Stumptown Espresso is celebrating sweetness in all kinds this Valentine’s Day. At the beginning of the month of February, Stumptown cafes nationwide every put in little Love Stations, every one that includes brightly coloured paper hearts stocked with pens for visitors to jot down little notes of affection and compassion. The concept originated in 2025 at Stumptown’s Ace Lodge location in NYC, says communication supervisor Shireen Faridniya, created by a barista to assist provide a optimistic observe in instances of divisiveness. “We all the time wish to go away visitors feeling higher than they did once they walked by means of our doorways,” she tells Sprudge, “and now we’re watching as visitors are in a position to do the exact same for each other, even when anonymously.”
On a latest February morning I finished in to the SW Washington Stumptown location in Portland to expertise the station myself. I left a few notes, and checked out a number of, too. The sensation was actually particular and loving; I’ve been to plenty of cafes and occasional experiences, and this one felt distinctive and significant.
To sweeten the deal this Valentine’s Day weekend, Stumptown is launching a really restricted version vacation drink, accessible for simply two days: February 14th and fifteenth. It’s referred to as the Raspberry Rose Mocha, and it’s a collaboration between Stumptown Space Chief (NY+LA) Dandy Anderson and Ace Lodge Cafe Supervisor Anna Keable. Utilizing Woodblock Chocolate, a house-made rose syrup, and a dusting of raspberry garnish, the drink is a wealthy and scrumptious mocha second finest shared with somebody you maintain pricey.
We spoke with Communications Manaager Shireen Faridniya to study extra.
What’s the espresso you’re utilizing for the Raspberry Rose Mocha?
We’re utilizing our Hair Bender Espresso Mix. Hair Bender is our most advanced espresso mix, that includes espresso from Central and South America, East Africa, and Indonesia. Its complexity yields a harmonious taste profile of jasmine, orange, cherry, caramel, and darkish chocolate.
May you inform us a bit in regards to the chocolate element used within the drink?
We use Woodblock Chocolate for all of our chocolate-based drinks, together with this one! It’s a vegan, bittersweet darkish chocolate combine. This specific cocoa powder is from cocoa beans from Kakoa Kamili, a fermentary within the southwestern Tanzanian village of Mbingu.
How are the raspberry and rose flavors included into the beverage?
We’re utilizing a house-made Rose Easy Syrup that’s then mixed with our house-made chocolate ganache and topped with a stupendous freeze-dried raspberry powder garnish.
Do you might have a really helpful milk pairing that balances finest with the floral and fruit notes?
We default to oat milk in all of our drinks, however any milk a visitor prefers will style pleasant.
What pastry would finest complement the Raspberry Rose Mocha?
We suggest a traditional croissant, from our regional companions Bread Lounge (LA), Ache D’Avignon (NYC), and Sparrow Bakery (PDX). You possibly can’t go flawed with a buttery, flakey but constant croissant companion. If you wish to kick it up a notch, bam, seize an almond croissant.
For the reason that station launched on Feb 1st, have there been any memorable reactions or notes that the workers have observed?
The response has been very optimistic! All of our cafes have already got full jars, and our baristas are having fun with the activation. We’re all the time essentially the most proud once we can convey concepts which have come from the barista workforce to life.
For our readers who aren’t native to a restaurant, might you share an “at residence” recipe or the final construct ratios to allow them to attempt to recreate the Raspberry Rose Mocha in their very own kitchens?
Mix a contact of rose water to a 1:1 ratio of white sugar and sizzling water, add to your favourite selfmade chocolate ganache and muddle a handful of raspberries if you happen to don’t have entry to freeze-dried raspberries domestically.
Thanks.
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