Millstone Bean to Cup Coffee Journey
{KEURIG Elite Giveaway & A Cinnamon Latte}

Every day I have the same morning routine. I get out of bed, brush my teeth and make a bee line straight for the coffee pot.

My favorite part of the day is sipping that first cup of coffee and enjoying some quiet time on the computer before everyone wakes up.

I tend to be a bit grumpy in the morning until I get a cup or two of coffee in me. I have to say I never really thought about what exactly goes into making a cup of coffee.

 I found out that it takes more than technology and machines to deliver the precise flavor we have come to expect from Millstone Coffee.

 Recently Millstone launched their new virtual web experience - A Millstone Bean to Cup Journey. This is where I learned just how much work goes into my morning brew.

The journey begins in the lush mountainside of an Arabica coffee estate, where coffee trees are grown and carefully cultivated. 

Coffee beans are hand picked, roasted and then blended and tested for excellence. Only after all of that are the finally rushed to retailers.

Click on the link above and take the Bean to Cup Journey for yourself, and find out how a simple coffee bean is transformed into that perfect cup of coffee.

Do you own a Keurig Brewing System? We purchased our first one about a year and a half ago. Since then it's gotten quite the workout, so I would like to thank Millstone for the generous upgrade to the Keurig Elite.    

The Keurig system is not only great for coffee, but it's also brews the perfect iced coffee, cider, tea and hot chocolate.

Did you know that you can also make coffee house style lattes using the Keurig System?  Recently I tried a Cinnamon Latte  and a Caramel Macchiato recipe that I found on the Millstone website. 

Both recipes were easy to make and so much cheaper than if I made a mad
dash to Starbucks.
Lately I have been enjoying the Fog Lifter K- Cups. I initially thought the Fog Lifter was a strong roast, but it's more of a medium blend which is perfect for me. 

I used the K - Cup Breakfast Blend to make the Lattes mentioned above. The recipe called for 1/4 to 1/2 cup each of brewed coffee, so using the K-Cups worked out perfectly.

The Keurig Elite is so much better than the system we owned. It features chrome accents and a blue, backlit LCD display.

I love how the water chamber lights up and blinks when the water level is low.  It also has a light up indicator that lets me know exactly when it's time to brew.

The Keurig Elite offers 3 cup size choices (6 oz, 8oz and 10 oz). My old Keurig only had two choices and didn't have any of that fancy schmancy stuff listed above.

Thank you Keurig for making my morning coffee so much easier.



Millstone Cinnamon Latte

Ingredients:
1 -  cup milk
4 -  tablespoons cinnamon or vanilla flavored syrup
1/4 - cup hot, fresh strong brewed Millstone Bed & Breakfast Coffee per cup
whipped cream
caramel sundae syrup
ground cinnamon

Directions: 
Pour milk into a 1 quart microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high 1 minute or until hot, but not boiling. Whisk until foamy.

Pour 2 tablespoon cinnamon syrup into one standard size coffee cup. Stir in hot coffee. Add steamed milk to brim of cup. Top with a swirl of whipped cream. Drizzle with caramel syrup.

Sprinkle with cinnamon and serve immediately. 

Recipe yields - 2 standard cups


 The Winner of the Millstone Bean to Cup Journey Prize Pack is.....
Comment #168 Lindley Peterson


To celebrate the new virtual Bean to Cup Journey, Millstone is giving one lucky Mommy's Kitchen reader the chance to win a Millstone Bean to Cup Tasting Kit (pictured above).

The tasting kit includes a Keurig Elite Brewing System & much more!
I'm so excited that Millstone has made it possible for me to giveaway this fabulous Coffee Tasting Kit.

Millstone Coffee Bean to Cup Tasting Kit Includes:

· Millstone K-Cup Portion Packs
· Millstone Pre-Pack Coffee Samples
· Keurig Elite Brewing System
· Crate and Barrel Coffee Mugs with Tray
· Crate and Barrel Embossed Cream and Sugar Containers
· Luxury White Bathrobe (not pictured)
· $25 gift card to redeem for magazine subscriptions of your choice

 
HOW TO ENTER:

Mandatory Entry: Visit the Millstone site and leave a comment telling  one coffee fact that you learned.

Bonus Entries: Leave a separate comment for each one
  1. Tweet this giveaway: Win a Millstone Bean to Cup Journey Tasting Kit @mommyskitchen http://tiny.cc/3w1omw #giveaway
  2. Share this giveaway on your Facebook page. 

Giveaway will remain open until October 31 st at midnight CST.

Winner will be chosen at random using random.org and notified by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or new winner will be chosen. Entries only accepted on Mommy's Kitchen. Facebook and Twitter entries do not count. Giveaway open to US Residents only due to shipping charges.


 
 Before I go there's still time to take advantage of the limited time $4.00 off coupon from Millstone. Click on the coupon link and fill out the form to receive your $4 coupon by mail.


Disclosure: I was given a Millstone Bean to Cup Journey Tasting Kit for the purpose of this review. As always the opinions stated above are entirely my own. No other compensation was received. I would like to thank Millstone for choosing Mommy's Kitchen.


356 comments

Unknown said…
The higher the beans grow,
the more acidic they will be.
Kay Dee said…
I learned that a coffee bean comes from the inside of a fruit that turns bright red when it is ripe!
Matt Ferrell said…
I learned that the higher the beans grow, the more acidic they will be.
Matt Ferrell said…
tweet:
https://twitter.com/Matt_Ferrell/status/261540949539299328

animasou @ comcast . net
Austin Heape said…
Learned the bean is called a cherry

AMHookahReviews@gmail.com
Austin Heape said…
Tweet
https://twitter.com/austinheape/status/261543783085273088

AMHookahReviews@gmail.com
Unknown said…
Hi Tina!

My favorite Millstone blend is their Hawaiian Coffee Blend! Did you know that Hawaii is the only U.S. state to grow coffee?! (Learned that from their site today!) Happy to know my coffee is grown in America!

I posted your giveaway on my facebook page too: https://www.facebook.com/Amanda.Hain.xoxo

Thanks again for the Cinnamon Latte! My daughter and I just love it!
VickiT said…
I did not know the beans were all handpicked. That's a lot of work considering the amount of coffee the world drinks. wow.
VicB said…
I learned that Drying can take anywhere from 7 to 21 days, depending on the weather conditions. WOW
CarrascoFam5 said…
I can't beleive that coffee beans come from something that looks like a cranberry! Thats awesome!
CarrascoFam5 said…
I posted the link to this giveaway on my facebook!!
tinatre said…
Handpicking protects the tree and ensures only the ripest beans are selected for peak flavor.

tinatre@msn.com
I learned:
From there, the beans are quickly cooled with a touch of moisture at just the right moment. This halts the roasting process just as the desired flavor character is achieved.
Anonymous said…
Didn't realize the beans were handpicked! WoW!
becka said…
The Millstone website is very well done--lots of interesting facts about coffee-growing and processing. I had no idea that the altitude the coffee is grown at would affect the acidity.
Anonymous said…
I never knew the coffee bean "fruit" was a crimson red when ready to be hand picked!
Maren said…
I learned that a coffee bean is red when harvested. Very cool.

Marenvargas@gmail.com
latanya t said…
the higher the beans grow, the more acidic they will be

dlatany at gmail dot com
latanya t said…
https://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/261606607442571265

dlatany at gmail dot com
Stacey said…
I learned that the higher beans grow, the more acidic they are.

henning.stacey@gmail.com
Stacey said…
Tweet

https://twitter.com/shenning321/status/261609463725838336

henning.stacey@gmail.com
sophia said…
I learned that higher temperatures in the lower elevations can accelerate the drying process.
sophia said…
Tweeted! Millstone Bean to Cup Coffee Journey {KEURIG Elite Giveaway & A Cinnamon Latte} http://shar.es/cehfw via @sharethis
libby rouse said…
I learned many things, but was surprised to learn coffee beans turn red
Anonymous said…
I learned that the roasting process is a precise science with a bit of intuition in order to get the essential oils of the coffee bean just rights...I never knew that coffee is actually a berry fruit, who knew!! Would love to win the Millstone coffee package.

linelu55@yahoo.com
Anonymous said…
Just shared giveaway on my facebook page. Thanks

linelu55@yahoo.com
Anonymous said…
I learned that drying the beans can take from 7 to 21 days. Lots of intersting facts to choose from, I enjoyed reading and learning about how much work goes into making coffee. Email: warmer 80 @ hotmail .com (no spaces)
RedGingerbread said…
The higher elevations the beans grow...the more acidic they are. I love coffee so this is very interesting. I have never tried one of these coffee pots so would love to win one!
Anonymous said…
After visiting their website, I learned that a coffee bean comes from a coffee cherry and is hand picked from the tree.

STARK_D@MSN.COM
Anonymous said…
I learned that they dry the beans on huge patios! I would love to see that! Thanks!
tonyadodd at hotmail dot com
Tonia Deakin said…
It takes two years of study to become a coffee taster
Tonia Deakin said…
shared on my facebook page
Toni Beloved
Lorraine said…
i was so impressed with the whole process of coffee beans. i never really thought there was that much involved in the process of the beans. from the levels of the plant to the roasting of the beans at temps to 400 degrees, and the drying time up to 21 days...this was fascinating to me, thanks for the opportunity to read this...i also learned that my favorite is foglifter...lol
Amanda said…
I learned that farmers have to constantly move the beans to ensure uniform drying

Sweetlikecandy1688 at gmail dot com
Amanda said…
Tweeted

https://twitter.com/MandyPie1/status/261705332462596096

John said…
I did not realize that coffee beans are always on the move during the drying period...Or that the swelled during the roasting period..Now I know why coffee is so good..
Anonymous said…
I just visited the Millstone coffee site and read it as my own morning coffee is brewing! I learned a lot, the most surprising to me is that elevation affects acidity, who knew?
g7s22 said…
I didn't know that coffee was picked by hand.
Dorcas said…
The higher up on the tree the more acidic the coffee. Dorcas tndzimm@verizon.net
Anonymous said…
Coffee bean are hand picked to ensure beans are picked at optium ripness. They apear cherry color when mature.

Cristi
ecaulbach@earthlink.net
Anonymous said…
Shared on Facebook

Cristi
ecaulbach@earthlink.net
Unknown said…
It takes 7 to 21 days to dry the beans.
Unknown said…
Tweet!
https://twitter.com/proudyaya04/status/261821639975657472
Unknown said…
Shared on FB
http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=429604630421446&id=100003197598883
Anonymous said…
i learned that it takes 2-4 years for the master tasters to develop their taste in order to identify the best brewed coffee. knightsforchrist@gmail.com
Anonymous said…
I've learned the higher the beans grow, the more acidic they will be.
Hope I win..
Anonymous said…
just left a comment forgot my email
shortyannone@msn.com
I also love your website.
thx
Anonymous said…
I didn't know that it can take almost 3 weeks to dry the beans.
Maren Z said…
I didn't know that it comes in the from of a red bean.
Austin Heape said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Matt Ferrell said…
Daily tweet:
https://twitter.com/Matt_Ferrell/status/261847389869060096

animasou @ comcast . net
Austin Heape said…
tweet
https://twitter.com/austinheape/status/261853338541359105

AMHookahReviews@gmail.com
Realia Mazing said…
i learned coffee beans are hand picked so as to not damage the plant

daniellex at gmail dot com
Realia Mazing said…
tweeted - https://twitter.com/RealiaMazing/status/261858339733004289

daniellex at gmail dot com
aaltw_515 said…
I learned that the higher elevation the bean grows the higher the acidic the bean becomes.
sethandtjay@yahoo.com
aaltw_515 said…
I tweeted as @amyabram1 here is the link
https://twitter.com/amyabram1/status/261892697999163393

sethandtjay@yahoo.com
Telly said…
I didn't know that coffee berries are red and look like cherries! Yum!
csheatz@gmail.com
Carol said…
I learned that during the roasting process, the coffee bean doubles in size. Please enter me in the contest!
Nathan Oprea said…
The bean swells to twice its size during the roasting process..
Anonymous said…
I learned the beans are all hand picked to protect the trees. What a job!

nanook166@hotmail.com
Elizabeth said…

There is only a few minutes of time difference between a lightly roasted bean and a dark one.

efchildress@gmail.com
Matt Ferrell said…
Daily tweet:
https://twitter.com/Matt_Ferrell/status/262209337798303744

animasou @ comcast . net
susan said…
Drying takes 7-21 days.
semikle at yahoo dot com
Unknown said…
It takes 7 to 21 days, depending on the climate to dry the beans! That seems like a long time.
aaltw_515 said…
my daily tweet

https://twitter.com/amyabram1/status/262359261328318464

sethandtjay at yahoo dot com
Paula Davenport said…
I learned that coffee beans are hand picked and that only a few moments separate the roast blends.
Anonymous said…
Facebooked =)

reneehgmeals@yahoo.com
SunnyC said…
I learned that the Coffee Beans are picked when they are a Beautiful Red Cherry Color.
What a Wonderful Giveaway!!! If I win this, I am going to give it to my Husband for a Gift!!! :-)
Anonymous said…
I learned that ripe coffee beans are red much like a red cherry AND REALLY NOT LIKE a bean.
**katiebug** said…
The higher the elevation the more acidic the beans will be.
**katiebug** said…
Twitter:

https://twitter.com/myownkatiebug/status/262548651530932224
**katiebug** said…
Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/mary.d.plummer/posts/360404594051598
Holly said…
The higher the bean grows, the more acidic they will be.
basicsadie at gmail dot com.
Matt Ferrell said…
Daily tweet:
https://twitter.com/Matt_Ferrell/status/262576216622641152

animasou @ comcast . net
Andi said…
I learned that a the coffee bean came from a fruit. Pretty amazing!
Heather said…
I learned that coffee beans start out as fruit! Guess I live a sheltered life, LOL.
Heather said…
I tweeted:
https://twitter.com/railroadwife05/status/262620871754149888
Amanda Thompson said…
I learned that the drying of the beans can take anywhere from 7 to 21 days, depending on the weather conditions.

adb6{at}humboldt{dot}edu
Anonymous said…
The higher elevation the beans grow, the more acidic they are.

Julie
Chickfilamom At comcast Dot net
aaltw_515 said…
My daily tweet

https://twitter.com/amyabram1/status/262720949550469120
Candace M. said…
The coffee berry..never knew
candyo0217@hotmail.com
Amy said…
500 pounds of green coffee beans are roasted at a time. That's a lot of beans! the7pearsons@yahoo.com
Anonymous said…
I learned the beans are hand picked. Never knew that fun fact:)
Melissa
melissa.rippeon@gmail.com
Unknown said…
I learned that the higher the beans grow the more acidic they will be.

shopgurl101 at gmail dot com
Unknown said…
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/shopgurl/status/262760796914872320

shopgurl101 at gmail dot com
Unknown said…
shared on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luvmakeup/posts/366749866745529

shopgurl101 at gmail dot com
I learned the beans are quickly cooled with a touch of moisture at just the right moment. This halts the roasting process just as the desired flavor character is achieved.
Cindy G.
cglasford_maloof@yahoo.com
I also shared this giveaway on my facebook page.
I would absolutely love to win this giveaway!!
Cindy G
cglasford_maloof@yahoo.com
I learned a LOT about coffee ...but was surprised to learn elevation affects the acidity of coffee beans.
I tweeted about this great giveaway.
I shared this giveaway on my FaceBook also.
AubreyLaine said…
I learned that elevation affects acidity.
family74014 at gmail dot com
Casey Blondeau said…
I had no idea that coffe beans came from what they call a cherry! I always thought they they were originally brown...lol. That is awesome. I love having a cup of coffee in the morning, it wakes up my senses. My mom has this coffe maker and I love it! I would love to have one of my own.

I have also posted a tweet to my twitter page @caseyblonde and my facebook page www.faceboook.com/casey.blondeau

email address: caseybnola@hotmail.com
Lynn B said…
The coffee cherry fruit changes from green to yellow and then to bright red! I had NO IDEA!
lynnbulk83 at yahoo
Lynn B said…
tweet
https://twitter.com/lynnlynnbobin/status/262949107985952768
lynnbulk83 at yahoo
Lynn B said…
FB share
http://www.facebook.com/lynn.bulk/posts/421732961213268
fingers crossed!
lynnbulk83 at yahoo
Jesse said…
I had no idea that coffee was cherry's before they are processed into what we drink!
Jesse said…
tweet
https://twitter.com/jessebfit/status/262973269148319744
jessebfit at yahoo
thanks for the giveaway!
Anonymous said…
What an informative website! I didn't know several things that was mention on there. The one that was most interesting to me was the fact that the higher the beans grow....the more acidic they become!

I'd love to win this great giveaway....thanks for the chance!

freeatlast(at)comporium(dot)net
Anonymous said…
I posted this to my FB page.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/doris.styles.henson

freeatlast(at)comporium(dot)net
Heather K said…
The higher the altitude the higher the acidity of the bean.
Crystal said…
I learned that altitude affects the flavor and acidity of the beans!
Crystal said…
I tweeted! @oneandonlycp
aaltw_515 said…
my daily tweet

https://twitter.com/amyabram1/status/263081644968263681

sethandtjay@yahoo.com
Anonymous said…
I learned that Milestone does not use any synthetic pesticides or chemicals to maintain the high level of biodiversity in the regions where coffee is grown. Thanks! Would love to try it! Michelle jm_pilarsh@yahoo.com
kskitchen said…
I learned that the coffee bean is inside a shell to protect it.
Unknown said…
Drying a bean takes anywhere from 7-21 days. wow.
Amy Lynn said…
Higher temperatures in the lower elevations can
accelerate the drying process.
Drying can take anywhere from 7 to 21 days, depending on the weather conditions.
amylynnbee22 at gmail
Amy Lynn said…
https://twitter.com/Amylynnbee22/status/263251949166682112
amylynnbee22 at gmail
Amy Lynn said…
facebook share
https://www.facebook.com/amy.lynn.2222/posts/259707564151687
amylynnbee22 at gmail
Thanks for the AWESOME Giveaway!!!
mombrighteyes said…
The coffee bean comes from a red fruit.
meredith m said…
I learned that the higher the bean grows, the more acidic it becomes
meredith m said…
tweeted https://twitter.com/mermont84/status/263293202990264320
meredith m said…
I shared on fb https://www.facebook.com/meredith.montgomery.98/posts/474447849267305
Shonna Severson said…
I learned that the coffee beans are much smaller before the roasting process, they grow up to 2 times their original size.
Anonymous said…
Who knew coffee beans started out red and that they were grown at a very specific altitude between 2000-6000 feet. I would love to make this Keurig Elite coffee maker a welcome addition to my kitchen. I could replace the instant coffee I drink every morning!
Terri

TERRI.PILES@HOTMAIL.COM
Anonymous said…
I posted a link to the drawing on my Facebook page!

TERRI.PILES@HOTMAIL.COM
Unknown said…
I didn't know that the coffee bean came from a fruit...traceyjason7@gmail.com
Anonymous said…
I wasn't aware that coffee beans were grown based on altitude. Also, while I knew some of the different roast types, I didn't realize that so much care and precise work was put into developing each blend. That it was grown inside of a fruit was probably my biggest surprise. Their slideshow truly was a learning experience! Thank you for posting it!

johnroche87@gmail.com
Diane said…
Beans are handpicked!

Thanks!
dianebyrd at triad dot rr dot com
Betsy said…
I learned that when you dry coffee beans it can take 7 to 21 days
Betsy said…
Tweet: https://twitter.com/betsy5454/status/263333785037320192
Anonymous said…
I posted the entry on my facebook wall, tagging you, as well as the twitter entry @ https://twitter.com/johnroche87!
the higher the beans grow the more acidic they will be
Kelly said…
I had no idea that they are hand-picked! amazing, that is ALOT of work! Thanks, always love learning new things! ♥
justmanette said…
I didn't know the bean swells to twice its size and then secrets coffee oil.
Jac said…
The higher the beans grow the more acidic they become.
Jac said…
I've tweeted the giveaway - http://bit.ly/TlFra2 @jacmomof6
Jac said…
Shared on my facebook - http://www.facebook.com/jaclyn.finkbeiner/posts/297072410406388
teena3940 said…
Our master roasters have the art of roasting down to a science Temps in excess of 400F
Anonymous said…
There is only a few minutes difference between a light and dark roasted bean. Very interesting site!

jkatabi@yahoo.com
teena3940 said…
I tweeted.
https://twitter.com/teena3940/status/263354267191099392
teena3940 said…
I posted on my fb page..
https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/tinacm1/posts/506995902653515
Jeanne Dillon said…
Did not know that the beans grew inside a fruit.
Cool!
sharidandillon @ yahoo.com
Anonymous said…
The coffee beans are red when picked.
karen said…
Like most people here, I learned a lot. I think the fact that it is a fruit was the most unexpected. Millstone hazelnut is my favorite coffee.
Andraya Chapman said…
I learned that coffee beans are hand picked, roasted and then blended and tested for excellence. Also that coffee is a fruit.
Shelley said…
The higher the beans grow the more acidic they are.
shelley@groundbeefbudget.com
Anonymous said…
I learned that coffe beans come from a fruit, did not know that! I also learned that the process of picking to roasting Millstone coffee is very hands on!
Unknown said…
Beans become more acidic the higher they grow.
Donna said…
I learned that there is only a few minutes difference in roasting time between a light and dark flavored bean..... I love my Keurig, in fact I use it so much, its time for a new one :)
Unknown said…
I tweeted this give away. Autumn2627.
Unknown said…
I also shared on facebook.
Donna said…
I learned that there is only a few minutes difference in roasting time between light and dark roasts..... I love my Keurig...... In fact, we use it so much, its time for a new one :) Will share info on Facebook...... Thanks for the contest.
Donna said…
I learned that there is only a few minutes difference in roasting time between a light and dark flavored bean..... I love my Keurig, in fact I use it so much, its time for a new one :)
Cheryl V, said…
I learned that higher temperatures in lower elevations can accelerate dry process
crosson47@hotmail.com
aaltw_515 said…
my daily tweet..
https://twitter.com/amyabram1/status/263448797823266816

sethandtjay@yahoo.com
twistedfeathers said…
I did not know that the bean was inside the fruit and picked when bright red. Very interesting site, watched the whole thing, learned a lot and will be more selective when purchasing coffee. Thank you posted of FB.
Unknown said…
coffee beans are crimson red when they are picked. I always thought they were brown!
Unknown said…
https://twitter.com/misaacmom/status/263491481287938048
Ellen said…
I learned from the Millstone site that the average temp of their growing fields is 74 degrees. I was born in 1974 so this fact stuck!

My email for contest purposes is etrets at gmail dot com.
Ellen said…
Tweeted! @etrets
Ellen said…
Shared on my facebook page:
www.facebook.com/etrets
aaltw_515 said…
my daily tweet

https://twitter.com/amyabram1/status/263810920873095168

sethandtjay@yahoo.com
Stacy said…
The higher the beans grow, The higher the beans grow, the more acidic they will be.

Gingeroo616 at AOL dotcom
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