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Java Jo'z
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Coffee College
A little learning is a dang'rous thing.
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring.
Do you think Alexander Pope may have been referring to coffee when he penned those famous lines? For, not only did I discover the deep, rich flavor of carefully prepared espresso-based beverages, I found that there is a virtual Pierian spring of coffee knowledge put to good use right here in Waterford at Java Jo'z.
I sat down with Boni Weis, owner of the just-opened Java Jo'z. "Coffee and more" states the tagline in the logo. Well, I can vouch for that! There's much more to Jo'z than coffee. And, there's much more to coffee than, well. . . that brown liquid that's instrumental in getting us going each morning. Boni, whose past years- 17 of them at Microsoft -- bring her to this new venture with plenty of experience, not only for planning and running a new business, but in supervising a small army of baristas. For burgeoning baristas abound at Java Jo'z with 14 employees, each eager to learn the art and (definitely) science of preparing the stunning beverages that emerge from the inviting environs of Jo'z. Each barista is required to take a full regimen of training prior to preparing their first steaming (or iced) coffee beverage. And, after watching the process - grinding tamping, stirring, foaming - I can see why. Jo'z is serious about their coffee -- a virtual Coffee College.
Almost immediately upon entering Java Jo'z, I had in front of me a tall, cool concoction of chilled coffee, heaped with whipped cream, decorated with criss-crossed chocolate stripes, all deliciously laced with raspberry. And, for those of you quite serious about health, don't drive by, drive up. Because once you've tasted this all-fruit-nothing-bad-added Smoothie, you'll never return to cheap imitations. The Mango Breeze Smoothie is the perfect pick-me-up when caffeine is not your choice. If only I'd had room for the Jo'z Colada, pineapple, coconut, banana. Another day. ..
Boni, talks quickly, spilling over with enthusiasm about learning, teaching, Microsoft and, of course, coffee. Suddenly, she placed in front of me two large, white coffee filters, each containing the brown powder that helps give me, among others, a reason for rising every morning. Seen side by side like this, the two small hills of ground coffee couldn't have been more different. . . one, a deep, rich brown fine powder, the other a coarser grind with a lighter milk-chocolate color. She explains the different uses for the two grinds.
In her enthusiasm, Boni moves to the huge espresso machine that dominates the room and here Coffee Class truly begins. One of her customers, she says, claims that Jo'z is the only place in the area where he can get a true macchiato. Her hands move expertly through the steps as she prepares a tiny cupful of this hot, strong and marvelous elixir. I watch the black liquid slide neatly into twin shot glasses placed beneath the double spout. Boni points out the "mouse tail" configuration of the dark fragrant stream of espresso and the "crema", a fine layer of foam that perches on top the black liquid in each glass. She pours, quickly and carefully. A dollop of finely-bubbled milk foam tops off this beautiful beverage. Wow.
I love coffee. It has so many personalities. . . so many possibilities. Its pick-me-up characteristics are wonderful, yes. But, I really like the culture of coffee. And that culture is many-faceted at Jo'z. If you thought coffee houses were for morning people, think again. I was pleasantly surprised to see a steady stream of friends, families and business professionals come through the door on this fine summer evening. The comfortable seating around the fireplace invites a quiet group of teens making plans for the summer weeks ahead, while the room at the back is a perfect place for a couple of businessmen to conference with the help of wireless Internet access. An extended family saunters in for an after-dinner treat and a bit of banter around the table, each sipping a favorite mixture.
Boni is delighted to see the sense of community in her home town. "I skated on the pond behind this property!" she laughs. "It's good to see people gather in a place where they can feel comfortable." And, it's good to have Boni back after her worldwide travels.
So, plan to pick up your drive-by coffee and muffin at Java Jo'z tomorrow morning. Better yet, take a moment to meet a friend or colleague, take Mom to lunch or introduce your little ones to real fruit smoothies.
It seems the more I learn about coffee, the more I know I don't know. If you know what I mean. You can drink deeply of coffee, as well as the knowledge thereof, at Java Jo'z just off the intersection of Hwys 36 and 20 on the edge of Waterford at 29134 Evergreen Drive.
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