From now until June 17, 2013, Nespresso is running a promotion offering $50 of credit for their Nespresso Club program when you purchase a machine of $199 or more. You can find a link to Nespresso’s promotion page on any of the eligible machines we carry; alternatively you can follow this link here to register your machine with Nespresso. If you’re not already a member of Nespresso’s club program, you’ll have to register with them. After you click “CONTINUE” the next page will be where you enter the serial number of your new machine, upload your receipt, and select where you purchased the machine. To find Whole Latte Love, first, select the “Internet - Others” option from the “Store Name” drop down menu. Next, select “Whole Latt, Rochester, 14623 (2200 Brighton Henrietta Townline R)” from the “Store Location” drop down menu. See the image below for more details. Click it to reveal a bigger version of the screen.

After that, simply complete the registration process to enjoy your $50 of Nespresso club credit!

Mother's Day is quickly approaching and of course you need to find the perfect gift for Mom. Well, I've already found it... Teaposy!!! My mother loves her tea and enjoys sharing these beautiful teas while entertaining. Not only are the teas beautiful, they're made with premium silver needle white tea, sewn together by hand with cotton thread.

I was extremely thrilled to find such great gifts to give my Mom and her friends! For those who like to entertain, the Celebrate gift set does nicely. The 24oz Celebrate teapot is dishwasher safe, and made of heat resistant borosilicate glass. This gift set also includes 8 blooming teas and 2 loose leaf tea sachets. The look on my Mom's face the first time she watched her tea bloom was priceless! She was so fascinated by the lovely blooming process and the scent of jasmine in the air.

As for all the other busy moms, the Teaposy Charme gift set is perfect! This set is meant for 1, perfect for the peaceful time when the kids are out of the house and you can snuggle up with a cozy blanket and read a book. The Charme set comes with a the 16oz Charme teapot, which, like the Celebrate is heat resistant and dishwasher safe. Also paired with the Charme is an 8oz cup that serves as the base of the teapot when not in use, 3 blooming teas, and 2 loose leaf tea sachets.

I know I truly like some quiet, tea time while I can schedule it in, so make your Mother's Day shopping easier with a beautiful Teaposy gift from Whole Latte Love!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ROK IN ACTION!

My job allows me to play around with some pretty cool stuff, but today I had the opportunity to test out something awesome. If you haven’t already heard of the ROK espresso maker, let me tell you a little bit about it. It's a manual espresso machine from Presso, Ltd. and it’s making waves at the London Coffee Festival. Needless to say, I was stoked. So, I grabbed some coffee, our hot water kettle, and a few volunteers, and we went to town.

There’s really a lot to like about this machine, but one of the first things that struck me was how light the machine was when I lifted it out of its container. Given that the machine and all of its accessories fit inside, it dawned on me just how portable this machine is. Once we got it onto the counter, the ROK’s appearance started turning some heads. It combines the stark elegance of stainless steel construction with nuanced details like the etched in coffee beans underneath the group head for a unique feeling of both durability and creativity.

Brewing shots on the ROK is a really hands-on experience, and easy too. Just fill the reservoir with hot water, lock in the portafilter and lift the handles. Water is siphoned into the group head and when you lower the arms, you create pressure to extract your espresso. Despite how light the machine is, the rubber feet on the base keep it from sliding as you press down on the handles.

The milk frother that comes with the ROK works wonders as well. Like the espresso machine, it’s a very hands on experience. Simply place it in a container of milk and work the pump to create froth. It’s really that simple. Bear in mind that for hot milk, you’ll need to heat it prior to frothing. When we finished, we used it to make a pretty stellar latte macchiato.

So, would I say that the ROK marks the beginning of another British invasion, à la The Beatles, circa 1963? Maybe. What I know for sure is that the ROK is a pretty amazing espresso machine, and that coming to Whole Latte Love soon!

You can pre-order it now.

Get started on the annual spring cleaning you've been putting off, so you can make room for this fantastic prize. We're giving away a Gaggia Espresso Color, a 58 mm aluminum Rattleware tamper, an 8 oz can of Lavazza in Blu, three espresso cups and saucers, as well as one latte cup and saucer. This prize package is worth over $230 and will get you up and brewing for the warmer days to come.

All you have to do is submit your email address to this link by 12 pm EST on May 31. We'll announce the winner the very next day. Even if you aren't the lucky winner, you'll still get an exclusive coupon code good for 5% off your next purchase. It's a win-win.

Taking a step back from any kind medical or health-related motivation for doing so, I recently found myself contemplating my coffee consumption on a more personal level. Without thinking too hard about it, I'd probably say that I drink about four cups of coffee a day. Of course, this doesn't include the occasional pots of tea I toss back as well. In reality, four cups is probably a too conservative of an estimate. But, it was enough to make me stop and consider my daily coffee quota. So, I decided to compile the following list of reasons that, on any given day, I might use to justify all of the coffee I drink.

	1. Because I'm tired: I imagine that this is at the top of a number of lists, mine included, but the caffeine in coffee and its energizing effect is one of the primary reasons I drink it. In college, my tea habit gradually transformed into a coffee habit and I guzzled copious amounts, as I battled the biological imperative to sleep and the rigours of higher education.
	2. Because I'm cold: This might not be 100% relatable, but here in Rochester, NY, the weather has a way of staying cold and wet for much longer than it should. Some days, when I'm bundled up in my chair, nothing thaws me out quite like a cup of coffee.
	3. To stretch my legs: Given the incredible advantages of working for a company that sells all things coffee, there's a drip coffee maker and an espresso machine not more than five feet from my desk. However, there's also a Gaggia Accademia in our kitchen, the perfect distance for a little walk to shake things up during the day.
	4. To be social: Coming as a surprise to nobody, the delicious and magical properties of coffee are possibly the world's worst kept secret. When I get up to grab a cup, there's a pretty big chance that I'll bump into somebody else doing the same and get the opportunity to make some conversation. Okay, maybe it's not that exciting, but, getting to know your coworkers is never a bad thing.

Alright, those were the reasons why I might grab a cup of coffee, or four, during the day. I'll leave you with a few of the responses I got from a survey I circulated around the office asking my co-workers why they drink coffee.

I'm always excited when I get to write about new items, which is why I was really jazzed, this week, when we got some new stuff from Bodum.

Once you've brewed your coffee, you'll need something to put it in. That's where the new Pavina and Bistro glasses take the stage. Both crafted from mouth-blown double walled glass, these glasses are an elegant way to keep your hot drinks hot and your cool drinks cool. The 15 oz Pavina is ideal for showcasing drinks with layering effects, like the latte macchiato. The 5 oz Bistro cups are ideal for serving espresso.

Last on our list is the Bodum Latteo manual milk frother. Just add some fresh milk and work the plunger for delicious frothed milk, perfect for cappuccinos.

If you didn't already know, people who love their espresso and coffee drinks really love their espresso and coffee drinks. Their allegiance to machine manufactures is equally as strong as well. Best sellers become that way because they fit a need and a want for a broad range of people. However, once in awhile, a machine comes along that many people wouldn't consider, but those that do take the step to purchase it fall in love and continue to buy them as each new model comes into our hands. No machine proves this more than the Saeco Royal line of machines.

13.2x15x17.7 (L x D x H) seems like a large machine, and it is. There is no getting around the fact that this machine is one of the bigger residential Super One Touches we carry. At 33lbs, it's not a lightweight, either. The size alone is one of the primary reasons that this machine is attractive to a very faithful group of consumers. While you can find many smaller machines with a fair bit of options, the Royal HD8930 is so chock full that it would be an engineering miracle to make it any smaller (here's to hoping for a smaller size in the next redesign). Like those that came before it, the Royal maintains capacities that put most machines to shame. The bean hopper can hold 12.4 oz (nearly a pound) of beans, while the water reservoir holds just over half a gallon.

The Royal HD8930 is the first of the Royals to feature a true one touch system, allowing it to dispense the milk and coffee portions of a drink during the same brew cycle. The last model had a separate Cappuccinatore and steam wand to produce the froth and steamed milk. Just insert the frothing cartridge into the front of the machine and hook up the included stainless steel vacuum sealed milk carafe, and let the machine do the work so you can easily enjoy a latte or cappuccino. The carafe holds a substantial .5l of milk, and keeps it cold for a few hours. It also has a built in hot water wand for tea, hot cocoa, or to make your favorite soup quickly and easily.

With adjustments available to the grinder, dosage, volume, temperature and milk options, there are literally hundreds of different ways to make a drink. Everyone will be able to find a configuration that makes their perfect cup of coffee. The dosage options range from 7g of coffee to 11g of coffee, so that your drink will be as light or rich as you would like. The buttons for each drink are easily programmed. Like many machines, simply hold down the drink button to put it in programming mode, let it brew, and when the desired amount has been dispensed, press the same button again to have the machine remember the setting. From then on out, every time that function is used, it will produce the same volume unless stopped manually, or reprogrammed.

The conical burr grinder makes quick and quiet work of fresh coffee beans, while being able to be adjusted to 7 different grind levels – sure to be able to accommodate whichever quality beans you choose to use. One of my favorite features of the new Royal is that it can be set to grind a serving of coffee as soon as the current drink is finished. That way, there is no waiting for when you press the button for the next drink.

Its ability to produce over 100 cups a day means that it can find a home in an office or light commercial application as well. The large reservoir, bean hopper and giant drip tray allow numerous people in an office to enjoy café quality drinks with only an occasional need to refill or drain. It is not NSF approved, so if the Royal HD8930 interests you for a small café or restaurant, make sure to check with your local authorities before purchasing.

There is no way to argue that the Saeco Royal machines have always been incredibly capable and reliable machines. People absolutely adore them. The Royal Super One Touch machine is no different. With features found in higher priced machines, legendary performance, and near limitless customization of drinks, the Royal HD8930 is hard to beat.

I like to compare the Saeco Intelia Focus espresso machine to Jaguars… Like the Jaguar, the Saeco Intelia Focus is beautiful, shiny and smart, as you can see in any of these pictures.  It also likes to keep itself clean (like the Jaguar).

The Intelia brews using a 15 bar pump and features a pre-brewing function (it pre infuses the coffee which means the coffee is wet prior to brewing to aid in extraction) to enhance the flavor of your favorite beverage whether it be latte, cappuccino, espresso or long espresso.  This machine has a hot water option which dispenses out of the wand for tea, hot chocolate or oatmeal!  The dispensing spouts on the brew head slide up or down from 2.5 through 4.5 inches.  The footprint is rather heroic at approximately 10”W, 13.5”H, and 17.5” D.  A grinder adjustment key & pre-ground coffee doser scoop, water hardness test strip, descaling solution, brew group lubricant and cleaning brush are all included in the box.

The coffee grounds drawer, water reservoir and drip tray are all located on the front face, they pull out for cleaning or refilling water. The grounds drawer holds about 10 pucks and the water reservoir holds 1.5 liters or just under 51 ounces. The right side of the machine opens up, which is where the brew group and residues drawer are found, they come right out and rinse off. The Intelia will need to be descaled regularly as all espresso machines should be. It's really a snap! Just push the Calc Clean button and the nice control panel will prompt you for all of the steps. The pannarello wand slides off and should be rinsed after each use.

The Saeco Intelia Focus is simply a wonderful espresso machine! It pre-brews, automatically cleans & descales, has an adjustable ceramic grinder and it is energy efficient. And, it sure does make drinks fast… Just like the Jaguar XKR-75!

Coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world following crude oil and when it comes to its top producers the USA doesn’t even come close. What we do have however is Kona Coffee, a rather prestigious and sought after variety of gourmet coffee grown only in the Kona District of the Big Island of Hawai’i where the rich volcanic soil and climate create favorable conditions for coffee growing. In addition to producing world famous coffee, Kona farms have become popular destinations for tourists in Hawaii.

These days however, conditions haven’t been quite so comfortable with the discovery of an infestation by the Coffee Borer Beetle, an insect native to Africa which, according to the State Department of Agriculture causes roughly $500 million in damage to the coffee industry. After many years it has made its way to Hawaii to wreak havoc on the Kona crop.

The beetle gets its name from the way it bores its way into coffee cherries to reproduce. Given that the insect is native to Africa, it has no natural predators in Hawaii and is an invasive species. Since its discovery, Kona farmers have done what they can to combat the pest like setting up traps and spraying plants with insecticidal fungi (i.e.: Mycotrol O) and more recently, a specialized solution designed to help protect plants against infestation was developed by a company called Symbiotic Solutions and their consultant, a man named Gaillen Wraye. The solution holds an advantage over the traditional insecticides used because as opposed to being a topical spray, it enters the plant and strengthens it from the inside. Some farmers who have adopted use of the juice have reported seeing decreases in the amount of coffee lost to the beetle.

Additionally, the Hawaiian state government has been fighting to keep the infestation from spreading to other islands and coffee growing regions. To that effect, they have issued quarantines on the transportation of unroasted coffee beans, coffee plants and plant parts, used coffee bags, and coffee harvesting equipment.

In spite of efforts to prevent further spread of the beetle however, it remains at large as a threat to the existence of Kona coffee. Recently, farmers have turned to the government for help, with Hawaiian legislators pushing for nearly $1 million to support the effort to eradicate the beetle, requesting $500,000 to help research and develop means to prevent and treat infestations and another $330,000 help mitigate the costs to farmers who have been forced to combat the beetle.

The loss of Kona coffee would impact more than just the people who drink it. The livelihoods of many farmers and their families have been thrown into jeopardy by the crisis. The harsh reality is dawning upon many that only those who are vigilant and take action against the beetle will be able to salvage their farms. It is my sincere hope that the government realizes the peril faced by the Kona coffee industry and lends a hand in putting an end to this conundrum.

Please excuse the lengthy title, and I don’t expect many of you to be particularly familiar with the Harris + Hoole coffee chain, but don’t worry, you will be. Coffee culture is as big a part of society in the UK as it is here in the States, and similarly, there’s no shortage of coffee drama in the UK either. Harris + Hoole is a chain of 10 cafes in the UK that opened up in 2012, identifiable by their trendy interiors and little guy feel, aka, they aren’t like Starbucks.

For the average coffee drinking citizen, Harris + Hoole must have seemed like a great alternative. Founded and operated by the three Tolley siblings, coffee entrepreneurs and down to earth people, how could one say no? That is, until their secret got out. Enter Tesco, the third largest retailer in the world and rumored 49% shareholder of Harris + Hoole. The company’s CEO, Nick Tolley, claimed that Tesco would have little to do with day to day operations and the Tesco chief executive Philip Clarke made a claim that the Harris + Hoole brand had its own value and that it was the Tolley’s business and that they (Tesco) were merely helping them to realize their potential.

Needless to say however, people felt duped. Their lovely indie coffee shop was actually funded by a huge retailer, and to great effect mind you, as there are plans to open an 11th H+H store in Whitstable in the UK. Many people have now claimed that they wouldn’t have had anything to do with Harris + Hoole if they had known Tesco was involved from the beginning. That, and the majority of the backlash the company has faced was due to people have felt that they were mislead, that a corporate behemoth was masquerading as a family owned coffee chain.

Bear with me now as I segue to our next topic of discussion to events taking place here in the US. I’ll admit that reading about the whole Harris + Hoole situation was interesting to me on its own, but a recent development has got me thinking about it even more. When I found out that the Denver based coffee distributor Boyer Coffee Co. had just named former Walmart executive Mark Goodman as their president and CEO it got me thinking. According to Pamela Boyer, the daughter of the company’s founder, Goodman was hired as a result of her father’s wishes to find a “...professional executive that could lead Boyer coffee to the next level of growth...” At the moment, Boyer is a roaster and distributor that operates out of an old schoolhouse that was converted into a cafe and roasting facility. Also, Boyer’s cafe is incredibly charming.

So for a recap, Boyer is a local roaster in Denver, family owned, operates out of a delightful converted schoolhouse, and just hired a former Walmart  executive to help “lead Boyer coffee to the next level of growth.” When the Tolley family needed money, they turned to Tesco. With a former Walmart executive in charge Boyer Coffee Co. it’ll be interesting to see where they might turn. Might the Boyer family turn to Walmart under Goodman’s guidance to acquire the resources to grow and expand their company?

While all of this is me speculating, I couldn’t help but notice some of the parallels in the circumstances. Will Boyer Coffee Co. become the next Harris + Hoole? And more importantly, would people accept a chain of cafes owned by Walmart? Can specialty coffee blend with big business? The Tolleys did it, it’ll be interesting to see who else throws their hat into the ring.