Happy Halloween!

Credit: Pam Rowland

In the spirit of all the ghosties, goblins, and witches who will be out haunting this evening, I thought I'd share a little bit of coffee-themed pumpkin inspiration!

Credit: Pinterest

 How about a delicious pumpkin coffee cake to enjoy along with this cheeky latte?! 

Credit: How Sweet Eats

Credit: Pinterest

Coffee - a hug in a mug

This picture sums up exactly the feeling that we want Couva to convey... warmth, coziness, comfort, time, peace.

And by using your Couva to keep your cafetiere coffee warmer for longer, it means that you get to enjoy more "hugs" that are warm and toasty for longer! 

Couva - it's like a hug for your jug! 

Coffee - The key to creativity?

Whenever I need to get some work done, I find that a cup of coffee always helps to get the mental juices flowing. 
After reading an article in the Guardian, it's nice to know that I'm in good company! 

Illustration: Lo Cole for the Guardian

In a review of Mason Currey's new book "Daily Rituals: How Great Minds Make Time, Find Inspiration, and Get to Work: How Artists Work", Oliver Burkeman gives a really nice overview of the daily rituals undertaken by some of history's most creative people - TS Eliot, Tchaikovsky, Agatha Christie, and others. 

It emerges that, along the path to greatness, there are 6 key rules to follow: be a morning person, don't give up your day job, take lots of walks, keep to a schedule,.... 

Rule number 5 may be most interesting to you, if you have a sweet spot for your daily cup' o' joe... 
"Practise strategic substance abuse". 

Now, many a chemical aid has been implicated in some of our favourite creative endeavours (Benzedrine, Ritaline, vodka, whiskey, gin). But there is only one that has  been universally championed to fuel greatness.... COFFEE!

Apparently, Beethoven measured out his beans meticulously, while Kierkegaard poured his coffee over a cup of sugar which left him with a brew with the texture of mud! 
It's reported that Balzac drank 50 cups per day - yikes! 

It's often been suggested that caffeine in coffee heightens mental focus, and if these coffee connoisseurs are anything to go by, I would tend to agree. 

One word of caution - it's advised to only drink coffee in moderation. Poor ol' Balzac died of heart failure at 51! 

Click on the link below to read the whole article... 
http://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/oct/05/daily-rituals-creative-minds-mason-currey

Coffee Towels by Stu Gardiner Designs

I'm always on the lookout for lovely things for my kitchen. This morning I came across the perfect thing- a coffee towel!

Stu Gardiner Designs

With all sorts of interesting facts and figures about coffee, this towel would be the perfect gift for any coffee connoisseur in your life. (And Christmas is *GASP!* coming up very soon!) 

Stu Gardiner is a London-based designer with some other interesting designs and products that are all made in the UK. As a lover of baking cakes, I'm particularly loving this oven mitt!

Stu Gardiner Designs

A visit to The Barns Cafe, Abingdon

I feel like I stumbled upon a gem this morning! 

After the morning school-run, some of the mum's at my son's school like to get together for coffee and a chat (because, let's be honest, when you've got children, there aren't many opportunities to have a civilized conversation with adults!). 

The 'usual' place is decidedly uninspiring and serves mediocre refreshments. So, I was in search for a new venue - a place that was warm, welcoming, inviting. Somewhere to relax and recuperate after the morning of getting little ones to school... And I definitely found just what I was looking for at The Barns Cafe, a volunteer-run community cafe. 

Recently opened (May 2013), The Barns Cafe is a lovely converted barn next to Christ Church in Abingdon. It is full of natural light from the massive windows, and although small, it has lots of seating - tables and chairs, bar stools to perch on, and lots of comfortable, squishy armchairs to sink into. 

They serve an array of food and drinks (ethically and locally sourced where possible). The coffee they serve is freshly ground and provided by local roaster UE Coffee Roaster. They offer a lovely assortment of loose-leaf teas, and a great selection of handmade cakes and sweet treats. They also have a lunch and snack menu - homemade soup, paninis, as well as snack platters. Just simple, delicious food.  

And to top it off, they offer free wi-fi and free newspapers.... what more could you ask for?! 

I have a feeling that the school mums have found a new 'local'! 

All photos: The Barns Cafe

The Barns Cafe is open Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 4:30pm 

(although I'm told they will soon be opening on Saturdays as well!)

www.thebarnscafe.co.uk

Always nice to hear positive customer feedback!

Good morning! 
We've been enjoying unusually warm and sunny weather for this time of year in Oxfordshire. The colours are changing and the sun is just making the days so beautiful. 

Photo Credit: Copyright © 2000-8, Celia Sawyer

I received a really lovely note from a customer, and I wanted to share it. It's always nice to hear positive feedback, and it was such a nice way to start my Monday morning! 

"We totally LOVE our Couva - part of our Saturday morning ritual when we have time to linger over a pot of coffee. It's the best and keeps it nice and warm". 

I'm always so happy that Couva gives people the chance to linger over their coffee and enjoy life's simple pleasures for a little bit longer. 

Thanks Melissa for such a lovely note! 

Photo Credit: Copyright © 2000-8, Celia Sawyer

Snazzy new website!

After a looooong wait, the new Couva website is ready! 

We think it just lovely! 

Please visit and have a look around - you can learn all about Couva, play dress up with your 

cafetière in our "Collection" page, and see what's new with us! 

We'd love to know what you think, so please drop us a line on the Contact Us page.