The Specialty Coffee Big Event was held in Atlanta, Georgia this year. Thousands of coffee lovers & professionals gathered for classes, exhibits, workshops, and just old fashioned networking.
This was our first year as an exhibitor & it was a blast! We met lots of new friends, and saw all of the latest innovations in the coffee world. We met producers from all over the world, and sampled many fine coffees. Fun! Continue reading SCAA 2016 – Atlanta
We took the redeye from Las Vegas to Dallas, Dallas to Atlanta & arrived rather dazed, but happy to be attending this years’ SCAA Big Event. We’re off to our exhibit, so more details will follow. Here’s a few photos from behind the scenes in the exhibit hall. Enjoy! Continue reading SCAA 2016 Prologue
If one word could describe the mission of Wild Goose Coffee Roasters’ Nathan Westwick & Joe Capraro it would be community. This amazing duo has not only set the bar high with quality coffee, but have made their business into a vital part of the Redlands, California community.
From a humble start in 2008 at local farmers market, Wild Goose now sells thousands of pounds of fresh roasted coffee, and with each sale, food is donated to local food banks and charities.
Nathan Westwick generously offered to allow us an interview. Continue reading Real People, Really Good Coffee: Wild Goose Coffee
We’re hearing anecdotally that Peru’s coffee production is going to be strong this year, maybe even returning to levels not seen since 2011 before the dreaded coffee rust came.
It’s not just coffee though, other export crops are fairing well in Peru:
Peru to double its exports by 2021
According to the Exporters Association (Adex), despite the stagnation experienced in 2015, Peruvian agricultural exporters expect to double exports to USD $10 billion dollars in 2021.
The union’s goal for 2016 is to surpass the USD $6 billion dollars in exports, thus overcoming the USD $5.093 billion dollars and 0.06 percent drop over 2014 achieved in 2015.
According to data from Adex, 85 percent of the non-traditional agricultural exports abroad are of fresh grapes, coffee, asparagus, avocado, quinoa, fresh mangoes, organic bananas, and paprika.
Worldwide, Peru is the number one exporter of asparagus (fresh, frozen and canned), quinoa, and maca; the second biggest exporter of asparagus and artichokes; the third biggest exporter of organic bananas and dried paprika, and the fourth largest exporter of table grapes and paprika powder.” Continue reading Peru: Coffee Production Looks Strong for 2016
Ethiopia will hold the World Coffee Conference this March 6-11. Via the Global Coffee Report:
The International Coffee Organization (ICO) is hosting the 116th International Coffee Council in conjunction with the 4th World Coffee Conference (WCC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 6 –11 March.
Held every four to five years, the 2016 WCC is being held at the United Nations Conference Centre, under the theme Nurturing Coffee Culture and Diversity.
The event includes a three-day exhibition from 7 – 9 March, the WCC from 6 – 8 March and the International Coffee Council (ICC) meeting from 9 – 11 March.
The ICC, which meets twice a year to examine issues relating to the coffee trade, will resume discussions from its previous meeting in Italy last September.
The 4th World Coffee Conference (WCC) will see panel discussions from local and international industry professionals on a range of topics concerning the coffee industry.
Executive Director at World Coffee Research, Dr Tim Shilling will join three esteemed academics to review the latest developments in research and the role new technologies will play in improving production.
The First Lady of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Roman Tesfaye will join a panel to offer her perspective on how gender equality can be obtained in the coffee industry.
Senior Economist, Agricultural Global Practice, World Bank, Roy Parizat will moderate a discussion examining the major market forces, and the impact of high volatility for coffee farmers.
WCC delegates will be introduced to the ICO’s latest project with USAID on Climate Smart Coffee, and have the opportunity to hear the latest on the ICO’s coffee and climate initiative. Launched in 2010 by key players in the private, development and research sectors, the coffee and climate program aims to address key challenges posed by changing climatic conditions.
The 4th WCC will draw to a close with a Gala Dinner at the Hilton Hotel. The first three conferences have taken place in London in 2001, Brazil in 2005 and Guatemala in 2010.
Ethiopia is Africa’s largest exporter and the fifth largest of Arabica in the world. Over 5 million Ethiopians make their living from its more than 6000 distinct coffee varieties.
The Roastery of Cave Creek will be hosting a cappuccino art throwdown soon:
For info contact:
I sign up for email lists all over the coffee world, and also try to spot other articles when I can. To me, it’s always useful to know what others are doing, particularly in the realm of ethical sourcing for coffee. Here’s a few links of interest that I’ve come across recently. Enjoy!
Roast Magazine:
From Oaxaca to Oakland, Proyecto Diaz Offers the Promise of Progress
Young Roastery Makes Clutch Donation to Portland’s Transitioning Homeless
Two Hands Coffee in Austin Gives Farmers a Leg Up
CoffeeTalk:
What the Future for Coffee Could Be
CoffeeLands Blog:
Policy influence as a pathway to impact
Sprudge:
The 2016 World Aeropress Championship is popping off
Perfect Daily Grind:
Diversification in Specialty Coffee Farming: The Agricultural & Economic Case
CoffeeCon, the coffee consumer festival was held this past weekend in LA’s Reef near the LA Convention Center. It was well attended, and featured the best of local roasters and baristas, and a variety of vendors ranging from Aeropress to even California grown coffee trees for that conversational piece in your home.
An extensive list of classes and presentations made for a tremendous informational opportunity. Whether learning about home roasting, or which grind is best for your coffee brewing method, there was something for every coffee lover.
For coffee aficianados, there were classes on tasting, and a variety of vendors for sampling coffees from all over the globe featuring the best of local roasters.
For home roasters, Joe Behm maker of the Behmor home roaster hosted a standing room omly class on home roasting. This popular topic is sweeping the country as more and more consumers discover the joy & freshness of home roast.
Joe shared some recent experiences in Guatamala, and answered a wide variety of questions from a very appreciative audience.
It was a fun filled day of making new acquaintances, learning about all the latest developments in coffee technology, and inspirational stories connecting the coffee to the real lives of coffee farmers.
Here’s a photo tour: Continue reading CoffeeCon 2016 Los Angeles Delights
The CoffeeCon Festival will be held this year on January 30th in Los Angeles. Loaded with classes, coffee sampling, and networking opportunities, this annual event is a coffee lovers delight!
For coffee lovers, there will be classes on tasting, and a variety of vendors to choose from.
For home roasters, Joe Behm maker of the Behmor home roaster will be teaching classes on home roasting. This popular topic is sweeping the country as more and more consumers discover the joy & freshness of home roast.
Here’s the class schedule:
For all the details please visit the website at:
Did you know? A Little Further South Coffee Co. is a member of the Specialty Coffee Association of America.
Happy New Year 2016! We start a new year, a little fresher, perhaps reminiscent. Wherever we are today, one thing is for sure: last year is over. Welcome New Year, and may it bring the best to all of us.
I’ve been able to do some reading over the holidays in between family, and odd bits of work that cropped up. Here are some that I feel worthy of your attention:
Ethical Coffee
Modern Slavery in the Coffeelands
This eight part series by Michael Sheridan investigates Brazils efforts to reduce slavery in agriculture. A must read.
Three Reasons Why You Should Drink Direct Market Coffee From the vault…
Equity for Coffee Farmers via Fortune
Odds & Ends
A Photo Journey to La Revancha Estate
A Coffee Bar Recording Studio in Brooklyn Via Sprudge: A Coffee Loving Musicians dream studio
Dating a Coffee Lover 5 Things You Need to Know Lots of good info on what makes your coffee loving significant other tick. Via: Perfect Daily Grind
The Rise of the Robot Barista: Fact or Fiction
Ports of Long Beach & Los Angeles Seek Expanded Latin Trade
Coffee crisis to hit within three years as finer tastes lead to shortage
Best wishes for a truly happy and prosperous 2016!
