Â鶹ӰÊÓ

Lifestyle

    • Alaska Airlines has created a coffee that it says tastes better in the sky

    Share
    NEW YORK -

    Drinking bad coffee is just one of the many downsides of flying. Alaska Airlines thinks it has a solution.

    Alaska has created a custom blend with Portland-based roaster Stumptown to make a coffee that's immune from the altitude-changing effects that airborne-served coffee typically creates, including tasting bitter and weak.

    The custom coffee, a first for a major airline, will exclusively be served on every Alaska flight, including its regional carrier Horizon Air, by December 1.

    Taste and smell are inextricably combined and people's sense of smell is significantly altered in the sky. Food and drinks taste different because pressurized cabins lower blood oxygen levels, which reduces the ability of olfactory receptors (i.e. the ability to smell). The extremely dry air of the cabin, with its humidity levels lower than that of the Sahara Desert, also affects the nose.

    To combat those effects, Alaska turned to Stumptown's Holler Mountain, a medium-dark blend, for the base, then infused it with punchier notes that taste like marshmallows, browned butter and toffee as well as a "delicate hint" of citrus oils and cherry essence. As a result, the coffee's notes have a more "complex" taste when consumed in the air.

    The coffee has been in development for a year, with the airline telling CNN that 20 different versions were tested, including during flights and with blind surveys. Alaska even taste-tested the blend with creamer and Biscoff cookies to "ensure the best combination."

    However, the freshly brewed partnership with Stumptown means that Alaska is ending its decade-long partnership with fellow Seattle-based coffee company, Starbucks. Alaska said it is "grateful to our friends at Starbucks and proud to have served their coffee on board our flights for years." (Delta Air Lines, which has a major hub in Seattle, still serves Starbucks on its flights).

    "Airplane coffee is often a joke for many travellers," Edward Russell, editor of the Airline Weekly newsletter for travel industry publication Skift, told CNN. "That's why airlines often try to up their game with various global coffee brands; despite that, most onboard options are mediocre."

    He added that he doubts the custom coffee will attract new customers to the airline, but the new partnership with Stumptown "looks more like what the airline does best," which is boost businesses from the Pacific Northwest. Other regional companies served on Alaska include Tillamook cheeses, Salt & Straw ice cream and Straightaway canned cocktails.

    CTVNews.ca Top Stories

    Vigars passed away peacefully in a B.C. hospital earlier this week. He was 78.

    A British Columbia First Nation says at least 55 children died or disappeared while attending a residential school near Williams Lake, more than triple the number recorded for the institution in the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation memorial register.

    5 things not to say to a grieving friend

    It’s almost impossible to know what to say to someone in the throes of grief. We all want to say something comforting. Very few of us know what that is.

    Two young men are facing second-degree murder charges in connection with the fatal fire in Old Montreal that killed Léonor Geraudie, 43, and her daughter Vérane Reynaud-Geraudie on Oct. 4.

    A woman from Montreal's South Shore appeared in court on Friday on charges of aggravated assault after allegedly scalding a 10-year-old boy with boiling water more than one week ago.

    The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a recall for Rana brand Tagliatelle Seasoned White Chicken and Mushroom sauce, citing possible Listeria contamination.

    Sometimes love is written in the stars, but for one couple, it’s written in the aurora borealis.

    Canada

    • Sometimes love is written in the stars, but for one couple, it’s written in the aurora borealis.

    • A multiple vehicle collision took place Saturday morning on Hwy. 101 in Nova Scotia.

    • Two young men are facing second-degree murder charges in connection with the fatal fire in Old Montreal that killed Léonor Geraudie, 43, and her daughter Vérane Reynaud-Geraudie on Oct. 4.

    • The event took place on Saturday at Willkommen Platz in downtown Kitchener.

    • Vigars passed away peacefully in a B.C. hospital earlier this week. He was 78.

    • A British Columbia First Nation says at least 55 children died or disappeared while attending a residential school near Williams Lake, more than triple the number recorded for the institution in the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation memorial register.

    World

    Politics

    Health

    • The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a recall for Rana brand Tagliatelle Seasoned White Chicken and Mushroom sauce, citing possible Listeria contamination.

    • A Montreal study found that many seniors are being overprescribed inappropriate medications.

    Sci-Tech

    Entertainment

    Business

    Lifestyle

    • 5 things not to say to a grieving friend

      It’s almost impossible to know what to say to someone in the throes of grief. We all want to say something comforting. Very few of us know what that is.

    • James Taylor never expected to be walking home with a bag full of groceries he didn't buy.

    Sports

    Autos

    • Elon Musk unveils his 'Cybercab' robotaxi

      Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled on Thursday his vision of a 'a fun, exciting future,' an 'age of abundance' full of his company’s self-driving cars without steering wheels, parking lots turned into parks and robots that will walk among the population – that he once again promised would be available within a few years.

    • video

      video

      Dozens of cars were pulled out of the Detroit River in west Windsor on Tuesday, causing many questions for Windsorites.

    Local Spotlight

    James Taylor never expected to be walking home with a bag full of groceries he didn't buy.

    This weekend marks the fifth anniversary of a large blizzard that paralyzed Manitoba.

    There was an eye-catching mix of rainbows and lightning over Vancouver following a brief downpour this week.

    Jeff Warner from Aidie Creek Gardens in the northern Ontario community of Englehart has a passion for growing big pumpkins and his effort is paying off in more ways than one.

    Saskatchewan’s Jessica Campbell has made hockey history, becoming the first ever female assistant coach in the National Hockey League (NHL).

    Have you ever seen videos of hovercrafts online or on TV and thought, 'Wow, I wish I could ride one of those.' One Alberta man did, and then built his own.

    A B.C. couple is getting desperate – and creative – in their search for their missing dog.

    Videos of a meteor streaking across the skies of southern Ontario have surfaced and small bits of the outer space rock may have made it to land, one astronomy professor says.

    A unique form of clouds made an appearance over the skies of Ottawa on Sunday evening.

    • Ever since a cougar made its way from the mainland to the island almost three months ago, the community’s social media pages have been awash with questions about sightings, sounds and strange goings on. Some residents have posted warnings of deer carcasses spotted on the side of the road; others have described hearing strange caterwauling in the night.

    • Two people were injured – one seriously – and a suspect is in custody after a stabbing in New Westminster Friday evening.

    • A BC NDP campaign office in Campbell River received a bomb threat Friday afternoon, according to the party.

    • Toronto police are investigating after a Jewish girls' school in North York was hit by gunfire for the second time this year.

    • Police have closed Highway 401 in Whitby due to a collision.

    • Parents at some private, for-profit daycares across the GTA are being warned that their fees could soon be doubling as operators consider pulling out of the national $10-a-day child-care program.

    • Calgary Public Library (CPL) locations closed early on Friday following a cyber attack.

    • Young LGBTQ newcomers to Canada are expressing themselves through art in a new exhibition at the University of Calgary.

    • After a slow start, the Wranglers fought back before falling to the Abbotsford Canucks 4-3 in their home opener Friday night at the Saddledome.

    • Firefighters help to rescue a person that fell over through the sidewalk into a ventilation shaft in downtown Ottawa on Saturday.

    • Ontario Provincial Police are investigating after was found dead in a single all-terrain vehicle (ATV) crash.

    • CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at what's open and closed in Ottawa over the Thanksgiving weekend.

    • Two young men are facing second-degree murder charges in connection with the fatal fire in Old Montreal that killed Léonor Geraudie, 43, and her daughter Vérane Reynaud-Geraudie on Oct. 4.

    • For months, Premier Francois Legault has said Quebec has too many people crossing the border and has demanded that the federal government step in to send them to other provinces.

    • Spiders are larger and more visible in the Montreal area in the fall as they prepare to lay their eggs before the cold winter months.

    • A man's death is under investigation after he was found critically injured on the LRT foot path near the High Level Bridge on Friday night.

    • Â鶹ӰÊÓ Edmonton spoke with two families, as well as Edmonton's public and Catholic school divisions, about the first month of school with Alberta's school cellphone ban.

    • A pedestrian was killed and a man was arrested after a suspected impaired driving crash on Highway 39 east of Leduc early Saturday morning.

    • Halifax Regional Police located a person of interest in relation to a homicide.

    • A multiple vehicle collision took place Saturday morning on Hwy. 101 in Nova Scotia.

    • More than a month after the murder of Nova Scotia woman Esther Jones, her family continues to grapple with the loss.

    • Two Winnipeggers have been arrested after images and videos were posted online of animals being tortured and killed.

    • A 37-year-old Winnipeg man has been charged with multiple offences after videos filmed in a public pool change room were seized by police.

    • Tec Voc has started 6-0 – leading the AAA division as the only undefeated team.

    • White Butte RCMP and local fire services are responding to a fertilizer spill on Highway 46 and the overpass near Balgonie, Sask. on Saturday afternoon.

    • There is a lot on the line in Saturday’s matchup between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and BC Lions as a Rider win will secure them a home playoff game.

    • Regina will vote for a new mayor, city council and public and separate school board trustees on Nov. 13.

    • Days after flames ripped through three units of the Mohawk Plaza, the club is still coming to terms with the loss.

    • The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a recall for Rana brand Tagliatelle Seasoned White Chicken and Mushroom sauce, citing possible Listeria contamination.

    • The Ontario Provincial Police West Region Highway Safety Division, Traffic Incident Management Enforcement Team and the Ministry of Finance were involved in a joint forces operation on Thursday.

    • The leaders of Saskatchewan’s two major political parties are sharing their plans to tackle the growing homelessness crisis.

    • The Saskatchewan New Democratic Party laid out its platform on Friday, ahead of the Oct. 28 provincial election.

    • Vigars passed away peacefully in a B.C. hospital earlier this week. He was 78.

    • The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a recall for Rana brand Tagliatelle Seasoned White Chicken and Mushroom sauce, citing possible Listeria contamination.

    • The Mustangs made quick work of Toronto in a rare Friday night OUA Football game.

    • OPP are investigating a single-vehicle collision in Caledon early Saturday morning that resulted in the death of the driver.

    • 13-year-old Jackson Fuller is attempting to set the record for most miles travelled in an ATV within 24 hours this weekend, chasing it by lapping around the Orillia & District Agricultural Society (ODAS) Park circuit outside Orillia.

    • OPP continue to investigate a multi-vehicle crash that occurred midday Saturday in the City of Kawartha Lakes, resulting in five needing treatment for various injuries.

    • With the arrival of Thanksgiving weekend, food banks and shelters in Windsor are reminding people that not everyone in our community will be able to have a turkey dinner with their family.

    • The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a recall for Rana brand Tagliatelle Seasoned White Chicken and Mushroom sauce, citing possible Listeria contamination.

    • Vigars passed away peacefully in a B.C. hospital earlier this week. He was 78.

    • A BC NDP campaign office in Campbell River received a bomb threat Friday afternoon, according to the party.

    • Ever since a cougar made its way from the mainland to the island almost three months ago, the community’s social media pages have been awash with questions about sightings, sounds and strange goings on. Some residents have posted warnings of deer carcasses spotted on the side of the road; others have described hearing strange caterwauling in the night.

    • A theft suspect who ran into traffic in an attempt to escape Victoria police Friday afternoon was struck by a civilian vehicle and taken to hospital, police say.

    • Dave Lindsey began growing giant pumpkins to bring a bit of magic to his grandkids' Halloween.

    • A U.S. District Court judge in Montana has sentenced a 27-year-old man from Kelowna, B.C., to 18 months in prison for using fake names to buy guns with the aim of selling them in Canada.

    • Nearly two years after a man was stabbed to death in downtown Kelowna, RCMP have made an arrest in the case.

    • The Vancouver Giants scored late to force overtime before winning 4-3 over the Lethbridge Hurricanes Friday night.

    • If you’re looking for something to do this long weekend, the Lethbridge Corn Maze is open and hosting its annual fundraiser on Monday.

    • Local photographers were amazed by the aurora borealis display in the night sky over Lethbridge on Thursday night.

    • Two people are facing multiple charges after a dead person was brought to North Shore Health Network in Blind River this summer.

    • A closer look at preventing graffiti will be looked at in Sault Ste. Marie, after a string of offensive displays by one man, including spray painting anti-Indigenous language and painting over the pride crosswalk.

    • Even on an average day, the intersection of Highway 17 at Highway 6 near Espanola is busy, but it’s especially steady on a Friday before a long weekend.

    N.L.

    Shopping Trends

    The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at Â鶹ӰÊÓ. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.

    Stay Connected
    Follow Â鶹ӰÊÓ