concerning my experience....I lerned about coffee as everybody learns how to walk or ride a bike; my grandfather was a green coffee importer and roaster, we used to roast and cup test several samples every day either as single origins or in blends so.... I naturally learned many things about coffees and their blending, but I am rather ignorant about the agricultural side of coffee. I'll be visiting El Salvador and Guatemala next month, though. After that I will surely be less ignorant...

well Flavia,
actually I did expect that workshop in Copenhagen to wake up sme enthusiasm in the cuirious barista participants but the but the reality overcame my fantasy.
I have some scenes shot AFTER my introduction, when it all came to PRACTICE: everybody was talking with everybody else and trying their shoys n levers with the 3 different machines I had brought there with the co operation of Kees van der Westen and Brasilia. Look at them if you like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COuDWLokhYg

Ciao Flavia

I guess by your name that your origin is Italian.
Forgive me for not responding promptly to your request.
I see that you have a "tough" profile as student in economics besides being a fanatic about coffee; well : we share these two aspects even if my profile as student is not as tough as yours...

Flavia...... I just finished my taxes, so I'm relaxing by browsing my emails and stuff. BTW, what type of camera did you use for your photos. I started photography in high school, was a combat photographer during Vietnam, and did freelance commercial work after college. I have always had a camera close by. While I started with 2 1/4" square film format, I now have an Olympus E20, which is great for still shots, product photos, landscapes, etc., but definitely way to slow for action stuff. I have done a few weddings, but only as a friend, not as the paid photo-bug. I've always said that first you have to have an eye for framing, lighting conditions and knowing the right moment to trip the shutter. What photos you've posted are quite good. I'll presume that you'll include some of them in your book. I suppose, since I'm "spilling my guts" here, I share that we have a rather large Brasilian community in South Orange County. Most of our friends are either Brasilian, Argentines or European. I'm actually a minority in the group, along with a few other native Amercian husbands. At our house, arroz com feijoa preto and molho de vinagrete is common at the dining table. Best thing I ever did was marry a Mineira!

Flavia... Firstly, let me compliment you on your multi-lingual skills. After all these years of marriage, I've yet to take formal courses in Portuguese, but manage OK when I'm there. My last trip to specialty coffee shops in SP are documented on www.youtube.com and also linked on my main page in Barista Exchange. Have you seen my vid's at Santo Grao and my visit to Marco Suplicy's shop in Jardins? I know the woman that set up his SP shop. She is a well known consultant who lives in Beaverton-Portland, Oregon. BTW, I don't have that Krups anymore. I have a commercial espresso bar and small batch roaster in my garage, and am using a single group La Spaziale Vivaldi. It's a nice little double boiler unit, which gives me the ability to more accurately test extractions at various temps. I think my "Garage Espresso Bar" is in my BX photos. If it weren't for the economy right now, I'd be back at our family homes in Brasilia, Goiania, the cattle fazendas West of Goiania and in Uberlandia. My wife and her two aunts all cook traditional Brasilian here in SoCal, and just this morning I had my cafezinho with fresh hosca! My wife makes incredible pao de queijo and bolo de fuba. It's amazing that I'm not fatter than I am! When we're in Uberlandia, we visit Arlete's uncle who owns a stall at the Mercado Central. That's where we stock up on cheeses and such before going back to SP for our flights home.