Cafe Direct Coffee Sample

I had a sample of Cafe Direct Coffee arrive today, so I thought I'd share my findings with you. I had pretty high expectations of this coffee, the packaging looked slick, the ethical credentials where there (even the pamphlet the sample came with was sustainably sourced) and when I opened the packet the smell was divine. The Blend they sent me was their full roast strong coffee, supposedly "velvety, rounded and full bodied".

 I unfortunately found it dull, and slightly forgettable. I use my cafetiere as a treat, a ten minute break between essay writing, I stop and just make my coffee. I drink in the smell and the action of plunging my French press. Its the little things that enrich my day. This sample left me utterly cold, with a tiny splash of warm milk it became washed out and uninviting.

My current coffee is Lyons Rich Evening Blend and it is lovely, and I can't ever see me swapping it for a Cafe Direct Coffee now after this disappointment.

Yours

Belinda Stepford

xxx

Victory Tea

British Blended, delicious and fair trade. What could be better? Victorytea.co.uk sell exclusively online so the price is lower than it would be in store and you can buy bulk too. If you head over to their website you can get an almost free sample of their tea breakfast blend. Which is exactly what I did. 

It arrived in a cardboard small box similar to a Grazebox that had really cute little prints of very traditional British iconography, such as a crown. Inside it proclaims that the two gold packets of tea are specially sealed in foil and the tea leaves are vacuum packed almost as soon as its been picked to help seal in all the flavours. So the expectation of the quality of the tea is high.

Firstly the smell when you pop open the foil bag is amazing, really sweet and spiced so its a good start. The colour of the tea is quite strong so again good sign but the proof is in the tasting. Well let me tell you this tea is Amazing. It is mild enough for everyday drinking but tasty enough to be something special. I could drink it all day long and I'm picky when it comes to tea, I'd rather just drink boiled water than bad teas. 

I would absolutely recommend this tea, you won't loose out at least ordering a sample. 

Yours

Belinda Stepford

xxx

Freebie Product Review Number One

As promised I'm going to review all the things I got in my gloriously bright yellow Holly Fulton gift bag at London Fashion Weekend. I was not asked to do this and I am in no way sponsored to do this. I also ate the chocolate bar that came in it so that won't be being reviewed...  Anyway first sucker up is... Drum Roll Please.... 

Lavazza Quality Oro Coffee

I have a weakness for coffee, I know I shouldn't because I'm whitening my teeth (which is going amazingly by the way) and sometimes get heart palpitations but oh well.  The vanilla latte I had at London Fashion Weekend was Lavazza brand and it was gloriously creamy, so I was dubious to weather the at home version would stand up to the professional version. 

Firstly when I opened the packet the smell was heavenly, sort of nutty and sweet. The colour was really rich as well, I made mine in a French Press as that is the only coffee maker I currently own.  The sample I got was a medium roast, which was good for me as that tends to be my favourite.

As soon as the hot water hit the coffee the scent really insenified, this really is a fragrant brand. The scent was a lot sweeter than my usual coffee but in a good way. It was more gentle afternoon than brash wake you up scent. I stirred it with a wooden spoon then left it for two minutes before plunging the plunger.

Overall the coffee was really good, the flavour was rich but not over powering. It was a little sweet so I didn't need to add any extra sugar and it wasn't at all bitter. It was a very light enjoyable flavour, probably best suited for evenings or midday. It wasn't punchy enough for mornings. It wasn't as good as the store bought cup but without steamed milk I doubt it could be. Ultimately I would reccomend this coffee as it did taste really great, I just wouldn't go out of my way to buy it.

Yours

Belinda Stepford

xxx