Why are cuppings so fun? Is it the idiosyncratic terminology? (crust, aerating, etc.) Is it because people get grinds on their noses? Is it the slurpy sippy noise? Well, it could be the hurricane slurpy noises …

Blue Bottle is a big deal up in SF. People can talk about De La Paz/Ritual/Four Barrels being worthy competitions of Blue Bottle, but with the arrival of Blue Bottle in La-La Land, the enterprise now officially has the hype, fame, and reach, of a true star.

Angeleno have waited for ages for Blue Bottle to arrive, and this Fall, Equator Cafe of Venice finally brings SF’s finest to LA. In addition to hand sourced and unique selection of books and art at Equator Books, the Cafe portion of the venue will offer standard drip coffee in a variety of beans, as well as loving espresso pulls in cute little Bodums, the double walled jobbers with thermo insulating properties.

These lovable Bodom espresso demitasses are works of genuis. It’s so simple: there’s no need for a handle because the air trapped within the double walls acts as the perfect insulator. Air doesn’t conduct heat very well. Mr. James Freeman, founder of Blue Bottle, was actually on hand for the cupping during the grand opening. With the expansions which BB has taken in the last few year, it’s good to see the coffeephiles being equally serious about a satellite operation that isn’t within the realm of hometown comfort.

The standard double espresso sampled at the tasting was pungent, with a thin layer of crema, not too sour, not too bitter, thick like a chocolate tout and non-intrusive with the its aroma. Just a lovely little pour of cafe. The chickory flavor at Blue Bottle is used at Humpry Slocombe for their BB Vietnamese Coffee Ice cream, which, after sampling, inspired this No-Cook Vietnamese coffee ice cream.

With the flu season in full swing, the cupping was skipped in favor of Cake Monkey’s Coffee Crackle Sandwich. These sammies just oblierated the Cakewiches in every single taste criteria yet didn’t completely chase the flavors of the espresso out of the mouth, perfect pairing for a pre-party at Equator.

Thanks to Food She Thought as well as TBG for the invitation.

Equator Cafe
1103 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Venice, CA 90291
(310) 399-9282

And now, the giveaway:

Half a pound of Blue Bottle Coffee beans (variety undecided), and a Equator Cafe Mug to a Randomizered commenter, or the 700 Twitter follower. Tell me the first time you’ve heard of Blue Bottle Coffee, or why you hate La Mill, or why you think Equator Cafe’s going to be the bestest thing on Abbot Kinney, etc.

Retail value, ~$30. I’m not keen on shipping coffee mugs, so, winner, please come pickup when you visit San Gabriel Valley for dimsum next weekend. O, contest ends say.. Friday the 13th. That seems like a good day to end things.

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