End of summer updates

Here’s hoping you got the best out of that pool pass, enjoyed every BBQ opportunity, and had a great Pittsburgh summer. We’re very excited about our fall announcements this year!

One of the best things about working with Song Tea is the sourcing pays homage to the farms, the farmers, processing, and the seasonality of the teas. Huang Mudan brilliantly showcases the exciting, pioneering spirit and the intentional craftsmanship required to produce an amazing tea. Freshly picked in the Spring of 2019, it smacks of pineapple, fresh cracked peppercorn, and violet. Try it in store or grab a canister to brew at home. We are sorry to say goodbye to some of last season’s favorites, such as Buddha’s Hand, but make sure to try a cup of Ruby if you’re a devoted fan of experimental oolong teas. We are also happy to announce everyone’s favorite tea, Holy Basil has returned! This season’s tea menu is full of standout options, so come visit and see what’s new.

In addition to some changes in the tea lineup, we’ve got some switches happening at the pastry counter as well. All your favorites are still available, but we are also offering croissants and sandwiches from Madeleine Bakery. Madeleine specializes in freshly baked European breads and beautifully prepared pastries, the Kouign-Amman has been tough to keep in stock! Crustworthy Bakery has been supplying us with delicious sourdough based vegan goodies, made with locally milled flours. Yum!

You may have seen some new bags on the retail shelf lately. If you haven’t tried it yet, you must sample Moden, a roaster based out of Pittsburgh’s east end. Named for the Norwegian word for “ripe,” Moden sources coffees with attention to innovative growing practices, ethical land stewardship, and equitable treatment of workers and farmers. We are pleased to offer these additions to our brewing lineup!

We brew a lot of coffee daily, and it’s been a thorn in our side to see all that lovely, organic matter make it’s way to the trash. Customers are still welcome to get their fill of grounds for their gardens, but we are excited to be pairing up with the Zero Waste Wrangler for regular compost pickups! Our cold cups, lids, and straws are all able to be commercially composted, so feel free to return these to the shop so we can keep them out of landfills. Also, we offer great double-walled ceramic tumblers for hot coffee, so we can all cut down on the paper waste. Thanks for helping us to reduce and reuse! As for recycling, you can always throw your recyclables in the bus tub and we’ll make sure they get directed to the proper bin.

Cheers to a great start to the new season, and we hope to see you soon!

Back to school season!

Hi all! The smell of Maple Spice Lattes and pumpkin pastries wafting through the air has us looking anxiously towards the fall. We have also had a number of diligent Virgos inquire as to what the next drink special would be!

The Virgo process is constantly inquiring how a person can have a positive impact on their environment, or how small steps may lead toward some great work. On a good day, Virgo is the analyst. Give this sign a data set and watch the magic happen. On a bad day, Virgo carries out it's nasty reputation for nit-picking, suggesting improvement in ways that aren't helpful.

Being associated with the Earth element, Virgo prefers things to be natural. In the northern hemisphere, we find ourselves in the season where we must ferment, can, and prepare for the approaching cold. In medical astrology, Virgo is associated with the small intestine.

A recent suggestion from my family (Virgo Headquarters) suggested looking through the archives of the Farmer's Almanac for a Switchel, or Haymaker's Punch recipe. Switchel is a punch made from apple cider vinegar, ginger, molasses and fresh, clean water. This checks all the boxes for a perfect Virgo beverage - detoxifying, includes a fermented ingredient, is good for your gut and includes a little bit of research!

So, cheers to another lovely season, and one I am particularly grateful for, since I seem to find myself surrounded by so many amazing Virgo folks.

August Specials

Our sister cafe, Satellite, is now open! Come visit us 8am to 1pm Monday through Friday and 9am to 2pm on Saturday and Sunday. We are also at the Swissvale Farmer's Market from 9am to 1pm every Saturday. We are fully stocked and ready to serve espresso drinks, drip coffee and iced coffee. We also have assorted snacks and cold-pressed juices. We're still getting comfortable in the space, but once we're done with a few last minute projects we'll expand our menu and our hours. Thanks for the support!

At Constellation, we are continuing our planetary elixir theme with the introduction of our almond granita. Lightly sweet and refreshing, try it paired with an espresso and croissant for a Sicilian-style breakfast treat. The Sun is now located in the domain of Leo the Lion, and represents a time when things are at their peak. Days are long, harvests are abundant, and celebrations are plentiful.

We've chosen almonds and orange blossom water as the flavorings for this snack because both fruits are grown in warm climates and enjoy a storied history. Almonds have long been appreciated as a super food, boosting brain power and lowering blood pressure; oranges represent a gift of sunshine. The shaved ice base acts a balance to all the strong flavors. Leo is sometimes considered "the King of the zodiac" because it is associated with the Sun, the center of our universe. We've all got our little empires to keep running smoothly, so it is our hope that this drink combination makes you feel like royalty - please enjoy it!

Summer Solstice

This Spring was definitely a whirlwind season! We are in the process of opening a second location! Join us at Satellite, our new café and espresso bar. We are hoping to be open by early July – stay tuned on social media @satellitepgh for the latest scoop, and visit us Saturdays at the Swissvale Farmers Market in the Noble Street Parking Lot.

Satellite is located at 7518 Dickson Street, inside Switch and Signal Skatepark. We’re not far from Edgewood Town Center and just a hop, skip and jump away from the Roslyn Street Busway. You are welcome to visit the skatepark, but don't have to skate to enjoy coffee and snacks. We hope to see you soon!

The season of the Crab begins with the summer solstice on the 21st of June. Represented by the moon, Cancer seeks to reflect and be nourished by its environment. This is a time of year when we tend to feel a little more emotionally raw, and need more comfort and support from our surroundings. We feel most safe in our shells, and approach the world with care.

Current events in East Pittsburgh and around the country have been testing our abilities to live our lives with compassion and vulnerability.  Cancer season reminds us to take the time to honor our sensitivity, and so we invite you into our space with a drink designed with watermelon, basil and aloe to soothe and nurture. Watermelon and aloe were chosen for their hydrating and healing qualities – they protect the skin from the sun’s rays. In many cultural traditions, basil is recognized for its strong flavor and said to have the ability to preserve and protect the home and family.

Visit the café to relax, and check out our new refrigerated options – we’ve got sandwiches and snacks from Pittsburgh Sandwich Society, as well as beautifully curated cheese plates from our neighbor, Chantal’s Cheese Shop. The cheeses were selected for their ability to complement and pair well with our coffee. Perfect for a picnic at the Bloomfield Pool!

Double Trouble!

Our June calendar is filling up with plenty of fun happenings, events and announcements!

In addition to our delicious regular menu, stop in for our Gemini season beverage, the Marilyn Monroe! Some may accuse the Gemini archetype of being superficial, but the insatiable curiosity this sign feels leads it to always go further afield. Instead of valuing the consistency and reliability that came along with Taurus season, Gemini resists being tied to the same old routine.

So, in honor of versatility and adaptability, may we please present one drink two ways! We're pulling double shots split into a single espresso and an espresso macchiato. With Gemini being ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication, we know you've got a lot of people to talk to and places to be. This drink only takes a minute to enjoy and then continue on your merry way. We know it's hard to make up your mind, so during Gemini season, two heads are way better than one.

On June 2nd, make sure to stop by the Swissvale Farmers Market to see what the neighborhood has to offer. We will be serving coffee and snacks from 9-1pm. Conveniently located right off the Roslyn street busway.

Maybe you've noticed the new cooler in the corner of the shop? We're working on getting it all stocked up, so let us know what you'd like to see! Friday, June 15th our buds Pittsburgh Sandwich Society will be parked in front of the shop dishing out their amazing food! They'll also be stocking up our fridge with delicious sandwiches and salads. On Friday the 22nd, Lumi Juice will be here from 9 to noon dishing out their amazing products and giving you a chance to sample the good stuff coming out of their kitchen.

June moves fast, but we hope to see you soon!

May events and specials

On April 27th, we are happy to host the Black Bear Club reading series from 6 to 9pm. Six talented writers from across the Eastern US are gathering together to present their works - please check out the linked facebook page for more info.

On May 5th, please join us for another tasty Pop-Up with Threefifty Bakery! From 9 to noon, swing through for biscuit sandwiches, cinnamon buns, and delicious coffee. If you haven't had the opportunity to enjoy Ceremony's Spring Blend, Burundi Masha, or the amazing lineup of coffees from Colombia, you need to visit us ASAP!

Saturday, May 12th, we will be setting up shop at Switch and Signal Skate park. If you haven't visited yet, come by for some coffee and snacks. It's a beautiful and thoughtfully designed space, right off the Roslyn street bus stop. Saturday from 9am to 1pm is the 12&Under session, so parents are welcome to hang out with their lil' rippers on the floor of the park or chill with some coffee and a book! We're stoked!

It's been a lot of fun to create these seasonal drink specials, so thank you for your curiosity and enthusiasm! Swing by this month to try our Taurus-inspired beverage. Each sign is an answer to it's predecessor, and with all the pushing and motivated action of Aries season, Taurus the Bull reminds us how to take a break. To channel that mood, we're going herbal this month.

Attempting to determine how to make the best of our resources, the Bull ruminates. To encourage thoughtfulness, we've made a sage tea syrup as our drink base. This also includes lavender, blackberry leaf, and nettle to encourage that feeling of freshness and earthiness the Bull loves. Each sign of the zodiac has a planetary affinity or two, something that resonates well with the feeling of the time. For Taurus, that planet is Venus. We've chosen Venusian fruits, peaches and mangoes, to accompany this drink mix and add some color and creaminess. We top it off with some sprinkles of chili to help break through any feelings of lethargy.

Cheers to a lovely and relaxing season!

Welcoming the Spring season!

We are excited to see the weather beginning to turn, and to say hello to the Spring season. This weekend, we will be closing at 1pm on April 1st to relax and steal a little family time. Thanks for your understanding!

I'd like to introduce our next series of drink specials. This series will encompass elements of the astrological season and our love of drink building to help you make the most of the meaning of the time. Aries, the first sign of the zodiac and harbinger of the astrological new year, is known for it's ability to start fresh. Like a seed seeking to sprout, the season of the ram provides a primal knowledge that time for action is now, though the direction may not be entirely clear.  Meet our new Aries-inspired beverage - The Marlon Brando!

To please the warrior of the zodiac, we're including beet for endurance, but also for it's frank flavor profile. Aries are known for their "take it or leave it" attitude, and beets have no pretense about their earthy complexity. We add a shot of espresso, for focus, and almond milk for balance. We introduced some cardamom, for circulation to soothe an aching head. We're also throwing in some stevia, because the stressful pulse of the Aries lifestyle will make anyone need some sweet leaves in their life! At it's finest, Aries is the hero or protector, and we created this drink in the beautiful color red to fuel your passions, boost your confidence and help you champion others in true Aries spirit.

Please come through and enjoy this wonderful new drink special!

March Events!

Hey everyone! Thanks for a lovely holiday season and start to 2018. We have lots of great things planned for the Spring and will be so excited to share them with you.

Friday through this weekend, March 8-10, we are participating in Planned Parenthood's Power of the Purchase event. We will be donating all proceeds from sales of straight espresso to Planned Parenthood. Our house espresso, Destroyer, is not only absolutely delicious with notes of milk chocolate and orange peel, it is the perfect fuel for smashing all that remains of patriarchal authority! :0) In 2017, Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania saw 17,512 patients. Your espresso consumption will help folks in need of reliable health care get the exams and testing they deserve. Cheers!

If that isn't enough of a reason to come see us this weekend, our bakers Threefifty will be dishing up hot breakfast from 9 to noon on Saturday. Come through for a savory biscuit sandwich or hand pie!! We hope to see you soon!!