The Press Coffee Company, Belmar
The first thing I saw was a large pig depicted in chalk upon the wall.
Everything is better with bacon, they say. I suppose there's something about that salted meaty goodness, with just enough crunch, that makes any otherwise boring meal into something spectacular. I've even heard some postulate that bacon and its enjoyment is the meaning of life. A once visited a restaurant that offered a specialty menu, where they offered a bacon sundae, complete with maple syrup. I was not brave enough to risk my life or eternal mental torment over the memory of eating that. I once bought bacon dipped in chocolate, hoping to expand my culinary horizons, but when I lifted it, soft, sticky, and limp, between my thumb and forefinger, I suddenly preferred to work on diminishing the horizons of my waistline instead.
That memory was far from my mind when I entered the doors of The Press Coffee Company, a warm little place in the heart of Belmar. The sidewalks on that gorgeous Sunday afternoon were bustling with the crowds and canopies of a Fall-drenched farmer's market.
The first thing I saw was a large pig depicted in chalk upon the wall. It's caption declared, "Bacon Mocha." I had a taste for adventure that day, and you can't get much more adventurous than a Bacon Mocha - unless there are large precipices or unchained carnivorous beasts involved. I knew it wouldn't give me a true perspective on the coffee, and would not tell me whether the roaster, Vail Mountain Coffee and Tea knew its business, but the urge was irresistible.
I asked the barista, "Bacon Mocha?" She opined that the flavor was not so much bacon, as a smoky flavor. My friends and I were soon waiting on the arrival of our newly purchased Bacon Mocha Lattes. As we watched, Mitch remarked, "Hey look, they have bacon juice over there!" Indeed they did - an actual syrup bottle full of bacon flavoring. I really don't want to know where that comes from.
With cup in hand, I hesitated, uncertain of my resolve. Mitch sipped his, and immediately remarked, "I don't like it." Our circle of friends took up the repeated chorus, "Mitch didn't like the bacon." As they each passed the cup and tasted for themselves, I decided it was my turn.
There was a very strong coffee flavor, but I can't say whether the coffee was good, because chasing the coffee was a rich dark chocolate, following by something else... It was like licking the inside of a dirty, old, deep fat fryer. I wished that I could purge it out of my mouth, off of my teeth, and forget the experience entirely. Like a dog with peanut butter stuck to the roof of its mouth, I tried to wipe out the taste - to no avail. Nikita said, "It tastes like it has beef jerky in it, followed by Veronica, "Bacon just doesn't belong in a drink." I have to agree. I didn't like it at all. Very meaty - which is not something I ever would have associated with a beverage. I will give The Press another chance, but Bacon Mocha will not be on my menu.
Postscript. The Press Coffee Company has closed since the date of this original post. January 30, 2021
ORIGINAL COMMENTS
Nathan S., October 19, 2011 at 8:30 AM
Hah! Not sure I would like that Bacon Mocha either. Don't get me wrong I love bacon, but the smoky flavor in my mocha just does not sound appetizing. I am curious to know how their other coffee stacks up though...
Jeni H., October 24, 2011 at 9:45 AM
That sounds terrible! I love bacon and coffee but that is a marriage I don’t ever want to attend. I’ve had chocolate covered bacon, bacon doughnuts, maple bacon, candied bacon, bacon crumbled on ice cream but bacon juice? No thank you. All I can think of is a thick layer of bacon grease floating on the top of my perfectly lovely mocha. Bacon Fail.
