9: LIT (College Street)

LIT Espresso Bar (College Street)
website
2 Locations: 221 Roncesvales Ave,
                      810 College St

Having been the only cafe to carry PDX's Stumptown in the early portion of the year, they've switched to new kids on the block (Pig Iron Coffee Roasters). Brother Sister duo continue to push us to taste, and taste we will.

The Family business is doing quite well, having recovered from closing up their in-house coffee bar within the Burroughes, their more focused then ever.

Different than hairbender, but with more attention to how their coffee is being roasted. It's this relationship between farm to cup that we should be proud that they took the plunge and started to roast for themselves.

Here's to continued success!
Top 10 (2012): Nine; 2011; Four (-5)

Bean Talk: Stumptown Costa Rica Montes de Oro

Newest Spring Crops!

Costa Rice Montes de Oro
Elevation: 1500-1700M
Varietal: Caturra, Bourbon, Catuai
Region: Latin America

Roasters: Stumptown Coffee Roasters
Located: Brooklyn, NY (since I picked this up at LIT on College)

Process: fully washed



Brew process: Hario V60 Pourover
Details: 35 pre-infusion, 3:50 total brew-time.

Verdict:
Aromatics: Smoky chocolate
HOT: smooth chocolate with reducution of a cherry glaze, with hints light spicy/smoked meat - subtle clean finish.
Cooling: citrus, savory body starts to take over.

Roasters Notes: Sparkling cherry juice is balanced well with creamy milk chocolate and notes of citrus in this complex, fully washed coffee.

I'll need to pick up a Red Cup to match my V60.... old school stopwatch action. Enjoy it at LIT espresso.

Wrap Up; LIT college 1st Anni

A great crowd of regulars, fans, friends and Family of LIT Espresso Bar came out in full force on Saturday night to celebrate the first year of business.

Method: Siphon

Spotted: LIT Espresso Bar (College Street Location)
Address: 810 College Street

Having just celebrated their first birthday at the 810 College Street location, it seemed like forever, since I was here last. The truth is: I hadn't ventured to this location during store hours....

When they decided to open up later - until 8pm, now that Spring is upon us. har har har!

I needed to make a trek down to the College location for some Hairbender... as I'd been craving for that syrupy sweetness from Stumptown. I know, go local, but there's something about Stumptown that I was craving.

LIT recently tweaked their water pressure system to create a more consistent process, but Nicole managed to convince me to try Siphon over Chemex...

LIT College: Birthday Celebration

It seems like March has been quite the month for Birthday Celebrations.

LIT on College had their official birthday a couple of weeks ago, but you know how those crazy kids have busy lives... they just need to celebrate it on a different day.

Saturday, March 26th - 7pm

810 College Street (close to Ossington)
STUMPTOWN will be providing some wicked coffee, and maybe candle light celebrations with EARTH day?

 Too bad I missed out on the Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Adado....

LIT Event: Coffee and Chocolate Pairing

LIT Espresso Bar on College held an amazing event tonight pairing artisan chocolate with Stumptown Coffee.

The concept of pairing two food types has worked, and as human nature it's evident that we enjoy creating culinary experiences that highlight complimentary flavours.
Tonight we were privy to the first ever event of its' kind.
LIT Coffee (Stumptown) paired with David Stubbe's Chocolate.

David Stubbe is the creator of Stubbe Chocolate a boutique shop 653 Dupont Street (near Christie)
416-923-0956

"creating fresh according to the high standards of the Konditorei." Konditorei is the German word referring to a pâtisserie and confectionery shop.

He talks about cocoa beans being bought through distrubtors/brokers.. but the first three pairings were actually from origin meaning that they were bought straight from the farm.
Sourcing from Origins and creating that Direct-Trade is essentially what Stumptown wants to create. What a better way to display these two products than side-by-side.

Really what's not to love high caffeine, rich fats, sugar content that is heavenly.

Just like Wine and Cheese, Pizza and Soda, Steak and Potatoes, this was just finding components of coffee that would accentuate the flavour profile of the chocolate.

We started with less sweet - working our way up the sweetness totem pole, such that the sweetness didn't overpower our palette.

First pairing:
66% bittersweet Mexican (origin) w/ Ethiopian Yiragcheffe Adado
Choco: bittersweet dark!
Coffee: super clear profile with higher acidity.

Second pairing: Eburundi Bwayi w Tanzania 70 % origin.

The sharp Tanzania cuts through the mellowmellow bwayi.
Not sure how I feel about the coffee, but there was definitely character like a subtlemysterious  figure in the background, super great.

Third Pairing: Burundi Kinyovu w/ 72% Venezuela
Kinyovu made through Chemex process meant really fruity, and clean coffee paired with this rich dark chocolate that's just sweet enough, but NOT overpowering. Once paired together there was this dense mouth feel, similar to eating a chocolate cake. Amazing mouth feel

Fourth Pairing: Bolivia Buenvista organic w/ 72% Organic cocoa
Buenvista is probably one of the nuttier coffees I have had this year, it really compliments the 72% - as the sweetness doesn't overpower the chocolate too much. Great pairing done by Alex.

Fifth Pairing: Coloumbia Los Cauchos w/ semi sweet 56% cocoa with cocoa nibs
Los Cauchos, light and airy compliments the sweetest chocolate on display this evening. The nibs gave the tongue a different texture to explore resulting in a memory that will be spoken upon.

Not paired: Chili - chocolate was spicy, reminded me of the Mayan style chocolates found at SOMA.

My favourite mix and match pairing of the night: Burundi Kinyovu with the 72% Organic Cocoa. (Not one of the recommended, but it tasted like a DENSE Dutch Chocolate cake. Every sip just meant more yumminess!

Hoping that there are more of these pairing events in the future!

Bean Talk: Stumptown - Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Tumticha

Let's have a little chat about the beans I picked up today!


Roasters: Stumptown Coffee Roasters (Brooklyn, NY)
Roast Date: December 6th, 2010
Beans: Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Tutimcha
Varietal: Ethiopian Heirloom
Location: Gedeo, Yirgacheffe
Region: Africa
Elevation: 1900-2300 metres

TO Connection: LIT Espresso Bar (639 Queen Street West)
Price: $14 for 3/4lb - 12oz - 340g

First Experience: LIT Espresso (Queen W)

LIT Espresso Bar 
Address: 639 Queen Street West
                Main Floor of the Burroughes Building
Neighbourhood: Queen West/ Fashion District
(website) @litespressobar

LIT Espresso became the first of the BIG household Toronto names to open their third location. Having successfully launched in early December, it was great to see these guys move into the iconic Burroughes Building and bring charm back to the quickly developing 'hood.

The historic Burroughes Building (est. 1907) acted as a flagship store for King Sol and became the current incarnation after extensive renovations in 2006. Don't be fooled by the ample amounts of furniture that are on display for Design Republic , these guys have taken partnerships to a new level.

Coffee Cupping at LIT (College)

LIT Espresso Bar (College Location)
Address: 810 College Street
Neighbourhood: College Street, Little Portugal
(website, @litespressobar)

At LIT Espresso Bar on College there's an opportunity to discover the tastes and aromas of coffee through their informal coffee cupping sessions. Typically used for quality assurance, Alex (barista), was able to run through 4 different types of beans from renowned US-roasters Stumptown. Lit is the only cafe in Toronto to have a partnership with Stumptown, so it's an exclusive deal. A Good thing for sure.