Let's Have Some Quality Time, Shall We?

Salutations! We’re adding a new voice to the blogging mix these days. Allow me to introduce myself: I’m Jennifer, the latest addition to the Higher Grounds crew. Here’s a picture of me at work, hoping my co-workers don't think I'm crazy notice the way I'm smiling affectionately at my computer screen. If you haven't seen me in the coffee bar yet, come on down - I'd love to meet you.

I’m going to be your source for everything regarding quality. That means I’ll be blogging weekly about things like the products we use here in our coffee bar, from the beans themselves to the fair-trade crafts and locally-sourced ingredients we proudly feature (Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate and Still Point Farms maple syrup to name a couple). I’ll also offer up advice for those of you brewing up coffee and espresso at home, so you can be sure you’re getting the most out of your Higher Grounds beans. And if you have a question about anything I ramble on fluidly pontificate about here on the blog, or a suggestion for a coffee-related topic you’d like to hear more about, I’m your girl: just drop me a line at jennifer@highergroundstrading.com.

In the interest of familiarizing myself with my competition contemporaries, I’ve been perusing a lot of other coffee-focused blogs and websites. There are some excellent roasters and cafes out there, run by enthusiastic and committed experts who absolutely know their coffee. And the bigger ones (think Intelligentsia and Stumptown) boast super-shiny, high-tech (or even restored classic) machines and the latest, greatest gadgets and tools for crafting coffee and espresso. My barista envy threatens to balloon out of control as I drool over the beautiful machines produced by Italian companies like La Marzocco, Faema and Gaggia. But then I step behind the bar here at Higher Grounds, tamp freshly-ground espresso into a portafilter, steam up a creamy pitcher of Shetler’s milk and pour myself a latte with a perfect rosetta. One sip and my envy subsides: I know my coffee too. And I make a mean latte.

My point is that you don’t need thousands of dollars worth of equipment to brew up a quality beverage. Whether we’re talking straight up black coffee or a multi-layered espresso drink, what you need is an excellent product and a little know-how. Begin with a fantastic bean and follow the advice of your friendly neighborhood barista. With a little practice (and only a small dip into your pocketbook), you can be an expert too.

Stay tuned for specific commandments rules recommendations for how you can join the ranks of coffee connoisseurs everywhere. It’s not as difficult (or as expensive) as you might think.

It's Fall, So We Made Some New Drinks to Keep You Warm

With fall fast approaching, Higher Grounds is gearing up with some new hot drinks to keep you warm as the weather cools down. We are introducing four fall themed drinks this week!

The Maple Syrup Steamer makes up for its lack of caffeine with its sweet and smooth taste. We steam milk with Still Point Farm Maple Syrup…. The simplicity makes it the perfect cup to sit back and watch the leaves turn color.

Our Pumpkin Pie Latte is like Thanksgiving in a cup. We combine hot shots with pumpkin pie puree and steamed milk. This is a fall must have and an HG favorite!

Remember those homemade ginger bread cookies your grandma used to make? We made a drink to help bring back those warm and fuzzy feelings. Our Ginger Bread Latte is espresso infused with ginger syrup and steamed milk. To finish it off we sprinkle some cinnamon powder on top. (Be warned this may make you want to call your grandma when you’re done.)

For the chocolate lovers out there we figured we should be sure to make a fall drink for you too! We created the Cinnamon Spiced Mocha just for you. We steam milk with cinnamon syrup, espresso and Grocer’s Daughter chocolate.



To get the best experience from your fall drinks we suggest that you savor the flavor from a wood fired and hand glazed mug. These mugs are made special for us by Ryan from Dalman Pottery in Marquette. We have plenty of different styles and colors so stop by to pick the one that suits you best.

Our New Intern!

Higher Grounds is proud to announce that we have recently acquired an international intern! We are working in partnership with NMC on their Costa Rica Internship program.

Erika arrived a couple of days ago from a city in Ecuador called Guayaquil. She is studying agricultural engineering at EARTH University in Costa Rica. When asked about her career choice Erika stated, “I chose this career because I am greatly interested in commercializing and industrializing agricultural goods and products, giving them a higher cost and supplying the high demand the world requires, being able to sustain it.” After three years of hard work she will finally earn her diploma in 2012.

Everyone at Higher Grounds is eager to get to know Erika. In an effort to do so, we cornered her and had her answer some choice questions. We asked her which type of performer she would prefer to be if she were in a circus. She replied, “A trapeze artist because it requires immense concentration and correct positioning.” Erika has no pets at all (and we all know how much Higher Grounds loves their pets). She said if she did have a pet it would be a dog and she would name it Marley. She is currently residing with a local family with a blind dog named Marley and she has become quite attached.

If you are going to be in the area please stop by and welcome our new intern, Erika. She is so awesome we don’t want to be selfish and keep her all to ourselves!

Run For Palestine

On The Ground is hosting Run “For” Palestine, a 5K and 10K road race, on Saturday October 8. The fun starts at 5 p.m. at the Food For Thought farm between Honor and Empire.

The course is mostly road, with the 10K entering parts of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Following the races, participants and their families can hang out on the Food For Thought farm and enjoy a pasta dinner and movie under the stars. Bring your running shoes, blanket and loved ones.

Additional dinner and movie tickets are available for only $15 -- kids 12 and under are free!

Distances include 5K and 10K, and a 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk for kids under 12.

Funds raised will go to Run Across Palestine, a running expedition to raise money to assist Palestinian olive oil farmers. More info at http://onthegroundglobal.org/.

If running isn't your thing you may still participate in supporting Palestinian farmers by purchasing our Fair Trade Organic Palestinian Olive Oil. But the first 20 registrants will be entered to win one of two pairs of Brooks running shoes, so it might be worth a try! Sign up today at http://www.active.com/running/honor-mi/run-for-palestine-2011