The smell of coffee | how to savor your daily cup of Joe

Thursday, October 31, 2013

I think Sweden has given me a coffee addiction.  I was certainly no stranger to the hastily-bought mocha on the way to class during my undergraduate years (and I will always have the fondest memories of afternoon coffee dates with friends at our little campus cafe, The Grind), but it wasn't a regular habit until I moved to Uppsala.  The typical collegiate American's coffee intake is laughable in comparison to that of the average Swede.  Only Finland natives drink more per capita.  Maybe it's to stay awake during all those long nights, I'm not sure, but the Nordic countries have institutionalized the daily cup o' Joe.

The untranslatable Swedish word fika describes the daily tradition of taking time for a coffee-and-pastry break (or two or three...) with friends or coworkers.  I just love this Kinfolk article about fika, as well as the cheeky Gevalia advertisement at the end of this article.  The idea of fika gets at the pause-button effect of drinking coffee.  It's a practice that embodies the temptation to siesta at any time of day.

But I also love waking up with coffee.  Personally, the smell of coffee will always be my favorite part of the experience.  It reminds me of Sunday mornings at home as a child.  My father always puts a huge spoonful of cinnamon in with the grounds, and that will always be my favorite smell/flavor.  Whether you're a morning person who starts the day with an automated coffeepot, or an afternoon cafe-frequenter like myself, here are my humble suggestions for savoring your daily cuppa.

  1. Invest in a French press.  I recently got myself the classic Bodum Chambord, and there is no more aesthetically pleasing or simple way to make your own coffee than tossing the grounds in the bottom of a French press, filling it with boiled water, and then taking it to your cozy corner of the apartment and kicking back.
  2. Clear your desk.  Coffee drinking is best suited for reading the news, checking your social media, and curling up with that book you've been letting gather dust on the windowsill.
  3. Find your favorites.  Your favorite cafe, your favorite barista... or perhaps your favorite brewer (mine is the Swedish brand Arvid Nordquist).  Whatever atmosphere or taste makes the experience yours.
  4. Have it your way.  The personalization doesn't end with the package.  Add a bit of cinnamon or even some cocoa powder when brewing your own coffee.  And after pouring, don't forget to add milk, cream, sugar, Stevia - whatever makes it particularly delicious to you!
  5. Pair with the perfect treat.  Whether it's a morning croissant and egg, a Swedish cinnamon bun, or a slice of chocolate cake after dinner, coffee is lonely without something scrumptious to complement the flavor.
  6. Read something.  Morning news?  Tumblr?  Your favorite food blog?  The newest issue of Elle or The Economist?  Or maybe a couple chapters of Game of Thrones if you're feeling ambitious... find the perfect read to go with that lazy weekend coffee.
  7. Drink outside.  Whether it's a warm summer afternoon at a busy street cafe, a rainy morning on the porch of your house, or a day with snow falling past your apartment balcony, take at least a few moments to stand or sit outside and sip your cuppa while breathing fresh air and taking in the world around you.
  8. Fika with a friend.  Having a cup of coffee can be a great retreat to clear your head, but obviously it's also a fantastic social lubricant.  Make a pot and invite a friend over, or meet an acquaintance you want to get to know better out at your favorite coffeehouse. 
  9. Savor.  Take your time with that first sip.  Make sure you breathe in before you sip, inhaling the aroma.  Sip, savor, smile.  Repeat.


24 hours in Stockholm

Friday, October 25, 2013



The Venice of the North.  Spanning fourteen islands, and situated within a wider archipelago made up of tens of thousands more, Stockholm is a city well-acquainted with the sea. So the best way to get acquainted with the city is by boat.  Start your day on a Stockholm Sightseeing tour, such as "Under the Bridges of Stockholm," which will take you for a couple hours out around the city.  The Baltic and giant Lake Mälaren meet among its many waterways, and you'll be able to see everything from the main skyline of Östermalm (above, top) to the Brooklyn-esque island district of Södermalm.

Of course you'll eventually want to explore these areas on foot.  Stockholm is a very livable city: it's clean, crime and homelessness are low; there's an unbelievable number of places to shop, eat, and sit down for a cozy fika; and there are cultural must-sees for everyone, from the Skansen to the ABBA Museum to Vasamuseet, a museum containing an entire salvaged 17th-century ship that sank off the coast of Sweden. Skansen is the Swedish version of Colonial Williamsburg, only it's way more epic because it covers practically half of the Stockholm island of Djurgården, and it includes a zoo of Nordic animals.  If you want to feel like you've walked through Swedish history and gotten a glimpse of all the regions - including the northern Sami villages - simply visit Skansen.  The park is a vast expanse of recreated farmsteads and timber sheds, mills and belfries, glass workshops and stables...  It's a beautiful, immersing experience.  My personal favorite was seeing the Sami village reindeer (photo below), and watching the wolf pack in the zoo.  There are also squirrels and peacocks that run all over the park, and be warned - they're not afraid of people!

Making your way through the main bustling district of Norrmalm around the Central Station, pop into the Stockholm Urban Outfitters at Biblioteksgatan 5.  It's housed inside what used to be the Röda Kvarn (Moulin Rouge) of Stockholm, a beautiful old building reminiscent of an opera house (see photo below).

Make sure you take also head to the south side of town and stroll through Södermalm.  You'll spot some hipsters and find more than a couple places to buy lunch, fika, or an Indie literary magazine.  Speaking of magazines, if you want a really neat bookstore that also has a fantastic collection of old and hard-to-find DVDs and periodicals, check out Papercut.  You can see their selection on their website here.

As the sun starts to set, make sure you take a stroll through Gamla Stan, the small island at the heart of Stockholm, and the oldest district of the city.  The dusk light will lend itself to all the old orange and pink pastels of the buildings here.  In Gamla, you can step down into hovel-like cafes that were stables and wine cellars as far back as the 1500s!  You can get lost in cobbled alleyways and winding streets, only to turn a corner and find yourself before a beautiful old cathedral, a bronze sculpture atop a fountain, or perhaps the Nobel Museum, which is small and definitely worth a quick walk-through.  Make sure you step into one of the many chocolate shops or cafes and grab something sweet.

If you're staying in Stockholm for a couple days and want an awesome hostel choice, stay at the af Champan, which is the white ship pictured above.  That's right, they converted that standing ship into a hostel.  You stay in cabins below-decks.  I haven't tried it yet, but looks pretty awesome.




Winter is coming | a dozen ways to prepare

Friday, October 18, 2013

It's now 100% autumn, and I'm sure many of our readers have already started to feel the chill of winter creeping in - here in Sweden, the leaves are all pretty much gone, and the other morning I woke up to snow.  Snow.  In mid-October.  Winter is coming (I happen to be reading Game of Thrones right now, which only makes it more fun to talk about this), and to be honest I can't wait.  I love winter, it is by far my favorite season.  But the anticipation leading up to it - autumn - can be just as fun.  Here is my personal checklist of things to do to prepare yourself mentally and physically for the coming months of darkness and cold.

  1. Start getting up earlier.  The days are already starting to get shorter (by December in Sweden the sun will be setting at 3pm!), and your body will start to drag as that sun vanishes earlier and earlier.  Beat the blues by conditioning yourself to get up an hour (or two!) earlier than normal.  Use that extra time to...
  2. Exercise in the morning.  Best winter weight gain by starting this practice now, in the fall.  Because we spend so much time sleeping and sitting around and eating once it gets cold out, the best way to keep your metabolism revved is to start your day with some simple movement.  Yoga or some basic ballet conditioning are a great way to wake up your body, and they won't seem as daunting as a jog in the snow - although, if you're a morning person and feel compelled, definitely go do that instead!  Personally I like to take it slow in the morning, so setting the small goal of doing a couple Sun Salutations in the morning means that I'm much more likely to actually get up and do them.
  3. Buy a gigantic sweater.  Nothing is comfier than a sweater 10 sizes too big.  They are one of the easiest things to find at second-hand stores, so do a little thrift shopping and invest in a giant frumpy knit sweater that covers your butt.  It will be your favorite thing to fall asleep in, or to curl up in with a book when the snow falls.
  4. Let there be light.  Invest in a couple new scented candles or string lights to add a bit of cozy ambiance to your room.  You'll love it during those long nights and cloudy days.
  5. Get re-acquainted with your bookshelf.  With the holiday season coming up, it might be wiser not to buy a bunch of new books.  Instead, go through the books you already have.  Look harder, and you will likely find a book or two that you never read.  Even better, you might find an old favorite to re-read, like a Jane Austen novel or The Golden Compass.  If nothing catches the eye, borrow a book from a friend.  A second-hand book, with its creased spine and folded corners, fits the autumn spirit better.
  6. Take it easy on the pastries.  Your body is going to suddenly love fatty and sugary foods more than ever, because your polar bear instinct is kicking in for winter.  Just be aware of this and don't go too overboard with the holiday chocolates.  Instead...
  7. Get some vitamin D!  Start eating salmon, milk, eggs, and ricotta cheese if you start feeling a bit of the winter blues.  These are some of the top sources of vitamin D!  Pretty much all fish will be a good option.
  8. Go for walks.  That crisp autumn air is good for you, and don't you just love layering up and grabbing your favorite scarf?  Take your BFF or your dog for a stroll through the park and admire the orange and red leaves.
  9. Kill some time.  Come up with a new pastime in advance, something to fill those idle hours of the coldest months of the year.  Do you want to master a dozen new breakfast dishes?  Write a novel?  Find something that can done in the comfort of your home, and get started now.
  10. Revamp your wardrobe.  Evaluate your 2012 fall/winter wardrobe.  Are you boots falling apart?  Do you need a new coat?  The five core elements to a fall ensemble are: ankle boots, coat, scarf, sweater, and dark trousers.  Shop for a new one of any of these; you'll certainly be using it enough to make it worth the investment!
  11. Get re-acquainted with friends.  Look up a couple buddies you haven't caught up with in a while.  Go out for coffee.  The end of the year should always be devoted to re-establishing the connections that you want to keep in the new year.
  12. Find a snuggle buddy.  Dog or human.  Unpack a knit blanket that hasn't been seen since last winter and you're all set.

Our winter movie top picks

Friday, October 11, 2013


Seems like I always spend the year waiting for the winter movie releases; I might be intentional, but it seems like the industry loves the idea of saving the best for last.  Maybe they're just trying to hit the holidays.  In any case, let's talk about some of the must-see features coming out at this November/December.

The two main events for the year are the new Thor and the new Hobbit.  I'm not sure which of these Zab is more excited about, but I'm leaning towards the sequel to Peter Jackson's fantastically-done Hobbit.  I only caught the trailer recently, and did you know that Orlando Bloom is actually returning to play Leglolas in this one?  Thought that was funny... character-by-character Peter Jackson is reeling the LOTR team back in...


We're also super excited about a new Scorsese film with one of our favorite actors, Leonardo DiCaprio.  The Wolf of Wall Street looks like an acid trip of money-laden frat parties, and from the trailer I would bet that it ends up at the Oscars.  Perhaps another Best Director win for Scorsese?  That would be pretty wonderful.  Another sequel on our list to see is The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.  In my opinion, the second two books in this series weren't quite as impressive as the first, but it will certainly be fun to watch.  This time around the arena is filled with past Hunger Games winners, so the stakes and intensity are going to be a lot higher.  The best part is the return of actress Jennifer Lawrence, who has already won her first Oscar at our age!  Can't wait to see what this girl does next! 


Finally, there are a few other films that have caught our eye.  From Ender's Game, which I haven't yet read myself but which has an avid and loyal fanbase, is probably going to be pretty good.  I'm also really excited about a new film by Love Actually writer/director Richard Curtis.  He's done is again with a love story about a man with the ability to go back in time and change events of his own life.  The female lead is Rachel McAdams, whom we adore (and who has now been in two modern time-traveler movies...).  It looks like it will have Curtis' perfect blend of comedy, romance, and life lessons.  Finally, the films The Book Thief and 47 Ronin don't necessarily look like they're going to be blockbusters, but the chance to see Keanu Reeves as a samarai is sure to be pretty entertaining.  As for The Book Thief, I've been hearing great things about the book, and the trailers look very promising.  Geoffrey Rush is one of the stars, and I can't speak highly enough of him.

So here's the final calendar.  Let us hear what films you're most looking forward to, maybe we missed some!

Ender's Game
November 1

About Time
November 8

Thor: The Dark World
November 8

The Book Thief
November 15

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
November 22

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
December 13

47 Ronin
December 25

The Wolf of Wall Street
December 25



The Best Tea Companies (updated - 2014!)

Friday, October 4, 2013


Winter is prime tea-drinking season. Nothing is more beautiful than curling up by the fire with a book and a cup of tea while the snow falls outside. As C. S. Lewis said, "You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me."

My favorite part of tea is that it's composed similar to an eau de parfum: you start with the "base notes" of the tea itself, whether it's rooibos from South Africa, black tea from India, Japanese sencha, or leaves from some other exotic locale; you then add "heart notes" or a fusion of fruit, spices, or fragrant flowers to add complexity; and finally, you top it off with an accent of something to draw in whomever catches a whiff... vanilla, lavender, a dash of mint... As with perfume, the possibilities are endless!

Zab and I have been tea connoisseurs for years now, so we're sharing with your our list of international favorites: brands, flavors, packaging, &c. Enjoy, and let us know your own favorites in the comments section! We're always eager to broaden our knowledge of this timeless, global beverage.

1. Tazo
Starbucks has made this tea company international famous, but did you know they have WAY more flavors than we've been led to believe? You have to check out their website, which has a fantastic aesthetic and beautifully-arranged teas. We're familiar with the classic "mood" flavors, like "Rest" and "Passion," but they also have "Thrive" and "Focus," the latter of which is "a cleverly invigorating mix of malty black tea, roasted yerba maté, orange essence & cocoa peel." They also carry their own variety of smoky Lapsang Souchong, as well as blends such as Phoenix Mountain (a honey & orchid flavor), Dragonwell (creamy green tea with subtle chestnut flavor), and Blush Berry Black (a ravishing blend of black teas with strawberry, black raspberry & blueberry).

2. Harney & Sons
Zab & I have been drinking Harney & Son's "Caribe" tea for as long as we've known each other! To this day the smell and taste of it remind me of afternoons hanging out on Zab's back porch on a sunny day after school. I'm going to put the entire description of this one here, it's just too delicious: "Breathe in the sweet aroma of Caribe, a light fusion of green and black teas enhanced by tropical flavors. The exotic tea mellifluously fuses hibiscus, guava, coconut and strawberry, accented with marigolds and cornflowers. The first sip tastes of green tea, trailed by an impressive array of fruit and floral surprises, revealing endless tropical notes tucked into each sip. A favorite for many, Caribe is an inventive and exotic blend softened into a serene escape."  Another timeless flavor of theirs is "Paris," which is "a fruity black tea with vanilla and caramel flavors, and a hint of lemony Bergamot." We also are very fond of their spin on Earl Grey tea, "Winter White Earl Grey," which is made with Chinese Mutan white tea and comes in a beautiful robin's egg blue tin.

3. Mariage Frères
Founded in 1854 by brothers Henri and Edouard Mariage, this French emporium now boasts an incredibly broad and varied selection of blends. Their classical black tin collection includes mixes such as the popular "Marco Polo" ("a mysterious blend that will take you to distant lands and unforeseen territories...") and "Thé de Lune." They also have their own unique Earl Grey blend, "Earl Grey Provence," which incorporates notes of lavender.

4. Argo
Whenever I'm home in Chicago I always try to get to an Argo Tea. This Chicago-based company has taken over the city (and spread to St. Louis, NYC, and Boston) and is giving Starbucks a run for its street corners. Not only does it have its signature drinks for the regulars (my usual is their White Tea Acai Squeeze), they also sell packaged blends for every type of tea. Some of my top picks are Fruit Sangria, Pomegranate White, and Earl Grey Crème, all of which are sold loose leaf.

5. Løv Organic
This French tea company fooled me for a while with it's Scandinavian aesthetic - I thought it was based in Copenhagen for some time.  Their all-organic loose leaf tea blends vary from the fruity to the smoky, and they all come in adorable tins in vibrant colors.  My favorite of the moment is "Winter in Løv", one of their collection with plays on their name, which actually means "leaf."

6. Le Palais des Thés
Another fairly recent find, this international tea company offers incredibly impressive blends that convey the nuances and care of designer perfumes. Their Thé du Hammam is "inspired by a Turkish recipe using green teas that evokes the characteristic fragrances used to perfume a hammam: roses, green dates, berries and orange flower water. Sprinkled with flower petals in the pure Eastern tradition, its extraordinary fragrance comes from a subtle combination of Chinese green tea and rich, fruity aromas." Their Thé des Concubines recreates the atmosphere of a Chinese tea house by blending "green and black teas from China with rich, fruity notes of cherry, mango and vanilla." Nearly every tea can be bought in multiple types of packaging, such as 3.5oz pouch, a box of 20 tea bags, or a gorgeous metal canister. I've currently got my eye on their Thé N°25 Collection, particularly their N°25 Black Tea Holiday Edition, which is a Christmas blend of black tea with "orange, cinnamon, vanilla, rose and almond."

7. Teavana
The ultimate tea-shopping experience! Seriously. It's hard to describe the sheer volume of eclectic flavors that Teavana offers, but I'm going to give it a shot. Their variety of white teas include "Dragonheart," a fusion of pomegranate and bamboo; "Youthberry," one of many superfruit-enhanced teas, and two of Zab's favorites: "Snow Geisha," which is flavored with delicate rose petals, soft white tea leaves, luscious cherries and candied cranberry, and "White Ayurvedic Chai," a modern twist on chai tea flavored with naturally sweet cinnamon with spicy pepper and robust clove. Teavana also has some crazy flavors of blooming tea, from "Pineapple Kawaii" to "Peach Momotaro" to the ancient and revered "Silver Yin Zhen Pearls White Tea," which are much smaller than the large blooming teas. In the oolong category they have so many mouth-watering blends that I don't even know what to do with myself, so here's the full list. Can I just throw a few of the oolong titles out there? "WonderBerry Chocolate Truffle," "Strawberry Rose Champagne Oolong," "Maharaja Chair Oolong," "Yumberry Wulong Oolong," and "French Spice Quartet Oolong"...

8. Tea Forté
Tea Forte's signature pyramid infusers showcase their huge variety of flavors quite nicely. Their black teas include some of my favorite flavors such as "Hazelnut Truffle," "Ice Pomegranate Blackberry," and "Orchid Vanilla." This company also has a unique line of antioxidant-amplifying beauty teas called "Skin Smart." Each gorgeous box contains a unique flavor of teabags which "support the detoxifying effect of abundant plant-based polyphenols and catechins, a strong tool in skin recovery and the fight against visible signs of skin ageing."

9. Twinings
Who can forget the English father of all tea companies? The founder of Twinings, Thomas Twining was born in 1675, and started his brand during an era of colonialism, mercantilism, and the domination of the East India Company. Today, they not only have some of the best versions of the most classic tea blends (their Earl Grey is hands-down the most time-perfected version I've ever had, especially English-style with milk and sugar), but also have launched a line of organic and fair-trade certified tea blends. Their chamomile with mint and lemon sounds like a deliciously healthy choice.

10. Kusmi
Tea therapy in every tin! Parisian Kusmi Tea has adorable colorful tins for all their flavors. I've currently got my eye on their Ginger-Lemon Green tea, a healthy blend to cure even the most finicky of colds. Kusmi also randomly has a collection of Russian teas: we like "Petrushka" and "St. Petersburg."

11. Tea Leaves
This is our newest discovery! The packaging and marketing aesthetic this company has is so wonderful. The individually-wrapped whole leaf pyramid teabags are fantastic, but they also offer loose tea in black tins. The blends are all numbered like Bellocq's, and a couple of our favorites are No. 7445 (Auberge Herbal Blend) and No. 3060 (Mango Oolong).

12. Bellocq
This one is one of my latest discoveries. Each of their teas is numbered (like a perfume!), and each is more exotic than the last! Some of my favorites are No. 45, The White Wolf (A refined and delicious blend of organic white peony, cedar, vanilla, and mint. Also wonderful iced.), No. 54, Gypsy Caravan (A beguiling blend of organic Indian and Chinese black teas, rambling rose and tongue tingling chile give way to soulful smokey notes reminiscent of a distant campfire. Full-bodied and smooth with delicate floral notes and a wistful, smokey finish. Gypsy Caravan is well-suited to holiday afternoons in a comfortable chair in front of the fire.), and No. 39, Hindu Holiday (Rich and smooth organic / fair trade South African rooibos, cardamon, fragrant cassia, and spicy ginger adorned with garlands of rose, jasmine and marigold petals.). Their bestselling tea is No. 1, Bellocq Breakfast, a blend of organic Indian, Chinese and Ceylon black tea with "round toasted notes of honey, malt and a touch of leather." For every tea, you can choose whether you want it in a yellow Bellocq box or a silver, yellow, or navy caddy.

13. Dammann Frères
Founded in 1692 in Paris, when Mr. Damame was granted the exclusive privilege of selling tea in France by Louis XIV, Dammann produces very high-quality teas with beautiful packaging.  
Proudly designed by Mlekoshi playground