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Well, What a Shit Show

 Eeesh, it's certainly been a while.


2020 has been a shit-show, I'm not even going to bother trying to sugar coat it. 

I've struggled - I've not been okay - I have wanted to quit. 


So I took a break, a way longer break than I could've ever intended.

However, slowly and surely, I'm making my presence known on social media again, I'm starting to find my passion for coffee again, and I'm finally starting to want to blog again. 




Negativity is something I try to never bring to The Coffee Life - focusing on positives, focusing on good mental health, and I just haven't been able to do that recently. Hence my absence, and I apologise to people who look forward to reading my rambles about coffee. But I am also incredibly thankful to those who reached out on Instagram/Twitter and elsewhere to check up on me. I am so blessed with such an amazing community through The Coffee Life.


However, big and exciting things are coming for The Coffee Life - The Coffee Life Co products are getting a revamp - I'm going to start slowly blogging more and more. 




Although this isn't actually a blog post about coffee - it's been nice to figure out my chatty writing style again, it's been nice to sit and just type whatever my brain comes up with. Even if most of it doesn't make sense (story of my life huh) 


I'll see you soon with some coffee related blog posts.




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or you can show your support by "buying me a coffee" for just $3 


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Third Year Lucky - BEDIM Day One

Welcome back to the third (yes you read right, third!!!) year of the attempts of Blogging Every Day In May. 

Last year we came super close to completing it, however I had some personal issues that meant I missed the last week or so - BUT - Third time lucky hey? 









This year, due to everything that's going on in the world around us, I'm going to be keeping it light, happy and with the hope that I can get out some mental health posts during May, as when I asked on Instagram what you guys wanted to read, I had a few people asking for more mental health posts - so you got it! 




We will also be saying a very emotional goodbye to both of my regular coffee subscriptions - One Click and Dog and Hat. However we still have a few more posts left of them both! 


We will also have my regular birthday posts (which I LOVE writing every year!) - my goals for the next coming year, what I've learnt etc - they're always the posts I look forward to writing in May, and even if I stop BEDIM next year, I'll still 100% write those posts every year. 



There will also be days where the blog post is a YouTube video - so make sure you're subscribed to my YouTube channel so you don't miss them! 

I will also be uploading on Tik-Tok everyday (oh yes, I'm that person now) so make sure you're following me there too!
My username on there is - jassgoodman





I cant wait to see the response to BEDIM this year, my blog has grown so much over the last year and I am so incredibly thankful for that. 
So sit back and enjoy Blogging Everyday In May 2020

There will also be an exclusive discount on The Coffee Life Co Shop throughout May - simply use the code "BIRTHDAY" for 10% off your entire order!





Like what I do? Support The Coffee Life here
Join the club and get exclusive perks! 
- Exclusive blog posts and videos
- Exclusive giveaways and competitions for members
- A members only chat where you can say what you want to see on The Coffee Life
- Exclusive discount codes for The Coffee Life Co
- Many more perks coming soon!
All for $5 a month!





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Bristol Coffee Festival 2019

Another month, another coffee festival - (I'm loving that there are so many places having their own coffee festivals now!) 



Bristol Coffee Festival (Coffee House Project) has been on my list since it started last year, so after a little road trip down to Bristol, we arrived at The Passenger shed and greeted by the bustling crowds already inside.







I did the usual thing of taking forever to get my bearings, but headed over to my fav girls, Fi and Casey from Girls Who Grind Coffee who had their delicious Rwandan on batch. 


I then headed over to Hasbean to see another coffee pal, Will, and ended up bumping into Izzy and other friends! 

Hasbean had a really interesting bubble tea (coffee hybrid) which of course had to be tried - it was definitely one of the most interesting caffeinated beverages I've ever tried. 


After a lot of mooching around, so many coffees I lost count and so many hugs from coffee pals (honestly coffee festivals are the only place that actually makes me look popular) we found the colouring wall (petition to have a colouring wall at EVERY coffee festival!!!) 




The next highlight was Manumit - Esther and I had many Instagram conversations about how excited we were to finally meet! (I feel like I was definitely more excited) 




When I say Esther is one of the most smiley, kind hearted and bubbly people I have ever met, I'm not lying. she is just super lovely!!! 
(she also very kindly gave me some coffee so expect to see more of Manumit on the blog soon!)


In between all the madness, we managed to have a little sit down with some delicious toasties (CHEESY GOODNESS!!) 





We went and sat down for one of the talks, Soundness Snapshots - Talking Mental Health in the UK Coffee Industry with Kore directive 





It was a really interesting talk, people sharing their stories, what is happening in the Coffee Industry towards better mental health.
One quote that really stood out to me throughout the chat was from Kore directive - "depression will always be with me. I will always have depression, I have moments of high times, and low times. It's just learning how to be better prepared for the low times" - and that really stood true, and I think that way of thinking is how we should all look towards anything mental health related. 



After drinking way too much coffee, we decided to call it a day.




Sunday 

We took it pretty easy on the Sunday and arrived at the festival around midday, we did the usual rounds, Girls Who Grind Coffee, Hasbean, Manumit, and I finally managed to track down Dhan Tamang, after not managing to track him down on the Saturday (he's a very busy man now) - and had a lovely conversation with him (as always!) 

We also went by the La Marzocco stand, where the guy actually let me use the machine to make a coffee (hello, dreams do come true) 


Although he wasn't impressed when I showed him up with some cheeky latte art shapes.





It's safe to say we took Bristol Coffee Festival pretty chill, and I definitely cant wait for next years! 



-More Photos- 




(not usually this side of the camera at coffee festivals)









I came home with a lovely little haul of coffees, which means lots of upcoming blog posts! 








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Manumit - Uganda Budwale

Back in July, I received a really cute package from the lovely Esther (and team) at Manumit 




I came across Manumit earlier this year on Instagram, and fell in love with their ethics and their entire ethos towards business and freedom through coffee.


So what's Manumit all about?


Every 30 seconds someone becomes a slave.
Manumit offers dignity and hope to survivors of modern slavery through training and employment.
Our coffee is roasted by men and women who have suffered horrendous exploitation at the hands of traffickers and modern slave traders but are now rebuilding their lives.
At our Cardiff based roastery, we produce excellent coffee that combats modern slavery on 3 levels
- Sourcing specialty coffee beans from ethical, slavery free suppliers.
- Training and employing survivors of modern slavery as coffee roasters.
- Investing all profits in local and international anti-slavery projects.
Together we are providing #FreedomThroughCoffee

On the Manumit website, you can go over and read some of the stories from the brave individuals who have overcome slavery and are trying to rebuild their lives. 


I had the absolute pleasure of having numerous chats with Esther over at the Coffee House Project 2019 (blog post coming soon) and I can honestly say that she is one of the most loveliest, bubbly, and down to earth person I have ever met (and she gives good hugs!) 



Onto their coffee - 




I was very kindly sent over a cheeky little bag of Ugandan, Budwale and damn, was it a treat. 

I played around with a lot of recipes, but came to the conclusion that 17g through a V60, came out amazingly. 


The beans 
Budwale, Uganda
Washed Process
Taste Notes - Milk Chocolate, Citrus, Gorgeous




V60 Brew 

17g of Coffee 
275ml of Water
2 Minute 30 Second Total Brew Time
(including 40ml water bloom for 25 second)




Although it was super delicious with every brew recipe I tried, the 17g recipe, really brought those chocolate notes straight to the surface, with some underlying citrus acidity, it was a perfect well rounded cup. It was incredibly smooth for the entire cup, even as it was cooling.





What Manumit are doing as a company is absolutely incredible - and I cant wait to get more coffee from them (spoiler alert, more blog posts from Manumit coming soon) 


Find Manumit 

Website - here
Instagram - here
Twitter - here 
Facebook - here

#FreedomThroughCoffee
#DoYouManumit





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Dog and Hat Coffee Subscription Box 1

As more and more subscription boxes pop up, one that has been around for a long while, and one that's been on my list to try out for again, a long while, is Dog and Hat


Dog and Hat is run by Su and Dave Morgan and based in an old farmhouse on the outskirts of York.
They have one goal: to provide an exceptionally varied selection of the highest quality coffee


For my first box I was surprised to find not just 2, but 4 coffees! 
- A Rwandan from Colonna
- A Peruvian from Plot Roasting
- And two gorgeous espresso roasts from Wolfox (which wont be featured in this blog post, because I have way too much coffee opened right now to validate opening two more, and not to mention all my espresso gear is packed away right now ready to go and be unpacked in my new flat) but don't worry - I'm sure I'll have a blog post specifically for the two Wolfox coffees soon



We also have the monthly information guide, called dialled in (and they included some rad dialled in stickers!!!) 
This leaflet includes the ins and outs of all of the coffees they are offering that specific month, what they've been up too, and recipes and tips and tricks to try out. It's jam packed with information and I love it



What I love about subscription boxes is that I get to try out so many coffee companies that are on my list, but wouldn't necessarily go out of my way to specifically order individually. I get to try them a lot quicker if they come through a subscription box. 



Colonna - Rwanda 

Twongerekawa Coko
Rwanda's Gakenke District
Hand Sorting Techniques
Taste Notes - Deep and Fruity, Notes of Boiled Sweets, Raspberry Jam and  Blackberry




For a first coffee from Colonna, I was not disappointed, with lots of fruity aromas and taste notes, along with the low acidity point, this Rwandan is absolutely delicious, you also get some subtle earthy undertones.

 V60 recipe used
18g of Coffee
270ml of Water
(50 second bloom for 30 seconds)
3 Minute Total Brew Time









Plot Roasters 
Utility 
Huamantanga, Peru
Taste Notes: Cherry, Chocolate, Caramel

We'll just take a moment to appreciate the packaging here - incredible
This gorgeous Peruvian is super syrup-y, super sweet, super delicious.
With some dark chocolate mouthfeels chucked in there and stone fruit acidity.
This is an absolutely gorgeous coffee, super intense and fruity, and absolutely delicious (and shockingly super close to the bag taste notes, that hardly ever happens!!) 
V60 recipe used
18g of Coffee
270ml of Water
(50 second bloom for 30 seconds)
3 Minute Total Brew Time






I have really enjoyed my first Dog and Hat subscription box, and now that I'm all moved into my new flat I can really focus on new coffee posts and other blogging things, which I'm super excited about! 

More about Dog and Hat coffee
With Dog and Hat you have AMAZING options on their subscription boxes

 Dog and Hat Box Options
- Assorted, Including omniroast espresso and filter beans
- Filter, Including omniroast and filter beans only
- Espresso, Including omniroast and espresso roast only
- Dark(er), Including espresso roast only

 You can choose how many coffees you get per month (between 2 and 4!) and for a subscription box it's super affordable

 Dog and Hat Prices for Boxes
- 2 Coffee Subscription £17
- 3 Coffee Subscription £24
- 4 Coffee Subscription £31

 Not only are the boxes super affordable, you get free delivery (always a win!). ALL of their subscription boxes are sent in recycled packaging. You get detailed tasting notes for EVERY coffee, and you also get access to a super cool Members Area.
They also have a fully stocked Coffee Gifts section on their website - with products ranging from cups, books, filter equipment, and toiletries (including The Coffee Life soaps!!)



Where you can find Dog and Hat
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter




I hope you've enjoyed this blog post about a new subscription box that is for sure staying around. In July, there will likely be 2 Dog and Hat posts because I'm about a month behind my own subscription, so look forward to that! 

 Are you subscribed to Dog and Hat?





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One Click Coffee Box 4

After a longer blogging hiatus than intended, I am back, and raring to go.
I have so many exciting blog posts coming up over the next few months that I just want to publish them all now!! But we'll start off with the fabulous One Click Coffee Box which of course had delicious coffees





This box was a beauty, not only for the coffee, but it included a very special Huskee Cup (ugh, beautiful, what a dream) and as you can imagine, I dropped it straight away in excitement (good one Jass) and of course included the monthly newspaper, with lots of great interviews and brewing tips. 


The coffees included in this box were two fantastic coffee companies - Origin and Moonroast 
Both companies I've tried before, and loved, so was excited to see how delicious these two coffees were.



We'll start with Moonroast




Peru El Huerto 
Filter Roast
Producer - Riveria Marines Santos
Region - Chanchamayo, Junin
Varietal - Gesha, Bourbon, Catuai
Process - Washed
Altitude - 1700m Above Sea Level
Taste Notes - Black Tea, Sparkling Acidity, Jasmine and Florals 


V60 Brew

18g of Coffee
280ml of Water 
2 Minute 45 Second Total Brew Time
(25 Second Bloom with 50ml Water)
Ratio 1:15


Every single coffee I've tried from Moonroast has been absolutely delicious, and this was no different. This Peruvian tasted incredible, super florally with lots of sweet acidity, gorgeous subtle black tea flavours as it cools, it lives up to it's taste notes amazingly. 
It's super light so it works incredibly well as the first coffee of the day with no overwhelming IN YOUR FACE taste notes, and I've very much been enjoying this coffee most days (sorry to all the coffees I haven't tried yet because I've just been drinking this)






Secondly - Origin


Bushekeri Lot 1
Rwanda 
Prcoess - Washed
Varietal - Red Bourbon
Taste Notes - Red Apple, Caramel, Apple


V60 Brew 
19g of Coffee
295ml of Water 
3 Minute Total Brew Time
(30 Second Bloom with 45ml of Water)
Ratio 1:15


Another incredible coffee, and again the same with Moonroast, Origin is a company that I cannot fault their coffees in the slightest, they're super tasty - I'd been getting a bit fed up of Rwandan's this year because among the amazing ones there were definitely some mediocre ones, but no fear this one has restored my faith in good Rwandans
This coffee was super fresh and light, with a fantastic syrup-y mouthfeel. You really get the fresh fruity notes making it a delicious coffee to enjoy (over half the bag in 24 hours) 





I'm very much enjoying using my Huskee Cup and it's an amazing addition to my reusable cup collection (and so easy to clean!!!!) 

Have you tried out Moonroast or Origin? What did you think?


Other One Click Box Blog Posts

Box 1 - here
Box 2 - here
Box 3 - here


Find One Click Coffee Here
Website - here
Instagram - here 
Facebook - here
YouTube - here
Pinterest - here




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