by Maggie Radzwiller 
It made perfect sense to me when I heard that Dean & DeLuca had partnered their coffee program to feature the seasonal varietals offered by Counter Culture Coffee. Both companies are known for uncompromising standards of quality and perfection – as well as having a lot of fun doing their job!
Most importantly for me is that Counter Culture Coffee happens to be “my home team”. It was here in Durham, North Carolina that the sustainable and community-based coffee company started in 1995. As far as I could tell, Counter Culture Coffee could have just as easily been called “Coffee with a Conscience”. How many companies actually care abut the impact that growing, cultivating and developing fields have upon wildlife in the region? How many companies want their farmers to be treated like rock stars instead of taking the praise and merely shielding the growers’ identities?
Fast forward to the present. Fifteen years later, when most companies can rest on their reputations, the bar is raised for both Counter Culture Coffee and Dean & DeLuca. Mark Daley, CEO of Dean & DeLuca succinctly put it, “Once you stop trying to be the best, you’ll fail.”
In addition to being able to stop in to one of their locations for the best cup of coffee that you’ve ever had, you’ll be able to buy both fresh and pre-bagged beans. For those of you who don’t live near a Dean & DeLuca, no worries – the seasonal varietals are available on the website.
If you’re truly a coffee junkie add a shot of Counter Culture Coffee to your favorite ketchup or BBQ sauce (like the Dean & DeLuca Black Truffle Barbeque Sauce). You can also add finely ground coffee to your favorite steak seasoning or blends such as the Dean & DeLuca Moroccan Rub.
Enjoy this original recipe.
Ndaroini-Nyeri Single Lot Lava Cakes
This recipe works best if you have a coffee press pot or an espresso machine.
-Six 4-oz. soufflé cups
- 2 shots of Counter Culture Coffee Ndaroini Nyeri Single Lot Coffee made in an espresso machine or 3 oz. press pot coffee
- 13 oz. of Dean & Deluca’s best bittersweet chocolate
- 1⁄2 c. sugar
- 1⁄4 c. of room temperature unsalted butter
- 1⁄3 + 1 T. all-purpose flour
Prepare the coffee. Place the chocolate in a bowl and melt in the microwave or in the top of a double boiler. Stir until smooth and set aside.
Stir the coffee in to the chocolate to combine. In a separate bowl whisk the sugar and butter until smooth. Whisk in the eggs, one at a time until well combined. Add the flour. Stir only enough to moisten the flour. Stir in the coffee chocolate mixture until smooth.
Divide the batter in to the soufflé cups. Bake in the center of your oven for 12 minutes, until the edges just begin to form a crust but with the center slightly loose in the center.
Turn them upside down and serve immediately with slightly sweetened whipped cream.
Maggie Radzwiller is a nationally-recognized chef and restaurant veteran known for thinking outside the box. For nearly 25 years, she has worked in everything culinary managing and operating restaurants from coast to coast. She currently owns Comfort Cuisine, a personal chef and catering company in Durham, North Carolina and acts as the in-house chef for Lowcountry Produce. Maggie has been recognized in The New York Times, Southern Living, Esquire Magazine, Bon Appetit, Food & Wine and USA Today. John Mariani of Esquire Magazine says, “What Maggie Radzwiller doesn’t know about the restaurant business isn’t worth knowing.” Browse Timeline
Comments ( 7 )
I went to graduate school in Chapel Hill, so I am very familiar with Counter Culture. I now live in NYC and I am happy to know that I can get those great beans at Dean& Deluca!
Anonymous added these pithy words on Jun 19 09 at 12:02 pm Loved the blog !!!
I'm a true coffee junkie and drink Counter Culture every day its the best.
Would be grate to hear more about Counter Culture and the things they do for the wildlife & environment it may inspire other companies to get a conscience. thanks …Patrick
Anonymous added these pithy words on Jun 19 09 at 1:47 pm As a long time Counter Culture enthusiast, I really enjoyed this article. How wonderful that two great companies have found eachother.
James
Anonymous added these pithy words on Jun 19 09 at 2:09 pm Great article! I have long been a fan of Counter Culture coffees. They really are a company with a conscience. — HNHG
Anonymous added these pithy words on Jun 19 09 at 5:38 pm As a real coffee lover, but not that familiar with Counter Culture, I enjoyed the history of the company and it's founding principles. Can't wait to give it a try. The lava cake sounds amazing!
glen
Anonymous added these pithy words on Jun 19 09 at 10:29 pm Dean & Delucca have always prided themselves on top quality. It's interesting to see them associated with Counter Culture Coffee, another top quality company.
Anonymous added these pithy words on Jun 20 09 at 6:47 pm The recipe at the end of the article was a good touch to finish the blog. Nice touch.
Anonymous added these pithy words on Jun 21 09 at 10:52 am 
