as his supporters were to see him sworn in. After the ceremony Spano posed with Cupa Cabana’s Owner/Operator Marianne Cordillo for a picture opportunity. (above) The mayor’s staff was amazed at the quick set up, professional appearance as well as demeanor, and the quality of beverages from Cupa Cabana’s Espresso & Coffee Bar. This further proves the versatility and mobility of our business model. Cupa Cabana can literally set up an Espresso bar anywhere!