Espresso vs Vietnamese Drip – Does Coffee Brewing Method Matter?

So this morning I decided to try an experiment.  I love Vietnamese coffee.  It’s like silky chocolate-y crack.  Or rather PCP, once I had a cup at noon and decided I was too macho to let my GF – a third my size – drive us around on her scooter through the crazy streets of Saigon while I hung on to her from the back.   I’d never driven a scooter in my life! But a cup of Vietnamese coffee was telling me I could Do Anything!  Of course I crashed us straight into a wall and needed stitches in my head.  I was so high off of one cup of coffee that I didn’t even realize I was bleeding until I saw the looks on the faces of everyone around our wreck.  Now THAT’s a cup of coffee!!!

I’m down to my last bag of Vietnamese Coffee that I got from Phu Nhuan District and who knows when I’ll be able to get some more.  It’s not like you can just buy that stuff anywhere.  So I wasn’t about to risk that coffee in an espresso machine, but I REALLY wanted to know if the brewing method made that much of a difference – because the Vietnamese Drip style is a lot of work, and time.  Luckily, I had some Bustelo around.  Cafe Bustelo is a SHOCKINGLY good Cuban coffee for the price.

THE TEST: Made a 2 tsp per half mug of coffee (I know, not too scientific) of espresso, and the same ratio in a Vietnamese Drip.  The espresso was finished first of course.  So I drank it, while waiting out the 10+ minutes of the Vietnamese drip method (and keeping an eye on it as I add the water slowly).

GET A VIETNAMESE DRIP FILTER HERE: http://amzn.to/2krc15q

 

THE RESULTS: Wow, Vietnamese Drip HANDS DOWN.  I’m actually a bit disappointed by this – I was hoping I could get away with a faster method but like I said, there is NO WAY I am sacrificing the taste of the rare luxury that is Vietnamese Coffee.

ANOTHER NOTE TO CONSIDER: Even in an espresso machine it is good to use a little paper filter if you have a machine that can accommodate it.  Straight coffee will make your cholesterol and triglycerides go through the roof! Although there are health benefits to the cafestol and other oils in coffee, as well as taste benefits, straight coffee is murder on your lipid levels.   THIS is Not an option with a Vietnamese drip really, I mean you could I suppose – just not without tainting the awesomeness that is Vietnamese Coffee.  Maybe I’ll try Bustelo with a filter in the drip.  Or just go back to Tea 😉 .

Red Carpet Fashion Week Predictions

#fashionweek #fashionweekend #fashionweekmilan #fashionweekparis #fashionweek2017 #fashionweekberlin #fashionweeks #fashionweek2016 #fashionweekhamburg #fashionweeknyc #fashionweek2015 #FashionweekLA #fashionweek2018 #FashionWeekPanama #fashionweekpoland #fashionweekbrooklyn #fashionweekk #fashionweektokyo #fashionweekphilly #FashionWeekOnline #fashionweeklondon #fashionweeknewyork #fashionweekrussia #fashionweeknyc2017 #fashionweekphotographer #fashionweekvenue #fashionweekparis2017 #fashionweekstyle #fashionweekly #fashionweeknyc2018

WEN by Chaz Dean Lawsuit

WEN by Chaz Dean a Lawsuit in a Bottle

Clearly, if something is too good to be true then it probably is

As seen TV products should always be taken with a grain of salt. A majority of them are able to hook potential customers through catchy ads which claim to make even the most difficult of tasks a breeze to undertake. One of the most common phrases attached to these products of any category is “amazing.” To further sweeten the deal most if not all of the products are incredibly affordable almost unbelievably so.

When it starts to sink in that the realization that the abilities magic formulas and devices are nothing more than flowery words. Most any consumers are out is a few dollars and more often than not a whole lot of frustration. Nevertheless, the worse that can happen is chucking it up to a bad investment.

Losing money is one thing, but health well that’s a whole other matter

One thing that isn’t so easy to forget is when products tend to wreak havoc on not only one’s wallet but health as well. That has been the case for WEN hair care products developed by celebrity haircare stylist Chaz Dean.

Celebrity endorsements statements of validity or clever words to distort reality

Without a doubt, the popular hair care products by Chaz Dean which claimed to be far better for hair than shampoo shot to fame through celebrity testimonials. After all, you can go wrong mixing haircare together with a big movie star like Alyssa Milano who is well known for attaching herself to good causes?

What most people tend to forget is that giving hair a wash a couple times a week is actually a good thing

Haircare has always been an essential part of almost everyone’s beauty routine. One of the most common hazards anyone can run into is the annoyance that comes along with dry hair and an irritated scalp. These two highly, avoidable problems are easily solved through the aid of creams, medicated shampoos and moisture packed conditioners.

The WEN haircare system’s claim to fame was the ability to cut the time of hair treatments and the number of products used in half. Most advertisements used to market this miracle haircare system further gain validity through demonstrations which involved seeing the products used on a test subject and the incredible end results. That are best be described as locks full of shine and body.

Once the FDA steps in the rouse is up

Something that failed to occur the developers of WEN is that real users which aren’t coming into any financial gain from using their products are most likely going to leave honest reviews. A downfall to these honest reviews is that there’s a big chance some of them will be negative.

As the negative reviews started to pour in and outnumber positive ones the true nature of WEN products comes to light. For the most part, these are hardly subtle petty negative reviews. On the contrary, they’re pretty severe such as balding and scalp irritations which tend to require rather costly forms of medical intervention.

 

Will something actually come out of the FDA getting involved?

As of now, the latest development is that the FDA has started investigating claims of adverse effects which have resulted from using WEN products. An end date of the investigation has yet to be determined since, for the most part, WEN is still claiming to adhere to all requirements the FDA has set forth. However, there’s no way to cascade away from the negative reviews that continue to pour in.

What should potential victims do if they experience any adverse effects?

Reporting them to the authorities is highly advisable as well as getting prompt medical attention. Not taking these measures could result in the problem worsening and being harder to treat as symptoms worsen.

Should WEN products be permanently boycotted?

Until the investigation comes to a close I would have to say right now the answer would be yes. However, since the products are still on the shelves it would be best to exercise caution when making the decision to invest in WEN products. After wouldn’t it be cheaper to not purchase their products at all then get stuck with the high costs of medical bills?

 

Mary Thompson

Even Sephora can be Economical

No longer is the world’s leader in makeup allowing high prices to deter potential customers

Without a doubt, Sephora has been internationally recognized for being the beauty experts. Thus, they’ve indeed been the place to go for hard to find cosmetics you simply can’t find anywhere else. However, despite these positive qualities a rather dominant negative light tends to follow them around as well, the curse of high prices.

Could the dark shadow of astronomical price tags soon step down from being Sephora’s dominant centerpiece?

Most shoppers on the hunt for presents during this hectic pressure-packed holiday season tend to lack the time or patience to scurry through shelves of products in search for the best deal. As a result, when confronted by high prices as soon as they walk through Sephora’s doors consumers tend to do a 180 and walk right back out.

It’s all in the choice of marketing techniques

Upon making changes to what products would be showcased. One of the points that are not lost to company executives is that not all shoppers are in the same boat. Even though most people are looking for something nice, but cheap. Others could also be willing to spend a little more on those special people in their lives. With that being said the high profile retailer has set out to target both categories of shoppers.

The first thing consumers will see when either shopping online or in actual stores are graphics which divide products off into sections according to price. Currently, these categories consist of products under $25, $50 and $75. One of the most notable characteristics of these ads is that the gifts under $25 are smack down in the center of the other two selections.

There is a point to this layout

One of the best-known marketing techniques retailers are aware of is that there are certain things consumers tend to focus on first. The key to getting a profit is making sure products a majority of shoppers will want to purchase is centered at a focal point. Since wanting to purchase the cheapest product may not be on the top of everyone’s priority list. It is a high priority for a majority of Sephora’s consumers. Thus, making the decision center the $25 sign was nothing short of genius.

Don’t knock samples till you try them

A fact that isn’t known to most consumers is that the samples Sephora gives away are far from products which aren’t worth much. On the contrary, they’re miniature versions of top of the line newly released products.

After all what better way to market new products than to give consumers a chance to try them out first?

It’s all about timing

I really want to tip my hat to Sephora’s marketing department once again seeing as they created an ad proclaiming the ability to receive two samples after making a $25 dollar purchase. Accomplishing this task couldn’t be easier since activating it by entering an online code which is clearly displayed in the ad.

A lot of changes are taking place, but none are taking the form of skimping on quality

Clearly in order to keep up with the competition brought upon by other cosmetic retailers collapsing prices on certain products is a tactic Sephora has come to embrace. Nevertheless, a strange type of comfort has come from top-notch products attached to steep prices.

After all, the one phrase which isn’t lost to most consumers is that at the end of the day you truly get what you pay for. There are a couple of instances where collapsing prices is highly logical. Such times of the year such as the holiday season when a high profit can be made. Or when the quality of the product has just done a landslide.

In the case of Sephora, shoppers will be relieved to know they’ve chosen to go with the first option. Thereby, staying true the brand’s standards while at the same time making a profit. Who would have thought those of concepts would ever go together?

Give it a chance Sephora may very well surprise you

Before passing judgment because of a brand’s name take a look at their selections hidden treasure is sure to be found ahead.

 

Mary Thompson