Thirsty Thursdays

This Bold Coffee Sampler Offers So Much Delicious Coffee Flavor!

April 12, 2019 By Paula 26 Comments

Bold Coffee Sampler
So Much Delicious Coffee Flavor!

Light, medium, and dark roast coffees can be very different in taste, flavor, body, and complexity because different amounts of roasting produce distinct characteristics. Which has more caffeine? If you measure your coffee by scoops, light roasted coffee will have more caffeine. Given the beans are denser than a darker roast. However, if you weigh out your scoops, darker roasts will have more caffeine, because there is less mass. So the big difference between the roasts is in taste, not the amount of caffeine kick!

Marcus, who loves dark roast coffee, was pleased to learn that he doesn’t have to sacrifice the big flavor that he enjoys to get the caffeine he wants! If like Marcus, you also prefer the richer and more robust flavors that come from the extra coffee in a bold single serve k-cup, this sampler box with its variety of multilayered, full-bodied medium and dark roast coffees is the perfect match for you. Yes, it’s true! Each cup in this pack has slightly more coffee than regular single serve cups; making it a stronger brewed coffee.

What They Say About This Bold Coffee Sampler

Two Rivers Coffee manufactures over a hundred different coffees made with 100% Arabica beans that are roasted to perfection. Two Rivers sampler packs are a great way to find your perfect cup of coffee.

The Two Rivers Bold Roast Coffee Variety Pack sampler allows you to enjoy a wide selection of coffees without buying different boxes.
Perfect for lovers of good strong coffee.
Variety pack brands: Brooklyn Bean Roastery, Hamilton Mills, Java Factory, Workaholics, Realtree, Broad Street Roasters, Pier 3, and Fevo Italia.
Coffee Variety pack sampler has 40 pods of Extra Bold Coffees in Dark and Medium Roasts.
Two Rivers Coffee pods are Compatible with 2.0 Keurig K-Cup Brewers.

It’s a Sad Day for Gilbert Gum Tree When He Runs Out Of Coffee!

Our thoughts on this Bold Coffee Sampler

It’s always exciting for us to receive coffee at our house, especially sampler boxes. Over the years we have tried many of Two Rivers Coffee Sampler Packs and every time we try one of their sampler packs we discover at least one new coffee that one of us becomes a huge fan of. Often these are coffees that neither of us would have tried otherwise. This box was no exception! We loved the diversity that greeted us in this 40-count single serve box from Two Rivers Coffee, a company near and dear to our caffeinated hearts. This box was full of quality tasting brews.

From Realtree, there was their double caffeinated coffee, Max. We found Heritage blend k-cups from Hamilton Mills. Java Factory didn’t disappoint with its Dark and Handsome and Da Bomb cups. Brooklyn Bean Roastery made the biggest showing in our box with a variety of Express-o, Cyclone, Pardon My French Roast, Fuhgeddaboutit, and Corner Donut Shop cups. Fevo Italia was represented with the inclusion of their Firenze and Trino cups. Broad Street Roasters single origin Brazil was included in the variety sampler. And, last but not least we found some Pier 3 Dark Premium coffee to try.

After trying the plethora of caffeinated wonder in this box, what’s our new love? At the risk of sounding bias, we’ve decided that we love them all. And yes, even I, have now fallen in love with the smooth burst of flavor that many of the coffees in this sampler deliver.

We are very happy with the variety of assorted brands that were included in this sampler pack. Each one offers a complex flavor that is multilayered with notes that are unique to its origin. It will definitely be on our wishlist for future occasions.

You can purchase this Two Rivers Bold Coffee Sampler Box on Amazon.

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This Light Coffee Sampler Offers So Much Delicious Coffee!

September 18, 2018 By Paula 22 Comments

Light Coffee Sampler
So Much Delicious Coffee!

Light roast and dark roast coffee can be very different in taste, flavor, body, and complexity because different amounts of roasting produce distinct characteristics. Which has more caffeine? If you measure your coffee by scoops, light roasted coffee will have more caffeine. Given the beans are denser than a darker roast. However, if you weigh out your scoops, darker roasts will have more caffeine, because there is less mass. The difference between the roasts is in taste, not the amount of caffeine kick!

Marcus loves the rich, full-bodied taste of a bold coffee. I, however, was so pleased to learn that I don’t have to sacrifice the smoother flavor of the lighter roasts that I enjoy to get the caffeine I want! If you prefer the more complex flavor of light roast coffee like I do and would like the convenience of enjoying a variety of multilayered, lighter bodied coffees then this sampler box is the perfect match for you.

About This Light Roast Coffee Sampler

Good light roast coffees capture the full coffee flavor without any of the burnt aftertastes. This light roast sampler offers plenty of good choices with authentic coffee taste.
Brands we found in our sampler box: Brooklyn Bean Roastery, Hamilton Mills, Java Factory, Realtree Coffee, Workaholics, and Pier 3. You may find different Two Rivers brands in yours.
This sampler pack has 40 count K-Cup style pods that include Regular and Decaf Coffee.
Compatible with Keurig K-Cup brewers, including 2.0 brewers

Two Rivers Coffee
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This month we also received an awesome drawer to store our delicious new coffee in. This mesh drawer has a rubberized mat on top to absorb vibrations and holds 36 single-serve coffee K-Cups! That’s 36 yummy cups of coffee at our fingertips!

My thoughts about the Light Coffee Sampler

Over the years we have tried many of Two Rivers Coffee Sampler Packs and every time we try one of their sampler packs we discover at least one new coffee that one of us becomes a huge fan of. Often these are coffees that neither of us would have tried otherwise. This box was no exception!

From Brooklyn Bean Roastery, we found eight Breakfast Blend and two Breakfast Blend Decaf cups. There were four Morning Roast and two Morning Roast Decaf k-cups from Hamilton Mills. Java Factory didn’t disappoint with its eight Wakey Wakey cups. Realtree made the biggest showing in our box with nine Buckshot Blend k-cups, From Workaholics there were five Take It Sleazy cups. And, last but not least we found two Pier 3 Decafs cups to try. So what’s our new love? Pier 3 Decaf was the only coffee I hadn’t previously had the pleasure of trying. And, yes I have now fallen in love with the smooth flavorful taste that it offers. This and the Brooklyn Bean Roastery Decaf will be enjoyed when it’s too late to have caffeine and we still want to enjoy a cup of coffee.

We are very happy with the variety of the assorted brands that were included in this sampler pack. Each one offers a complex flavor that is multilayered with notes that are unique to its origin. It will definitely be on our wishlist for future occasions.

You can purchase this Two Rivers Light Coffee Sampler Box on Amazon.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO WIN A 40 CT VARIETY BOX OF COFFEE AND A STORAGE DRAWER TO PUT IT IN?

Watch for the giveaway starting on National Coffee Day, September 29th for a chance to be 1 of 3 winners.

Mega Coffee Sampler Lets You Enjoy Coffee, Coffee, and More Delicious Coffee!

May 10, 2018 By Paula 24 Comments

Mega Coffee Sampler
Coffee, Coffee, and More Delicious Coffee!

This sampler pack has it all with flavored and unflavored coffees from bold to light roasts. If you enjoy a variety of coffees or you are trying to please a crowd, then this sampler box is the way to go.

About The Mega Coffee Sampler

To get the perfect tasting roasts and flavored coffees, the highest quality coffee beans are selected from around the world and are roasted locally for freshness. Their slow roasting process gives their coffees a rich robust flavor without any bitter aftertaste.

Brooklyn Bean, Bosco, Felix & Norton, Friendly’s, Hamilton Mills, Java Factory, Realtree, Workaholics
A wide selection of coffees: Dark Roast, Medium Roast, Light Roast, Extra Bold, Flavored, Unflavored
Compatible with Keurig K-Cup brewers compatible, including 2.0 brewers
Try 40 different coffees without buying 40 different boxes

Two Rivers Coffee
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After enjoying the delicious coffee in this Mega Coffee Sampler, we recycled our box and made this cute kitten in the box!

My thoughts about the Mega Coffee Sampler

I have tried several of Two Rivers Coffee sampler boxes and every time I try one of their sampler boxes I discover a few new coffees that I become a huge fan. Often these are flavors of that I most likely would never have ventured to try otherwise. This box was no exception! Bosco’s Chocolate Caramel and Felix and Norton’s Ebony and Ivory are two awesome coffees that I hadn’t previously had the pleasure of trying and have now fallen in love with their smooth flavorful taste.

I am very happy with the variety of the assorted roasts and flavors that are included in this sampler box. Each sampler box we’ve received has had a mystery cup. Who will get the mystery cup in your box? Trying to figure out what flavor the mystery cup is always fun and exciting. You can really brew up some mega taste with this assorted sampler pack. It will definitely be on my wishlist for all future occasions.

You can purchase this Two Rivers Mega Coffee Sampler Box on Amazon.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO WIN A 40 CT BOX OF THIS YUMMY COFFEE?

Entering this Twitter Giveaway is fast and easy.

Simply Follow @SwtSthrnSavings and RT this TWEET.

It’s Not Just For Drinking – Top 20 Uses For Tea, Tea Leaves, and Bags

August 17, 2017 By Paula 3 Comments

Top 20 Tips and Tricks for Tea

Have some old tea in your cupboard that’s no longer worthy of sipping? If you’re like me you can’t bring yourself to just to throw it out. You can give it new life with these alternative and natural health and beauty tricks. Plus, your plants won’t care that it’s past the used by date.

Use Those Tea Bags and Brewed Tea Leaves To…

1. Dry poison ivy rash
Dry a weepy poison ivy rash with strongly brewed tea. Simply dip a cotton ball into the tea, dab it on the affected area, and let it air-dry. Repeat as needed.

2. Air freshener
Freshen up your drawers or your car’s interior using tea bags or a muslin bag filled with scented tea leaves. Place in drawers, under your seat, or in the center console.

3. Condition dry hair
To give a natural shine to dry hair, use a quart of warm, unsweetened tea (freshly brewed or instant) as a final rinse after your regular shampoo.

4. Hide the gray
Make your own natural dye using brewed tea and herbs: Steep 3 tea bags in 1 cup boiling water. Add 1 tablespoon each of rosemary and sage (either fresh or dried) and let it stand overnight before straining. Shampoo your hair as usual, and then pour or spray the mixture on your hair, making sure to saturate it thoroughly. Take care not to stain clothes. Blot with a towel. Do NOT rinse. It may take several treatments to achieve the desired results.

5. Cool sunburned skin
When you forget to use sunscreen and have to pay the price with a painful burn, put a few tea bags in your bath water and soak your whole body in the tub.

6. Relieve pain from a shot
Is your arm sore from a recent injection or inoculation shot? Wet a tea bag and place it over the site. Hold it gently in place until the pain stops. The tannic acid in the tea will soothe the soreness.

7. Stop foot odor
Put an end to smelly feet by soaking your tootsies in strongly brewed tea for 20 minutes each day – no more offensive odors.

8. Get rid of litter box odor
Sprinkle dried tea leaves into your cat’s litter box each time you change out the litter. Mixing dried tea leaves into the litter box won’t just help combat the smell, it may also work as an anti-bacterial agent in the litter.

9. Give roses a boost
Sprinkle new or used tea leaves (loose or in tea bags) around your rose bushes and cover with mulch to give them a mid-summer boost. When you water the plants, the nutrients from the tannic acid in the tea will be released into the soil, spurring growth.

10. Feed your ferns
Occasional substitute brewed tea when watering your ferns and other acid-loving houseplants. You can also work wet tea leaves into the soil around the plants to give them a lush, luxuriant look.

11. Create “antique” fashions
Soak white lace or garments in a tea bath to create an antique beige, ecru, or ivory look. Use 3 tea bags for every 2 cups of boiling water and steep for 20 minutes. Let it cool for a few minutes before soaking the material for 10 minutes or more. The longer you let it soak, the darker the shade you will get.

12. Soothe pinkeye
You can use warm, wet tea bags as a compress to soothe the pain of pinkeye. Green tea has been found to be very effective against pinkeye due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties while black tea is a great home remedy for pinkeye because it contains tannins that help reduce itching and inflammation.

13. Drain boils
Dip a tea bag in HOT water, apply to the boil. Leave on overnight and by morning, it WILL have drained painlessly.

14. Clean glass and mirrors
To clean mirrors and windows, place cold-brewed tea in a spray bottle and use it to make mirrors and glass sparkle.

15. Deodorize carpets
Sprinkle dried tea leaves across a smelly carpet and let them sit for 20 minutes to an hour. Then vacuum them up. If you used steeped tea leaves, make sure they’ve dried out so you don’t stain the carpet. A flavored tea, like lemon, peppermint, or cinnamon will leave a nice scent behind.

16. Make Tea Butter
Let unsalted butter sit at room temperature until very soft and pliable. Mix together the butter with tea leaves (whole or ground). Shape the mixed butter into a log and wrap well in plastic wrap. Store in a covered dish in the refrigerator or on the counter for easy spreading on freshly baked goodies.

17. Tenderize tough meats
Even the toughest cuts of meat can melt in your mouth when you marinate them in regular black tea. Place 4 tablespoons black tea leaves in a teapot with warm (not boiling) water and steep for 5 minutes. Strain to remove the leaves and stir in 1/2 cup brown sugar until it dissolves. Set aside. Season meat (up to 3 pounds) with your favorite seasonings and place in roasting pan or dutch oven. Pour the liquid over the seasoned meat and cook in 325°F oven until the meat is fork-tender. Tea contains tannins which is a natural tenderizer.

18. Add flavor to foods
From cocktails to dessert, steep tea in milk, broth, and other cooking liquids to infuse your favorite tea flavor into any dish. Try steeping tea in broth for soups; poaching fish in a strong brewed tea; add brewed tea to vinaigrettes and sauces; steep tea in milk or cream to flavor the base of ice cream (don’t forget to strain it), to add a savory note to a cream sauce for pasta and rice; or add matcha powder or loose leaf tea leaves that have been ground into a powder to your favorite baked desserts.

19. Green Tea Salt
Incorporate the flavor of tea into your cooking by simply blending loose leaf tea with your favorite salt and start sprinkling. This tea-infused seasoning can be dusted on everything from snacks to salads to seafood.

20. Flavor a Stir-Fry
Nutty-tasting genmaicha (a mixture of green tea and puffed rice and corn) is great used as a seasoning. When the leaves hit the hot pan, they unfurl and become toasted. Meanwhile, the corn and rice pick up a golden, roasted flavor that’s an excellent addition to quickly seared greens, root vegetables, and meats.

Don’t forget to recycle the tea from single-serve cups, too!!!!

☕ Can Coffee Help You Lose Weight? ☕ Find out what drinking coffee before exercise can do.

August 10, 2017 By Paula 9 Comments

Coffee before exercising could be the key to weight loss!

How can coffee help you lose weight? Coffee contains several biologically active substances that can affect metabolism:

Caffeine – a central nervous system stimulant.
Theobromine and Theophylline – substances related to caffeine that can also have a stimulant effect.
Chlorogenic Acid – one of the biologically active compounds in coffee, may help slow absorption of carbohydrates.

Caffeine has made its way to most commercial fat burning supplements because it is one of the few substances that is known to help mobilize fats from the fat tissues and increase metabolism. Caffeine stimulates the nervous system, which sends direct signals to the fat cells to tell them to break down fat.

The higher our metabolic rate, the easier it is for us to lose weight and the more we can allow ourselves to eat without gaining. Studies have shown that caffeine can increase the metabolic rate by 3-11%, with larger doses having an even bigger effect. Most of the increase in metabolism is caused by an increase in the burning of fat. Unfortunately, the effect is less pronounced in those who are obese.

In the short term, caffeine can boost the metabolic rate and increase fat burning, but after a while, you become tolerant to the effects of caffeine and it stops working. But even if coffee doesn’t make you expend more calories long term, there is still the possibility that it will curb your appetite and help you eat less. Drinking coffee black is your best option for weight loss. Black coffee is calorie-free, it’s the cream and sugar that can pack on the pounds.

Of course, there are other great reasons to drink coffee. First of all, nothing replaces the feeling you get when you take that first sip of a great cup of coffee. Coffee makes you smarter. Not only can caffeine improve mood and reaction time but it also improves memory and general cognitive function. Not only can coffee make you smarter in the short term, it may also protect your brain in old age.

A cup of coffee contains:

6% of the RDA for Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)
11% of the RDA for Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
2% of the RDA for Niacin (B3) and Thiamine (B1)
3% of the RDA for Potassium and Manganese
Dark roasted coffee has less caffeine, and light roasted coffee has more.

This may not seem like a lot, but if you drink several cups of coffee per day it adds up quickly.

Then, there is also the fact that coffee is the single largest source of antioxidants in the western diet. Americans get more of their antioxidants from coffee than any other dietary source even outranking both fruits and vegetables, combined! In recent years Type II diabetes has reached epidemic proportions – having increased 10-fold in just a few decades. Drinking coffee is associated with a drastically reduced risk of type II diabetes. People who drink several cups per day are the least likely to become diabetic.

If all that wasn’t enough, coffee also can be protective against certain liver disorders, lowering the risk of liver cancer by 40% and cirrhosis by as much as 80%. Drinking coffee is associated with a lower risk of death by all causes!

Drinking coffee before exercise will give you a good boost, and will stimulate energy production and fat burning. As much as we may hate it exercise is an important part of weight loss and management. You can’t see the benefits of drinking coffee before exercising if you don’t get up and move. Besides, drinking a couple of cups of coffee before a workout could actually make it feel more enjoyable. So grab your pre-workout caffeine-packed cup of coffee and start your journey to better health.