October 2008 Blog Posts (56)

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Plateaus and Moments of Discovery

I entered into coffee two years ago with only a cursory knowledge of this fine beverage I've become so enamored with these days. I knew it was black, that it "tasted bitter", and that it was, in my mind at the time, a poor substitute for Mountain Dew. Fast forward to today; redistribution methods, TDS brewing measurements, gram scale dosing, pulped natural, and 9 bar are all terms that float in foggy cloud in mind. Ive pondered the effects of convex tamping versus flat piston tamping. I've… Continue

Added by Chris DeMarse on October 24, 2008 at 7:26am — 1 Comment

Loaner Machine

Our espresso machine wasn't doin so well, they bought it used to begin with, and we've been open 5 years now, so it's expected. Well the owners decided against buying a new machine, so ours is getting rebuilt. Unfortunately we got the worst loaner since he has so many out right now. It sucks! It's so frustarting to serve drinks, shots especially, that are far under par compared to your usual best. It's gonna be a rough weekend.

Added by Jaimie Rae Weidner on October 23, 2008 at 7:57pm — No Comments

Competition video

Hey all, does anyone know where I can get access to soe video from the WBC any year will do, I want to see it all.

Added by Jesse -D-> on October 23, 2008 at 11:41am — 7 Comments

Anyone need a barista?

I got fired monday. It was stupid and unfair. I've never done anything wrong there - never late, in fact, I'm always early, the drawer is never off, never been repriminded, and when I went in early monday morning to open my boss was waiting for me to get my keys. Whatever. If he's going to be like that, I don't want to work for him anyways.



Bad news is, no other coffee houses seem to be looking for baristas. I sent my resume to a couple but I havn't heard anything back and don't… Continue

Added by Rachael Renk Simas on October 23, 2008 at 11:30am — 2 Comments

Rwanda COE auction is today

We will be bidding on some coffees in a group. There has not been a lot of interest in this auction stateside. I am concerned for the overall prices and the impact to the farmers. I hope that more people end up bidding and bring the average price up to make a difference for all of the hardworking farmers. They deserve it!
http://www.cupofexcellence.org/coeauctions.aspx?tabid=36

Added by Andy Newbom on October 23, 2008 at 6:51am — 3 Comments

The Finals





Silvio Leite and Wendy de Jong in full cupping mode.



This morning our crew of judges and TransFair USA staff left the Colinas Hotel and headed out to the Centro de Excellencia for the final two rounds of cupping



The morning will feature ten of the top natural coffees from Tuesday's session and eleven of the semi-washed/washed coffees from yesterday (the eleventh coffee is due… Continue

Added by Brazil Fair Trade Certified Cupping Competition on October 23, 2008 at 6:30am — No Comments

Poço Fundo Part 2

After the visit at COOPFAM's new dry mill and cupping room, we all piled into the van and set off to visit a member's farm. The journey was worthy of an Indiana Jones movie. We were told that the carpets of giant red ants we'd pass on the road were signs of coming rain (not eminent doom.) One collapsed bridge forced a long detour around to another bridge which looked like it was about to collapse. Bets were taken on how the van would fall into the river. The scenery, as it is in most coffee… Continue

Added by Brazil Fair Trade Certified Cupping Competition on October 22, 2008 at 7:00pm — No Comments

Busyness

Geez...I don't log on for a couple weeks and it seems the barista exchange world fast forwards 2 months. This whole not having a computer thing really isn't helping...



Anyway.



I posted a discussion about the cool experience I had with one of the local newspaper writers in the shop, but just for kicks here is the link for the story they did.… Continue

Added by Cherie on October 22, 2008 at 6:24pm — No Comments

PT's Coffee Roasting Co. named Roast Magazine's Roaster of the Year!



I am so excited to finally announce that PT's Coffee Roasting Co. has been named Roast Magazine's 2009 Roaster of the Year! We at PT's are honored to have earned the coveted title. Look for the article in the November/December issue of Roast Magazine. For now, here's a press release...



PT's Coffee Roasting Co. has been named Roast magazine's "Roaster of the Year" for2009 in the publication's… Continue

Added by Holly on October 22, 2008 at 10:05am — 6 Comments

Poço Fundo

After the cupping the panel of judges visited COOPFAM (Cooperativa dos Agricultores Familiares de Poço Fundo e Regiao, or just Poço Fundo) Founded in 1991, the co-op has grown to achieve many of its long term goals and recently completed a new dry mill in May of this year. Three years ago the co-op began exporting its own coffee which completed the journey to self-sufficiency in all matters of post-production.…



Continue

Added by Brazil Fair Trade Certified Cupping Competition on October 22, 2008 at 8:55am — No Comments

Brazilian Food

Just a small clarification for anyone who thought we were serious about the strict food regime of bread and water for the judges-we've been eating some wonderful meals. The joke was more about cupping competition director Silvio Leite and his stellar attention to detail and procedure. There are however some guidelines for diet when cupping. Things you want to avoid the night before and day of the cupping include onions, garlic, hot peppers, and alcohol. While those ingredients have been absent… Continue

Added by Brazil Fair Trade Certified Cupping Competition on October 22, 2008 at 7:30am — No Comments

"COFFEE WITH A KICK"

Very cool! Way to go Martin Diedrich, a fellow bX member!



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



Oct. 21, 2008



CONTACT: Trevor Slavick, Founder

Little Feet Coffee Company

(949) 929-9133

Trevor737@gmail.com



SOCCER CHARITY TEAMS UP WITH COFFEE PRODUCER TO OFFER NEW SPECIALTY BRAND



UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP PROVIDES PREMIUM "COFFEE WITH A KICK"



(NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.) Oct. 21, 2008… Continue

Added by Matt Milletto on October 21, 2008 at 2:18pm — No Comments

A day of naturals

Tuesday here at the Center of Excellence saw the conclusion of round one for naturally processed coffees. Naturals, those allowed to dry whole with the beans still inside the cherry, can be problematic on the cupping table. "It's always difficult to cup natural coffees because you can always find a lot of variations from cup to cup and table to table" says Andrew Miller of Cafe Imports. Twenty-nine coffees in three flights were cupped on Tuesday and Andrew saw two coffees per set that were… Continue

Added by Brazil Fair Trade Certified Cupping Competition on October 21, 2008 at 8:30am — No Comments

International Panel Biographies

While our judges finish cupping the third and final round of naturals, let's learn a little more about them.







Oscar Gonzales, Supply Manager, Sustainable Harvest, Lima, Peru

Oscar Gonzales began his career in coffee eleven years ago. He initially started working at national roasting companies, where he established strong relationships with key coffee companies and exporting cooperatives in Peru. Oscar then worked with coffee… Continue

Added by Brazil Fair Trade Certified Cupping Competition on October 21, 2008 at 8:30am — No Comments

More Calibrations, Rio, and those nifty cups...

For those of you who've never been on a cupping panel I should probably dig a little deeper on calibrations. First, the calibration can also serve as a warm-up for the judges, giving them a chance make sure their own senses are dialed-in. As we well know, we all have different palates and different senses of smell. While experienced cuppers tend to be totally tuned into their noses & tongues, they're still individuals with varying life experiences and sense memories. One combination of… Continue

Added by Brazil Fair Trade Certified Cupping Competition on October 21, 2008 at 4:00am — No Comments

In desperate need of a job.

I haven't had the best of luck lately. I left Epicenter, I couldn't compromise my happiness for a job. Since then, I took on a full-time job in a cafe, that quickly became a part time job, because they didn't take into account that tourist season would soon be over and business would be slower, onto a full blown "letting go" notice, because they couldn't afford to keep me or give me the hours, I so desperately need right now.



It's my birthday in a few days and I am recovering from a… Continue

Added by Jess on October 20, 2008 at 9:29pm — 1 Comment

Financial Uncertainty

At this point in time I have put together a solid business plan, got money lined up, and I've found a great location. However, a lingering doubt remains whether or not, with all the financial uncertainty gripping the world, if this is the best time to invest heavily in a business.



Warren Buffett, in a recent article in the New York Times, said, "When people are greedy, it's the time to fear and when there is fear its the time to be greedy." He is referring to the stock market, of… Continue

Added by Jeremy Clouser on October 20, 2008 at 4:32pm — 1 Comment

Calibrations

Today marks the start of the first ever Fair Trade Cupping Competition in Brazil. The judges are all well rested and ready to go after a proper night's rest. Our panel started out this morning from the Hotel Colinas in the heart of downtown Machado after a tasty Brazilian breakfast which included one of my favorites, Pao de Queijo with bacon. The judges, of course, we're only allowed a slice of white bread and some water so as to not upset their delicate palates (no I didn't see David Hermann… Continue

Added by Brazil Fair Trade Certified Cupping Competition on October 20, 2008 at 7:03am — No Comments

The International Panel

The first ever Fair Trade Cupping Competition in Brazil has brought together an international panel featuring roasters, importers, exporter, Q Graders, and cupping superstars from the USA and South America. In less than a week the international panel will begin the competition with a calibration meeting led by Silvio Leite to establish standards. On Tuesday 10/21 the panel will begin cupping the naturals category at the Center of Excellence in Machado. More updates to… Continue

Added by Brazil Fair Trade Certified Cupping Competition on October 14, 2008 at 1:00pm — No Comments

The Strangers play Live!!!

The Strangers, from Charlotte, NC will play at J. Oliver's Saturday, October 18 at 8 pm. They play covers from the 70's -90's sprinkled with some of their original material just to keep things interesting. A great & fun group of guys:



Chris Keener - Vox, Guitar, Sax

Tracy Drake - Guitar, Vox

Nate Andrews - Bass, Vox

Tony Golic - Drums/Percussion/Vox



Everyone is welcome!!! Come enjoy a relaxing evening of good coffee & good music. Hope to see… Continue

Added by J Oliver's Coffee on October 14, 2008 at 8:41am — No Comments

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