Friday, August 6, 2010

The secret menu...

There are some drinks that are common among coffee shops, but don't always get posted on the menu. We're going to spotlight some of those, and give you some ideas of what you can do to make a drink your own.

Shot in the dark or Red-eye: Both of these are names for the same drink, a cup of coffee with a shot (or more) of espresso. This will really give you a caffeine boost. This is also sometimes called a Hammerhead.

Macchiato: Despites what the competition has done to this word, hardcore coffee fans know that the drink is really a shot of espresso with a dollop of frothy milk or cream.

Cafe Au Lait: For this drink we take half a cupful of brewed coffee and top it off with steamed milk. It is also known as a Misto.

Why Bother: A clever name for a non-fat decaf latte. It can also be adapted to flavored drinks - for example, a Vanilla Why Bother would have sugar-free vanilla syrup.

Affogatto: Technically, this is a hot espresso shot poured over ice cream, but in our case we'll pour that hot shot onto a freeze and call it good. Real good.

Breve: Instead of milk, we use steamed half and half to make a latte.

Tea Latte: Instead of hot water to brew your tea, try using steamed milk instead.

London Fog: A variation of the tea latte, this drink is made with steamed Chai and Earl Grey tea.

Of course this is only a short list of some options. Espresso is an ingredient that begs for creativity, and we enjoy helping you express yours.

Featured Flavors, August 2010

This month we're celebrating Back-to-School at YellowLeaf. Show your school spirit with the August Featured Flavors.

The Badger - Creamy Caramel, Hazelnut and Cinnamon

The Bear - Dark Chocolate, Hazelnut and Cinnamon

English Class - Chai with English Toffee Syrup

Enjoy all these flavors iced, hot or blended!

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Congratulations!

Back in April we ran a contest to suggest a special for the month of May. We got some entries, but they came after we had chosen the Featured Flavors for May, so we held onto the ideas until we needed one.

Well, that time has come. We needed something for July, and Shalmarie's suggestion was chosen. She suggested a Mocha with Irish Cream and Hazelnut, and we loved it (so will you)! We decided to call it the Monsoon Mocha, 'cause it's getting to be that time of year.

Shalmarie, stop in at the shop and pick up a $5 gift card for your winning suggestion!

Featured Flavors, July 2010

It's a new month, which means new Featured Flavors!

Day at the Beach Latte: Vanilla and Coconut

Monsoon Mocha: Chocolate, Irish Cream and Hazelnut

Enjoy these drinks hot, iced or blended!

Also, new for the summer:

Flavored Lemonade: Enjoy a nice, cold lemonade with your favorite syrup flavor added. Some top suggestions include Strawberry, Raspberry, Blackberry or Cherry. Try it today!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Biscotti Crunch Freeze

It's a special treat, just in time for summer! For a limited time only, you can get a tasty YellowLeaf Freeze with Biscotti blended in for just $.50 extra. Try Grasshopper Mint, Hazelnut Zebra or Lemon Almond (while supplies last).

Biscotti

Of all our food items, we probably get asked about the biscotti more than anything. Mostly the question is, "What is it?"

Usually, I answer that it's like a hard cookie that you could dip in your coffee. Which, as it turns out, is pretty much an accurate description. Here's what Wikipedia says - "Biscotti are twice-baked cookies, often containing nuts or spices. Almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, and pine nuts are popular choices. Popular spices include anise and cinnamon."

While they're great to eat alone, they are designed for dipping. Imagine a rich, hot latte and a chocolate-raspberry flavored biscotti. The chocolate dipping melts into the drink, flavoring it, while the coffee infuses the biscotti with its own flavor.

Try out a biscotti today. We offer several flavors of biscotti, produced by Be-Bop Biscotti in Bend, OR.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Meet the Baristas: Part 8, Cynthia

Cynthia ("original Cyn") has been with YellowLeaf for four years. When she started, she was in high school, but now she's gone away to NAU and only graces us with her presence during summer break.

At NAU, Cynthia is a business major with an emphasis in marketing & a certificate in international business. In her free time, she likes to make short films, like this one that she made for us...


Check out more of Cynthia's videos on YouTube on channel Teampadackles1

Cynthia's "insider information" for the week is: "YellowLeaf employees can never truly leave." True. "Even when a 'Leafer's' shift is over, they stay in the kiosk to hang out." Also true. "Actually, there are 10 little beds squeezed in the back for all of us to sleep. It's quite lovely, really." Not true at all. Really.

Cynthia had a hard time deciding on a favorite drink, but ended up settling on our Chai - served with whipped cream and cinnamon of course.

If you haven't tried our Chai, or if you already think it's great, order Cynthia's special this week and get a Chai (hot, iced or even blended) at 15% off, and enjoy!

P.S. - We have not included a picture of Cynthia because no still camera can capture her image. We don't know if it's mystical, scientific or something else entirely. Personally, I'm thinking some weird vampire-like thing is going on.