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of Espresso That Is!

Espresso, cappuccino, latte, Americano, mocha…so many coffee combinations + so much confusion! It’s hard to believe there was a time when the only caffeinated beverage you could request was….well…coffee!

However coffee has come a long way + the understanding of coffee beans + how to properly process them has improved. Extracting superior flavour out of a superior bean takes research + knowledge. And while a good ole fashioned cup of coffee will surely hit the spot, a more aromatic, intense cup might be better!

To simplify, specialty coffee drinks start with espresso. Espresso is coffee that is brewed in such a way that only the flavourful + aromatic oils are extracted from the bean. Basically, it is a small 1 to 2 oz. shot of pressure-brewed coffee. But here is where it can get complicated: most people find espresso too strong + opt for milk…..it is how the milk is prepared + added to the espresso that results in the various drinks. Too much information can be confusing so we shall try to stick to the basics:

Espresso Macchiato
A double shot of Espresso with small amount of foamed milk poured over the shot

Espresso Con Panna
An Espresso Macchiato using whipped cream in place of foamed milk.

Caffé Americano
A double shot of espresso combined with 8 to 14 ounces of hot water

Cappuccino
A double shot of espresso, steamed milk + frothed milk foam. The large volume of foam makes it a light weight drink. Frothed milk is dry + more able to hold its shape

Caffé Latté
A double shot of espresso with steamed milk. Steamed milk has a smooth, “flat” textured appearance.

Caffé Mocha
A double shot of espresso blended with chocolate syrup. Steamed milk is added + it is usually topped with whipped cream.

Steamed milk, frothed milk, foamed milk still have you confused? To even better understand, we suggest you visit us + try them all! With eight locations around Greater Vancouver, a Take Five Cafe is waiting for you!

Posted in Uncategorized

With lovely summer weather comes picnics, BBQ’s + simple dinners. And with so many options available a summer salad is hard to beat. Most can be turned into a meal by simply adding chicken, tofu or egg….while others are better as a side dish to compliment a plate.

At Take Five Café, simple salads with fresh, local ingredients are one of our summer favourites. Visit us to grab one as a convenient healthy lunch on the go. Or if you’re prepping for a group, check out a couple of our make-at-home versions perfect for your next patio meal.

Italian Bean Salad
4 cups of mixed beans
(white, green garbanzo, black, kidney)
¾ cup diced cucumber
¾ cup diced tomato
¾ cup fresh torn spinach leaves

Vinaigrette
½ cup red wine vinegar
¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 ½ tablespoons honey
½ teaspoon salt
¼ tsp cracked black pepper

Mix dressing ingredients together + shake vigorously. Pour over salad.
Refrigerate 2 hours before serving for best flavour results.

Mixed Green Salad with Raspberry Dressing
1 pound mixed field greens
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup toasted pecans
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
½ cup sunflower seeds, toasted
½ cup radishes, sliced
1 ½ cups feta cheese, crumbled

Vinaigrette
1 cup fresh raspberries
2 tablespoon honey
½ cup red wine vinegar
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper

Combine the raspberries, vinegar + honey in a blender until smooth. Slowly stream in the olive oil until combined. Season to taste. Toss salad gently with vinaigrette + serve immediately.

Enjoy the season!

Posted in Take Five Cafe Food

All things iced are refreshing when hot! But all things iced are not created equal!

Our iced teas are not made from a concentrate or powder but are steeped using loose leaf tea as their only ingredient. The result is a tea with a deep aromatic taste + all natural flavour. They are then blended in house with 100% real crushed fruit to create unique + delicious recipes. Choose from Mango Iced Tea or Hibiscus Berry Iced Tea. Add lemonade for a twist or create your own spin…just ask our baristas. And if you don’t find a version that quenches your thirst; you can always enjoy a glass of our Strawberry Lemonade. Either way, we have your thirst covered!

Iced Teas or lemonades not your go to? Then try one of our other chilled favourites below:

Cold Brewed Coffee: Fresh coffee beans are ground down + steeped in cold, filtered water for 24 hours. The extended brewing time results in a sweeter, extremely smooth, flavourful cup of highly caffeinated coffee!

Frappini: Our take on a delicious creamy, chilled shake! Enjoy simple flavours like Vanilla, Caramel or Chocolate or take your treat to the next level + enjoy White Chocolate + Strawberry or Cookies N’ Cream.

Smoothies: 100% crushed real fruit. With five servings of fruit or five servings of fruit + veggies, our smoothies are a win win!

….and don’t forget, if you don’t see a favourite beverage above,….anything we prepare hot, can be prepared cold! Nothing beats a refreshing cool drink on a hot day!

Visit us + grab your chilled favourite today!

Posted in A Take Five Cafe Feature

Ever have one of those days where the work pace takes over + your morning coffee sits + sits…until it’s no longer warm? Have you been tempted to take a sip? Believe it or not, there are conditions where cold coffee can hit the spot….but this shouldn’t be one of them!

Real cold brewed coffee is not coffee that has cooled down….nor is it coffee on ice. Cold brewed coffee starts with the proper brewing process. Fresh coffee beans are ground down + then steeped in cold, filtered water for 24 hours. Yes! 24 Hours!! The extended brewing time allows for the flavour of the coffee to be extracted from the beans leaving bitter compounds behind. As a result, cold brewed coffee is sweeter + the process produces an extremely smooth, flavourful cup of highly caffeinated coffee.

Cold Brewed Coffee can be served over ice, or steamed until hot. When the cold brew is steamed, it activates the oils in the coffee + pours as creamy foam with an equally creamy, unique flavour. Flavours can also be added creating some delicious variations like Caramel Truffle, Tuxedo(coconut), French Vanilla + more. We think Cold Brewed Coffee taste exceptional + hope you do too!

Next time, grab a cup of cold brewed coffee on your way to the office. You can take comfort in the fact that not only should it be cold, it will taste great too!

Available at all eight of our Take Five Café locations.

Posted in A Take Five Cafe Feature

Denim for a Day!

Designer jeans, casual jeans, brand named jeans, no-name jeans, blue jeans, black jeans, sequined jeans, acid wash jeans, straight legged jeans, bootcut jeans, skinny jeans, baggy jeans, ripped jeans….and crazy genes!

We know you all have them! Join us on Thursday, May 2nd as we participate in Jeans Day in support of BC Children’s Hospital. Purchase a $5.00 pin + dress in denim for the day. Money raised from Jeans Day directly benefits BC Children’s Hospital. It’s time to #jeanup for a great cause!

For more information about Jeans Day: https://www.bcchf.ca/events/event-calendar/jeans-day/
To donate online: https://www.bcchf.ca/donate/

Posted in Uncategorized

Time to change your snow shovel for a garden shovel! Today we can officially wave goodbye to the winter blues + say hello to the arrival of Spring! It might be a little cold + wet, but the evenings are slowly getting longer, the birds are chirping louder, the trees are starting to bud + the flowers are starting to blossom!

Spring is about getting back outdoors, cleaning up our gardens, enjoying longer days, taking longer walks, opening our windows + breathing in some fresh, clean air. It’s about saying good bye to the greys of winter + saying hello to colours as the skies reveal blues more often, the grasses grow green + the flowers burst in magnificent shades. Spring is all about getting a little more energy back in our step!

And nothing tastes more like Spring than our popular Lavender Latte. Our roasted espresso is slightly sweetened with lavender + lemon zest. It’s the perfect combination of soothing flavour + energizing espresso which we describe as ‘aromatherapy meets caffeine therapy’. We think it’s pretty special + can’t think of anything better to put a spring in your step!

Come visit us at any of our 8 locations + give a toast to Spring with a Lavender Latte!

Posted in A Take Five Cafe Feature

Pink Shirt Day is this Wednesday, February 27th! Take a stand + show your support.  All Take Five Café staff will be wearing the official Pink Shirt Day shirts as well as selling Pink Cupcakes with proceeds to the CKNW Kids’ Fund in support of Pink Shirt Day.

But we encourage all of you to ‘think pink’. Until the end of February, Pink Cupcakes are available at all of our 9 Take Five Café locations. You can drop in + buy one for a friend or place a large order for business meetings, classroom parties or special events by calling our Catering Department: 604.697.9050. Having Pink Cupcakes on hand this Wednesday is a great way to enjoy a sweet treat for a great cause!

So what do you say? Will you think pink this week?

Posted in Take Five Cafe Events

It doesn’t get easier than that!
Pink Shirt Day is getting closer + this year’s message is as important as always: Be Kind. As the cyber world continues to evolve, on-line bullying continues to grow. Bullying takes many shapes but perhaps what makes it the biggest threat is the ability for the perpetrator to remain anonymous. Whether it is harassment, spreading rumours or posting unauthorized photos, on-line bullying is a big concern. Pink Shirt Day is bringing us back to basics with this years message…just be kind!

We would like to help spread kindness too! This year marks the tenth consecutive year that our Take Five Café family has supported the amazing Pink Shirt Day campaign.  Our Pink Cupcakes will be back in stores starting February 4^th + proceeds from the sale of Pink Cupcakes for the month of February will be donated to the CKNW Kids’ Fund in support of anti-bullying programs across British Columbia.

So let’s get ready for February. Think business meetings, children’s events, office celebrations + more and place an order for these sweet treats. Our cupcakes can be ordered by calling 604.697.9050. To find out how else you can get involved or for a list of events in your area, read more about Pink Shirt Day, or consider checking out the website for all of the available pink products. You can order the official t-shirts to wear on February 27th, 2019 or purchase a stuffed bear, pink texting gloves, bracelets + more!

Whatever you chose to do this Pink Shirt Day, it’s time to take a stand and make noise against bullying!….+ eat cupcakes, of course!!

Posted in A Take Five Cafe Feature

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go,
Lights are glistening everywhere; decorations are hung with care,
The only thing that’s missing here is snow!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, trees dressed in every style,
Some in colours like red + gold, with ribbons + lights so bold,
And topped with stars that always bring a smile…!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, bakers are baking more,
Extra cookies, squares + cakes, decorated for all our sakes,
With chocolates, nuts + candy canes galore!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you see,
Tiss the season to give + share, and show people you really care,
And be the best that you can really be!

It only takes a minute or two to show people you care. It’s as easy as donating a looney or two, helping a neighbour hang lights, sharing cookies with co-workers or taking a friend for coffee! And remember, if you are strapped for time, you can always visit your nearest Take Five Cafe for a bundle of cookies or a cup of holiday cheer!

Candy Cane Mocha: Custom roasted espresso, steamed milk, dark chocolate + peppermint

Egg Nog Latte: Custom roasted espresso, steamed milk + egg nog with nutmeg

Gingerbread Latte: Custom roasted espresso, steamed milk infused with gingerbread

Candy Cane Brownie: Chocolate cream cheese brownie infused with peppermint + topped with crushed candy canes

Chocolate Cranberry Cookie: Chocolate cookie with walnuts + chocolate chips

Mocha Scone: Chocolate + coffee scone drizzled with almond glaze

Posted in A Take Five Cafe Holiday

Whether you’re walking back to your office, strolling in the crisp outdoors or taking a  treat for a friend, our favourite seasonal drinks are dressed + ready to go!….just in time for the holidays.

Choose from the classic taste of Egg Nog, old fashioned Candy Cane, or the flavour of timeless gingerbread –all created with our perfectly balanced espresso + creamy steamed milk.

And what makes these holiday beverages even better?…they truly are all dressed up and ready to go!…in a Santa Suit, of course!

Visit us today to get in the holiday spirit!

Posted in A Take Five Cafe Holiday