Aldo Coffee Company

Back to (Coffee) School...

For fans and students of coffee and espresso, fall educational opportunies await at Aldo Coffee:

• Free Coffee Cupping/Tasting on September 6
• Barista Skills class on Septmber 17th
• Latte Art class on  October 1

These classes can fill-up early, so be sure you don't miss out.   Read here for more information and registration details.

Single Origins By the Cup

We've been working with these single service porcelain pots for a couple of months now, figuring out the ideal methodology for this kind of pourover (type of filter, stir or not, dosing, temperature).  We think we've landed on something repeatably consistent.

So now, in addition to press pots, you can order any of our single origin coffees in a pot brewed just for you.  The coffee stays at drinking temperature longer and the Filtropa filter keeps out the sediment. 

As the pourover method is "open", the water is exposed to ambient air for a longer period of time.  While most of the flavor extraction is completed between 18 5º-195ºF, this method does result in a "cooler" cup.

If you enjoy the body of a press pot, by all means, keep enjoying it.  But if you prefer a "cleaner" cup at an ideal drinking temperature range for optimum flavor (145º-160ºF), we suggest you try an Esmeralda or any of our other light or medium roast coffees in these porcelain pots. 

Serving size is 12oz.  Your pot is served with a 6oz cappuccino cup so you can fully enjoy your first cup while your second stays warm.  Price will vary on the individual coffee.  At the moment, only the Esmeralda is priced higher, however, new pricing to more accurately reflect the prices of each coffee will be coming shortly.

Please note, we will not brew French Roast in the pot as it is a different animal.  French Roast is always available from our airpots.

Reminder: Voting for Best Staff Latte Art Ends Saturday

If you haven't yet voted, please do - it could be worth a few free coffees!  One ballot will be selected at random to receive an Aldo gift card worth 20 bucks.  Staff winners and the winning customer will be announced Labor Day.

Pittsburgh Grapevine Photos from Jake's Esmeralda Cupping

George Mendel came by to let us know the photos from our recent cupping of Esmeralda were now online at Pittsburgh Grapevine.  There are eight pages of photos, so we're not linking to each individually.  There's also an accompanying article as well that gives the basics of what we were trying to accomplish. 

One error - due to this being Labor Day weekend, we are not cupping on this Saturday the 30th.  The next cupping will be held next Saturday, September 6 at 1pm.

It's nice to actually have a pro in to take photos of this.  Thanks, George.

Barista Smackdown in Highland Park.

Amy Enrico, coffeehouse owner extraordinaire, all-around nice person and Melanie's BFF, hosted a latte art throwdown/pizza party last night at her shop up in Highland Park.  Five of Amy's best took on five of our best (ok, four of our best and Rich) along with Luke from 21st Street and Flick, a local coffee geek and regular TdO customer.

The rules:  five bucks, two pours.

Luke, as expected, took first, winning $36.  Emily from TdO took second and $24.

Our team?  Some nice tries, but no cigars.  Or beer money.  However, they'll all be quick to tell you that their shots were awesome.

Thanks Amy for hosting and buying the pizza and beer. And it was nice to spend some time with Oliver, fellow SCAA judge and Batdorf & Bronson trainer who seems to be at TdO almost as much as he's in his Seattle home. 

Guatemala Itznama In Stock for Those Who Like Body

This is a new one for us, as rich as the Guatemala El Cuervo we used to get, but with less of the tobacco-ey notes. It's a Guatemalan blend from three different farms where Intelligentsia has Direct Trade relationships. It's heftier in body than most other Central Americans we offer, with subdued chocolate notes, along with some pecan, caramel, cherry and spice.

Esmeralda Gesha Featured All Weekend. Plus Two Cupping Seats Still Open

As many of you have noticed, the coffee we purchased at auction back in May - 100 lbs. of lot #5-14 of Esmeralda Gesha - went on sale here last week.  This coffee is from the much-heralded Hacienda La Esmeralda in Boquete, Panama and is being roasted for us by Jake's Java in Peters.  We'll have a few pounds coming in each week from now through October.

You'll have an opportunity to taste this special lot of coffee this weekend at our standard drip prices.  While we typically only brew the Esmeralda in press pots ($4.50) or as a custom pourover ($3.35), this Saturday and Sunday, we'll be offering the Esmeralda as our featured drip coffee.

That's correct.  You can get a cup of Esmeralda for less than two bucks. 

Aldo Picnic All Wet

Last night we had planned an impromptu company picnic around the John Hiatt concert at Hartwood Acres.  Unfortunately, Mr. Hiatt had to cancel due to a family death.  Bill Deasy subbed in and was an able replacement with a tight backing band.

Then it started sprinkling.  Then a steady drizzle.  Then rain.  Then the floodgates opened.

The photos tell the story.

We tried waiting it out and hung in there after 80% of the audience had already run for cover.  Eventually we had to cave and run for it ourselves.  We ended up at Michelle's where the food and drink came back out, everyone threw wet stuff in the dryer, and Melanie got to have this conversation with a bird.

We're going to try again when Earl Klugh comes into town.  The summer concert series at Hartwood Acres is one of the best things going in Pittsburgh.  Bring your frisbees, bring your dogs... and bring an umbrella just in case.

Fox News Now Shilling McD's Coffee?

Earlier today we made light of an appearance by barista trainer Matt Milletto of the American Barista Coffee School biting his tongue and remaining professionally gracious as the Fox Business News talking heads tried to convince viewers that McDonald's coffee was better than Starbucks.

If it ended there it would just be another example of buffoonery on Fox's part.  But there's more to the story.

It appears that Fox News and McDonald's have an agreement, effective today, that offers McDonald's product placements in Fox's news broadcasts.

Fair and balanced indeed.  As they say, don't believe everything you hear.  Especially when it pertains to coffee on Fox News.

We've Heard the Grumblings: The Music Is Now Off

The staff didn't like it.  Apparently neither did some customers.  So we've pulled the Bucs anthem from the site.  We will continue to root root root and attend games, but be assured you can now read this blog in peace and quiet.

That said, we steadfastly refuse to acknowledge that the Pittsburgh sports calendar has already flipped over to football season.  We'll pay attention when the first meaningful game is played.