Suspended Coffee

NPR has been looking into the world of coffee recently. One of the stories which caught my eye was about "suspended coffee." No, this isn't coffee which has been naughty in school. "Suspended Coffee" is another way to say, "Pay it forward."

(http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/04/24/178829301/eu-embraces-suspended-coffee-pay-it-forward-with-a-cup-of-joe)

This practice began in Naples, Italy. The idea is simple. A person pays for a cup of coffee for a person who can't pay for a cup themselves. The custom was that someone would pay for a cup of coffee for someone who couldn't, and the barista would keep a tab of the suspended coffees. Then a person would pop their head in, and ask if there were any suspended coffees. The barista would then provide them with a cup.

Now this old tradition is making a come back in Europe. In these hard economics times, it's nice to know there is a movement a foot to make sure someone gets a cup of coffee. Cafes around the EU are banding together to make sure someone can have a cup of coffee. 

I have been the beneficiary of a pay it forward. While I could pay for the coffee, twice I have gotten to the cashier and was told, "The person ahead of you said it was on them." Maybe it's time for the U.S. to have this practice. Sometime this week, I encourage you to suspend a cup of coffee for someone. 

Charlie

Countdown to CoffeeCON - Kevin Sinnott

CoffeeCON is the first, may be the only consumer coffee convention out there. Coffee lovers from all over gathered last year in Warrenville, IL for the first CoffeeCON, and now we are days away from the second annual event. Would you believe the idea for this incredible gathering of the coffee world actually was inspired by two very different events? More on those later. 

Kevin Sinnott, creator of CoffeeCON is well known in the coffee world. He has written two books: "Great Coffee" and "The Art & Craft of Coffee." He has produced a DVD on coffee brewing. He started writing reviews of coffee makers back in the 1990s as "The Coffee Companion." I spoke with Kevin about the upcoming CoffeeCON

1. How did CoffeeCON come about? 

Kevin says,  "Well this is a first for consumers. I had gone to specialty coffee trade shows. I had such a passion for coffee. You're not always welcome at trade shows. They are industry driven, and not at my level of coffee passion. They're trade driven.

Kevin found he liked being around the coffee industry, but the topics and demonstrations weren't always what he was looking for. Point of Sale machines wasn't his cup of coffee.

Granted, because he was "The Coffee Companion" he was able to meet people who were making the brewing machines and developing techniques. There was, though, another type of event, which really excited him - CamJam. 

"I have a passion for audio," Sinnott admits. CamJam is a place where audio aficionados gather and talk and live headphones. He continues, "This really appealed to me. I had a ball. I really enjoyed it. It was great to meet the people whose names I knew from the internet. It was so interesting to finally meet them"

Sinnott realized that there was no place for coffee people to meet, sample coffee, and just talk coffee. He wanted the coffee community to come together. "I did it for myself," Sinnott says, " We get to do next to each other what we like to do. It's like having a meal together." 

CoffeeCON came together after he applied for a micro grant from the city of Warrenville, to generate an event which would bring people into the town. "I went for broke," Sinnott says, " I invited only players, not the marketing folks in coffee. I'm not sure what they thought it would be like - poetry readings and music?" 

Sinnott knew he had something special when he invited specialty coffee pioneer George Howell to last year's event, and no one left the 2 1/2 hour talk. No one was bored. Kevin knows the people coming are true coffee lovers. "This attracts people who really want to come and be a part of something," he says, "Where else can you go where local coffee roasters can compare beans from different regions and brewing styles?" 

2. How should someone plan their day at CoffeeCON?

"Well," Sinnott admits," You can't see everything; you have to decide what you want to see." Other than George Howell, Kevin is looking forward to Christy Thorns of Allegro Coffee. Kevin says, "Christy has some of the best taste buds around. She knows coffee. She is extremely knowledgable about the coffee and their regions. Trust her to give you the skinny on issues, i.e. coffee rust. She's a real straight shooter. I respect her.

Whether you are sitting in on Howell's or Thorns, or Oren Bloostein's presentation, Kevin suggests,

"Attend a main presentation. Look at the various class schedules. We have made them open so people can wander in and out. Leave plenty of time to walk the exhibit floor. Check out each roaster. You may find some beans from the same region, maybe even the same kind of beans, and see how different roasters roast them. There will be food as well. Food Trucks will be outside for people to enjoy. "

On CoffeeCON's website is a list of all the classes and lectures. Kevin hinted though there is more, "Even on that day, we will add some people and classes I am still putting together," he says.

3. Who should come to CoffeeCON?

"This isn't just for hipsters," Kevin says, "What is hip is hipsters and non-hipsters together." In other words, if you love coffee, this is the place for you. Kevin adds, "The trade didn't think of it. This addresses the needs of people who love coffee." 

4. What are you looking forward to?

Kevin laughes, "That's a great question. I'm looking forward to tasting different brews from different brewing methods; comparing with someone else the brewing. We'll have almost all the different brewing methods, and I want to experience all of them. This is a great chance to introduce new brewers  to people, and they'll be excited about the different methods. I'll also get to meet other enthusiasts and that is exciting too." 

This is a labor of love for Sinnott. "I don't know why it hadn't happened before. If we aren't the first to do it, then we are practically first. 

As CoffeeCON grows closer, I will share more of my talk with Kevin Sinnott. If you haven't gotten your tickets for CoffeeCON 2013, what are you waiting for?

www.coffee-con.com

Charlie

Countdown to CoffeeCON - Home Roasters

Some use popcorn poppers, others use outdoor grills; whatever the method, home roasters of coffee have all kinds of ways to roast their particular coffees. This year at CoffeeCON several home roasters will be roasting away on the premises. What a terrific opportunity on a couple of fronts.

For the home roaster, this is a chance to meet with fellow roasters, compare notes, talk coffee, and of course roast some beans. For the consumer, this is a great opportunity to discover new coffees, as the roasters will be giving out samples all day long. The roastings won't be formal workshops or lectures. This will be something where you can approach the roasters, as they are roasting coffee. You can ask questions and sample some coffee. Who knows you may find that perfect blend you've been looking for.

CoffeeCON brings the experienced and the novices together for one day of coffee. Got to www.coffee-con.com to get your tickets.

Charlie

Countdown to CoffeeCON 2013 - Coffee Moment Contest Winners

Hello everyone....

My apologies for not posting in a while. Work(gotta work you know) got in the way. All is good, and I am so excited to begin the countdown to CoffeeCON 2013. As you know I had a contest asking people to tell me about their favorite coffee moments. CoffeeCON has generously offered tickets to this years events to the winners. 

I am pleased to announce the winners of my contest.



Venus B - 

My favorite coffee moment is when we get the office stockpile in at work. I'm like a babe opening a gift on Christmas morn.

Cheryl G - 

My favorite coffee moment! When I was a kid I would wake each morning to the aroma of fresh coffee being brewed. Could not have any, but I dreamed for the day to come. Finally at age 13 I was given my first cup. Have been in heaven ever since. 

Congratulations to these ladies. CoffeeCon will be emailing their tickets to them.

Charlie

Coffee Moment Deadline

Today is the last day to email me your favorite coffee moments, for a chance to win tickets to CoffeeCON 2013. CoffeeCON is May 4, in Warrenville, IL - just outside Chicago. Thousands of people will be there to learn about, sample and talk about coffee.

Exhibitors include: BUUN, Counter Culture Coffee, Metropolis Coffee, I Have a Bean Coffee, Cup of Excellence, Sowden, and many more.

All you have to do is write in 25 words or less, your favorite coffee moment. Throw in a picture, make it fun, make it serious.


Email your entries to - javarunner1962@gmail.com

For more info on the event,  go to....

http://www.coffee-con.com

Charlie

What is Cup of Excellence?

As I learn more about the specialty coffee world, one of the phrases which comes up over and over is Cup of Excellence. I remember first seeing this when I would venture into the local Intelligentsia, when I lived in Chicago. It seemed impressive, but I wasn't sure what it was. Now I read a great deal about it. Some of you know what it is, but for the rest of us, here is a primer.

The Cup of Excellence program is run by the Alliance for Coffee Excellence(ACE), a U.S. based non-profit organization. In conjunction with other coffee organizations around the world, ACE has developed cupping competitions and auctions of specialty coffee. Cup of Excellence competitions are held through out Africa, Central and South America. This program does two things for the coffee world: increases the amount of money coffee farmers get and encourages the development of better coffee for the consumer.

This idea makes sense. As we know coffee farmers are not paid well for the cultivation and development of coffee. ACE offers an opportunity through Cup of Excellence, for farmers to earn more money. The cupping competitions and auctions showcase the coffees produced. The better the coffee, the better the price for the coffee. In theory This program is rewarding farmers to develop better coffees, and this rewarding them for those efforts. For the consumer this means they will get better quality coffee. 

Specialty roasters use Cup of Excellence as a marketing tool to bring in consumers who want superior coffee. Cup of Excellence winning coffees are sold at a premium. If you purchase a bag of coffee at a roaster for $17-$19 a bag, you can expect to pay close to $30 a bag for some Cup of Excellence coffees? Is it worth it? To the a coffee drinker like you or I, we might not know the difference between the $17 a bag coffee and a $30 a bag coffee. To the more refined coffee folks - most definitely. 

With Cup of Excellence selling for such high prices to the consumer, are the farmers really getting better deals and as a result consistently producing better coffee? From everything I have been able to learn so far, those farmers who win the competitions(and they are fierce) do very well. The profile of their coffees is raised, and roasters and companies from all over the world vie to purchase some of their coffees. 

In time I will do more in-depth to look at how Cup of Excellence really translates at the farmer level. One thing is for sure, the coffee consumer benefits greatly from this program, with better coffee in their cup.

Charlie

Today's Cup of Coffee 4/12/2013

At the Copa...Copacabana...the hottest spot north of Havana.... or so goes the lyrics to the great Barry Manilow tune. When I was at Metropolis a couple weeks ago, I saw a coffee called Bolivia Copacabana. Well being the gay man I am, I thought, "Oooh if they can name it after a Manilow song, I should give it a try." Yes, I know, not the most coffee refined reason to try a coffee - so sue me. While the good folks at Metropolis have a great sense of humor, Copacabana refers to the town in Bolivia near Lake Titicaca(that will make my partner laugh, we have a joke about that lake).

I was curious about this coffee, so I looked into the history of it. Specialty coffee is recent to Bolivia. USAID introduced Cup of Excellence programs in the country in 2004. This coffee comes from Caranvai region, from various small farmers, using more traditional growing practices, in shade, and with no chemicals or pesticides. Metropolis feels this coffee is a "showgirl " coffee for the country.

Before I get into my review, as always I share what the coffee company has to say about it:

Flavor: Floral, orange, cinnamon
Body: Balanced
Acidity: Clean, bright, citric

This is not a heavy coffee. I agree that it is a bright coffee. With other Metropolis coffees, there is sometimes a woody sense to the coffee. That isn't evident here. That brightness, does lend itself to a citric taste. I am assuming this is a light to medium roast. It doesn't have the feel of a dark roast, or a fuller medium roast.

I do get a sense of the floral taste. When I had the Ethiopian coffee from I Have A Bean, I thought that one was so floral, it gave the coffee a tea like quality. This isn't that kind of floral. I don't get a tea sense with this coffee. As I finish the coffee, I do sense that hint of orange(see I am developing my coffee palette). No cinnamon, but there is a dash of spice in it.

Now on my face slapping scale, 0(is a tap) to 10(Cher slaps Nicolas Cage in "Moonstruck"), this is a 4. If I needed this coffee to really wake me up in the morning, it wouldn't. This is an ease into the day coffee. There is a mellowness about it, that I think would go well with a nice brunch.

Overall I enjoy this coffee. To be honest, I preferred Metropolis' Falstaff Blend I reviewed recently; however I would buy this coffee again. This is a very limited coffee. I hope Metropolis brings it back. Definitely worth it.

Charlie

Coffee Moment Entries - CoffeeCON Contest

Thanks to those who have submitted entries for my contest to win tickets to CoffeeCON 2013(on May 4). I have 10 tickets, courtesy of CoffeeCON, to give away. All you have to do is write in 25 words or less, your favorite coffee moment. Throw in a picture, make it fun, make it serious.

You have until April 15 to send me your entries. Email your entries to - javarunner1962@gmail.com

For more info on the event, who will be there go to....

http://www.coffee-con.com

Charlie

Baristas and Satisfaction

Yesterday it was reported in the coffee media that J.D. Power and Associates had released a new survey on specialty coffee businesses which stated friendly and a knowledgeable staff are a key component to customer satisfaction. In fact, the great service the barista gives is a driving force to returning business.

http://dailycoffeenews.com/2013/04/08/quality-baristas-by-far-the-biggest-driver-of-customer-satisfaction/

This makes total sense. As I read the article, I thought about my coffee house experiences. A good coffee house will create not just a pleasant experience, but it will create a sense of community.  Of course Starbucks is famous for creating the experience where you want to stay, sort of a destination.
I take that a step further, you want the coffee house to not only be a destination, but you want to feel like you a part of something.

Over the years, I have always felt comfortable when I have formed relationships with the baristas or staff. Prime example - back in college, I became friends with the owner of a coffee house across the street from my apartment. I went in everyday. The coffee was great, but I enjoyed to people. The more I came in, the more they knew me.

The owner was a woman who was not only friendly, but she had the knack of making you feel like part of the family. When times were tough for me financially, there were mornings she gave me breakfast. She didn't have to do this, but she wanted to be sure the starving student wasn't too hungry. In short she looked out for her neighbor.

My first job out of college was working for Southwest Airlines. One of the perks was free air travel. I wanted to repay the owner for her kindness during the lean times. I took her to New Orleans for lunch. We flew down from Chicago, had lunch, and flew home. She was thrilled, and I was happy to do something nice for a person who was now a friend.

Granted, not everyone has a special relationship with the coffee house folks. The point is on various levels, we want to feel like we are part of something when we go in. Yes, we want good coffee. Trust me if the coffee is bad, no smile, or happy person is going to get me to come back. I will go back though if coffee and the people make me feel at ease.

I believe the lessons from this survey can be carried through to a good many specialty type businesses. In my life as a professional running guy, I tell my staff over and over again, that anyone can buy a shoe somewhere, but if we do our job and form a good bond with the customer, and provide excellent service, we have a pretty regular customer for life. Seems simple, and yet so many businesses don't get it.

Charlie

The Coffee Cup

Previously I have ranted about styrofoam cups. I think they make coffee taste horrible. In fact, the only thing I think they are good for is gas station coffee. Might as well put bad coffee into a bad cup....right?

I know it seems a bit odd to think about what you are drinking your coffee out of, but I think the cup is a pretty important choice. For instance, let's look at the coffee cups our parents and grandparents typically had(or at least they did in my family).

The cup on the right is fairly typical of what we used when I was growing up. I call this type of cup the "Dainty Cup." In reality, this is a cup of a coffee. This is the cup the coffee maker people figure you will use, and that determines how many cups of coffee you make.

Now, there is really nothing wrong with the "Dainty Cup," but I don't like drinking from this type of cup, unless this is the serving of coffee I want after dinner. In my opinion, it doesn't hold much coffee. Also because of the shallowness of the cup, and the thinness of the cup, it really doesn't keep your coffee warm. In fact, I think coffee gets colder quicker in a cup like this.

Because we are a mobile. in a rush society, we travel with our coffee. So usually we have coffee in a cup, similar to this one...

Of course there is usually a top with a spout of some formation on the cup. These are designed to sometimes fit in the cup holders the car manufacturers make for us. Of course your cup and cup holder may vary depending on cup, holder, and MPG(just kidding).

Our travel cups are usually well insulated so coffee stays warm longer. If we go through the drive through at a place like Starbucks, or if we journey to a local coffee house, sometimes there are discounts for using our own cup. We save a few pennies and the environment at the same time.

Call me picky, but coffee in a cup like this, just doesn't taste like I want it to. I haven't figured it out yet. Maybe it's the paper in to go cups? Maybe it's the plastic or the metal. I just feel those properties change the flavor of coffee.

My preferred cup is more like a mug...

Now THIS is a cup of coffee. This one in particular happens to be my favorite coffee cup. These days coffee is sipped out of mugs like the one above. To me this is a cup. In reality, it's about two of the "Dainty Cups."

Cups like these have depth and thickness, which keep the coffee warmer longer. I also think the porcelain doesn't alter the flavor of coffee. Plus they make really cool looking mugs. I have a vast collection of mugs, and they range from amusing to just fun. The Caribou Coffee Mug above though is my favorite...just don't tell my other mugs.

Your tastes will vary, but I have yet heard anyone tell me they really love their coffee in a to go cup, nor have I been served coffee at a dinner in a paper cup. And if I am served coffee in a styrofoam cup, well then, I assume you just don't like me. :-)

Charlie

Today's Cup of Coffee 4/6/2013

I have long been a fan of Metropolis Coffee. The first time I encountered Metropolis was while on a date. Seems the coffee house was a regular hang out for the guy I was meeting there. The best part about that date was the coffee. While I didn't see the guy again, I formed a great relationship with the coffee. Any time I am in Chicago, I try to pick up at least a bag of Metropolis. This time I got two bags, and today I am reviewing the first of the coffees I got - Falstaff Winter Blend.

As usual, here is how the company describes their coffee:

The flavor is  - fig, wild berries, maple and other earthy flavors.

The body is - full, dense, robust

The acidity is - floral, balanced, succulent


I don't eat figs. I do eat Fig Newtons, but I don't know if that's good enough for me to agree with the fig portion of the taste. I do get a sense of the berries and the maple. In fact, maple was one of the first things I sensed as I sipped this cup. The berry taste isn't a light taste, I think this adds to the denseness they allude to.

This is a very satisfying cup of coffee. I 100% agree with the description of the body of it. Floral? I don't really detect floral.

On the face slap scale, where does this coffee fall? To be honest, this is a coffee, I would like to serve after a fine meal. It is robust, but there is a mellowness to it. If the coffee were to slap me awake in the morning, it would be a 5 out of 10. In other words, I could hit the snooze button and go back to bed for a few moments. If I had a dinner party though, this would be a coffee I would proudly serve.

This is a regular seasonal coffee for Metropolis. They bring it out every Winter. To be honest, it makes me sad Spring is here, because it means I will have to wait until next Winter to have more of this very fine coffee.

Charlie

Coffee Commercials

In looking at a history of coffee commercials, it's interesting to see various themes advertisers used to lure us into buying their coffees. In the 1950s and 1960s when women were mostly housewives, the success of your coffee was a reflection on how good a wife you were.

The 1970s transitioned from the sexist feelings of the earlier days, to using more iconic figures. Usually there was a kindly old woman dispensing advice....and a cup of coffee.

Folgers had Mrs. Olsen.

Maxwell House had Cora(who used to scare children when she wore green makeup).

Of course men were also key to selling good coffee. The most famous icon was/is Juan Valdez, the man who was the face of Colombian coffee for decades.

Still, if there is one thing about advertising sex sells, and sex does sell coffee. Who knew Giles from Buffy the Vampire Slayer could be so sexy!

Coffee ads are not as visible these days, but they are still sexy.....Maybe the cheesy porn music helps.

Charlie

CoffeeCon 2013 Price Increase Coming

$10 is a great deal to spend a day with all things coffee. Next Monday admission ticket prices will increase. There are two things you can do: buy tickets now before the increase, or....

You can enter my contest to win tickets to CoffeeCON. In 25 words or less, tell me about your favorite coffee moment. Email you entry to - javarunner1962@gmail.com by April 15.

To register for CoffeeCON - http://www.coffee-con.com

Charlie

Road Trip Coffee

No doubt I love good coffee, but there is a time I will drink bad coffee - on a road trip. You know what I'm talking about. You're on the road, you stop at a truck stop or a convenience store, and you pour coffee that has been sitting in that pot since 1979. Yes, yes, they laughingly call it "gourmet" or "fresh." They were probably both of those at one point, like when the farmer picked the coffee cherry. The coffee on the road is not to be confused with good coffee.

So why do I drink it? When we are on the road, I am the only one who can drive, so I need something to keep me awake. There is nothing like the taste of bad coffee to smack you awake. I really don't care how much caffeine there is, I am going for the rude taste of the coffee.

Of course I know there are drive thru Starbucks on the road, and I do stop there. It's just there are times you need to jolt to keep me awake while I drive.

So yes, there are times I will drink bad coffee on purpose.

Charlie

CoffeeCON Contest Reminder

Prices for CoffeeCON are about to go up, but CoffeeCON has provided me with 10 complimentary tickets to give away. 

In 25 words or less, tell me about your favorite coffee moment. This can be as fun as you like, or as serious as you like. Heck you can even throw in a picture of you with your coffee if you like.  Be creative with this!

Email entries to me by Midnight, April 15. The 5 best entries will each get a pair of tickets to this year’s event, courtesy of CoffeeCON. Winners will be notified between April 16th and April 20th. Email your entries to:

javarunner1962@gmail.com

Charlie