I was surprised when I saw Starbucks logo in Sihanouk street. Some questions in my head, why does not it have "starbucks coffee" panel in font of the building. When does it come to Cambodia?I walked inside the store and saw starbucks logo in the menu board. The barista did not wear starbucks uniform. of course, it is green color. The espresso machine is not LM. it is unknown brand. I ordered an espresso. Oh my gosh, it looked terrible, little crema was on the cup wall, black coffee color in the middle. I was not able to image that it was starbucks coffee quality. I asked the barista about the store.He said that it was not starbucks coffee chain. it is just private store. the owner buys starbucks coffee and puts the starbucks logo behind a glass wall.I think that the owner used illegally starbucks logo for their marketing. It maybe news starbucks' marketing to increase their profit??? VIA is a bad idea. this one maybe others.
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The term "specialty coffee" refers to the highest-quality green coffee beans roasted to their greatest flavor potential by true craftspeople and then properly brewed to well-established standards. Specialty coffee is not defined by a brewing method, such as the use of an espresso machine.The definition of specialty coffee begins at the origin of coffee, the planting of a particular varietal into a particular growing region of the world. But the definition cannot stop there. The concept of specialty includes the care given to the plant through harvest and preparation for export.Specialty coffee in the green bean phase can be defined as a coffee that has no defects and has a distinctive character inthe cup. It is not only that the coffee doesn't taste bad; to be considered specialty it must be notably good.The next phase is roasting, and there is a lot of opportunity here to continually define specialty. Every coffee in combination with every roaster has a potential to express itself in a way that will be most satisfying for every customer. Bringing out a coffee's distinctive character is the roastmaster's challenge. If he comes close to succeeding then it is still specialty if it started out in the green form as specialty.In roasted coffee, most agree that freshness is a part of the definition for specialty. If the coffee is not highly aromatic then it no longer deserves to be called “specialty.”Then there is the brewing phase. There are many different methods, and all are capable of brewing beverages that can qualify as specialty coffee, but only if done correctly. The right ratio of coffee to water, the right grind suited to the method and the coffee's physical characteristics, the proper water temperature and contact time, a good preparation of the coffee "bed" or "cake" are all fundamentals that must be satisfied to produce a specialty cup of coffee.Specialty coffee is, in the end, defined in the cup. It takes many steps to deliver that cup into the customers' hands. Each of those steps can uphold the classification of specialty if quality has been maintained throughout all the preceding stepsfrom Mike Ferguson/Aaron Kiel (SCAA)
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Coffee was first grown in Vietnam about 150 years ago (1857). Vietnam’s coffee industry is young compared to other coffee growing nations: Indonesia in 1699, Brazil in 1760 (Rio de Janeiro) and Colombia in 1723 (coffee has been Colombia’s traditional main export, accounting for up to 80% of export value in 1925).Vietnam is currently chiefly growing Robusta coffee (coffee canephor Pierre var. Robusta) with only about 20,000 hectares (about 5% total coffee growing area) reserved for growing Arabica coffee. Excelsa and Liberica coffees are also sparsely grown in some places.Coffee is primarily grown in the highlands and mountainous areas, mainly in the Central Highlands region. Đaklak has the largest growing area.Vietnam currently has over 560,000 households growing coffee, generating steady jobs for over half a million laborers, and attracting millions of laborers during pick time, accounting for roughly 3% of the agricultural labor force (1.9% of national labor force). The lives of over two million people are dependent on coffee growing. Coffee plantations in Vietnam are usually small, only 1% (of plantations) are over 5 hectares, 46% between 1 and 5 hectares, the rest (53%) is smaller than 1 hectare.Despite their small scale of operation, in 1990 over 80% of coffee growing area and production came from the private industry. State-owned plantations are being downscaled or privatized, contributing even more to the growth of the private sector. Coffee growth and production in the private sector has now reached over 90%.Since 2000 Vietnam has become the second largest coffee exporter in the world (after Brazil), exporting roughly 700 to 900 thousand tons annually, about 12 to 15% of world market share.Vietnam is currently the world leader in Robusta production. Vietnam’s Robusta coffee is grown at an altitude of 500 – 600m above sea level, experiencing high day/night temperature difference and resulting in better quality coffee as compared to other producers in Asia and Africa.Vietnam’s coffee has the following competitive advantages:- Cheap labor;- High yield (intensive planting: fertilizer, water);- Transport distance;- Favorable policies in place for coffee production, processing, and consumption.Development in grow area and yield also means increased export value and quantity.In 2006, Vietnam exported 870 thousand tons; export value was worth over US $1.1 billion.In 2007, coffee production passed the 1 million tons mark, total export value reached over US $1.8 billion. Coffee is Vietnam’s leading agricultural export, and is one of 8 export produce with value of over US $1 billion. Coffee export value also surpassed that of rice in 2007, generating 13% more revenue than rice.In 2008, according to basic estimates by VICOFA (Vietnam Coffee Association), as of end of October, Vietnam has exported 1.077 million ton, worth US $2.044 billion – a record for Vietnam coffee industry in terms of both quantity and value
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Someone wrote to tell me that civets don't live in Sumatra, so it'll be interesting to find out what these farmers have to do with that coffee. Maybe they grow the beans that are fed to civets elsehwhere?http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/coffee/2009/04/21/caffe_vita_hosts_tasting_of_ci.html
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It comes with:2 groups Commercial La Sanmarcos espresso machineG-Rossi commercial grinderMazzer commercial grinderSNO small ice maker (on the bar)Bunn Commercial drip coffee machineBunn Commercial 5lbs capacity coffee grinder.All accessories
http://timwendelboe.no/2009/04/the-new-la-marzocco/Was always my favorite espresso machine and i have my own GB5 with teflon covered portafilters and steam wands, barista lights and some extras but this new LA MARZOCCO is my next...
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We just got back from our evening out and are thankful to all of our friends who stopped by our booth today at the Specialty Coffee Association of America's (SCAA) Expo in Atlanta, Georgia. Our reception, sponsored by Interamerican Coffee, had a tremendous turnout with people lined up outside the door. Executive Director Carolyn Fairman and Board President Rob Stephen spoke on Coffee Kids impact, and our partner and friend Fatima Isabel Espinoza, general manager of Coffee Kids’ partner, SOPPEXCCA, in Nicaragua, gave a great presentation on how their partnership with Coffee Kids is extending opportunity to children throughout Jinotega, Nicaragua.We'll be posting pictures soon, but wanted to thank reception sponsor Interamerican Coffee and C.M.A. Spa of Italy for their generous contribution at the event.Thanks to all who attended.
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Barefoot is bringing in Mike Stemm of Dominion Trading Company to talk about the amazing coffee and people work that Dominion Trading is doing in Ethiopia. Mike runs the U.S. side of the coffee import for Dominion Trading. Barefoot has been working with Mike Stemm and Dominion for three years now sourcing amazing coffee and building our relationship. Barefoot has been to Ethiopia twice to visit Dominion Trading and just returened a few weeks ago from the latest trip.Mike will be giving a presentation at the Barefoot cafe at 2:00 to 3:00 pm Wednesday April 22nd! All are welcome to attend and hear first hand how great coffee is produced in Ethiopia. Hear about the challenges facing Ethiopian farmers in these troubled times and hear about the work that Dominion Trading is doing to improve coffee quality and the lives of the coffee people.Then join Mike as he does an even more complete presentation along with Barefoot Catador Andy Newbom and Roast Master General Christian Rotsko as they present their respective origin trips to El Salvador and Ethiopia. This major meet the producer event is at Santa Clara University in the Kennedy Commons from 7:00 pm till 9:00 pm Wednesday April 22nd, 2009. The event is open to all and free of charge.
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I haven't been on here in a really long time, for no reason at all except for time issues. I really started thinking hard and want to try to establish relationships and create some excellent networking. Reason being: I want to one day open my own shop and want to start building the skills now to make the process easier in the future.Being in Milwaukee I am constantly in the shadow of Alterra Coffee Roasters and see the amazing things that they create and am constantly learning from them and watching them. I want something like that. I don't want to be that big, but I do want my own niche where I can have customers and people appreciate what they are purchasing and love the coffee industry. Where I am at, I will loose the job once I graduate and want to be able to further my coffee knowledge.It is something that has become a passion of mine and it sucks that I am stuck in a campus shop where 90% of my employees just don't care enough about the coffee they are making, where it comes from, the process it took to roast the bean, the growers that put their lives into their farming, etc.One of my co-workers and dear friend was able to venture to the WBC this past weekend. Unfortunately I was not able to join her because of lack of funds but it is something I dearly wanted to attend but I guess I can look forward to going to these events in the future, especially if I can keep a good relationship with the good people at Alterra and continue attending even their local events.
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Posted by Mike Spence on April 17, 2009 at 12:46pm
The first day of the SCAA is over and done with. We had some great conversations and it appeared that the show was pretty busy! I saw a couple of bX'ers out here!Tomorrow I'll be giving a gift card presentation on the show floor. Hopefully people are paying attention :).
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I would really like to get some feedback from fellow coffee shop owners about pricing. In these economic times, as you watch your regular customers tighten their spending, stopping in a few less times a week, have you thought about changing your pricing to be viewed as more of a value? The fast food chains have done it and I bet some of you know of a coffee chain that has done it. I have considered it. My shop is currently known as top quality and is priced slightly below Starbucks. I am concerned about the profit of lower prices since it seems my cost of doing biz... payroll/ product cost/paper products keep climbing. Is there a chance to make up the profit with higher volume? What are your thoughts?
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We would just like to extend a huge welcome to everyone who is here for the SCAA Event and the World Barista Championship!While out and about today it was awesome to run into several visiting barista's from all over the world. The community and the culture that each of you are bringing to the Southeast is awesome. Thank you!If anyone visiting need any assistance, feel free to let us know an we will see how we can help you out.
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The Specialty Coffee Association of America’s (SCAA) Annual Expo is coming up next week, April 17-19, and we’re all busy prepping for the show. Coffee Kids will have a booth (#1334) in the exhibition hall and if you plan to attend, please stop by! Our reception, sponsored by InterAmerican Coffee, will be Friday, April 17 from 5-7pm in Room 302A of the Georgia World Congress Center. Fatima Isabel Espinoza, general manager of Coffee Kids’ partner SOPPEXCCA in Nicaragua, will give a brief presentation on their organization’s efforts to promote leadership and cultural pride in schools where they work. And we’ll be holding a Coffee Kids Quiz for prizes. We’ll also be selling tickets for our drawing to win a Sonofresco Roaster donated by Elan Organic Coffee. Tickets for the drawing are available for a suggested donation of $25 (five entries for a donation of $100) and participants need not be present to win. Stop by our booth or our reception to sign up. The winner’s name will be drawn on Sunday, April 19 at 1 pm at the Coffee Kids booth (#1334).See you there!
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It's interesting to look through this website and note the excitement that has started to flood it with the WBC and SCAA coming up in less than a week. I haven't been apart of this industry long enough to claim myself a mover or shaker or maybe even terribly significant yet. And even though this sounds like I'm dissing myself, I'm not I promise. Through this site I have come across some astounding people and personalities, all of which have caused me to dream again, and feel as though those dreams are attainable and not far from an eager grasp. The peers that I have discovered here have confirmed a beliefs that I have in this industry, belief in the people that make it, and solidity in the desire to be a part of coffee for the rest of my life. I have found encouragement and ambition, along with water for a drought parched passion. I swear I'm not a mushy person, but I think it's worth noting that because of this place and people's encouragement I'm again excited and sitting on the edge of my seat in anticipation to see what my future in this industry will be. I'm not desirous of fame of fortune necessarily, but the forward movement that I may one day contribute to this industry is again visible, and I just wanted to thank those that have indirectly helped me to get back to "the grind" ( yep, deal with the pun).Peace. hope to see you all this weekend,Chris
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Our reception, sponsored by InterAmerican Coffee, will be Friday, April 17 from 5-7pm in Room 302A of the Georgia World Congress Center. Fatima Isabel Espinoza, general manager of Coffee Kids’ partner SOPPEXCCA in Nicaragua, will give a brief presentation on their organization’s efforts to promote leadership and cultural pride in schools where they work. And we’ll be holding a Coffee Kids Quiz for prizes.
We’ll also be selling tickets for our drawing to win a Sonofresco Roaster donated by Elan Organic Coffee. Tickets for the drawing are available for a suggested donation of $25 (five entries for a donation of $100) and participants need not be present to win. Stop by our booth or our reception to sign up. The winner’s name will be drawn on Sunday, April 19 at 1 pm at the Coffee Kids booth (#1334).See you there!
