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Bel Townsend

Female

Darlington

United Kingdom

Profile Information:

What is your position in the coffee industry?: barista, home barista, coffee enthusiast
Where are you located? ( City and Country ): Darlington, north-east UK
How many years have you been in the industry?: 2
If you are a barista or shop, are you interested in a barista exchange with another coffee shop/barista?: yes
Tell us more about your coffee shop or barista skills.: Worked as the manager/chef and barista for a year in a cafe specialising in luxury coffees. From there I've undertaken two lots of professional barista training at a independent roaster company. I also worked at Caffe Nero for the past 8 months, and took their barista training course as well.
I am a certified coffee geek too - I am currently doing my PhD in geography, researching the concepts of luxury and wastage in the coffee industry.
What cities or countries are you interested in traveling to?: Brazil, Italy, Nicaragua, Paris, Istanbul... basically I'd love to go anywhere!
About Me:: I'm a caffeine addict who is just beginning to learn coffee gourmandism! I have always loved the stuff, I love the performance that goes into making good espresso and I think the history of the coffee industry is fascinating.
I've been working in Caffe Nero for far too long, and have come to the dull conclusion that they are not actually very good at what they do. I am a PhD student at the university of Sheffield studying all aspects of coffee - in terms of globalisation, fair trade, consumption, branding, and culture. Really really enjoying it. Hopefully I will be able to go out to Costa Rica and Nicaragua at the end of the year to see the coffee harvest as well.
About My Company:: I would love to open my own coffee shop and cafe sometime soon... It's gonna be called Doctor Coffee's and based in Vancouver when we finally move over there!
What is your favorite thing about the coffee industry?: That there is so much that goes in to making what is essentially just a drink, and the variations in, and history of this drink is fascinating
Website:: http://drcoffee.wordpress.com

Comment Wall:

Bel Townsend

Nobody loves me...

Jan 20, 2008
Les Fry

Not true

Jan 21, 2008
Troy Reynard

Do ya think James has a chance? lol....don't judge a book by it's cover, I can geek out with the best of them, and I consume at least 8 shots a day...I am the Espresso Gladiator!

Jan 21, 2008
Kevin Selig

Good day Bel,
I use this tag because I stand for the proper representation of TRUE espresso & cappuccino drinks, techniques and presentation. I love this industry and try to pass this passion & understanding on to my customers. I thought that this tag would indicate this for me.
What do you think?
Hey, by the way, what part of the UK do you live in?
I was able to experience 4 years in the UK back in the mid to late 80'. I was living around Hampshire, Upper Lakeford. About 1 hour north west of London.
Absolutely loved it and hope to re-visit some day!
How are things going for you?
Thanks for your interest. Sounds like you are into the coffee thing a bit deep! Good for you.
Hope your days are full of good coffee!!!!!

Jan 22, 2008
Kevin Selig

Sweet, I wish you well. NEVER stop believing!!!!!!
Have a great day.
Stop drinking BAD coffee!!

Jan 22, 2008
Dr. Joseph John

My Ph.D. is in Nuclear Physics. But I have not done much in that field since the 1980's when I became a business man and ran technology companies.

Thanks for asking.

Jan 22, 2008
Dr. Joseph John

Congratulations! What aspect of coffee are you working on for your Ph.D.? Is it the techincal side or the business side?

This industry is full of misinformation and requires a lot of work to be done. Good Luck in your efforts.

Jan 22, 2008
Aaron Lee

Thank you, with big passion comes big actions lol..
Wow.. i love the name Doctor Coffee..
Looks like both of us have the same dream and passion..

Jan 22, 2008
Fede Cabrera

Hi Mel,

Thanks for your message, your spanish seems better than my english (and I`ve been told is not an easy language to learn).
Good luck with your PhD!

Regards,
Federico

Jan 29, 2008
michael Phillips

Nice to hear from someone across the pond even if they are a complete stranger. I must say you have a most thoroughly filled out BX profile, your making me feel like a stereotypical american slacker. If your drive for coffee knowledge ever drags you through the windy city of Chicago you should by our shops.

Feb 12, 2008
Jaap

no, hahaha, but i see you writing a lot good stuf! wanna be my first baristafriend? :D

Feb 14, 2008
Peter Tam

Bel,
I am sure I have a lot of question to ask you, as your research of coffee market. For example, have you got any statistical datas about the satisfaction of coffee consumers in a region or even a country? Peter

Feb 14, 2008
Peter Tam

Yes, thanks a lot for your kind reply.

As far as I understand, the baristas will not drop anything but the roasters will do. And the wastes are those plant seeds, and not influence the environment, I suppose. Or I mis-understood it.

Feb 15, 2008
Peter Tam

I am very interested in your research work. If possible, I would hear more about it. Do you have any blog or website to describe your work?

Feb 15, 2008
Peter Tam

I do not understand quite well about " - waste of knowledge".

As I can understand and suppose, the World Coffee Industry is wasting time, marketing and other things because those proefssionals do not have good knowledge about espresso, maybe also coffee, and cannot help and promote the improvement of espresso technology, as you can see from the very limited number of cafes where they can serve good espresso drinks, around the world.

Most coffee professionals are influenced and restricted, as described by the "Law of the mental unity of crowds" (by Gustave Le Bon). They can hardly accept different opinions not even think of it carefully.

It means that the development of the world coffee industry can eb improved only after a long time and a long way to go through many different steps.

I am not sure whether it makes sense to your research or not, or if I mis-understood it.

Feb 23, 2008
Fede Cabrera

Hey Bel,

I`m making progress with the business plan of my project (I bought a great book in Ashoka).
Have you got any statistics from the coffee market?
I`m trying to estimate the potential market for the DVD of the trip.

Best regards,
Federico

Feb 28, 2008
Fede Cabrera

Bel,
Thanks for your prompt response! Have you got information/statistics for the speciality coffee market (in your country or worldwide)?
Saludos, Federico

Feb 29, 2008
Fede Cabrera

Bel,
I don`t need the information with urgency, please take all the time you need. It will be great if you`re able to get it, to advance with the business plan ... but there are also other areas that need some work.
Saludos, Federico

Feb 29, 2008
Fede Cabrera

Bel,

Your spanish was great, I get the info, thanks!
I`ll let you know any news.

Saludos,

Mar 3, 2008
WAG

Thanks for The Coffee House book idea. That's goin' on the shelf.

Mar 22, 2008
Ken Chappell

Oh yeah, HUGE!! Population 11,000.
There are actually a lot of them, but they all seem to be pretty similar in size.
So, what are your thoughts on a trip to visit Pablo? I really want to go.

Mar 26, 2008
Ken Chappell

I really think most of the others are tire kickers. I have located my birth certificate this weekend in an effort to obtain my passport, I will send for it today. I have travelled a lot inside the states, but only to Mexico outside. I really want to go this season, I do not want to wait.

Apr 7, 2008
vincent

Morning from Dallas, How's things? too bad for Liverpool huh?

May 8, 2008
vincent

How's going this morning Bel, Hopefully some of us Texans will be having a Coffee Jam in the city or nearby it's just in the planning stages now. Not much of Coffee scene here but I'm making efforts to change that.

May 22, 2008
vincent

Not so sunny today, a bit overcast. This week I had to do some repairs on the roaster. I had to replace the drum motor and the front and back bearings. It's been an exhausting week. Today I'm brewing Decaf Colombia Swiss Water Process, and an Organic Mexican from Oaxaca. Too bad for Chelsea.

May 23, 2008
Shawn Steiman

Bel,
I'll comment about your research after reading your blurb and finishing my D (I have 2 weeks to finish...). So, all in good time. :-)
Thanks for the description,
Shawn

Jun 9, 2008
vincent

What's up Bel, How's things over in your part of the world. I just got a bag of Rwanda in that I'm cupping today. It's very good , dark in color, the aroma is sweet and floral , like most African coffees. Anyway, just buggin' you, hope all is well.

Jun 13, 2008
vincent

Brazil is South American. I like the Brazil as a slightly darker roast. We offer it as an Espresso which is very nice. It's has a bold smokey body, with a sweet , carmely finish and makes a good crema. It's better in a Latte or Capp.
It's good to hear from you. I was beginning to think that you wanted nothing to do with a us Texans (Yeee-Ha). Some beans from Rwanda just came available and I was able to secure a Bag of it from an importer to try. There has not been any good green coffee available from troubled places in Africa like Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Uganda and Congo. However, I got the bag last week and after ripping the bag open like a horny lover, I roasted it as was very pleased with the coffee. First of all, I has a beautiful aroma, very floral and exotic. The first roast I did was a medium roast and at that temp. it was very crisp and nutty, hints of cocoa in the finish. I love to send you some (yes, all the way to the bloody UK). You can give me a mailing address at ...vb76scorpio@yahoo.com

Jun 18, 2008
vincent

I'll be roasting it today(Thursday). The Costa Rican/Mexican blend sounds good. Have you noticed that Brazil is completely different from the rest of the coffees that are grown in the Americas? and yes it does has a slightly harsh metalic taste to it. However, that's a quality it can have when roasted for espresso because that gives a hardness. Ok Lady, I must start my day. I hope yours goes well. cheers

Jun 19, 2008
vincent

Morning Lady Townsend, I'm bloody tired, been a rough week, i feel like someone kicked me in the balls. Anyway let's talk coffee, No roasting today(Friday) Today's brew will be Costa Rica Vienna Roast, and for Decaf,, Sumatra. One of my favorites. The decaf Sumatra has a very musty, earthy, taste. Doesn't sound very good does it, but it is. What about you?

Jun 20, 2008
vincent

It's Ok, that you are Married to the "pure coffee culture" but having an affair with a little flavor. I never drink coffee without milk, it would be like going to work without any knickers on. Your maple drink sounds good. I'm sorry you are having to drink not so good coffee my dear but Alas! Coffee cometh your way, out of Dallas, to the Jetty, on plane across the Atlantic, into to Ireland to pick up more things to take to England, on to the main land, pass liverpool, and then North about 200 km to Darlington. Have a nice day

Jun 20, 2008
vincent

I'm glad you got the coffee, I hope you like it. You'll have to give me a full report. Today, I'm actually brewing that for samples(the Rwanda). I've got much to do today, some big orders to roast. have a good day, Madam Bel of Darlington.

Jun 30, 2008
Treva

Great. I was hoping you would join the Coffee Culinaria group. I am also looking to recruit chefs who are NOT yet on barista exchange - but who are involved with coffee - let me know if you have ideas - suggestions - I want to bring the coffee and culinary worlds together in some small delicious way.

Jul 1, 2008
vincent

Buenas Dia
I'm glad at least you tried the Rwanda. I never said that it or any other African was better than Latin American coffees, but I think it has a good body, and nice acidity that makes a good cup. I'm not crazy about coffees from the Americas though, with the expection of Organic Chiapas, or a good Costa Rican (La Minita). What do I think is the best coffee or coffee region- Indonesia. Celebes, Sumatra and Java. Ethiopian Yirgacheffe and the Harrar are excellent African coffees. Coffee was born in Ethiopia ( the dancing goat story). It's the perfect place to grow coffee, always has been.

Jul 3, 2008
vincent

Hello there stranger, Hope all is well. havent heard from you in awhile. So what's this Shared Earth business all about anyway?

Sep 22, 2008