Month: September 2016

Doritos now have a place in your vampire-hunting kit beside the wooden stakes and holy water. According to CNET, Frito-Lay has developed a new garlic variety of the classic chip for their Japanese market.

While the black color of the garlic pepper Doritos might appeal to Dracula, their funky flavor certainly would not. One bite of these chips transforms snackers into walking vampire repellant. And in case the theme wasn’t clear from the taste and look of the junk food, the packaging makes it apparent: a silhouette of a vampire snarls against a black background while bats swarm over the spooky scene beneath him.

The new Doritos aren’t the only vampire-themed food to come out of Japan this Halloween season. A fast food chain in the region recently introduced a cheeseburger with a monstrous bacon “tongue” served inside a cardboard coffin box.

[h/t CNET]

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Americans have an intimate relationship with their coffee. It’s the drink that gets them going, the first hit of flavor in their day. It’s the steaming (or iced) cup that sets the tone for what’s to follow. And at a time when tastes have evolved past watery, gets-the-job-done brews into the bold, the origin-specific, and the fair trade certified, it had better be good. With so many interesting coffee roasters out there, including many who have set up shop in just the past few years, selecting the best one in each state was quite difficult. We researched our picks carefully, with an eye for detail that honors the studious methods of coffee innovators across the country.

1. ALABAMA // MAMA MOCHA’S COFFEE EMPORIUM & ROASTERS

Location: Auburn, Alabama

Take it from the caffeinated college crowd, who’ve left one rapturous review after another for this roaster and café: Mama Mocha’s makes the best coffee around. Owner Sarah Barnett Gill and her team get extra credit for blends that are both well crafted and highly eclectic, like Dawn of the Dead, a house roast with an extra caffeine jolt, and the whiskey-infused Black Moonshine.

2. ALASKA // KALADI BROTHERS COFFEE

Location: Anchorage, Alaska

In coffee-obsessed Alaska, Kaladi Brothers stays ahead of the curve with stringent quality standards and a splash of ingenuity. The company, which operates 13 cafes and began in 1986 as a roadside stand, selects only organic, shade-grown beans, then air roasts them—a process that many prefer for its clean, uniform flavor. With more than a million pounds of beans roasted each year, Kaladi offers plenty of fuel for those long, cold winters.

3. ARIZONA // CARTEL COFFEE LAB

Location: Tempe, Arizona

Cartel’s methods are no secret: Just stop by their Tempe warehouse for a tour, or browse their website for ratios and other nitty gritty details. Transparency aside, Cartel’s sophisticated roasting process isn’t easily duplicated. The same goes for its direct sourcing program and stringent barista training, which suffers no slouches. Taken together, Cartel’s process has helped the roaster and café become one of Arizona’s premier coffee destinations.

4. ARKANSAS // ONYX COFFEE LAB

Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas

A region best known for big companies like Wal-Mart and Tyson might not seem like the ideal place to roast small-batch coffee by hand. But Onyx has found an enthusiastic audience in Fayetteville, who come for their daily cup and for special events like roasting classes and an annual barista throw-down. Onyx prizes unique tasting notes like “mulled wine” and “brouléed grapefruit.” And true to its name, it’s a laboratory for experimental roasts, like micro-lot Ethiopian varietals and beans roasted with lactic acid.

5. CALIFORNIA // FOUR BARREL COFFEE

Location: San Francisco, California

What does it take to be the best roaster in hip, caffeinated California? Start with a sourcing team that spends most months on the road seeking out the best beans from Africa, South America, and beyond. Then, using a vintage German roaster, turn out light, flavorful coffee that draws long lines of customers all hours of the day. In addition to mind-blowing coffee, Four Barrel offers classes like a “Water Quality Seminar” aimed at making you a better at-home brewer.

6. COLORADO // BOXCAR COFFEE ROASTERS

Location: Boulder, Colorado

The Rocky Mountain state has seen a boom in coffee roasters over the past few years. But Boxcar has a secret weapon: a refurbished 1929 Gothot Ideal Rapid roaster from Germany. The nearly century-old workhorse turns out beans that have garnered many a loyal patron in Boulder and throughout the country. To bring out the full flavor in every cup, Boxcar employs a special boiling method in its two cafes that utilizes custom-made flasks. It’s old school meets new school, with very flavorful results.

7. CONNECTICUT // J. RENÉ

Location: West Hartford, Connecticut

Proprietor José René Martínez Onofre thinks he might have actually tasted his first cup of coffee before he learned to walk. That early love affair led him to open his first shop in West Hartford in 2012, an “artisanal coffee gathering place” that’s as much a social hub as a java shop. Martínez is fanatical about bean sourcing and brewing techniques—French Press as well as Chemex pour-overs—which is probably why he’s earned rave reviews since he first unlocked his doors.

8. DELAWARE // NOTTING HILL COFFEE

Location: Lewes, Delaware

Notting Hill owner Amy Felker keeps her coffee roaster in the front window of her café in Lewes, but it’s not much of a distraction: she roasts most of her annual 40,000 pounds of coffee at night. Felker’s obsession with coffee is all-encompassing: she deals in flavored beans, often derided by coffee purists, and has found that some self-mixed concoctions wind up being her biggest sellers. (One tastes like a certain nautical-themed breakfast cereal.) The blends are also available via mail-order.

9. FLORIDA // PANTHER COFFEE

Location: Miami, Florida

Panther’s reputation for an excellent cup has done more than expand their Miami-area footprint: their coffee is known all over the country. Locals can walk into their storefronts and get information sheets about growers; beans are available online. Not bad for a business that started serving cold brews out of a food truck.

10. GEORGIA // COOL BEANS COFFEE ROASTERS

Location: Marietta, Georgia

A “Best of Atlanta” winner in 2015, Cool Beans tackles more than 40 different varieties of coffee in a roaster they’ve dubbed Big Red. And if you can’t make it in to sip your selection on their outdoor patio, the roasts are also offered via their web store.

11. HAWAII // BIG ISLAND COFFEE ROASTERS

Location: Mountain View, Hawaii

As the only state that grows coffee in commercial quantities, Hawaii might be home to some of the freshest beans in the U.S. Big Island doesn’t have a retail front, but its distinctive artisanal beans are sold all over the territory and they’ve picked up virtually every award out there—the USDA even honored them with a grant for their continuing efforts to improve local coffee quality. If you ask nicely, they might even give you a farm tour.

12. IDAHO // DOMA COFFEE

Location: Post Falls, Idaho

Staunchly supportive of fair trade, the coffee buyers at DOMA go through considerable hoops—and expense—to support smaller, organic farmers. DOMA never skirts corners, shipping their coffees in recycled bags, utilizing a roaster that uses 80 percent less gas to operate, and making sure every cup served is as environmentally responsible as possible.

13. ILLINOIS // INTELLIGENTSIA

Location: Chicago, Illinois

In business for over 20 years, Intelligentsia has spread all over Chicago owing to demand for their specialty craft coffees. The key to their success: standing side-by-side with growers to develop and select their preferred beans.

14. INDIANA // BEE COFFEE

Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis Monthly named Bee Coffee Roasters one of the best indie coffee roasters in the city, thanks partly to their self-imposed limitations. The company uses only a five-pound roaster for beans, which means small and frequent batches of ultra-fresh coffee with a different flavor every time. Bee also likes to spend time on aesthetics: co-owner Andy Gilman spearheads a “League of Lattes” milk art competition in the city.

15. IOWA // SIDECAR COFFEE ROASTERS

Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa

Home-roasting began as a hobby for Jed Vander Zanden, but after he and his wife moved to Cedar Falls, Vander Zanden decided to launch his own business. He opened Sidecar in 2012, and java aficionados are welcome to swing by the downtown location on Washington Street to watch as he roasts small batches of specialty, direct-trade coffee beans from around the world. You can buy them at food co-ops, markets, and coffee shops around Iowa, or online.

16. KANSAS // PT’S COFFEE ROASTING CO.

Location: Topeka, Kansas

Photojournalist Jeff Taylor, and his roommate, fast food chain manager Fred Polzin, founded PT’s (P for Polzin, T for Taylor) in 1993 after Taylor tried—and failed—to find a local outlet that brewed an amazing cup of coffee. Taylor eventually convinced Polzin to give roasting a try, and in 1997, PT’s reestablished itself as a roasting operation, and began sourcing beans from skilled artisan farmers around the world. Nearly 80 percent of their coffee is acquired through direct trade, meaning the company buys beans straight from the growers, cutting out the middlemen. In 2009, Roast magazine named PT’s their “Macro Roaster of the Year,” and you can now find the company’s product across the Midwest, and in select East Coast coffee shops.

17. KENTUCKY // SUNERGOS COFFEE

Location: Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville is famous for being the home of the Kentucky Derby—but it’s also becoming known as one of the South’s go-to coffee destinations. Sunergos Coffee (which gets its name from the Greek word meaning “working together“) is a local coffee franchise and micro-roastery that sources sustainably harvested, responsibly farmed beans. Swing by the Woodlawn Avenue outpost, and you might even catch the roasters in action: their 1500-foot micro-roastery is at the back of the store, and is clearly visible through a glass wall separating the production facilities from the café area. And though Sunergos is still largely a regional operation, it has a national reputation: In 2014, it won the “America’s Best Espresso” competition at Coffee Fest, an annual trade event for tea and coffee enthusiasts.

18. LOUISIANA // RÊVE COFFEE ROASTERS

Location: Lafayette, Louisiana

Deep in the heart of Cajun Country, you’ll find Rêve Coffee Roasters—a coffee shop/micro-roastery in Lafayette that was founded by two Louisiana natives, Nathanael Johnson and Christopher Pickle. Recently, they moved the business to a much larger location on Jefferson Street, which allows them to serve meals and use the bar space so employees can roast beans directly on site. Rêve operates a wholesale business, and sells its beans to local cafes, restaurants, and grocery stores. Many of the bean varieties come from Royal Coffee New York, but Rêve is also establishing direct trade operations with farms in Guatemala and El Salvador.

19. MAINE // TANDEM COFFEE ROASTERS

Location: Portland, Maine

In 2012, husband-and-wife team Will and Kathleen Pratt opened Tandem Coffee Roasters—a combination coffee shop and micro-roastery—in Portland’s East Bayside neighborhood. Two years later, the duo converted an old gas station in Portland’s West End into a second outpost—this time, a bakery and coffee shop.

Tandem sources its beans from all over the world, and on Fridays patrons can visit the company’s East Bay location to enjoy free tasting sessions and watch the roasting process. And if you love coffee and music, you can sign up for Tandem’s “coffee and vinyl club,” a partnership with online record sellers KMA in which subscribers receive both a new record and a different bag of Tandem’s beans each month.

20. MARYLAND // CEREMONY COFFEE ROASTERS

Location: Annapolis, Maryland

Ceremony Coffee Roasters sources coffee beans from four continents and imports them to their flagship location—a storefront/roastery in Annapolis (other locations are in Baltimore and D.C.). Java lovers who visit the franchise’s West Street location can enjoy a seasonal coffee menu, and at the building’s back they can watch the roasters in action (or, if interested, partake in a specialty brewing class).

21. MASSACHUSETTS // BARISMO COFFEE ROASTERS

Location: Greater Boston Area

Barisimo is small, yet flourishing—and more importantly, it’s ready to innovate. Founded in 2008, the roastery operates three Barismo cafés in the greater Boston area (Barisimo 171, a shop at the roastery’s original location in Arlington, operates a lab-style coffeebar). Barisimo sources direct trade beans from around the globe, but the roastery is equally known for its creative approach toward coffee: They recently developed a patent-pending cold-brew injector to make nitrogenated cold brew kegs.

22. MICHIGAN // MADCAP COFFEE COMPANY

Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Madcap Coffee Company co-founders Trevor Corlett and Ryan Knapp—who launched their business in 2008—source their beans directly from farms or cooperatives around the world.  After sampling thousands of coffees, they select 15 to 20 to roast and sell. With that kind of attention to detail, it’s no surprise that their product is carried in select coffee shops around the country, from San Antonio to New York.

Customers can sip on Madcap Coffee in two of the roastery’s specialty coffee shops in Grand Rapids (one of them is located adjacent to the micro-roastery, and lets customers watch the roasting process). East Coasters can also enjoy the brew: Madcap Coffee recently opened up a satellite office and training center in Washington, D.C.

23. MINNESOTA // PARADISE COFFEE ROASTERS

Location: Ramsey, Minnesota

If the word “artisanal” appeals to you, Paradise is the way to go. Since 2002, founder R. Miguel Meza and his team have been hand-selecting and micro-roasting the very best blends from growers in Hawaii, Costa Rica, and Ethiopia. Looking for a new morning roast? Check out Paradise’s chocolaty Blue Sky Breakfast blend, which scored 91 out of 100 in Coffee Review.

24. MISSISSIPPI // BEANFRUIT COFFEE COMPANY

Location: Jackson, Mississippi

BeanFruit proudly focuses on single-origin coffees and educating consumers about the beans in their cup. “We want our customers to be aware of what beverage they are drinking, where it came from, and how it affects coffee farmers around the world,” says founder Paul Bonds. Try BeanFruit’s Kenya Nyeri Chinga Peaberry for a bright, complex roast with notes of melon and nectarine.

25. MISSOURI // ODDLY CORRECT

Location: Kansas City, Missouri

The self-described “coffee zealots” at Oddly Correct are on a mission “to freak out your morning cup.” If that sounds like something you’d enjoy, head over to their website or check out the café on Main Street for a cup of Space Monkey Seasonal Espresso, which boasts a creamy body, raw-sugar sweetness, and tropical fruitiness.

26. MONTANA // BLACK COFFEE ROASTING CO.

Location: Missoula, Montana

If you like your coffee dark and your products green, head over to Black Coffee Roasting Co. in Missoula. The company and café’s blends are all sustainable, craft roasted, and 100 percent organic. They’re also delicious. For an indulgent sip, try the rich-bodied variety called The Hunt, which promises hints of baker’s chocolate, strawberry, honey, and graham cracker.

27. NEBRASKA // BEANSMITH COFFEE ROASTERS

Location: Omaha, Nebraska

Seasonal sourcing isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of coffee, but the heartland-based Beansmith Coffee Roasters have built a business around finding the freshest, most vibrant beans for every cup. For new autumnal flavors, pop into the Old Market Café on Harney Street in Omaha and try the smoky, clove-flavored Phoenix blend.

28. NEVADA // HUB COFFEE ROASTERS

Location: Reno, Nevada

Hub Coffee Roasters were founded on two ideals: coffee and community. (Don’t think coffee is an ideal? Just talk to them.) The company now has an online shop and three Reno locations and has recently begun sourcing its own beans from South America. A good pick: the Peruvian Nuevo Trujillo roast, with notes of plum and dried fruit.

29. NEW HAMPSHIRE // FLIGHT COFFEE CO.

Location: Bedford and Dover, New Hampshire

Flight Coffee Co. founder Claudia Barrett began with a dream and a passion for fresh, farm-to-pot coffee. Today she’s the leader of a small army of obsessive coffee roasters who regularly take classes to keep up with the latest science, techniques, and trends. Visit the roasting lab and tasting room in Bedford or treat the coffee connoisseur in your life to a monthly bean subscription.

30. NEW JERSEY // MODCUP COFFEE

Location: Jersey City, New Jersey

Founded by Justin Hicks and Travas Clifton in 2013, Modcup prides itself on serving up the freshest roasts, and sells all of its coffee within 18 days of its roast date. In addition to Modcup’s Jersey City coffee shop and roastery, the company built a unique mobile roastery inside a restored 1969 Citroen H-Van, which was once used to deliver fresh bread in France. The truck now splits its time between serving fresh coffee outside the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Jersey City and making appearances at parties and fairs in the Tri-State area.

31. NEW MEXICO // MICHAEL THOMAS COFFEE

Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico

For over a decade, local coffee roaster Michael Thomas and his two daughters have created unique blends and single origin roasts for customers at their Albuquerque shops. Thomas and his team experiment with every new batch of beans they order to find the perfect roast profile for each. In recent years, Thomas has opened an online store as well. In addition to roasting their own beans, the two Michael Thomas Coffee shops in Albuquerque also host regular coffee classes, teaching coffee lovers about coffee history, and how to make different coffee varieties.

32. NEW YORK // GIMME! COFFEE

Location: Ithaca, Trumansburg, and New York City, New York

Winner of Roast magazine’s 2013 “Macro Roaster of the Year” award, Gimme! Coffee has come a long way since it was first founded in a charmingly cramped cafe in Ithaca back in 2000. Nowadays, the coffee roaster has seven locations in Ithaca, Trumansburg, and New York City, and supplies its beans to shops and markets across the country. The company prides itself on creating flavorful, high-quality blends and on its sustainable, ethical practices which include a composting program and partnerships with their coffee growers.

33. NORTH CAROLINA // COUNTER CULTURE

Location: Durham, North Carolina

Counter Culture is based in Durham, but sells its beans on its website, and wholesale to coffee shops around the United States. The North Carolina roaster believes in sustainable practices, embraces fully transparent business practices, and, of course, makes some truly delicious coffees. Unlike some specialty roasters, Counter Culture encourages its customers to make their versatile beans using any brewing method they want. They also offer free weekly coffee tastings and brewing classes at regional training centers in Durham and 10 other cities around the United States.

34. NORTH DAKOTA // TWENTY BELOW

Location: Fargo, North Dakota

You can find Twenty Below’s single origin roasts and blends online, served up at coffee shops throughout North Dakota, and at their Fargo coffee bar and roastery. The coffee roaster works with small farms and cooperatives to acquire beans that can’t be found at larger coffee chains, and reviewers on Yelp have called their roasts “delicious,” “complex,” and “unique.”

35. OHIO // CRIMSON CUP COFFEE & TEA

Location: Columbus, Ohio

Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea may supply coffee to stores around the country, but it still roasts its beans carefully in small batches. Each shipment of 150-pound bags of coffee arrives at the Crimson Cup headquarters in Columbus, where a master roaster oversees the roast profile of each bean variety. The company, which won Roast magazine’s 2016 “Macro Roaster of the Year” award also hosts coffee tastings and roasting lessons at its Innovation Lab in Columbus. 

36. OKLAHOMA // ELEMENTAL COFFEE ROASTERS

Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Elemental Coffee Roasters in Oklahoma City is obsessed with serving up “elemental” coffee flavors. It puts an emphasis on retaining the natural flavors of its beans, and refuses to intentionally tamper with or add to its flavor. “You might say our coffee has a mind of its own,” the Elemental website explains. “It tastes this way one day, but it may taste completely different the next.” Elemental Coffee Roasters sells its coffees online and at its Oklahoma City location.

37. OREGON // STUMPTOWN COFFEE ROASTERS

Location: Portland, Oregon

Portland has a sea of high-quality coffee outfits, but Stumptown remains a favorite both locally and in cafes across the country. One of the pioneers of the third-wave coffee movement, Stumptown won Roast magazine’s Roaster of the Year competition back in 2006. The coffee-focused Sprudge.com calls the company’s Portland headquarters, which opened in 2012, “an absolute sight to behold.” The company hosts daily free tastings there, with $15 behind-the-scenes roastery tours and classes also available. If you do take a tour or an intro to coffee class, you get to take home your own bag of freshly roasted beans.

38. PENNSYLVANIA // SQUARE ONE COFFEE

Location: Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Square One Coffee is a family-owned roasting company that has accumulated some serious accolades. The roastery has won a Good Food Award in the coffee category three years running, and one of its baristas won 10th place at the U.S. Barista Championships in 2015. Stop by the Lancaster café and sip a brewed-to-order cup in the backyard garden, or head to the roasting facility across town to take a class alongside the cafe’s own up-and-coming talent, lead by instructors certified by the Barista Guild of America and the Specialty Coffee Association of America. (There are also two locations to enjoy in Philly.)

39. RHODE ISLAND // VANUATU COFFEE ROASTERS

Location: Providence, Rhode Island

Single-origin obsessives, pay attention. The beauty of Vanuatu Coffee Roasters lies in its absolute dedication to the South Pacific island nation that gives the roastery its name. Co-founder Jimmy Lappin traveled to the Republic of Vanuatu in 2009 as a tourist, and was so taken with the local coffee that he and his sister, Martha Soderlund, teamed up with a local cooperative to source beans exclusively from farmers on the island of Tanna. No need for milk here; Lappin boasts that Vanuatu coffee lacks any trace of bitterness.

40. SOUTH CAROLINA // COASTAL COFFEE ROASTERS

Location: Summerville, South Carolina

Coastal Coffee Roasters, located outside Charleston, sources beans from around the world, then roasts them to perfection in small batches. The downtown Summerville café is host to a rotating calendar of events, including yoga, open mic nights, and local music—and they serve up a decent sandwich to go with that perfect cup.

41. SOUTH DAKOTA // PURE BEAN ROASTERS

Location: Rapid City, South Dakota

Pure Bean Roasters was started out of a garage in 2013, and the owners only opened up a café this year, continuing to roast their beans at co-owner Mark Royalty’s home long after the company began shipping nationwide. Pure Bean only sells organic, fair trade beans that are air-roasted in small batches, rather than in the high-capacity drums that most commercial coffee roasters use. Instead of being stirred in a hot drum, the beans float on a bed of hot air, ensuring consistency in the roast. The result is a smooth, low-acid cup of coffee.

42. TENNESSEE // VIENNA COFFEE COMPANY

Location: Maryville, Tennessee

Don’t head to Nashville for the state’s best coffee. Take a trip to the Vienna Coffee Company outside of Knoxville. The small-batch roaster has everything from single-origin and estate coffees to certified shade-grown, bird-friendly, Rainforest Alliance-approved, and fair-trade beans. If you aren’t in the area to come by for a free tasting, you can always sign up for their mail-order coffee club.

43. TEXAS // BROWN COFFEE COMPANY

Location: San Antonio, Texas

Brown Coffee is one of San Antonio’s most well-established craft coffee outfits, and even other cafe proprietors admit that owner Aaron Blanco is “the most coffee-knowledgeable person in Texas.” In 2015, Food Network star Alton Brown called the drink he got from Brown Coffee “the best cup of coffee I’ve ever had in my life.” Beyond the delicious drinks, the PourLab hosts classes for a range of skill levels, from novices looking for basic tips to enthusiasts wanting to learn how to identify the type of soil coffee was grown in just from tasting the brew.

44. UTAH // MILLCREEK COFFEE ROASTERS

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah

Over two decades ago, the aptly named Brewster family founded Millcreek Coffee Roasters in a small building with one 12-kilogram roaster. Today they’re a major presence in the Salt Lake City coffee scene with a café, a wholesale store, and an outpost in the city’s airport. Coffee lovers who don’t have time to pick up their beans in person can shop for them online. Millcreek also offers “Roaster’s Choice” coffee subscriptions that are delivered each month by the pound.

45. VERMONT // VERMONT COFFEE COMPANY

Location: Middlebury, Vermont

The folks at Vermont Coffee Company know that good coffee starts with a quality product. That’s why all their beans are carefully selected and slow-roasted to order in small batches. They also know that the coffee experience doesn’t have to end when a customer finishes their cup. They write on their website: “Coffee is a social stimulus that brings people together to share ideas and stories, and when people come together, a community is formed and friends are made.” The company proved their commitment to this concept when they opened a community theater in the neighborhood. If you can’t make it to the Vermont Coffee Company Playhouse or their on-site café, you can find their coffee in establishments along the East coast.

46. VIRGINIA // CERVANTES COFFEE ROASTERS

Location: Springfield, Virginia

Cervantes’s single origin coffee is sold in over 40 retail stores in Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. Java enthusiasts who live near their north Virginia headquarters can swing by for tours or coffee “cupping” (think wine tasting) events every second Friday of the month. The entire coffee warehouse is also available to rent out for private affairs.

47. WASHINGTON // DILLANOS COFFEE ROASTERS

Location: Sumner, Washington

In a state as obsessed with coffee as Washington, Dillanos Coffee Roasters has managed to rise to the top. They’ve been recognized as best in the region multiple times, and in 2011 Roast magazine named them the best macro coffee roaster in North America. With dozens of coffees of varying roasts and sources available to purchase, they offer something for every type of coffee connoisseur.

48. WEST VIRGINIA // BLACK DOG COFFEE

Location: Shenandoah Junction, West Virginia

Black Dog’s café in Shenandoah Junction offers coffee and a show. Patrons can come to see one of America’s oldest operating coffee roasters in action—a vintage 1931 Jabez Burns & Sons model named Plutonius. The business also hosts community events like yoga classes, drum circles, and taco Tuesdays. Even without the entertainment factor, a taste of their single origin, micro-roasted coffee is worth a trip (or at least an online order).

49. WISCONSIN // KICKAPOO COFFEE ROASTERS

Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Beer isn’t the only brew in Wisconsin that deserves attention. The team behind Kickapoo Coffee Roasters has been roasting high-quality, full-flavored coffee in Milwaukee since 2005. Once a month, they open up their tasting room for the public to sample offerings, tour the roastery, and ask any coffee-related questions they may have.

50. WYOMING // JACKSON HOLE COFFEE ROASTERS

Location: Jackson, Wyoming

Jackson Hole Coffee Roasters brings a European commitment to coffee to Western Wyoming. Owners Stefan and Lubomira got their start in the coffee business as baristas. They took over Jackson Hole Coffee Roasters after moving to the U.S. from Slovakia, and today they sell their coffee wholesale to restaurants, coffee bars, and specialty stores and serve it fresh at their café.

By Michele Debczak, Kirstin Fawcett, Shaunacy Ferro, Anna Green, Kate Horowitz, Jake Rossen, and Jeff Wells.

John Malkovich has teamed up with David Lynch to put a surreal spin on the cult director’s already surreal works. IndieWire reports that Malkovich will reinterpret several of Lynch’s most famous characters as part of “Playing Lynch,” an experimental meditation on Lynch’s films and television shows, which will also raise funds for the director’s transcendental meditation foundation.

In the first episode of the series, which is available to view for free on the Playing Lynch website, Malkovich plays Dale Cooper, the quirky, coffee-loving detective from Twin Peaks (1990), originally played by Kyle MacLachlan. In later episodes, which can be purchased on the website, Malkovich will play the Log Lady (also from Twin Peaks), John Merrick from The Elephant Man (1980), Henry Spencer from Eraserhead (1977), and even Lynch himself.

The series also features new music from contemporary musicians like Sky Ferreira and Zola Jesus, as well as Twin Peaks composer Angelo Badalamenti. According to the Playing Lynch website, the project gives world-class artists and musicians the “opportunity to do to Lynch’s world what he has done to ours for so long: show it in a new light to reveal a whole new realm of possibilities.” Check out the trailer above.

[h/t IndieWire]

Banner Image Credit: Squarespace, Vimeo

As a recurring feature, our team combs the Web and shares some amazing Amazon deals we’ve turned up. Here’s what caught our eye today, September 28.

Mental Floss has affiliate relationships with certain retailers, including Amazon, and may receive a small percentage of any sale. But we only get commission on items you buy and don’t return, so we’re only happy if you’re happy. Good luck deal hunting!

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Car Mount, Mengo Magna-Snap Mini Magnetic Air Vent Car Mount for Smartphones (iPhone, Samsung, HTC, LG, Nokia, & More), Mp3 Players, and GPS Devices – Retail Packaging for $10.00 (list price $19.99)

Anker Dashboard Cell Phone Mount, Windshield Car Mount, Phone Holder for iPhone 7/7 plus/6/6s/6 Plus/6s Plus, Samsung S6/edge/S7/S7 edge, Note 7/5, LG G5, Nexus 5X/6/6P, HTC and Other Smartphones for $16.99 (list price $23.99)

Jackery Titan 18000mAh Portable Charger External Battery Power Bank with 2-Port 3.4A for iPhone 6 Plus 5S 5C 5 4S, iPad Air, Mini, Galaxy S6 S5 S4 S3, Note 4 3 2, Tab 4 3 2 Pro, Nexus 4 5 7 10, HTC One, One 2 (M8), LG G3, MOTO X G, most other Phones and Tablets for $30.59 (list price $89.99)

[2 Pack] Anker PowerLine Lightning (6ft) Apple MFi Certified – One of The World’s Fastest, Most Durable Lightning Cables for iPhone 6s/6s Plus/6/6 Plus/5s/5, iPad mini/4/3/2, iPad Pro Air 2 for $18.59 (list price $29.99)

USB Type-C, Anker Premium 5-Port 60W USB Wall Charger PowerPort+ 5 USB-C with Power Delivery for Apple MacBook, Nexus 5X / 6P and PowerIQ for iPhone, iPad, Samsung & More for $36.99 (list price $73.99)

iPhone 7 Plus Case, Trianium [Duranium Series] Heavy Duty Protective Cases Shock Absorption Hard Covers w/ Built-in Screen Protector+ Holster Belt Clip Kickstand for Apple iPhone 7 Plus 2016-Gunmetal for $16.99 (list price $25.99)

iXCC 10ft Extra Long Apple MFi Certified Lightning 8pin to USB Charge and Sync Cable for iPhone SE/5/5s/6/6s/7/Plus/iPad Mini/Air/Pro – Black for $11.99 (list price $19.99)

iClever BoostCube 4.8A 24W Dual USB Travel Wall Charger with SmartID Technology, Foldable Plug for iPhone iPad, Samsung Galaxy, HTC Nexus Moto Blackberry, Bluetooth Speaker Headset & Power Bank, White for $10.99 (list price $29.99)

AUKEY 37mm iPhone Lens Filter Kit 3-Pack, Clip-on for Cell Phone Camera Lenses for Samsung, Android Smartphones, iPhone for $12.99 (list price $29.99)

Forone Bluetooth Earbuds,IPX6 Waterproof Wireless Sport Running Bluetooth Headphones,V4.1 Gym Noise Cancelling Stereo Handsfree Secure Fit Headset with Mic for $39.99 (list price $129.99)

Anker PowerCore Slim 5000 Portable Charger, Ultra Slim External Battery with iPhone battery technology and Fast-Charging PowerIQ, Pocket Friendly Power Bank, Perfectly designed for iPhone for $17.99 (list price $49.99)

Anker 24W Dual USB Car Charger PowerDrive 2 for Apple iPhone 6s / 6s Plus, iPad Air 2, iPad Pro, iPad mini; Samsung Galaxy Note Series, S Series & Edge Models; LG G4 / G5; Google Nexus; and Other iOS and Android Devices for $8.99 (list price $29.99)

Budget&Good Universal Smartphones Car Air Vent Mount Holder Cradle Compatible with iphone SE 6s 6 Plus 6 5s 5 4s 4 Samsung Galaxy S6 S5 S4 LG Nexus Sony Nokia and More (Black) for $9.99 (list price $25.99)

Apple Watch Band, Penom Fully Magnetic Closure Clasp Mesh Loop Milanese Stainless Steel Bracelet Strap for Apple iWatch Sport & Edition 42mm – Black for $12.99 (list price $39.99)

Anker Waterproof Case, IPX8-Rated Dry Bag for iPhone 7/7 plus/6s / 6 / 6s Plus/ 6 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S7 / S6 / S6 edge+, Samsung Note Series and Other Smartphones up to 6 Inches for $7.99 (list price $19.99)

Sound Intone Lightweight Folding 3.5mm Stereo Over-ear Portable Stretch Headsets with Build-in Microphone for $19.98 (list price $38.98)

Fitbit One Wireless Activity Plus Sleep Tracker, Black for $99.95 

Phaiser BHS-730 Bluetooth Earbuds Runner Headset Sport Earphones with Mic and Lifetime Sweatproof Warranty – Wireless Headphones for Running, Blackout for $39.93 (list price $159.95)

Voeons Mens Watches Chronograph 24 Hour Military Sports Watches 3ATM Waterproof Silver Stainless Steel Wristwatch for $25.99 (list price $35.99)

Megir Mens Chronograph Military Quartz Watch Black and Rose Gold Dial for $29.99 (list price $145.00)

Seiko Men’s SSC001 Alarm Chronograph Dress Watch for $145.53 (list price $325.00)

Bulova Men’s 96B104 Stainless Steel Dress Watch for $86.08 (list price $175.00)

Casio Men’s CA53W Calculator Watch for $15.79 (list price $24.95)

Set of 4 Premium Bottle Lights. Brightest Wine Cork USB Light on the Market – 12 Lumens. The Perfect Gift for the Wine Lover in Your Life. Also Works As a Night Light or Night Stand Light for $22.99 (list price $39.99)

Emie Memo 10,000mAh Power Bank – Ice Cream for $19.99 (list price $49.99)

Emie Devil Volt Portable Charger, 5200mAh Compact and Stylish Power Bank USB Charger for iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Nexus, HTC and More for $29.99 (list price $36.99)

Emie 8000mAh Ultraslim Ultralight Portable External Power Bank Charger for Smartphone & Tablet for $9.99 (list price $35.98)

KITCHEN

Howard Products BBB012 Butcher Block and Cutting Board Oil, 12-Ounce for $8.59 (list price $9.99)

Bellemain Stainless Steel 3 Cup Flour Sifter for $8.95 (list price $27.95)

Instant Pot IP-LUX60 6-in-1 Programmable Pressure Cooker, 6-Quart 1000-Watt for $89.91 (list price $99.95)

T-fal FR8000 Oil Filtration Ultimate EZ Clean Easy to clean 3.5-Liter Fry Basket Stainless Steel Immersion Deep Fryer, 2.6-Pound, Silver for $79.00 (list price $199.99)

Whiskey Stones, TaoTronics Stainless Steel Reusable Ice Cubes for Wine, Chilling Rocks, Sipping Stones ( Set of 8, Rubber Tip Tongs, Ice Tray with Lid – FDA Approved & BPA Free ) for $16.99 (list price $24.99)

Chef’s Choice 15 Trizor XV EdgeSelect Electric Knife Sharpener for $158.99 (list price $210.00)

FoodSaver FM2435-ECR Vacuum Sealing System with Bonus Handheld Sealer and Starter Kit, Silver for $90.99 (list price $129.99)

Alpha Grillers Instant Read Thermometer. Ultra Fast Digital Cooking Tool With BBQ Internal Meat Temperature Chart. (Spring Loaded Thermabud) for $13.97 (list price $17.97)

KitchenAid Can Opener, Red for $12.99 (list price $15.05)

Farberware Spiraletti Spiral Vegetable Slicer with Three Colored Blades for $21.99 (list price $29.99)

Brita Advanced Replacement Water Filter for Pitchers, 3 Count for $13.79 (list price $14.88)

SterlingPro Pear Shape Doublewall Stainless Steel Mirror Finish French Coffee Press, 35-ounce for $29.97 (list price $59.98)

IcySteel Stainless Steel Tumbler with Lid – 20 oz for $14.89 (list price $36.89)

Takeya Airtight Pitcher, 2-Quart, Black for $17.95 (list price $19.99)

Magic Cuisine Nylon 5pc Kitchen Utensils Set with Stand – Black Color – Home Cooking Tool – Soup Ladel – Slotted Turner – Spoon – Slotted Spoon – Spaghetti Server Kitchen Accessories for $18.99 (list price $39.99)

Silicone Tea Infusers for Loose Tea with Drip Tray – Set of 2 Beautiful Silicone Red & Green Leaf Handles with Stainless Steel Ball For Loose Leaf Tea or Herbal Tea or Green Tea – The Original Tea Infuser for $8.99 (list price $19.99)

Crock-Pot 6-Quart Programmable Cook and Carry Oval Slow Cooker, Digital Timer, Stainless Steel, SCCPVL610-S for $39.99 (list price $59.99)

ACE Chiller Rod – Keep Pre-Chilled Wine Cooler Without Dilution. 4-in-1 Chill System:Dual Chamber Aerator, Stainless Steel Stick, Bottle Stopper and Drip Free Pourer. Accessories Come In EVA Gift Case for $15.99 (list price $39.99)

RTIC 30 oz. Tumbler for $14.76 (list price $59.95)

Hamburger patty maker Silicone Burger Press 4 In 1 Hamburger Maker Super Easy To Use Quality BBQ & Grilling Tools for $16.50 (list price $24.50)

Zojirushi BB-PAC20 Home Bakery Virtuoso Breadmaker with Gluten Free Menu setting for $287.97 (list price $325.00)

Clever Cutter 2-in-1 Food Chopper – Replace your Kitchen Knives and Cutting Boards for $11.99 (list price $19.99)

Cuisinart Smart Stick CSB-75BC 200 Watt 2 Speed Hand Blender (Brushed Chrome) for $32.29 (list price $64.99)

Lodge A-SPRAY Seasoning Spray, 8-Ounce for $9.95 (list price $24.71)

Lodge ASHH41 Silicone Hot Handle Holder, Red for $5.45 (list price $8.81)

Lodge L8DD3 Double Dutch Oven and Casserole with Skillet Cover, 5-Quart for $38.99 (list price $64.00)

Cooks Standard NC-00349 Stainless Steel Sauce Pan with Cover, 3-Quart for $25.29 (list price $39.99)

Pumpkin Carving Tools- Halloween Sculpting Kit with 11 Double Sided Pieces (21 Tool Set) for Jack-O-Lanterns and More for $7.99 (list price $10.99)

SmartHomes Knife Sharpener Tool – Professional Blade Sharpening Machine Sharpen Blades, Kitchen Serrated Knives System, Scissors for $14.95 (list price $24.95)

Epica Electric Coffee Grinder & Spice Grinder -Stainless Steel Blades and Removable Grinding Cup for Easy Pouring- Strongest Motor on the Market 250 Watt For Fastest and Most Efficient Grinding for $21.50 (list price $34.95)

T-fal E91897 Ultimate Hard Anodized Scratch Resistant Titanium Nonstick Thermo-Spot Heat Indicator Anti-Warp Base Dishwasher Safe Oven Safe PFOA Free Glass Lid Cookware, 10-Inch, Gray for $21.98 (list price $44.99)

SALE Best Apple Peeler slicer core potato pear pie bake chef cutter kitchen gadget for $19.88 (list price $65.00)

3M Aqua-Pure Whole House Replacement Water Filter – Model AP817 for $35.86 (list price $79.49)

Hamilton Beach 40998 1 L Stainless Steel Electric Kettle, Silver for $19.77 (list price $86.76)

Oliva Italiana 7 Pc. Bamboo Utensil Set Eco-Friendly, 100% Organic bamboo, Professional-Grade, with ergonomic handle for $9.99 (list price $14.99)

Libbey Craft Brews 22-Ounce Clear Lager Stein Mug Set, 4-Piece for $14.99 (list price $25.99)

Oyster Knife Shucking By GoodSend in Premium Gift Box. – Durable Stainless Steel Blade with Pakka Wood handle with Hand Guard $12.82 (list price $29.99)

Delightly Spaghetti Measure Tool – Pasta Portion Control Gadgets – Stainless Steel Dishwasher Safe for $11.77 (list price $22.99)

Pastry and Ravioli Cutter Wheel by Natures Kitchen Commercial Grade Stainless Steel for $8.99 (list price $19.99)

Le Creuset Stoneware Pie Pans, 9-Inch, Marseille for $49.95 (list price $70.00)

Norpro 6 Piece Porcelain Ramekin Set for $12.34 (list price $14.99)

Progressive International Ultimate Keeper Set – Collapsible Produce, Fruit and Vegetable and Berry Keeper( Set of 3) for $20.46 (list price $29.99)

TUO Cutlery B&W Series 3.5 inch Paring Knife, Japanese 440 Super Stainless Steel Sharp Blade, Perfect for Detailed Cutting and Peeling with ABS Well Balanced Handle for $17.95 (list price $26.00)

Rubbermaid Antimicrobial Sink Dish Drainer Set, Black, 4-Piece Set (FG1F91MABLA) for $19.96 (list price $37.48)

Winsome Wood Breakfast Bed Tray with Handle Foldable Legs for $12.41 (list price $34.00)

Hamilton Beach 25475A Breakfast Sandwich Maker for $24.00 (list price $29.99)

Bamboo Cutting Boards (Set of 3) – Fruit, Veggies, Meat Chopping Board – Utopia Kitchen for $13.99 (list price $19.99)

GAINWELL Silicone Stretch Lids, Set of 6pcs – Silicone Lids for Bowls,Cups,Containers and Mugs of all Shapes for $10.89 (list price $17.00)

Hydracentials 16 Oz Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug for $24.97 (list price $29.97)

Wilton Nonstick 6-Cavity Donut Pan for $7.46 (list price $9.99)

HOME

Dyson V6 Absolute Vacuum Cleaner (Certified Refurbished) for $309.99 (list price $399.00)

Etekcity Wireless Remote Control Electrical Outlet Switch for Household Appliances, White (Fixed Code, 1Rx-1Tx) for $11.98 (list price $15.99)

Zenna Home 505ST, Tension Shower Curtain Rod, 43 to 72-Inch, Brushed Nickel for $11.12 (list price $15.00)

Imprint Cumulus9 Croco Series 20-Inch by 36-Inch Mat, Cajun Toffee for $20.12 (list price $100.00)

Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Vacuum, (Certified Refurbished) – Corded for $319.61 (list price $689.99)

Balichun Luxury 4-Piece Bed Sheet Set with 18″ Deep Pocket Microfiber Bedding Sheets (Multiple Colors Available, Queen) for $43.90 (list price $125.90)

Premium Cotton Bath Towels (4 Pack, White, 30 x 56 Inch) -Ringspun Cotton for Maximum Softness and Absorbency – by Utopia Towels for $34.99 (list price $63.99)

Evriholder FURemover Broom for $11.05 (list price $19.57)

Samsung VR2AJ9020UG Powerbot Essential Robotic Vacuum for $428.01 (list price $699.99)

Black+Decker BDH2000PL MAX Lithium Pivot Vacuum, 20-volt for $67.99 (list price $79.99)

TaoTronics Warm & Cool Mist Humidifier Diffuser, Ultrasonic Air Humidifier ( 6L, Touch Sensitive LED Display, Air Filter, Separate Essential Oil Container, Low Water Protection, Night Mode – Black ) for $109.99 (list price $199.99)

Biddeford 4480-9064114-719 Heated Micro Mink/Sherpa Throw, 50 by 62-Inch, Spice for $43.00 (list price $59.99)

Gideon 5 Inch Flameless LED Candle – Dripping Style – Real Wax & Real Flickering Candle Motion – with Remote (On/Off, Timer, Dimmer) – Vanilla Scented, Ivory for $9.95 (list price $37.99)

Whynter 11,000 BTU Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner (ARC-110WD) for $299.99 (list price $520.00)

AeraMax 100 Home Air Purifier for Allergies and Asthma with 4-Stage Purification for $99.99 (list price $119.99)

AcuRite 02008A1 Color Weather Station with Forecast, Temperature, Humidity, Barometric Pressure, Intelli-Time Clock-Full Color for $49.13 (list price $59.99)

AmazonBasics Garment Rack – Chrome for $35.99 (list price $49.99)

AcuRite 01517 Pro Color Weather Station with Rain, Wind, Temperature, Humidity and Weather Ticker for $134.00 (list price $149.99)

Cozy, Soft and Dense Shag 8ft10in x 12ft ( 9X12 ) Area Rug In Charcoal for $218.00 (list price $378.00)

Altra Core Night Stand, Black Ebony Ash for $34.00 (list price $59.99)

Primode Motorized Tie Rack With LED Lights – Closet Organizer, Stores & Displays Up To 72 Ties With 8 Belts, Rotation operates with batteries for $35.99 (list price $69.99)

Sterilite 16428012 6 Quart/5.7 Liter Storage Box, White Lid with Clear Base, 12-Pack for $24.14 (list price $40.00)

1 X Epica Fireplace Tongs, 26″ Long, Log Grabber for $13.95 (list price $19.95)

Air Wick Freshmatic Automatic Spray Air Freshener, Lavender and Chamomile, 2 Refills, 6.17 Ounce for $7.93 (list price $11.01)

Normande Lighting JM1-884 71-Inch 100-Watt Incandescent Torchiere Floor Lamp with 40-Watt Side Reading Lamp for $49.68 (list price $89.99)

Black Heavy Duty Car Trunk Organizer By HomePro Goods, Sturdy Cargo and SUV Storage for Tools, Gear and Groceries for $26.95 (list price $49.99)

HEALTH AND BEAUTY

Korres 24-Hour Moisturising and Brightening Cream, Wild Rose, 1.35 fl. oz. for $38.00 (list price $45.00)

skyn ICELAND Pure Cloud Cream, 1.7 fl. oz. for $48.91 (list price $55.00)

skyn ICELAND Arctic Elixir, 0.845 fl. oz. for $54.00 (list price $60.00)

skyn ICELAND White Cloud Spot Corrector, 1 fl. oz. for $32.00 (list price $45.00)

Borghese Fango Brillante Brightening Mud Mask for Face and Body, 7 oz for $30.16 (list price $37.00)

Borghese Fango Active Mud for Face and Body, 7 oz. for $22.19 (list price $37.00)

James Read Express Glow Mask Face, 1.7 fl. oz. for $19.00 (list price $38.00)

Best Vitamin C Anti Aging Eye Moisturizer Cream – Anti Aging Anti Wrinkle Vitamin C Eye Gel for $18.75 (list price $59.95)

Sultra The Airlight Hair Dryer, Black for $100.00 (list price $149.00)

Solano Cushion Styler Brush for $13.14 (list price $20.00)

Toenail Clipper 5 Inch Long for Thick/Ingrown Nail Nipper for $6.70 (list price $14.99)

stila Lip Glaze, Guava for $18.01 (list price $22.00)

NIVEA Smooth Daily Moisture Body Lotion 16.9 Fluid Ounce for $5.17 (list price $7.99)

NIVEA Skin Firming & Toning Gel-Cream 6.7 Ounce for $8.09 (list price $12.99)

NIVEA Care and Cashmere Moisturizing Body Wash 16.9 Fluid Ounce (Pack of 3) for $14.97 (list price $23.80)

Remington Products S7231 Wet to Straight Straightener, 2 Inch for $19.99 (list price $27.99)

Remington S5520 Wide Digital Anti Static Ceramic Hair Straightener, 1 ¾-Inch, Purple for $22.36 (list price $27.99)

Remington PR1240 R4 Power Series Rotary Shaver, Men’s Electric Razor, Electric Shaver for $31.99 (list price $39.99)

Womens Cat Ear HeadBand Hair Band for Halloween for $21.98 (list price $45.98)

Nail Stickers / Nail Art / Nail Decals Stamping Kit Holiday Set Halloween Plate Collection DIY Decoration – 3 Packs Variety Mixed Design for $10.98 (list price $15.98)

LuckyFine Face Body Paint Oil Painting Art MakeUp Palette Set Kit Halloween Party Fancy Dress 12 Color DIY for $18.96 (list price $44.09)

Face Cream Moisturizer (2oz) 95% Natural Anti Aging Skin Care for $16.99 (list price $41.99)

Elegant Lashes C181 Colorful Rainbow & Gold False Eyelashes for Halloween Dance Rave Costume for $9.99 (list price $14.99)

InstaNatural Micellar Water – Gentle Nonrinse Facial Cleansing & Simple Makeup Remover – Natural Skin Care Solution for Sensitive Skin – Fast Daily Hydration – Great for Post Gym Use & Travel – 8 OZ for $15.97 (list price $49.97)

SkinActive Clean+ Purifying Oil-Free Cleansing Towelettes for $4.97 (list price $5.99)

Olay CC Cream, Total Effects Tone Correcting Moisturizer with Sunscreen, Light to Medium 1.7 fl. oz. for $17.95 (list price $19.99)

Olay Regenerist Regenerating Lightweight Moisturization Face Serum, Fragrance-Free 1.7 fl oz for $9.93 (list price $19.99)

YEOUTH Deluxe 5 Pack – Balancing Facial TonerVitamin C & E SerumHyaluronic Acid PlusRadiance Eye GelL22 Patented Moisturizer-100% for $79.95 (list price $289.95)

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Moisturizer with Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen, 1 Fl. Oz for $14.84 (list price $19.99)

Degree MotionSense Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant, Shower Clean, 2.6 Ounce (Pack of 2) for $6.62 (list price $9.89)

Kiss Products Instawave Automatic Hair Curler for $37.82 (list price $49.99)

Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Crme 4 Oz, for $15.79 (list price $19.99)

SkinActive Miracle Anti-Fatigue Sleeping Cream for $13.47 (list price $16.99)

Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin CC Cream, Light/Medium, 1.2 Fluid Ounces for $8.99 (list price $14.95)

L’Oreal Paris Age Perfect Hydra-Nutrition Advanced Skin Repair Daily Facial Serum for $15.59 (list price $19.99)

Lady Speed Stick Invisible Dry Power Antiperspirant/Deodorant, Powder Fresh, 2.3 Ounce (Pack of 6) for $12.00 (list price $26.57)

L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Volume Filler Facial Night Cream for $15.07 (list price $19.99)

CoverGirl Lashexact Mascara, Mascara Cd Very Black 900, 0.13 Ounce Package for $5.02 (list price $11.59)

Golden Rose Perfect Lashes Blue Mascara .37 Fluid Ounce for $6.75 (list price $12.99)

OFFICE, SCHOOL, AND CRAFTS

Sharpie Tank Highlighters, Chisel Tip, Assorted Colors, 12-Count for $4.67 (list price $12.96)

Paper Mate Write Bros Stick Ballpoint Pens, Medium Point, Blue Ink, 60-Count for $5.39 (list price $15.49)

uni-ball Impact Stick Gel Pens, Bold Point, Silver Ink, Pack of 12 for $14.99 (list price $38.49)

Quartet Cork Bulletin Board, 17 x 23 Inches, Oak Finish Frame (85212B) for $11.99 (list price $21.89)

Strathmore Series 400 Sketch Pads 9 in. x 12 in. – pad of 100 for $9.20 (list price $12.89)

Brother XM2701 Lightweight, Full-Featured Sewing Machine with 27 Stitches, 1-Step Auto-Size Buttonholer, 6 Sewing Feet, and Instructional DVD for $99.97 (list price $170.00)

Executive Office Solutions Portable Adjustable Aluminum Laptop Desk/Stand/Table Vented w/CPU Fans Mouse Pad Side Mount-Notebook-Macbook-Light Weight Ergonomic TV Bed Lap Tray Stand Up/Sitting-Black for $39.99 (list price $89.99)

Basic Yarn Bonbons Pack – 40 Acrylic Yarn Skeins – Assorted Colors – Perfect for Any Crochet and Knitting Project – 2 FREE E-Books for $11.97 (list price $50.00)

Ultra Fine Point Color Pens Gel with Diamond Tip for Adult Coloring Books Drawing-No Smear Non Bleed Quick Dry Japan Cute Style Markers-18 Assorted Colors Set with Case on Sale by Tanmit for $12.99 (list price $35.00)

Cricut Explore One Cutting Machine for $195.99 (list price $249.99)

Paint Brush Set – 15 Professional Art Brushes for Acrylic, Watercolor, Oil, Gouache and Face Painting. Pop-up Stand and Protective Carry Case with Gift Box for $19.99 (list price $39.95)

OPOLAR F401 Mini USB Table Desk Personal Fan (Metal Design, Quiet Operation 3.9′ USB Cable, High Compatibility), Black for $9.99 (list price $24.98)

Desktop Organizer, Annstory Mesh Office School Supplies Desk Organizer Caddy w/ Drawer, Space Saving (6-part Blue) for $14.99 (list price $22.99)

Face Paint Kit for Kids 6 Color (X-Large) Best Quality Body Painting Set +BONUS 2 Brushes, Stencils & Online Tutorial. Safe Non-Toxic Water Based for $11.79 (list price $24.99)

Universal UNV00418 18-size rubber Bands (1/4 pound) for $4.99 (list price $10.36)

PECHAM Extended Non-Slip Waterproof Rubber Base 3mm Thick Gaming Mouse Pad, XX-Large – Black for $9.99 (list price $18.99)

Mr. Sketch Scented Twistable Gel Crayons, Assorted, 12-Pack (1951333) for $11.69 (list price $12.99)

uni-ball Signo 307 Retractable Gel Pen, Medium-Point, Black Ink, 12-Count for $12.71 (list price $14.13)

Expo Vis-A-Vis Wet-Erase Overhead Transparency Markers, Fine Point, Assorted Colors, 8-Count for $10.12 (list price $12.49)

SafeCard RFID Blocking Card Holder Case – Stainless Steel – Best Identity Theft Protection and Credit Card Protector – Card Holder Keeps Your Credit Cards Safe – Silver for $9.99 (list price $12.95)

Write Dudes Swirl Click Retractable Ballpoint Pens, 5-Count, Assorted Barrel Colors (14634) for $5.00 (list price $6.99)

Prismacolor Premier Art Stix Woodless Colored Pencils, 36-Count for $37.28 (list price $53.49)

Expo Low-Odor Dry Erase Markers, Ultra Fine Tip, Fashion Colors, 4-Count for $5.84 (list price $7.23)

Crystal Clear Packing Tape (6 pack) with Dispenser – ShipQuick Packaging Tape for Industrial and Professional Shipping. Great for Moving. (6 Pack With Dispenser, Crystal Clear) for $9.99 (list price $19.99)

Flash Furniture CH-CX0248H01-VEN-GG High Back Black Vinyl Executive Office Chair with Red Pipeline Border for $140.60 (list price $320.00)

Bankers Box Stor/File Decorative Storage Boxes, Letter/Legal, 10 x 12 x 15 Inches, Brocade, 4 Pack (0022705) for $15.99 (list price $40.68)

Epson Expression Premium XP-630 Wireless Color Photo Printer with Scanner and Copier Refurbished for $69.99 (list price $141.58)

Sharpie Accent Gel Highlighter, Assorted Colors, 5-Count for $6.90 (list price $11.66)

Sharpie Accent Retractable Highlighters, Chisel Tip, Assorted Colors, 8-Count for $6.62 (list price $12.49)

Tanmit 100 Gel Colored Pens with Foldable Case for Adults Coloring Books, Drawing, Writing| No-Duplicated Colors Including Glitter, Neon, Standard, Symhony, Milky & Metallic for $23.99 (list price $50.00)

Rubbermaid Commercial Products FGWMB20SLV Mesh Wastebasket, Round, 5 gal, Silver for $16.20 (list price $24.95)

OUTDOORS, GARDEN, AND SPORTS

LighTouch Rechargeable Camping Lantern,Tent Lights ,Outdoor Portable LED Light, Camping Lantern Built-in Magnet,Ultra Bright 180 Lumens Emergency Light for $11.99 (list price $13.99)

ThorFire PF01 Tactical LED Flashlight Pen Light CREE XP-E2 LED 0.5-100LM Mini EDC Pocket Torch for $15.99 (list price $39.00)

Chaos Ready Waterproof Backpack – Dry Bag – Premium Quality – with Padded Shoulder Straps – Mesh Side Pockets – Front Pocket for $34.99 (list price $69.99)

Chaos Ready 5 in 1 Survival Knife : Ultimate Multipurpose Survival Tool Featuring: Led Flashlight, Glass Breaker, Seatbelt Cutter, Magnesium Fire Starter & Bottle Opener, All in a Folding Tactical Knife for $19.99 (list price $49.99)

InnoGear 5000 Lumen Bright Headlight Headlamp Flashlight Torch 3 CREE XM-L2 T6 LED with Rechargeable Batteries and Wall Charger for $29.99 (list price $59.99)

Emergency Camping Compact Tools Kit, Shovel, Axe, Knife, Saw, Bottle Opener, Nail Puller w/ Pouch for $11.99 (list price $14.99)

LE LED Window Curtain Icicle Lights, 304 LEDs, 9.8ft x 9.8ft ,8 Modes Linkable, String Fairy Light, Warm White, for Christmas/Wedding/Party Backdrops for $15.54 (list price $41.99)

Homar 4 Pcs BBQ Grill Mats – Double Sided Grill Sheets Best in BBQ Grilling Accessories – Healthy Non Stick Perfect for Outdoor and Indoor Baking Burgers, Hot Dogs, Steaks, Vegetables & More! for $14.99 (list price $59.99)

MalloMe Bamboo Marshmallow Roasting Sticks 5mm Thick Extra Long Heavy Duty Wooden Hot Dog Smores Sticks Shish Kabob Skewers Fire Pit Campfire Cooking Kids, 30″ L, 100 Piece for $14.95 (list price $49.99)

Joyriver Electromagnetic and Ultrasonic Pest Repellent Plug in Pest Repeller Against Rodents, Insects, Roaches, Spiders, Ants, Fleas, Bugs, Moths, Bats, with LED Night Light with Dusk to Dawn Sensor for $28.99 (list price $36.99)

96% Pure Calcium Chloride SNOW & ICE Melt Pellets – 25 lb for $37.99 (list price $39.99)

Garant GPRR24U Yukon 24-Inch Poly Blade Aluminum Handle Snow Roof Rake With 16-Foot Reach for $42.29 (list price $49.99)

YETI Hopper Flip 12 – Fog for $259.00 (list price $279.99)

Suncast DB5000B Deck Box, 50 gallon for $53.99 (list price $79.99)

Coleman Expedition First Aid Kit (205-Piece), Red for $19.94 (list price $29.99)

Coleman CM6020 Multitool 4.75-Inch Closed for $23.99 (list price $35.99)

Coleman Premium Dual Fuel Lantern with Hard Carry Case for $49.99 (list price $99.99)

63 Inch Adjustable Garden Leaf Rake – Expanding Rake – Expandable Head From 7 Inch to 22 Inch for $22.95 (list price $29.95)

ReLeaf Leaf Scoops Ergonomic Large Hand Held Rakes Fast Leaf & Lawn Grass Removal Tools for $23.95 (list price $29.95)

G & F 15226M Women’s Garden Gloves, work gloves, 6 Pair Pack, assorted colors. Women’s Medium (Pack of 6) for $11.30 (list price $18.99)

Sunnydaze Heavy Duty Fire Pit Rim, Make Your Own In-Ground Fire Pit, 36 Inch Ins for $179.00 (list price $234.93)

Vremi 9 Piece Garden Tools Set with 6 Ergonomic Gardening Tools, includes Digger, Weeder, Rake, Trowel, Pruners, Transplanter, Garden Tote Bag and Gloves for $32.99 (list price $69.99)

Sunforce 80 LED solar motion light. for $36.23 (list price $56.99)

Coleman Camping Coffee Maker for $32.99 (list price $49.99)

Fiskars X27 Super Splitting Axe, 36-Inch for $57.72 (list price $94.32)

30-gallon Lawn & Leaf Trash Bag – Pack of 10 for $13.49 (list price $17.99)

Char-Broil Quickset 2-Burner Gas Grill for $53.72 (list price $129.99)

Toro 51621 UltraPlus Leaf Blower Vacuum, Variable-Speed (up to 250 mph) with Metal Impeller, 12 amp for $89.00 (list price $108.69)

Solar Lights, Solar Powered Spotlight 2-in-1 Adjustable 4 LED In-Ground Light Landscape Wall Light Waterproof Security Light for Outdoor Yard Garden Lawn – Auto-On / Off – The 3rd Gen-1 pack for $10.95 (list price $28.99)

ELECTRONICS

Buy 5 All-New Amazon Echo Dots, Get One Free

Samsung Chromebook 3 XE500C13-K02US 4 GB RAM 11.6″ Laptop (Black) for $179.00 (list price $229.99)

Dell Inspiron 13 5000 i5368-7643GRY 13.3 inch FHD 2-in-1 Laptop (Intel Core i5-6200U 2.3GHz Processor, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, Windows 10) Gray for $688.00 (list price $799.99)

Zmodo Security System with 4 HD 720P Indoor Outdoor Night Vision IP Camera for $109.99 (list price $299.99)

Uniden MHS126 Handheld Submersible 2-Way 6W VHF Marine Radio – Black for $98.75 (list price $114.41)

PNY L3000 3000mAh 1 Amp PowerPack – Portable Rechargeable Battery Charger with built-In Lightning connector for Apple iPhone for $14.99 (list price $29.99)

SoundPEATS Portable Bluetooth Speakers Outdoor Wireless Speakers Water Resistant Shower Speaker (Dual 5W Drivers, IP65 Waterproof / Dustproof, 10 Hours Play Time, Bass, Built in Mic) – P3 for $32.99 (list price $69.99)

NETGEAR N300 Wi-Fi Router with High Power 5dBi External Antennas (WNR2020v2) for $19.99 (list price $29.99)

iHome iDL43B Dual Charging Stereo FM Clock Radio with Lightning Dock and USB Charge/Play – Black for $72.00 (list price $99.99)

Fire HDX 8.9 Tablet, 8.9″ HDX Display, Wi-Fi and 4G LTE, 64 GB – Includes Special Offers for $479.99 (list price $579.99)

Linksys AC1900 Dual Band Open Source WiFi Wireless Router (WRT1900ACS) for $179.99 (list price $249.99)

TP-Link N300 Wi-Fi Range Extender (TL-WA855RE) for $19.99 (list price $29.99)

Samsung CF391 Series Curved 32-Inch FHD Monitor (C32F391) for $349.99 (list price $399.99)

HDTV Antenna, Pictek Digital TV Antenna 50 Miles for Indoor Using, 10feet, Model DS003, Black for $20.99 (list price $38.59)

Turbot 1080p USB to VGA Adapter, External USB 3.0 Video Display Cable for PC Laptop Windows for $17.99 (list price $25.00)

RUITAI 49-in-1 Outdoor Sport Camera Accessories Bundle Kit for Gopro, SJ Cam, Xiaomi Yi for $22.99 (list price $94.99)

Q-See QTH98-8AI-2 8 CH 720p Analog HD DVR with 8 720p Cameras (Black) for $494.99 (list price $549.99)

VicTsing USB 3.0 Ultra Portable External CD DVD RW DVD ROM Drive/Writer/Burner for Mac, Macbook Pro Air iMAC , Laptops, Desktops, Notebooks(Black) for $29.99 (list price $35.99)

iXCC USB 3.0 25W 7-Port SuperSpeed Hub with Individual On / Off Port Switches And Power Adapter [2-Foot USB 3.0 Cable Attached]- Black for $20.19 (list price $21.99)

TOOLS

Gibraltar Stanley Extra-Large Capacity Galvanized Steel Black, Post-Mount Mailbox, ST200B00 for $30.87 (list price $37.16)

TR Industrial TR88303 Multi-Purpose Cable Ties (100 Piece), 12″, Black for $5.00 (list price $10.00)

MSA Safety Works 818066 Hard Hat, White for $6.96 (list price $14.94)

Antique LED Bulb, Oak Leaf 4w ST64 Vintage Edison Dimmable Light Bulb LED Lighting Soft White 2700K pack of 6 for $27.99 (list price $99.99)

AUKEY Wifi Switch with Home Automation App for iPhone and Android Smartphones for $19.99 (list price $39.99)

DreamSpa 38-Setting 3-Way Rainfall Showerhead / Handheld Shower Combo. Includes 7 Inch 6-Setting Rainfall Shower Head, 4 Inch 6-Setting Handshower with Patented ON/OFF Pause Switch, Water Diverter and Stainless Steel Hose (Premium Chrome) for $39.99 (list price $69.99)

DEWALT DWA4216 5-Piece Oscillating Accessory Kit for $27.99 (list price $60.95)

IRWIN Tools Combination Square, Metal-Body, 6-Inch (1794468) for $8.49 (list price $12.28)

Chamberlain CLULP1 Universal Laser Garage Parking Assist for $16.99 (list price $25.95)

IRWIN Wooden Door Lock Installation Kit, 3111001 for $14.14 (list price $23.30)

Panasonic FV-11VQ5 WhisperCeiling 110 CFM Ceiling Mounted Fan, White for $106.29 (list price $234.00)

Stanley TRA700BN Heavy-Duty Staple & Brad Assortment, 2500-Pack for $8.66 (list price $14.99)

DEWALT DC970K-2 18-Volt Compact Drill/Driver Kit for $99.00 (list price $189.00)

3M Sanding Sponge, Fine Grit, 6-Pack for $8.47 (list price $16.38)

3M Scotch #35 Electrical Tape Value Pack (10457NA) for $7.74 (list price $11.19)

3M Patch Plus Primer 4-in-1, 3-Ounces for $5.93 (list price $6.98)

BLACK+DECKER BDC120VA100 20-Volt MAX Lithium-Ion Drill Kit with 100 Accessories for $69.00 (list price $129.00)

Ideaworks 82-6676 Motion Activated Cordless Light, White for $8.76 (list price $10.95)

WOMUL LED Color Changing Hand Showerhead Rainbow LED Showers Head Light Bathroom Shower Heads for $18.69 (list price $27.99)

Kwikset 980 Single Cylinder Deadbolt featuring SmartKey in Satin Nickel for $25.72 (list price $56.50)

First Alert AF400 Tundra Fire Extinguisher Aerosol Spray for $12.97 (list price $18.10)

TCP 60 Watt Equivalent 6-pack, A19 LED Light Bulbs, Non-Dimmable Soft White, LA1027KND6 for $18.15 (list price $20.39)

Crescent CTK170CMP2 Mechanics Tool Set, 170-Piece for $96.04 (list price $206.13)

Stanley JC509 1000 Peak Amp Jump Starter with Compressor for $69.97 (list price $99.99)

Stanley 60-100 10-Piece Standard Fluted Screwdriver Set for $8.97 (list price $9.99)

Kidde 466204 Pro 10 MP Fire Extinguisher, UL Rated 4-A, 60-B:C, Red for $65.99 (list price $84.45)

Dremel 710-08 All-Purpose Rotary Accessory Kit, 160-Piece for $22.99 (list price $44.74)

ARROW 160455 Drywall Drill Bit, Screw and Anchor Kit for $6.97 (list price $11.97)

J-B Weld 8280 Original – Professional Size Steel Reinforced Epoxy – 10 oz for $12.24 (list price $19.60)

Plenty of video games turn the horrors of real life into entertaining couch-bound challenges—say, the life-or-death realities of war, or the trauma of when the neighborhood cats don’t love you as much as you love them—but few are quite as bleak as the Korean mobile game Don’t Get Fired.

Designed to highlight the harsh realities of the Korean workplace, the game, as The New Yorker puts it, “captures the deadened hamster-wheel ambience of office life.” Even more so, it captures exactly how stressful a shaky job market can be. You go to interviews, become an unpaid intern, and hustle around the office as notifications pop up alerting you about more work to be done. All the while, you try to keep your “health” bar high enough to keep working, because if you work too hard, you’ll burn out and end up getting fired anyway.

Tellingly, when my avatar shows up at his first interview, he’s engulfed in flames for reasons the game does not explain. He goes through nine different interviews, ending up in tears each time, before he finally lands an intern gig.

There are plenty of ways to get canned in the game, some more reasonable than others. You can get caught working two jobs, or be missing when your boss comes looking for you. If you make a single mistake—“oops, I put an extra 0 in the document!”—you’re gone. Plenty of the fireable offenses are random and uncontrollable, such as your company going bankrupt. Sometimes the company runs out of work for you to do, because you worked too hard. You can get too sick to work—no sick leave here! Sometimes, you simply don’t make it past the interview stage at a company. (Fans have compiled a handy list all 29 different offenses, if you’re interested.)

Each time you go to interview at a new job, you get a little “tip,” from the creators, most of which are despondent commentaries on the game’s too-real themes. “Don’t recommend this game to your mom,” one recommends. “She’ll be sad.”

The game alternates between drudgery—spending a lot of time just waiting for a task to come up—and intense scrambling to complete all the work at hand. In short, just don’t work too hard, or your health will fail and you won’t be able to work. But don’t work too little, or you’ll get fired anyway. Simple, right?

Get it: iOS, Android

[h/t The New Yorker]

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There are roughly 200 varieties of natural gemstone known in the world today. Alongside the world’s precious gems (diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald) are numerous semi-precious stones, some of which are so incredibly rare that their value outstrips many of the world’s most valuable precious gems. Here are a few of the rarest from around the world.

1. TANZANITE // FOUND ONLY IN TANZANIA

 
Tanzanite is a beautiful blue variety of the mineral zoisite, and is so named because it is only found in a small area near the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The stone was not discovered in commercial quantities until the 1960s and since then its popularity has grown tremendously, thanks largely to the efforts of Tiffany & Co. Heat-treating tanzanite at very high temperatures can improve the blue coloration, so most gems on the market have been treated in this way, but any tanzanite that has not been heat-treated and has a strong blue color naturally will be of a much higher value. Because it is only found in one small location, the value of tanzanite looks likely to soar over time; once those mines have been emptied there will be no new stones coming onto the market—unless a new source is found.

2. BLACK OPAL // THE DARKER THE BETTER

 
Opals are usually a creamy-white color and are made special by the rainbow-colored inclusions that reflect the light as the stone is moved. Black opals are much rarer, because almost all of them are found in mines in the Lightning Ridge area of New South Wales in Australia. The darker their background color and brighter the inclusions, the more valuable the stone. One of the most valuable black opals of all time is the “Aurora Australis,” which was uncovered in Lightning Ridge in 1938. The 180-carat opal is especially admired due to its large size and intense harlequin coloration; in 2005 it was valued at AUS $1,000,000, or about $763,000 U.S.

3. LARIMAR // ONLY FOUND IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

 
Larimar is a very rare blue variety of the mineral pectolite and is found in only one small area of the Dominican Republic. This turquoise stone’s name was created by the man who brought the stone to prominence in 1974, Miguel Méndez—he took the first part of his daughter’s name, Larissa, and combined it with the Spanish word for sea, mar, to create the portmanteau larimar. Locals had known of the existence of the stone for generations, because small examples had washed up on the seashore, but it was not until the 1970s that sufficient quantities were found in the ground to open a mine.

4. PARAIBA TOURMALINE // NEON LUSTER

 
Tourmalines are common in many colors across Brazil, but the Paraiba tourmalines are the only stones with a bright turquoise hue, thanks to their copper content. The very rare gems were discovered in 1987 by determined miner Heitor Dimas Barbosa, who had been driven by a belief that something special lurked under the hills of the Brazilian state of Paraiba. Barbosa was right, and after years of fruitless digging, he finally unearthed a tourmaline of unrivaled neon blue that set the gem market alight. The extremely rare stone (only one stone is mined for every 10,000 diamonds) then became intensely sought-after. In 2003 very similar turquoise-colored tourmalines were found at mines in the mountains of Nigeria and Mozambique, although some say they are not quite as striking as the Paraiba tourmaline.

5. GRANDIDERITE // ONE EXCEPTIONAL EXAMPLE

 
Grandiderite was first described in 1902 by French mineralogist Alfred Lacroix, who found it in Madagascar and named it in honor of the French explorer Alfred Grandidier, an expert on Madagascan natural history. This extremely rare blue-green mineral has been found in a number of places around the world, but so far only Madagascar and Sri Lanka have produced any gem-quality stones, and these are still extremely scant. The majority of the known stones are translucent, but the most rare, and therefore most valuable, example ever found was transparent. In fact, the stone was initially assumed to be another rare gem, serendibite, because grandiderite of that color and transparency had yet to be seen. The gem was only identified as grandiderite after expert analysis and was subsequently sold for an undisclosed sum. It’s safe to assume that if a gem of similar quality were to be unearthed, its scarcity alone would ensure it fetched an extremely high price.

6. ALEXANDRITE // COLOR-SHIFTING GEM

 
The amazing color-changing stone alexandrite was discovered in 1830 in the Ural Mountains in Russia and named after Russian tsar Alexander II. A variety of chrysoberyl, the stone’s remarkable color-shifting capability makes it especially sought-after: In sunlight the stone looks blue-green, but under incandescent light it becomes red-purple. The degree of color change varies from stone to stone, with some only showing marginal change, but the most valuable are clear stones that demonstrate complete color change.

Although some large examples of the stone have been found (the Smithsonian houses the world’s largest known cut sample of alexandrite at 65.08 carats), the majority are under one carat. This means that the value of a gem under a carat may only be $15,000, but a stone larger than one carat might fetch as much as $70,000 per carat.

7. BENITOITE // STATE GEM OF CALIFORNIA

 
Benitoite is only mined in one small area of California, near the San Benito River (hence the name), but the mine closed for commercial mining in 2006, making this gemstone yet more scarce. The gem was first identified around 1907 by geologist George Louderback and has a deep-blue color that shows especially interesting qualities when caught under UV light, when it glows fluorescent. The gem was named the official state gemstone of California in 1985 in recognition of the fact that, despite it being found in trace quantities in Arkansas as well as Japan and Australia, California is the only place where it can feasibly be mined. Due to the rarity of discovering a good quality benitoite of a reasonable size, it can fetch huge prices on the open market—a well-cut benitoite stone at over 2 carats can fetch more than $10,000 a carat.

8. PAINITE // ONCE THE WORLD’S RAREST GEM

 
Painite was first discovered by British gemologist Arthur Charles Davy Pain in 1951 and recognized as a new mineral in 1957. For many years only one specimen of the dark red crystal was in existence, housed at the British Museum in London, making it the world’s rarest gemstone. Later on other specimens were discovered, although by 2004 there were still fewer than two dozen known painite gems. However, in recent years a couple of mines in Myanmar have begun to produce some painite, and there are now said to be over 1000 stones known. The scarcity of this gem has made it extremely valuable and just one carat can fetch more than $60,000.

9. RED BERYL // TINY AND SCARCE

 
Red beryl, also known as bixbite or red emerald, is so rare it is estimated by the Utah Geological Survey that a single such gem is uncovered for every 150,000 gem-quality diamonds. Pure beryl is colorless and only gains its bright hues from impurities in the rock: chromium and vanadium give beryl a green color resulting in an emerald; iron provides a blue or yellow tint creating aquamarine and golden beryl; and manganese adds the deep-red color to create red beryl. Red beryl is only found in Utah, New Mexico, and Mexico, and the majority of examples found are just a few millimeters in length, too small to be cut and faceted for use. Those that have been cut are generally less than a carat in weight, and a red beryl of 2 or 3 carats would be considered exceptional.

10. TAAFFEITE // DISCOVERED BY CHANCE

 
Austrian-Irish gemologist Count Edward Charles Richard Taaffe bought a box of cut stones from a jeweler in Dublin in the 1940s, thinking he had purchased a collection of spinels. But on closer inspection, he noted that one of the pale mauve gems was not reacting to the light in the same way as the rest of the spinels, so he sent it off to be analyzed. The results revealed that he had discovered a hitherto unknown gemstone—a serendipitous but frustrating situation, since he had discovered a cut gem and had no idea where the mineral naturally occurred. Fortunately, once the new stone had been announced, many other collectors re-examined their own spinel collections and a number of other samples were uncovered. Finally the source of the stone was tracked down to Sri Lanka, although a handful have also been found in Tanzania and China. It is thought that less than 50 examples of taaffeite exist—many of which are housed in geological and private collections, making this gemstone so rare the ordinary public are unlikely to ever encounter it.

The best time to start saving for your child’s education was yesterday. Four years of college can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars, and tuition prices are only getting higher. Parents who start putting away money years before their child’s first acceptance letter rolls in are already a step ahead of many American families. But simply saving isn’t enough: If the money isn’t being held in the right type of account, parents risk leaving some serious money on the table.

As Money reports, the most recent “How America Saves for College” report [PDF] from Sallie Mae shows that 61 percent of families keep that money in a general savings account, where it can accrue minimum interest. Keeping your money in a savings account is definitely better than hiding it under your mattress, but most banks don’t set interest rates for these accounts any higher than one percent. A 529 college savings plan may offer double that—or possibly even more.

529 savings plans are tax-advantaged programs that vary from state to state. If parents commit to using the savings to pay for approved college expenses, they could end up growing thousands more than they would have in a regular savings account. Additionally, any money they invest grows tax-deferred and the earnings put away for higher educational purposes can’t be taxed.

About 37 percent of parents use this method to save for college, which is a boost from the past few years. A couple of pitfalls that might turn parents away are the potential investment fees and inflexibility in terms of how the money can be spent. Whether parents decide to go with a simple savings account or something that will deliver more bang for their buck, the most important step they can take is to start saving as early as possible.

[h/t Money]

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