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Tag Archives: coffee

My New Favourite Summer Drink!

Posted on July 18, 2012 by naokoeats

Last Monday, as I stepped into my favourite Starbucks located in my office tower (I love the fact that they know my daily drink and how I like to have it!), I noticed a new sign launching a new drink called Refreshers.  Curious as I am for anything NEW, especially when it comes to food, I enquired with the Baristas and they described it as an energy drink!  A great afternoon pick-me-up using what they call, green coffee extract.  So of course, I had to try one – they all recommended the Cool Lime Refresher!  I must say, if you are a fan of the Mojito, you will love this new drink!  Perfect for a hot summer day, it has all the components of a mojito without the alcohol…..and frankly, I wouldn’t mind having this with a little somethin’ somethin’ – if you know what I mean ;)

Verdict: A bit on the pricey side but worth at least one try!

Starbucks Cool Lime Refresher

Cool Lime Refresher with real lime!

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Road Trip: Mister Donut USA

Posted on July 13, 2012 by naokoeats

If you remember my post on Mister Donut in Japan well you know I had to just go to Mister Donut while on my shopping trip to the US.  As expected, the donut flavours are nothing like what they are in Japan but they did have new flavours: their Oreo donut and Oreo Crumble donut.  So you know I had to try both and my favourite – the oreo donut!  A whole donut stuffed with vanilla whipped frosting, white icing topped with crushed oreo cookies!  What more can you ask for?  An oreo in a donut – YUM! And their iced coffee wasn’t too bad either – I love the US for their unsweetened iced coffees and iced teas :)

Mister Donut – donuts and iced coffee!

French Cruller, Oreo donut and Oreo Crumble donut.

How sweet is this? Vanilla frosting stuffed Oreo donut! YUM!

Mister Donut donuts.

Mister Donut menu – so many beverage choices!

Mister Donut in Erie, Pennsylvania.

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Japan 2012: Mister Donut

Posted on April 26, 2012 by naokoeats

For those of us who travel or live in the US have at the very least, heard of Mister Donut.  Now I know what you’re thinking, why on earth would I bother going to Mister Donut when there can be so many other foods I could be eating!  The Japanese are infamous for taking foods from other cultures and countries and adapting them to the tastes and palettes of the Japanese.  And if you have had the chance to bite into a donut from a Mister Donut in Japan, you know exactly what I’m talking about!  The donuts are not as sweet but light and airy – similar to biting into a krispy kreme, a complete departure from the “bread-like” texture of donuts here in Canada.  And they have unique flavours like adzuki (red bean), mitarashi (soy sauce & sugar) and donuts made from rice flour as opposed to the wheat flour – marketed as a “healthier” donut…..lol, I don’t know if there is such a thing!  My favourite: the french crueller sandwiched with whip cream and half-dipped in strawberry frosting!  YUM!

Donut anyone? The mitarashi donuts are those packaged in the clear bags

My favourite - French crueller stuffed with whip cream and dipped in strawberry frosting

My cousin and I enjoying an afternoon treat - adzuki rice donut, churro, strawberry glazed and a plain donut

Mister Donut located in Kyoto Station

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Japan 2012: Morning Service

Posted on April 18, 2012 by naokoeats

This trip to Japan was my first time visiting and staying in Nagoya.  Ok, its actually my second – the first visit was when I was 13 years old and only for the day so I don’t remember much.  Nagoya is the 4th largest city in Japan and they have built a tradition in their coffee shops called “Morning Service”.  It is a boiled egg and toast that is served free of charge with any beverage order – yes, you read right, FREE (before 11am)!  And this free service is available at all cafes and coffee shops across the city regardless – mom & pop shops or at big chains.  Who said Japan is expensive – frankly, food is pretty reasonably priced and the quality and freshness is far better than what you could get in North America at that price!  During my stay, my cousin and I would go almost every morning to a coffee shop chain called Komeda (a chain native to Nagoya).  In addition to the morning service, the chain is also famous for their sweet pastry dish – “shirono-whirl”.  Its part puff pastry, part brioche topped with soft-serve and drizzled with maple syrup.  YUM!

Our Komeda breakfast - an iced latte with a boiled egg and toast!

Morning service menu at Komeda

Shirono-whirl - their signature sweet, a perfect treat for the afternoon!

Komeda coffee shop

The very first Komeda coffee shop - it all started here!

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Tim Hortons Latte Anyone?

Posted on February 15, 2012 by naokoeats

Hi, welcome to Tim Hortons – would you like to try our new Latte?

For those that know me well know that I’m a sucker for new products and will try anything once!  One of my addictions is coffee/espresso – I go to Starbucks daily for my grande non-fat bold misto (half coffee/half steamed milk).  With the rising popularity of Starbucks in Canada (especially its recent expansion out into the suburbs), it is no surprise that Tim Hortons (practically an institution in Canada) has come out with their version of a latte.  Although I’m not a big fan of their coffee, I decided to give their latte a try…..let’s just say I’ll be going to Starbucks tomorrow morning :)

Give a try yourself!

Next up, McCafe Latte!

Tim Hortons medium latte - photo courtesy of Julia Wilson

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