On this episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast we go on decidedly delicious deep dives. It’s *all* about proof of taste—and we’re here to prove that taste is what matters above nearly all else. Listen in our as intrepid founders glide over the modernity of romance in 2026, subject listeners to an Orwellian abuse of the word “purist”, and enjoy Caffe Umbria Bizzarri Blend (how Bizzarri, how Bizzarri) as an espresso. Like the mighty I Ching, like the collected works of Shakespeare, this episode contains multitudes, so please expect all that and truly, so much more.
Hosts Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen, no stranger to drink building as evidenced by their 2023 text But First, Coffee, create a signature drink worthy of a barista competition inspired by Stumptown Coffee’s new seasonal Valentines Day offering. It’s all part of a new feature Mocha Moments produced in partnership with Ghirardelli. You’ll hear us whip it up and go all out on mochas mochas mochas throughout this feature series, so buckle up, chocoholics: you’re in for a treat.
It takes a Gear Garden to make a mocha, and this episode’s mocha was made with espresso pulled from a Flair Espresso 58 Plus, milk steamed by a La Marzocco Linea Mini, ingredient components weighed using a handy Acaia Lunar scale, and coffee ground using the Baratza Encore ESP Pro.
As promised, we offer to you, the listener, who is us, our very first Mocha Moments recipe so you too can dazzle your sweetheart (or sweethearts!) at home:
Cardamom Rose Dusted Chocolate Covered Strawberry Rhubarb Mocha
1 tbsp Ghirardelli Chocolate & Cocoa Sweet Ground Powder
1 tsp Cardamom Rose Spice Dust from DONA
1 1/2 tsp Oregon Growers Strawberry Rhubarb Jam
2 shots of espresso Caffe Umbria Bizzarri Blend
4-6oz steamed Pacific Barista Series Pistachio Milk
Put the dry ingredients, jam, and espresso at the bottom of your mug. Using the espresso, gently mix all the ingredients together. Pour a bit of steamed (or cold) milk in and stir again to ensure everything is pleasantly blended. Add the rest of the milk to taste and sprinkle with a little more Cardamom Rose Spice Dust.
We enjoyed our mochas in Miir’s Limited Edition 2026 Lunar New Year camp cups. Stunning!
ALSO ON THIS EPISODE, Zachary whips up a Lotus Biscoff yogurt “tiramisu” in the style of the popular TikTok trend. Unlike the popular TikTok trend which merely uses any old flavor (or unflavored) yogurt, we kick it up a notch by actually involving coffee in this “tiramisu” using Tillamook Stumptown Cold Brew yogurt. Much munching and tasting ensues and yes, it’s actually quite good.
Special thank you to all of our fabulous podcast listeners, the sponsors that make this all possible, and everyone else out there in Sprudgelandia.
This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by Baratza, noissue, Ceado, Pacific Barista Series, La Marzocco, and DONA.
Listen to the whole episode right here:
This episode of the Coffee Sprudgecast is sponsored by Baratza, noissue, Ceado, Pacific Barista Series, La Marzocco, and DONA.
