Death Wish Coffee - Is It Really The "World's Strongest?"

 
Death Wish Coffee may sound like a recipe for fatal disaster to some, but to the coffee enthusiast, it sounds like caffeinated heaven. Death Wish Coffee is said to be "the world's strongest coffee," and I have to admit, the intrigue (and perhaps the morbidity factor) was irresistible. It just screamed strong, rich, and powerful -- three the things any good cup of coffee should boast. I set out to put two of their blends to the test: The Death Wish Coffee itself and the Valhalla Java Odin Force, which, according to its label, "will bring you back from the nights you thought you'd never wake up from."

Death Wish Coffee
 This premium dark roast coffee contains twice as much caffeine as your average cup.
  

 
 Valhalla Java Odin Force
The label on the Valhalla blend sounded very promising for times of fatigue. "With maximum flavor and caffeine content, this blend will bring you back from the nights you thought you'd never wake up from. Do you bleed black?"

 















This artisan blend is "forged from the volcanic soils of Indonesia and the nutrient rich soils of Central and South America."
 
The Valhalla Java Odin Force was crafted specifically for Zakk Wylde, a member of Black Label Society and the "world's most powerful guitarist." For Zakk Wylde fans, here's his commercial for the Valhalla Blend:

  

Taste Rating: On a taste rating scale of 1-10. Death Wish coffee is among only two coffee brands that I've ever been able to rate a full 10. 

Both blends are velvety smooth and dark, without the burnt bitterness that many dark roast coffees tend to carry.

Aroma: Death Wish Coffee has a genuine pungent aroma straight out of the bag, attesting to its buzzy strength that's soon to hit you.

"The world's strongest coffee?"

Is Death Wish Coffee really the world's strongest coffee or just another average cup of Joe with trumped up claims?
So far, I haven't been able to find another coffee on the market that can boast the same caffeine content as Death Wish Coffee. The high caffeine content and rich, high quality flavor makes it the perfect coffee for this self-entitled caffeine queen.

Death Wish Coffee VS. Folgers (Energy-Wise)

Using the regular amount of coffee grounds required for an average-strength full pot is far weaker than Death Wish. 

I've experimented using different amounts per pot and found that with Death Wish coffee, I can use approximately half of what is normally required with Folgers and get about the same strength. In other words, it takes somewhere close to twice as much (not quite double, but close) Folgers to get the strength of Death Wish Coffee, according to my own personal experiment.

The label recommends 2 1/2 tablespoons per 6 ounces of coffee. I get a nice caffeine buzz from just half a large cup (large being 24 oz cups like the large you get at a convenient store) whereas I'll typically use 12-14 tablespoons, or a completely full, heaping filter-full of Folgers. In an average day, I'll consume close to the entire pot of it using Folgers. Using Death Wish, I have been getting my desired results with just the one 24 oz cup.

Specs: 

Death Wish Coffee is organic, premium dark roast coffee.

While high caffeine content and luxury taste is of utmost importance when it comes to your coffee, there are a few more aspects that are equally as important (or should be) but often over looked. For that reason, I'd like to point out the additional specs that further impressed me with Death Wish Coffee Co.

• USDA Certified Organic

•  Fair trade certified, which ensures responsible farming in an ecological sense and that that the growers are ethically treated with acceptable working conditions, including no child-labor.

• Expertly Roasted (check out the roasting process in the video below.)

P.S. Death Wish Coffee Company frequently gives away merchandise freebies to Twitter followers. Click here to follow them on Twitter to keep up.

DIY Quick, Easy, Healthy Energy Shot

 Hey, hey folks! We're all about health and energy here at Ribbons and Pearls, so for a quick DIY here's how we like to power up a draggy evening/morning:   

Energy Shot Ingredients:

• Fill bottom of shot glass (or other small glass) with espresso or just a hefty tablespoon of instant coffee. 

 

• Scoop a teaspoon of your favorite energy/health powder like the vanilla whey protein powder (extra boost, plus vitamins.)

• Top it with a dash of milk or creamer, if you prefer.

What do you guys like using for an intense, quick pick me up? I'd love to read your shares and recipes!



P.S. This week we'll be reviewing a similar "pick-me-up" product called "Better Than Coffee," and folks, it's pretty awesome, so check back soon.

Muddy Waters--Crossroads

   And I'm back again with a cup of coffee from the fabulous Muddy Waters Coffee Co.! How lovely does that look up there? Straight from the coffee pot... well, straight from the freezer, but that was right after it came straight from the coffee pot! Obviously I had added my 3 creamers in there. I believe you can actually see that it's got frozen bits in there. Talk about delicious! This cup did not last long. Hence the reason why I've typed a paragraph quicker than a frog after a cricket!

  The last coffee I introduced to you was the deep, strong Blues Blend. This happens to be the Crossroads Blend. Here's an interesting tale straight from Muddy Waters about this particular blend:

  " Continuing our homage to the roots of blues, we developed this blend in honor of the mythic Robert Johnson. The sweet undertones of El Salvador mingle with the woody accents of the Ethiopia and the spicy hints of the Peru inside the full body of Sumatra and Colombia. The widely-ranging roasts combine to make a dynamic, hearty cup of coffee that starts bold and sings on the palate."

  Upon first taste, my first thought was nutty! Crossroads tastes very nutty/earthy to me, without the creamer that is. Creamer tones it down some and that's why I only add 1-3 creamers (those tiny ones) when I drink Crossroads. Other coffees tend to get up to 5 creamers from me, but I really like the actual taste of Crossroads. It's a unique, incredible blend, but not so unique that it wouldn't be a pleasure on the tastebuds of any coffee lover. 

  As the description mentions, this coffee does have a slight spice to it and it's immediately noticeable. I've never tasted a coffee that had a spicy taste to it, but I'm finding that this seems to be my favorite of all. I love the rich and bold flavor of the Blue's Blend, but Crossroads has really got a hold on me!

   
  Crossroads is the package in the front in a green colored pack. 

  I think Blue's Blend is quite a bit stronger than Crossroads and slightly more acidic. I actually would almost say Crossroads has a some sweetness to it. The earthy and nutty taste is soft and recognizably delicious!

    Muddy Waters has an amazing selection of high quality coffee. Be sure to check them out and share with me, what is your favorite Muddy Water blend? I'd love your recommendations/experience! 














*Please see my disclosure page for more information on sponsored reviews* 

My PeArL of the day-Thursday

My PeArL of the day is...

Vanilla ice cream with instant coffee (I use maxwell house) srpinkled on top. I created this little dessert a couple of years ago and ended up loving it! Its really good. But if you're not a coffee person then it may not be good to you. I love coffee and I like it strong so I usually cover the ice cream in instant coffee. You can use how ever much you like.

 This is one of my favorite desserts. Hope some of you will try it! Let me know what you think.