Moments of Calm - BEDIM Day 20

The thing with caffeine, it's a very stimulating drug. 
It acts as a central nervous system stimulant, which for most people, doesn't affect them overly. 

However for people with anxiety, caffeine can exacerbate feelings of anxiousness, send your heart rate sky high, and can lead to unwanted panic attacks (trust me, been there got the t-shirt)





It's Mental Health Awareness week (if you hadn't seen already!) and mental health is something very close to my heart. I suffer with a lot of mental health issues, and so have my closest friends. 

So I decided this year I wanted to create something over on The Coffee Life Co


Introducing The Coffee Life Moments of Calm Lavender Candles. 



These are lavender scented candles and tealights, which are made to bring you a moment of calm when it's needed the most. 
If these are popular I will probably start doing tins of these as at the moment they are only available in tealight form and a few espresso cups. 






If you'd like to go and purchase some of these head over to my shop tab or click here





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Great Podcasts For Positivity - BEDIM Day 19

Since it's Mental Health Awareness week, I thought we'd focus in on some more helpful Mental Health themed blog posts. 

I'm also a sucker for a good podcast. So I thought I'd curate a list of podcasts all about mental health, self help and self improvement and general positivity. 






I typically listen to podcasts on Spotify, so I apologise if any of these aren't on any other podcast streaming service. 



Straight and Curly

This podcast is one I have listened to for years. It was one of the first "self improvement" podcasts I happened to find on Spotify. Carly and Kelly really captivate real life issues, around everything. Self improvement is what they focus on during the podcasts, and they have incredible topics that they chat about every week. 
They have nearly 150 episodes for you to binge at your pleasure. 



Everyday Positivity

This one sounds pretty explanatory. With short podcasts that only last up to 5 minutes each, Kate captivates you with some morning positivity (or evening!) every day of the year. 


Self Improvement Daily 

Another short everyday podcast, with episodes no longer than 5 minutes - they focus on more hard hitting self doubt and improvements (even in the little snippet episodes)


The Lavendaire Podcast

Aileen is someone who I've followed on YouTube for a few years now, her visions for life and self help & improvement have been a huge help - she talks about everything from handling overwhelm, to embracing failures and even has special guests from time to time. 
This is one of my favourite podcasts, and her voice is just super calming. 


Give Me Strength 

Alice Liveing is an author and personal trainer by day, but her podcast focuses on building mental and physical resilience, and how this can empower you. She regularly has guest on her podcast such as double olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly.




The Ground Up Show 

Matt D'Avella is another person I've followed on YouTube for a long while. Best known for Netflix documentary Minimalism, he interviews people on their process to becoming the best they can be, reaching into some pretty heavy subjects within Mental Health. 


Parcast - Daily Quote 

I'm a sucker for a good quote, so when Parcast released their new daily podcast with quotes, I was following straight away.
They dissect quotes very cleverly, going into deeper meaning, and learning more to uplift your mood in a quick 5 minute podcast. 







What podcasts bring you positivity?







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Moon Roast - Uganda - BEDIM Day 18

Moon Roast gets talked about A LOT on The Coffee Life, but for very good reason. 

Their consistency to bring out incredible coffees is something you don't see with many coffee companies, so when you find one, you don't let them go (and you blog about them a lot in my experience) 




Read other posts about Moon Roast








Today we're talking about their newest release Uganda - Rwenzori Natural 


More information on the coffee - "To kickstart the 2020 year, we have worked closely with James of Omwani Coffee Co to help search for our next natural processed coffee. He sources some of the best Ugandan coffees to the UK and aims to build long term relationships with farmers. Aiding the farmers with market information, improved prices for better quality and advice on how farmers can improve their primary processing techniques to improve the coffees cup score.
The coffee from lead farmer Kenanga Neckson wowed all of us when it was first sampled and we knew it was the taste we wanted to highlight. The Rwenzoris are famously known as the "Mountains of the Moon" and they stretch for 230km along the Western Uganda border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Farmers harvest their coffees by hand, carefully selecting the ripe cherries. These are then pre-sorted before being placed in a tank of water; those that float are removed, leaving only the best cherries to continue in the process. The cherries are then sun-dried on raised tables inside purpose built poly-tunnels. 
Farmers carefully turn the cherries throughout the day, ensuring uniform drying. Once dried to the required moisture content, the coffee is sorted and processed via the wet mill in Kisinga Town. 
After Processing, the coffee beans then undergo a final check to remove any black beans or defects. The coffee is then bagged and transported to a dry mill in Numanve on the outskirts of Kampala, here it is prepared for export through Mombasa. 
Many farmers choose to sell the fresh cherries after they have been sorted and floated, often with the assistance of the field team based out of Kisinga. This enables farmers to access quick payment for coffee and takes away the risk of processing coffee at their farm, many of whom are not well equipped to dry coffee. The cherries are delivered to the wet mill in Kisinga Town where a team of trained workers are able to carry out the whole process to a high standard.

I've said it once, and I'll say it again. The transparency that Moon Roast provide with every coffee is just incredible. 










The Beans

Region: Rwenzori, Western Uganda
Lead Farmer: Kanaga Neckson
Processing Mill: Kisinga Coffee Station
Harvest Period: November/December 2019
Altitude: 1300-1600MASL 
Process: Natural, Sundried inside Poly-Tunnels
Varietals: SL14, SL28
Cup Score: 86
Taste Notes: Mango, Lychee, Pineapple










The Brew

17g of Coffee
250g of Water
3 Minute 15 Second Total Brew Time
30 Second Bloom with Agitation








Taste - This coffee is one that I would describe as a perfect afternoon/early evening coffee - the fruity notes with the great tangy acidity from slight pineapple notes comes through great. A medium bodied cup with some really creamy undertones, it makes for a delicious fruity cup all the way through. Even as it cools it just gets more fruity and delicious.

I also made a batch of cold brew with this one, and let me tell you it's up there with one of the fruitiest cold brews I've ever made. 





Don't forget to check out Moon Roast for some amazing beans.

Buy the delicious Ugandan beans - here

Find Moon Roast
Website - here
Instagram - here







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Symposium Coffee - BEDIM Day 17

In April, I got contacted on Instagram from the lovely guys over at Symposium Coffee Roasters about their East African Coffees, they asked if I would like to try out a bag, and of course after reading some great information on their website, I said yes! 





So, who are Symposium Coffee Roasters? 

Symposium Coffee Roasters was founded by Steven Sheard and Philip Oliver in 2020. 
Steven has studied Philosophy at Birkbeck University of London, spent several years in the British Army and briefly worked in Sales. Steven has seen active service in; Afghanistan, training exercises in: East Africa, North America and Europe while in the forces.
Philip has spent the majority of his working career in Business, during his youth he spent time in Zimbabwe which has created a lasting impression.
Their main focus are East African Coffees.
East African Coffees are complex and fruity, the tasting notes can feel more like a fine wine due to the terrior. We control the roasting process which affects acidity, sweetness and bitterness bean flavours. We seek to balance these three aspects through carefully controlled use of heat and timing to produce a cup that is light and refreshing.



The Beans
South Ethiopia
Region: Sidamo - Arroresso, Bona Zuria. Washing/Milling Station
Varietal: Arabica Heirloom
Altitude: 1500-2200 MASL
Harvest: October to December
Process: Washed
  • Situated in the southern part of Ethiopia, Sidama is a very mountainous region with ample rainfall, good temperature and rich soils. This provides beans of a Grade 1 standard and has the ideal balance of acidity and body. Sidama is great filter coffee where its true colours show.


The Brew
V60
17g of Coffee
250g of Water
3 Minute Total Brew Time
30 Second Bloom with Agitation


This coffee was super sweet and plum-y, with a delicious bright and floral acidity. Medium bodied, it only got sweeter and juicier as it cooled down with a lighter acidity.
This would be one a coffee that would be perfect afternoon coffee.
I really enjoy Ethiopians, and this was definitely no exception. Symposium are doing a fantastic job roasting coffee to near enough perfection.


Find Symposium Coffee





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Dog and Hat Coffee Subscription Box 12 - BEDIM Day 16



We're back with another Dog and Hat box, and one of the last ones I'll be posting about for a while (boooo!!!!) 





This box included a delicious selection of beans from Quarter Horse (who we've talked about quite a bit!) and Missing Bean, who I hadn't tried yet. 


This box also came in time for the Chinese New Year, super exciting. (and it also came with a biscuit which was delicious and was devoured in less than 2.3 seconds.)



Here's me enjoying said biscuit.





Quarter Horse 

Quarter Horse Coffee is an independent coffee roaster and cafe in Birmingham. Located on Bristol Street in the South Side area of Birmingham they opened their roastery and cafe in February of 2015. Roasting their own beans was an exciting venture that allowed them to source high quality green beans from around the world and freshly roast them for their customers. 




The Beans 

Ou Yang 
China 
Region: Yunnan 
Varietal: Catimor P3/P4
Process: Natural
Taste: Strawberry, Pineapple, Jackfruit, Smooth and Creamy Body 






The Brew

V60
17g of Coffee
250g of Water
30 Second Bloom with Agitation
3 Minute 30 Second Total Brew Time 


Cold Brew
50g Coarse Coffee
1 Litre Cold Water
Fridge Time - 12 Hours







Taste - This coffee, was something else. It was so bright, so syrup-y and fruity. It reminded me of the La Ortiga bag I had from Bailies Coffee - It was delicious. 
All the tastes were there, super berry like strawberry, slight tartness from pineapple. It was an incredible cup every time. 
As a cold brew, it was just as delicious, perfect for a hot day, super sweet notes again, with the perfect tang.


Find Quarter Horse 
Website - here
Instagram - here
Twitter - here 





Missing Bean

The Missing Bean was found in 2009 to establish a speciality coffee scene in the heart of Oxford. After discovering the laid back espresso bars and cafes that the founders had grown to love whilst studying in Australia were non-existent in the city, they decided to set up their own. 
Five years later, with a reputation for excellent coffee, sustainable production and friendly, relaxed atmosphere, they set up their own coffee roastery in East Oxford, Where they carefully source the best beans from around the world.






The Beans 
Nicaragua 
San Jose 
Direct Trade - Mierisch Family
Process - Washed
Varietal - Javanica
Altitude - 1250-1400 MASL
Taste: Cherry Chocolate Mousse






The Brew

V60
17g of Coffee
250g of Water
30 Second Bloom with Agitation
3 Minute 30 Second Total Brew Time 





Taste - when you first sip this coffee, you get an overwhelming dark chocolate taste. With some subtle acidity and I'd say more blackberry than cherry notes.




Find Missing Bean
Website - here
Instagram - here









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