Posted: 4/5/07
Coffee lover doesn't worry about spilling the beans
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
A home often reflects the particular interests of its home ownerówhether itís a media room with a large screen television, a wood working shop, or a chefís kitchen. When John and Audrey Quanrud decided to remodel their kitchen several years ago, they decided to include an area where John could indulge his passion for coffee without messing up the rest of the kitchen. Today John starts the day at his very own espresso bar, which not only gives him the caffeine he craves, but contributes to marital harmony as well.
"I got going because I love coffee so much," said John after whipping up a lattÈ. He said he never liked the coffee from a regular coffee maker, so his mother bought him a Krups espresso maker. Eventually, he graduated to a stainless steel commercial-grade Rancilio espresso maker from Italy. The unit features a brass boiler fro even heating. He also has a Rancilio automatic coffee grinder.
"You make a tremendous mess every morning, so it was her (Audreyís) idea to stick me over here by myself," said John. Their daughter Catie is a kitchen designer, so she was called upon to put the plan together.
The coffee bar features a granite countertop and matching granite tiles make up the backsplash. There is a bar sink for filling the espresso maker and cleaning up, and of course a selection of espresso cups and saucers. After the coffee brews, the grounds go into a stainless steel "knock box," so-called because the grounds are "knocked out" of their metal filter basket into the box with a hard knock against a wooden bar. The grounds go into the compost pile with other organic matter.
John gets his espresso beans from the La Crosse Peopleís Food Coop. He prefers fair trade beans which cost a little more, but a portion of the sale goes to educate coffee farmers in Central America.
Before his coffee taste became refined, John used to haul a mug of coffee with him all day long. Now he starts his morning with two double espressos, and thatís all he needs to get through his day as a busy veterinarian. The coffee brews as he feeds the family pets.
"I am really worthless in the morning before I have my coffee," he admits. "I get my jolt right away."
John will also make cappucinos and lattÈs, but he doesnít go in for flavored syrups or the novelty coffee drinks served at the coffee shop chains. Not that he has anything against the chains like Starbucks or Caribouóthey make it easier to find a good cup of coffee away from home. but he still prefers the coffee from his own kitchen.
"I donít even have to get dressed to get it," he said.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com