INTRODUCING THE COFFEE COMPANION SERIES

When I think of people that matter, I think of coffee. That might seem odd, but to me it is love. Anyone I have ever loved I wanted to learn them, and usually, that started with how they liked their coffee. And if they didn’t like coffee, I stopped learning them and immediately abandoned the relationship. Kidding… sort of.

Honestly, some of my biggest heartaches I can still remember what kind of coffee they sipped (or gulped). Coffee is where I started out, at home, then working as a manager of a locally owned coffee shop. I knew it was a love language I couldn’t replicate. An intimacy and a knowing of someone beyond a hello or a “how are you” that no one meant. I would put it together and bring you a cup that was meant for who I have come to know you to be. Nothing like it.

Since launching De Nuestra Mesa, I have spent countless hours tweaking menu items, crunching the baking math, and finding ways to pull fresh ingredients straight from our backyard soil into the kitchen. Now, I am bringing those passions together here in the Heirloom Kitchen with a brand-new project: The Coffee Companion Series.

Join me as I step out from my kitchen to share not just what I bake, but how I love and how I learn. This series is dedicated to the craft of the perfect pairing. We are moving beyond just pouring a standard mug alongside a random pastry (which I also, absolutely support). Instead, we are looking at the tasting notes of specific roasts and engineering the exact bakes needed to balance, elevate, and complement those flavors.

Because building community is just as important as building a recipe, this series will also serve as a love letter to our local food and beverage scene. We will be actively highlighting exceptional coffee roasters right here in the Sacramento area, exploring their craft alongside our own.

What to Expect in the Series

• Featured Local Roasters: We will dive into the specific tasting notes, origins, and brewing methods of distinct coffees from around our local area.

• Purposeful Bakes: Every recipe will be developed with the coffee's flavor profile in mind—whether that means pairing a bright, citrusy scone with a light pour-over, or a dense, savory-sweet biscotti with a heavy espresso.

• The Kitchen Math: For those who love the science of baking, we will break down the baker’s percentages and scaling ratios, making it easy to translate professional cottage-bakery mechanics into your own home kitchen.

• Garden-to-Table Integrations: Whenever possible, we will pull from the backyard—whether it is a handful of fresh herbs or rich eggs from the flock—to tie the bake back to the soil.

  
  

Our very first pairing drops soon, featuring a legendary espresso blend from right here in Sacramento and a sturdy, dark chocolate bake with an unexpected, woodsy twist from the garden. Grab your favorite mug, and welcome to the series!