Have you ever heard of NaMoWriMo? It's a challenge to help you get a book written in November by writing a certain amount every day. We don't think most people want to write a book, but it reminds us that taking some time every day to get some thoughts down has been incredibly useful for us.

Another practice is one found in Julia Cameron's An Artist's Way — the book lays out a series of lessons to help you better access the artist in you. But, one of the very first suggestions is to get out a journal every morning and complete three pages of "morning pages." At first, it might just be three pages of "Why did I want to do this?" or "I have to run an errand and clean the house and I hope the weather is nice for the weekend." It doesn't have to be anything deep; it's just a way to get in touch with your inner artist.

You don't have to be an intentional, aspiring artist. There's something about it that helps us get clarity around things we didn't even know we needed clarity on! Also, even we thought that it can't possibly make that much of a difference, the process is really enhanced by getting pen to paper. Obviously, if you can't do that, it's better to tippy-type than not to do it at all. But, we'd be remiss if we didn't let you in on that part.

As the weather turns into a more obvious state of autumn, we encourage you to give daily journaling a try. We're going to set out to do NaMoWriMo... so wish us luck!

We're wrapping up National Recovery Month, and we're excited to tell you about Octoberfest, an event put on by one of our current collaborators, NAMI DuPage. While recovery and mental illness are serious business, it's not a life resigned to boring complacency. In fact, it's just the opposite. We've found there's always something to do.

To wit: Octoberfest. Octoberfest has something for everyone. Car show, carnival, kids' activities, live music and much, much more. Come out and support a good cause and enjoy a great kick-off to October and fall.

Next weekend, we will be there showcasing Spiritus Coffee as part of our partnership with NAMI DuPage. We always donate 20% of our profits to organizations working to help those with mental illness and addiction issues to recover.

Come by, taste one of our coffees, and pick up a bag for yourself. Our newest offering, Aether, will be available for purchase, too!

Octoberfest is Friday, October 7th, to Sunday, October 9th, at the DuPage County Fairgrounds. You can get tickets here. We look forward to seeing you!

Because music is such a part of so many rituals, we continue our series "Ritual: Record," where we ask people what music is part of their ritual when it's time to relax. One of our customers, Tiff T., tells us about one of her ritual records.

You’ve picked this album for a reason – what about it lends itself to “sipping in the moment?”

This was one of my favorite Lumineers albums, and when I decided to purchase it, I was on vacation from work. One of the great things about being on vacation from the work that I do is I can drink as much coffee as I want and not have to worry about what time I drink it, and if it’s going to keep me up, especially if I need to get enough sleep for my long haul to work. So, of course, I spent the day listening and … drinking coffee.

When did you become familiar with it?

I became a fan of their first release "Ho Hey." I really became immersed in their sound, the echo and the pauses, and specifically Wesley Schultz' voice. From that point on, I began following, waiting for any new releases. Then they released the album "Cleopatra," and I knew after the first four songs that I loved it. Then they did a short film, "The Ballad of Cleopatra," and with the visuals, it just sealed it for me.

Are there any specific memories that you think of when you hear a song from this record?

Oh wow, it’s funny you ask, because whenever I listen to the track "Long Way from Home," I always think of summers when I was a kid. We would drive with a family member or close family friends to no particular destination, but we would always run into someone we knew. We would stop and talk, and us kids would run around and play, and when it was over, get back into the car and drive some more. We really didn’t go far from the neighborhood, but it seemed as if we went for a long journey.

What’s your favorite track?

"Angela" is definitely my favorite. I think it’s because of the pace of the song, the story, which was definitely influenced even more by the short film, and certainly Schultz' voice. But there are so many on the album that aren’t too far behind.

If you had three songs by this artist to send to a friend who was totally unfamiliar – what would they be?

"Cleopatra," "Angela," "My Eyes."

Where do you listen (room, atmosphere, what-have-you)?

I have a speaker in the corner near my dining room table which is right next to my patio door. So, every morning there’s this light that breaks through when I open the curtains that not only trickles into my kitchen onto my counter where I make my coffee but it’s just perfect for when I sit to drink my cup of coffee and write. It’s my work mornings, weekend mornings, and vacation mornings cafe spot.

Thanks so much to Tiff. Now, what inspires you? What song or album do you come back to again and again?

What is the perfect music to “Sip in the Moment?”

Send your responses to info@spirituscoffee.com, and you can find your favorite records showcased here.

So, a friend of yours purchased some Spiritus coffee, and can’t stop raving about it. You enjoy coffee now and again, but you’re hardly an expert; everyone’s always talking about Americano this and Latte that. It’s hard to find your favorite style when you don’t know what your options are. You are not alone. So, let’s check it out. Depending on who you consult, there are over 20 different ways to create a coffee drink. But, let’s get to some of the basics.

We’d be remiss if we didn’t say the most basic coffee drink is … well, coffee. Our freshly-roasted coffee is perfect for a cup of drip – put it in a filter and give Mr. Coffee a run for his money. While we encourage you to participate in Ritual, it doesn’t have to be fancy; savoring a cup of coffee at the kitchen table can be every bit as satisfying as lounging on a beach.

Espresso

The classic base of most coffee drinks: espresso. It’s a concentrated form of coffee that is offered in “shots,” small cups the approximate size of a shot glass. Espresso is made by pressurized hot water forced through very finely ground coffee. You use the same beans for espresso as you do for your French Press or Mr. Coffee. The difference is that the beans are ground to a finer consistency – and we’ll do the grinding to your preference, if you so desire.

Latte

Hot lattes are created with espresso, steamed milk, and foamed milk. Generally, it is one-third espresso and two-thirds steamed milk topped with a layer of foamed milk. You can enjoy them hot or iced, and many other drinks use the latte as a foundation. If you use half and half instead of milk, you change the latte into a Breve.

Mocha

What’s a mocha then? It’s yum? Seriously, though, it’s a latte made with chocolate sauce and usually has some whipped cream on top.

Cappuccino

And the cappuccino …? You guessed it – more espresso, milk, and foam. Here the proportions are generally one-third espresso, one-third steamed milk, and one-third foam.

Macchiato

There’s more? Oh, so much more, friend. Same espresso, same milk. But now, we put the steamed milk in first and add the espresso on top. Another difference is that the Latte is mixed together upon serving, while the macchiato presents with more foam on top, served as a layered drink. It is sometimes referred to as a Cortado in other countries. Here we know a Cortado as consisting of espresso mixed with a roughly equal amount of warm milk to reduce the acidity.

Con Panna

Now, we’re going to take that espresso and make a con Panna. It sounds fancy, but it’s a simple and delicious treat. Take a shot of espresso and put some cream on top. Preferably, heavy whipping cream. We suppose a dollop out of a can will do, but to truly enjoy breaking through the cream to a rich coffee requires a thicker cream. That’s it. That’s con Panna; a delightfully simple drink. (We personally enjoy some cinnamon and a sprinkle of sea salt on ours.)

Red Eye

It’s a late-night flight that can leave one bleary and sluggish. An antidote is the coffee drink named for that very situation. A Red Eye consists of brewed coffee topped off with a shot of espresso. It’s particularly strong, because it starts with the caffeine in a cup of brewed coffee and adds espresso to up the next level.

Americano

An Americano is another simple option – it’s merely espresso with hot water. It brings espresso closer to the drip coffee that Americans have been drinking for years, which might have led to the name Americano. You can vary the shots of espresso and the amount of hot water to your taste.

Frappe

The frappé was invented in 1957 by a Nescafe representative in Greece. They have become a hallmark of postwar outdoor Greek coffee culture. Derived from French, the name frappe describes a drink chilled with ice. Some are similar to slushes, others are more like iced coffee. Today, they are often made with a milkshake machine, but can also be made using a cocktail shaker. The blend is instant coffee and water (sugar optional) that are blended until a thick foam forms on the top. It’s poured into a glass with ice cubes and cold water, and served with a drinking straw.

No matter your favorite drink, it will be all the more amazing when you use Spiritus Coffee to create it! Enjoy.

One way to get in the moment is to put on a favorite record and let the rest of the world fade away. We asked our Marketing Director, Jocelyn, to tell us what album goes perfectly with a cup of Spiritus coffee. She reserves the right to change her answer/s at any time. (Also, if this is something you’d like to contribute to, email us at info@spirituscoffee.com!)

Album: Change Everything
Artist: Del Amitri
Year: 1992

Tell us a bit about Del Amitri:
They’re a band from Glasgow, Scotland. Like a few bands I adore, they are most known for a one-hit wonder (“Roll To Me”) that doesn’t come close to being their best song. But like the other bands (Semisonic, Fountains of Wayne), most people would jump at the chance to write a song that is as good as a song that isn’t even Del Amitri’s best.

You’ve picked this album for a reason – what about it lends itself to “sipping in the moment?”
This is an album that I can (and have, hundreds of times) listen to all the way through, start to finish, no skips, no breaks. It’s an album that has some up-tempo songs, but even those follow along the album’s themes of heartbreak and jealousy and romance gone wrong. You know, super positive music [laughter]. But, because I can just start it and let it go, I can take a moment to zone out or write in my journal or take a walk to it — all things that keep me in the present.

How did you come across it?
I worked at my college radio station from 1991-1993, so I was exposed to so many things I had never encountered before. WONC (89.1 FM out of Naperville) was known for the “Finest of the classics and the best of the new,” but this was when “Alternative” was just starting to make an appearance. We’d play the Grateful Dead and Neil Young along with Billy Joel and James Taylor — and quickly adding another wide variety with Nirvana and Indigo Girls and Teenage Fanclub and King Missile and … Del Amitri. I fell in love right away.

Are there any specific memories that you think of when you hear a song from this record?
I think of late nights at the station and situations in college that mirrored several of the songs on the record. I think of my own first heartbreak, and countless times at Double Door seeing the band live.

What’s your favorite track?
Woof. I think all of them are fantastic, but I’d say two are tied for first: “Be My Downfall” and “Always the Last to Know.”

If you had three songs by this artist from any album to send to a friend who was totally unfamiliar – what would they be?
Definitely “Be My Downfall” from Change Everything, “Kiss this Thing Goodbye” from Waking Hours, and “Tell Her This” from Twisted.

Where do you listen (room, atmosphere, what-have-you)?
Good question. Normally, in the house, but I think I’m going to listen in the car next time I take a drive.

Well, that’s Jocelyn’s (current) Ritual record. What inspires you? What song or album do you come back to again and again? What is the perfect music to “Sip in the Moment?”

Behind The Scenes of Spiritus Coffee

Locally-roasted coffee removes three to five steps in the journey of the supply chain to the consumer. It brings tremendous benefits when it comes to taste and freshness but impacts other things like our carbon footprint. We love telling everyone how awesome Spiritus Coffee is and why we think it's so special. But just like Nick and Jason learned how the whole process works, we know that most people don't know how their coffee gets from farmer to French Press. So, we sat down with Nick to get the low-down.

Q: There's a lot of different kinds of coffees, countries, climates -- how do you decide what beans to buy?

I know what I like to drink and it guides me to the origins I want to purchase and roast. I usually look for coffees that are already here on shore in the States, so there’s less waiting. I source from Royal Coffee, Theta Ridge, Cafe Imports, and others to see what is available. Next, we look at factors like variety, altitude, and processing method -- they give a better idea of what the coffee is capable of. Learning about the farmers and how many farms are contributing can shed some light on whether we can expect quality over quantity. At that point, we make a decision and buy a 60 kg bag. (For those of us living on that ancient Standard system, that's 132 pounds!!)

Q: Do you ever buy directly from the farmer?

Recently, we bought a canyon-washed coffee directly from the farmer and his family. By having a direct trade relationship with a farmer, we are able to provide them 35% more profit than if they have to go through a middleman. This was an awesome experience to meet the family and know that we are contributing to their village and their farmers and improving their quality of life in a major way.

Q: How do the beans get from their start point to Lombard, IL?

Once they reach the United States, we personally drive to pick up our coffee from warehouses in Madison, Wisconsin, and South Bend, Indiana. (A road trip literally fueled by coffee!)

Q: You've lugged that bag back to the roastery -- what happens next?

When we get it home, we get a small batch on a sample roaster. We roast it minimally so that we can find all of the new notes and flavors hidden in the coffee.

Q: How much do you roast at a time?

We roast 2.2 pounds of green coffee per batch.

Q: How does the roasting process work? What do you use?

We roast on a North Coffee Roaster. Our roaster has manual controls for gas, air, drum speed, and charge temperature (charge is when we drop the coffee into the roaster.) We also have control of the rate of rise of the temperature each minute throughout the roast, and the temperature when we drop the coffee into the cooling tray. The roaster has Roastpath software, so we can precisely dial in our roasts and replicate it when we get it right.

Q: What makes a light roast? A medium? Dark?

The terms relate to the color of the roasted coffee, but it’s more than that. There are many factors that contribute to a level of roast, but one basic factor is the length of development time after first crack -- it confirms your roast level and is more accurate than the color alone.

Q: What's "first crack?"

Roasting coffee is a sensory experience involving sight, sound, and smell. You can see the color of the beans changing from green to yellow to brown. Smell its grassy organic aroma transitioning to one of freshly baked bread. And you can hear the sound of built-up CO2 and steam being released from the beans as they expand - it is this release of energy that produces an audible "first crack." This signals the initial phase of a "light roast."

Q: After the roasting is done, what happens? Do they have to sit awhile?

It’s subjective how long a coffee needs to rest and de-gas prior to brewing. Depending on the bean, we roast to order, and sometimes roast a week of coffee in advance. Our coffee gets bagged to order, to ensure maximum freshness.

Q: When/how do they get bagged up?

We weigh out the coffee and bag all of our coffee ourselves!

As you can see -- Nick and Jason are hands-on and completely involved in every single step of coffee roasting, from purchasing to bagging up a blend to get it right to you. Oh, did we mention that if you live in Lombard, Glen Ellyn, or Villa Park, we'll make a personalized delivery -- for free? Okay, just making sure.

Single-Origin – What Does it Mean?

“Single-origin”: The coffee comes from one source. One country? One region? One specific farm? Yes.

In general, single-origin refers to a coffee that can be traced to a single source. Sometimes, that means a single region of a country, but as often as we can, Spiritus strives to know what farmer/collective it comes from, too. It’s very important that we know where our coffee comes from; we only want ethically sourced coffee that brings success to those growing and harvesting it.

So, what’s the big deal?

Let’s take a look at wine as an example: grapes grown in wineries around the world all have different flavor profiles and characteristics. Even the same varietal – Chardonnay, for example – is going to taste different in Napa than it does in France. The environment, the elevation, and the efforts of each producer all bring different subtleties that we are excited to explore.

We hope to be able to educate you on all of these different aspects. It’s imperative that coffee tastes great, but it’s always nice to know exactly why it tastes that way. Some people really want in-depth knowledge about their coffee, their meat, their wine. Others just want a great sip or taste. It doesn’t really matter to us – if you want to get more info, we’re happy to provide it. If you just want to enjoy, we can help you find a roast that fits your style.

Does Single-Origin really matter?

Single-origin is not just a coffee buzzword. Although it was brought to the forefront of things when local coffee shops started focusing on brewing coffee with pour-overs and other alternative brews, the concept is much more than a fad. Knowing specifics about the source – climate, land, people, processing, etc. – helps to understand what kind of coffee to expect. How we roast it, and how you will enjoy it.

Because we value relationships with farmers and collectives, we strive to get seasonal, fresh beans. It does mean that we may only have some roasts for a short time, but it also means that we’ll be roasting new varietals regularly. Don’t fret – coffees that come from one region often have similar characteristics – it’s likely if you enjoy one, you’ll likely appreciate another from the same place.

What’s the process here at Spiritus Coffee?

Spiritus Coffee has several avenues to procure beans. Sometimes, we work with Royal Coffee to facilitate getting beans from the farmer to our roasting house. They work with “over 30 countries of origin, an extensive network of producing partners, and have decades of experience in the roasting community.”
When we can, we like to engage with direct-trade with the farmer/collective ourselves. It allows us to see the process of grow, all the way to roast, every step of the way. It means that we can get and give first-hand information from the farmer/farm themselves. All of our partners take great pride in the quality of their coffee, and we take great pride in roasting it so you can enjoy a delicious cup.

Sip in the moment.

“Yes, yes, we know. Mindfulness, meditation, meaningful activity. But what are you really talking about?” Oh, dear reader, we feel you. While studies have shown that meditation and practices of mindfulness help with anxiety and stress, it feels like we are always given very vague suggestions with no concrete way to understand them or what a ritual is. Fear not. We have been where you are, and we want to share some tips and tricks that you can use to enjoy the present moment.

Tips to Create a Ritual

A person, eyes closed, sitting on a cushion in lotus pose, becoming one with the universe. This is definitely meditation. But there are many ways to quiet a mind, and they don’t all look the same. It’s not to say that more traditional forms of meditation aren’t useful – they’ve worked for countless people for thousands of years. But, let’s be honest – the idea of sitting quietly in a very specific position trying to empty the mind sounds like complete agony to many people. And who wants to do something agonizing when we only have so many minutes in a day?

We believe there are many ways to engage with the present moment. As cliché as it seems, a walk really does help. As long as we aren’t scrolling Facebook as we stride, walking really does give us an opportunity to take in our surroundings, to observe things we hadn’t before. We are always amazed by the things we simply look up. Literally – looking at tops of buildings and trees and the ever-changing sky. Try it out sometime – if you’re taking a walk or sitting in your backyard or hanging out at a park – look up. You might be surprised at all of the things you see.

“I don’t have time to take a walk.” Okay, we won’t argue with you. But, we’d like to make another suggestion. All those chores and things on the to-do list? Use them as a way to let your mind wander. Dishes? Vacuuming? Cutting grass? Laundry? In the garden? Be present. Turn off the podcast, the music, the Netflix show in the background. What steps do you need to take? How does the experience feel? What do you love about it? What do you not love so much?

We have found that we often find ourselves in the middle of a never-ending monologue while getting things accomplished. It’s fine! You don’t have to attain a blank slate – meditation is about noticing the things we’re thinking about all day, every day. Recognizing the patterns that we run through; wearing paths into our brains without even knowing where we’re going. Have you ever “come to” after a few minutes of driving and realize you don’t remember actually paying attention to how you got to where you are (eek!)? Our thoughts often function in the same way. We walk and talk and move about the world, but sometimes, we’re so lost in our own headspace, that we don’t even notice how we get from point A to point B.

There are countless ways to bring attention to the present moment. We have found a combination of the strategies above to work the best for our ritual — especially carving out time to create and enjoy the process of brewing coffee. The beginning of the practice is a moving meditation – getting the coffee out, grinding the beans (if that’s your preference), measuring out the right amount, waiting as the coffee brews, selecting your favorite mug or glass. Then, sitting and truly enjoying the moment ... taking in the smell, reading a book, writing in a journal, or just being present while you enjoy your coffee.

This is how we have turned a daily routine into a daily Ritual, and we invite you to do the same.

Follow along on Facebook and Instagram.

We're just making sure you know that we're having a contest! At Spiritus, we always want to bring you delicious, fresh, single-origin coffee. But we are equally invested in incorporating coffee into a higher purpose. And we want you to join us.

We talk about using coffee to enhance and assist us in mindfulness as Ritual. The process of making and enjoying an everyday beverage into an opportunity to “sip in the moment.” But like all spiritual matters, everyone has their own practice(s) even within a shared practice. Our experience shows that we can always learn from others, and we want you to teach us, too.

We want to see your rituals. Your favorite brewing device. The place where you sit and leisurely enjoy a cup. Your latest music discovery, with a fresh cup of coffee nearby. Enter the contest by posting photos and/or videos to Instagram, and make sure to tag @spirituscoffeeco when you post. The top two photos or videos with the most votes will win a prize — a V60 dripper and a bag of Colombian Gesha.

We’ll keep the contest going until July 31st, 2022. So there’s plenty of time to submit photos and tell your friends! We want to give everyone a chance to take home a really nice starter pack to introduce you to Spiritus, and form a Ritual of your own.

Coffee undergoes hundreds of remarkable transformations on its journey from growing regions around the world to its final destination in your cup. There are reactions and transformations at every stage: harvesting, processing, roasting, and brewing. Even as a hot cup of coffee cools, changes are still taking place that influence taste. How some of these changes occur still remains a mystery. The biggest transformation occurs during the roasting process, where over 800 different compounds are released. Yes, over 800!

What Happens When Roasting Coffee?

As coffee begins to roast, gases build up inside the beans. When the roast is complete and the beans begin to cool and rest, pent-up carbon dioxide continues to escape from the beans. This is why you see a little valve on one side of our coffee bags. The valve allows CO2 and other gases to escape. If coffee is ground and brewed too soon after roast, the escaping gas can cause an uneven extraction and a less desirable cup of java.

It can take anywhere from two days to two weeks for freshly roasted coffee to fully de-gas. A general guide is that the darker the roast, the faster the de-gas process. The lighter the roast, the longer it needs to rest before brewing for optimal taste. A coffee like our Spiritus Ethiopian Natural will have the best flavor when brewed about 5-7 days after the roast date indicated on your bag. Our Colombian and House Blends a bit sooner, around 3-5 days.

While coffee needs a few days to reach its maximum potential, air is the enemy of fresh coffee. The roasted beans are full of oils, compounds, and acids, and when exposed to air, the oxidation process begins, which degrades the oils and compounds that contribute to flavor. This oxidation process is why old coffee has a stale, flat, bitter, lifeless taste — and why all Spiritus coffee is shipped in a stay-fresh, heat-sealed bag with a one-way valve to let the gas out without letting the air in.

How Does That Compare?

In comparison, when you buy a bag of coffee or a tin from a large, chain grocery store, 80% of the time that coffee was roasted 6+ months ago… so, all of the gas has long since escaped, along with all of the flavor.

Learn More About Coffee

We’ve loved everything we’ve had the opportunity to learn about the world of coffee, and there is so much more to know. Check out our Facebook and Instagram to follow us on our Spiritus Coffee journey!