More Stuff

In 2004 a woman named Felice Kaufman came into the store and told me she was writing a cook book and would I be interested in submitting a recipe for good coffee. I was curious what kind of cook book would support a recipe for good coffee. She told me she was in the publishing business and also the mother a little girl of girl scout age. She wanted to write a cook book called "Americans Cook" and sell it as a fundraiser for her daughters girl scout troop. She mentioned that she had some connections and was getting politicians, chefs, celebrities, and notable people in America to submit their favorite recipe. She was a customer, lived in Chappaqua and I thought it would be fun so I submitted a recipe for my the perfect cup of coffee and my favorite coffee based drink the "Espresso Macciato". It turns out she was pretty serious. 300 recipes submitted by President Bill Clinton(Chicken Enchiladas), Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten of "Vong"(Crunchy Fall Vegetable Salad), The "21" Club(Caesar Salad), Senator Trent Lott(Mississippi Marinated Shrimp), Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger(Kaiserschmarren), Chris Madden(Fast Tomato Soup), Nancy Reagan(Mac and Cheese), Chef Tom Colicchio(Braised Red Snapper), Dom Deluise(Sweet Potato Souffle), Chef Daniel Boulud of "Daniel"(Chocolate Bread Pudding With Dried Fruit) and 289 more people like this and......me. When I got the copy and saw who I was on the pages with I felt pretty OK. Attached are my recipes and again the book is called "Americans Cook" by Felice Kaufman published by herself at Linzer Tart LLC. If you can find it check it out its a great cook book and The Black Cow is in it, page 22.

Fair trade and Organic

A customer came into the store today and asked if we had any Shade Grown coffees. I proceeded to explain what/how/why/what and how we deal with fair trade and organics. Below is something I wrote and posted in the store a while back to try and explain where we stand in this regard. For your reading pleasure.......


Blackcow and Fair-trade/Organic

The Black Cow is limited with its ability to roast and sell organic and fair-trade coffees. Most fair-trade coffees are also organic and with the new USDA rules (laws) for processing and selling organic products our space does not conform to the requirements needed for certification. We used to sell organic coffee but now that the rules (laws) have changed we are not allowed. The long-term idea is to move the roaster out of the store to a space that can accommodate the certification and then we will be on board. Until then, whenever I see a fair-trade coffee that is not organic I do buy it. Straight up organics will have to wait.
You notice now how there is so much “organic” in the supermarkets these days. I really believe that the new organic rules were set up to allow the big agri-producers to get into the game of “Organic”. Now Dole, Wal-Mart and the huge agri-businesses can put an “organic” sticker on their products because the new guidelines have several levels of classification for organic. Maybe it’s better on the giant, global scale of things moving a little closer to the organic model, but do your homework, what says organic should fall into some new classification of “organic” but find out the real story/source of the product. Some of these foods are pretty scary. Whenever possible best to buy local products/produce where you know the source. When we get to that point documentation will be provided for our organic coffees.

Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause…….

I'm Here!

I'm really trying to keep this thing going. I have been so remiss with posting but am committed to get my literary ball rolling. I am going to attempt to "social network" using all my social networking sites to help spread the word of The Black Cow. There are plenty of people in the general area that do not visit us. I want to know why. We are very nice people, we welcome anyone and everyone, we have damn good coffee as good as you can get, our prices are competitive with any other coffee operation out there. What is it that keeps people from coming in. I have friends that I grew up with still very friendly, maybe not socially but certainly hand shakes, hugs, kisses etc. and they have never set foot in the store. It's strange to me. If something or someone offended them I want to know. If I somehow I offended them I want to know. I just want to know.....spread the word The Black Cow has been operating for 15 years this year. We pride ourselves in being the best possible specialty coffee operation we can be. This month we were named "The Peoples Choice" winners for "Best Cafe" in Westchester Magazines Best of Westchester Issue. I would much rather have the peoples choice award than the magazines pick any day. It makes us feel that we are doing something good for the community. Hopefully this is the beginning of continued postings and as I branch out into the social networking world please join in. Post ideas opinions etc. Become a fan of The Black Cow Coffee Companys facebook page. I try and post the Coffees/Iced Teas of the day every day and just try and entertain. Until next time in the immortal words of Bartles and james "and thank you for your support"......xo