View entire thread: Beans for Hope - Trip to Origin - Finca Morelia, Guatemala
Posted by strani on 2008-08-15 14:10:01 Post Subject: Beans for Hope - Trip to Origin - Finca Morelia, Guatemala
Where? San Marcos and Antigua - Guatemala
When? October 5th - 12th (8 days & 7 nights)
or October 16th - 21st (6 days & 5 nights)
Beans for Hope offers direct trade relationships with Guatemalan coffee growers and promotes their coffee here in Saint Louis. Founded by third generation coffee farmer Dr. Wilman Ortega BFH coffee will be bringing down 2 tours this October to participate in the harvest season on the family farm, Finca Morelia. Trips are geared for coffee enthusiasts and one for Baristas.
For more information email sean@beansforhope.com, send me a message here or you can call our office at (314) 725 6770.
You will be hosted by the Ortega family on the family farm. Most meals and travel is included in the price.
These will be incredible trips with opportunities for exploring Guatemalan culture and history.
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Posted by strani on 2008-08-15 14:10:01 Post Subject: Beans for Hope - Trip to Origin - Finca Morelia, Guatemala
Where? San Marcos and Antigua - Guatemala
When? October 5th - 12th (8 days & 7 nights)
or October 16th - 21st (6 days & 5 nights)
Beans for Hope offers direct trade relationships with Guatemalan coffee growers and promotes their coffee here in Saint Louis. Founded by third generation coffee farmer Dr. Wilman Ortega BFH coffee will be bringing down 2 tours this October to participate in the harvest season on the family farm, Finca Morelia. Trips are geared for coffee enthusiasts and one for Baristas.
For more information email sean@beansforhope.com, send me a message here or you can call our office at (314) 725 6770.
You will be hosted by the Ortega family on the family farm. Most meals and travel is included in the price.
These will be incredible trips with opportunities for exploring Guatemalan culture and history.
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View entire thread: Welcome to the Coffee Industry
Posted by CoffeeLover on 2003-05-14 12:24:24 Post Subject: Welcome to the Coffee Industry
The Coffee Industry forum is for those who are in the coffee industry and are looking to get into it. From Coffee Growers, the merchants, industry leaders, coffee sales, coffee shop and cafe owners.
Here you may post information related to the coffee industry, this forum is moderated and you must be registered to post. Spamming is not permitted, this is a information forum and all posts must offer information. If you run a coffee website link to the Coffee Forums site from your site, click the links button at the top to join and get traffic for linking.
If your looking to get into the coffee industry or are already a part of it no matter how big or small this is the forum to discuss all the issues, news, and questions relating to your industry.
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Posted by CoffeeLover on 2003-05-14 12:24:24 Post Subject: Welcome to the Coffee Industry
The Coffee Industry forum is for those who are in the coffee industry and are looking to get into it. From Coffee Growers, the merchants, industry leaders, coffee sales, coffee shop and cafe owners.
Here you may post information related to the coffee industry, this forum is moderated and you must be registered to post. Spamming is not permitted, this is a information forum and all posts must offer information. If you run a coffee website link to the Coffee Forums site from your site, click the links button at the top to join and get traffic for linking.
If your looking to get into the coffee industry or are already a part of it no matter how big or small this is the forum to discuss all the issues, news, and questions relating to your industry.
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View entire thread: Coffee Tech: Ripening Synchronization!
Posted by tintinet on 2004-06-04 18:04:02 Post Subject: Coffee Tech: Ripening Synchronization!
"Next time you plunk down $4 for a cup of gourmet coffee, consider thanking the anonymous laborers who harvested the beans that went into it. The best coffees use handpicked beans, "because the fruits of a coffee tree do not ripen uniformly and, thus, there are both mature and immature fruit on the same tree," according to a new US patent (6,727,406).
A dearth of cheap labor has forced many growers to adopt methods in which workers indiscriminately harvest beans from branches, ripe or not. Mechanical harvesting is another option, but mechanical harvesters also don't efficiently distinguish mature from immature beans. And poor quality beans make a poor pot of coffee.
Into this breach (fortified by a strong cup of Kona, no doubt) stepped a group of scientists at the University of Hawaii who determined that coffee beans are climacteric, that is, they boost respiration and ethylene synthesis just prior to ripening. To control these processes en masse, the group has devised a method to eliminate the synthesis of two enzymes critical to ethylene synthesis by introducing sense or antisense nucleic acid sequences into the coffee plant's genome.
The coffee growers can thus regulate the ripening of the fruit. "By application of ethylene to the entire plant, the entire plant will ripen at once, making manual and mechanical harvesting of coffee more productive." Hopefully they'll wash it off before Starbucks gets the beans. "
From The Scientist June 7, 2004
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Posted by tintinet on 2004-06-04 18:04:02 Post Subject: Coffee Tech: Ripening Synchronization!
"Next time you plunk down $4 for a cup of gourmet coffee, consider thanking the anonymous laborers who harvested the beans that went into it. The best coffees use handpicked beans, "because the fruits of a coffee tree do not ripen uniformly and, thus, there are both mature and immature fruit on the same tree," according to a new US patent (6,727,406).
A dearth of cheap labor has forced many growers to adopt methods in which workers indiscriminately harvest beans from branches, ripe or not. Mechanical harvesting is another option, but mechanical harvesters also don't efficiently distinguish mature from immature beans. And poor quality beans make a poor pot of coffee.
Into this breach (fortified by a strong cup of Kona, no doubt) stepped a group of scientists at the University of Hawaii who determined that coffee beans are climacteric, that is, they boost respiration and ethylene synthesis just prior to ripening. To control these processes en masse, the group has devised a method to eliminate the synthesis of two enzymes critical to ethylene synthesis by introducing sense or antisense nucleic acid sequences into the coffee plant's genome.
The coffee growers can thus regulate the ripening of the fruit. "By application of ethylene to the entire plant, the entire plant will ripen at once, making manual and mechanical harvesting of coffee more productive." Hopefully they'll wash it off before Starbucks gets the beans. "
From The Scientist June 7, 2004
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View entire thread: PR: Heather Perry of Coffee Klatch Roasting to Represent USA
Posted by cafemakers on 2007-05-15 11:39:13 Post Subject: PR: Heather Perry of Coffee Klatch Roasting to Represent USA
SAN DIMAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Heather Perry from Coffee Klatch Roasting of San Dimas, California, has won the Specialty Coffee Association of America's 2007 United States Barista Championship.
The United States Barista Championship is an annual coffee competition where 50 of the best baristas from around the country are judged on their technical coffee-making ability, presentation style and the taste of the espresso, cappuccinos and original "signature" specialty beverages they create.
"There was a lot of tough competition at this year's event," says Perry. "After months of long nights and weekend practice sessions making espresso at Coffee Klatch, I'm really excited to see that my coffee creations are receiving national recognition."
As winner of the 2007 national competition, Ms. Perry advances to represent the United States against competitors from 39 countries at the World Barista Championship in Tokyo, Japan this July 31st through August 2nd.
"In addition to her impressive barista skills, I was struck by the obvious passion she demonstrated for her craft," comments SCAA spokesperson Rick Havacko.
Ms. Perry was formerly the United States Barista Champion in 2003 and is presently Ultimate Barista USA for the Ultimate Barista Challenge international league.
About the SCAA
Based in Long Beach, California, the Specialty Coffee Association of America is the world's largest coffee trade association, with over 3,000 member companies. SCAA members are located in more than 40 countries and represent every segment of the specialty coffee industry, including coffee growers, coffee roasters and retailers. Additional information about the Specialty Coffee Association of America and its services are available online at: www.scaa.org .
About Coffee Klatch Roasting
Founded in 1993, Coffee Klatch Roasting operates coffee shops in Southern California and a specialty coffee roasting business in San Dimas. In addition to numerous awards for the achievements of Heather Perry, Coffee Klatch Roasting has been recognized as serving the "Best Espresso in America" by the Los Angeles Times. For more information, visit the Coffee Klatch website at www.klatchroasting.com .
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Posted by cafemakers on 2007-05-15 11:39:13 Post Subject: PR: Heather Perry of Coffee Klatch Roasting to Represent USA
SAN DIMAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Heather Perry from Coffee Klatch Roasting of San Dimas, California, has won the Specialty Coffee Association of America's 2007 United States Barista Championship.
The United States Barista Championship is an annual coffee competition where 50 of the best baristas from around the country are judged on their technical coffee-making ability, presentation style and the taste of the espresso, cappuccinos and original "signature" specialty beverages they create.
"There was a lot of tough competition at this year's event," says Perry. "After months of long nights and weekend practice sessions making espresso at Coffee Klatch, I'm really excited to see that my coffee creations are receiving national recognition."
As winner of the 2007 national competition, Ms. Perry advances to represent the United States against competitors from 39 countries at the World Barista Championship in Tokyo, Japan this July 31st through August 2nd.
"In addition to her impressive barista skills, I was struck by the obvious passion she demonstrated for her craft," comments SCAA spokesperson Rick Havacko.
Ms. Perry was formerly the United States Barista Champion in 2003 and is presently Ultimate Barista USA for the Ultimate Barista Challenge international league.
About the SCAA
Based in Long Beach, California, the Specialty Coffee Association of America is the world's largest coffee trade association, with over 3,000 member companies. SCAA members are located in more than 40 countries and represent every segment of the specialty coffee industry, including coffee growers, coffee roasters and retailers. Additional information about the Specialty Coffee Association of America and its services are available online at: www.scaa.org .
About Coffee Klatch Roasting
Founded in 1993, Coffee Klatch Roasting operates coffee shops in Southern California and a specialty coffee roasting business in San Dimas. In addition to numerous awards for the achievements of Heather Perry, Coffee Klatch Roasting has been recognized as serving the "Best Espresso in America" by the Los Angeles Times. For more information, visit the Coffee Klatch website at www.klatchroasting.com .
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View entire thread: WBC Adds SCAA Pair to Board of Directors
Posted by cafemakers on 2008-04-03 02:29:20 Post Subject: WBC Adds SCAA Pair to Board of Directors
LONG BEACH, Calif. U.S.A. (April 2, 2008) —The Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), the world’s largest coffee trade association, elected two new members to represent the association’s interest on the World Barista Championship (WBC) Board of Directors.
Andrew Hetzel, founder of Cafemakers, LLC and murky coffee president, Nicholas Cho are each slated to serve a two-year term on the internationally-recognized barista competition’s board.
The pair joins current SCAA members, Cindy Chang, director of development at Counter Culture and Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea Inc. Chief Executive Officer and Founder Doug Zell on the WBC Board of Directors. The four individuals are tasked with continuing the interest and growth of the WBC on a global scale while building a stronger educational and social platform for the worldwide barista community.
In addition to starting coffee consultancy firm Cafemakers, LLC in 2001, Hetzel is the only Coffee Quality Institute-licensed Q Grader in the state of Hawaii. He is also an SCAA- certified cupping judge and has been an arbitrator of the United States Barista Championship since 2003 and the WBC since 2005.
By joining the WBC board, Cho, who is also an SCAA director, holds the unique distinction of concurrently serving on two prominent specialty coffee boards. He began his career in specialty coffee in 2002 when he opened the now-popular murky coffee in Arlington, Va. Cho is also an accomplished barista having won the SCAA’s Southeast Regional Barista Competition in 2006.
“SCAA is pleased to select Andrew Hetzel and Nicholas Cho to represent our association on the WBC Board of Directors,” said SCAA Executive Director Ric Rhinehart. “We are confident Andrew and Nicholas will provide SCAA with a strong presence within the internationally-recognized specialty coffee organization while also contributing to the WBC’s continuing growth and success.”
The WBC is a nonprofit organization governed by a board representing SCAA and the SCAE members. The organization’s stated goals are:
To promote the growth, excellence and recognition in the barista profession.
To grow the barista’s knowledge of and expertise in the preparation and serving of specialty, espresso coffee through competitions.
To promote the knowledge and consumption of specialty coffee to the consumer through the Barista.
To become globally recognized as the premier world barista event in the coffee calendar.
About the SCAA
Celebrating 26 years of success, SCAA is the world’s largest coffee trade association. SCAA members are located in more than 40 countries and represent every segment of the specialty coffee industry, from coffee growers to coffee roasters and retailers. The SCAA’s mission is to be the recognized authority on specialty coffee, providing a common forum for the development and promotion of coffee excellence and sustainability. The SCAA’s dedication to excellence in coffee is realized through the setting of quality standards for the industry; conducting research on coffee, equipment and perfection of craft; and providing education, training, resources and business services for members. The SCAA’s annual conference is held in a different U.S. city each year and is the coffee industry’s largest gathering and exhibition.
About the WBC
The World Barista Championship was created initially by the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe. The first WBC took place in Monte Carlo in October 2000. The Specialty Coffee Association of America quickly joined and the WBC is now a joint venture among the two sister organizations. The WBC Corporation is headquartered in the United Kingdom with a shared ownership between the SCAE and SCAA. The organization’s 2008 event will be held in Copenhagen, Denmark, June 19-22.
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Posted by cafemakers on 2008-04-03 02:29:20 Post Subject: WBC Adds SCAA Pair to Board of Directors
LONG BEACH, Calif. U.S.A. (April 2, 2008) —The Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), the world’s largest coffee trade association, elected two new members to represent the association’s interest on the World Barista Championship (WBC) Board of Directors.
Andrew Hetzel, founder of Cafemakers, LLC and murky coffee president, Nicholas Cho are each slated to serve a two-year term on the internationally-recognized barista competition’s board.
The pair joins current SCAA members, Cindy Chang, director of development at Counter Culture and Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea Inc. Chief Executive Officer and Founder Doug Zell on the WBC Board of Directors. The four individuals are tasked with continuing the interest and growth of the WBC on a global scale while building a stronger educational and social platform for the worldwide barista community.
In addition to starting coffee consultancy firm Cafemakers, LLC in 2001, Hetzel is the only Coffee Quality Institute-licensed Q Grader in the state of Hawaii. He is also an SCAA- certified cupping judge and has been an arbitrator of the United States Barista Championship since 2003 and the WBC since 2005.
By joining the WBC board, Cho, who is also an SCAA director, holds the unique distinction of concurrently serving on two prominent specialty coffee boards. He began his career in specialty coffee in 2002 when he opened the now-popular murky coffee in Arlington, Va. Cho is also an accomplished barista having won the SCAA’s Southeast Regional Barista Competition in 2006.
“SCAA is pleased to select Andrew Hetzel and Nicholas Cho to represent our association on the WBC Board of Directors,” said SCAA Executive Director Ric Rhinehart. “We are confident Andrew and Nicholas will provide SCAA with a strong presence within the internationally-recognized specialty coffee organization while also contributing to the WBC’s continuing growth and success.”
The WBC is a nonprofit organization governed by a board representing SCAA and the SCAE members. The organization’s stated goals are:
To promote the growth, excellence and recognition in the barista profession.
To grow the barista’s knowledge of and expertise in the preparation and serving of specialty, espresso coffee through competitions.
To promote the knowledge and consumption of specialty coffee to the consumer through the Barista.
To become globally recognized as the premier world barista event in the coffee calendar.
About the SCAA
Celebrating 26 years of success, SCAA is the world’s largest coffee trade association. SCAA members are located in more than 40 countries and represent every segment of the specialty coffee industry, from coffee growers to coffee roasters and retailers. The SCAA’s mission is to be the recognized authority on specialty coffee, providing a common forum for the development and promotion of coffee excellence and sustainability. The SCAA’s dedication to excellence in coffee is realized through the setting of quality standards for the industry; conducting research on coffee, equipment and perfection of craft; and providing education, training, resources and business services for members. The SCAA’s annual conference is held in a different U.S. city each year and is the coffee industry’s largest gathering and exhibition.
About the WBC
The World Barista Championship was created initially by the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe. The first WBC took place in Monte Carlo in October 2000. The Specialty Coffee Association of America quickly joined and the WBC is now a joint venture among the two sister organizations. The WBC Corporation is headquartered in the United Kingdom with a shared ownership between the SCAE and SCAA. The organization’s 2008 event will be held in Copenhagen, Denmark, June 19-22.
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View entire thread: enjoy great coffee for a good cause
Posted by coffeemaniac on 2008-01-16 12:27:07 Post Subject: enjoy great coffee for a good cause
this new coffee company is owned by actual coffee growers!!! i guess it was about time anyway. their coffee really great and it is straight origins only and for every 12oz bag purchased, part of the profits are donated directly to the coffee growers!!!! check them out at www.growersalliance.com
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Posted by coffeemaniac on 2008-01-16 12:27:07 Post Subject: enjoy great coffee for a good cause
this new coffee company is owned by actual coffee growers!!! i guess it was about time anyway. their coffee really great and it is straight origins only and for every 12oz bag purchased, part of the profits are donated directly to the coffee growers!!!! check them out at www.growersalliance.com
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View entire thread: Building Relationships with Coffee Farmers
Posted by green beans on 2007-04-24 09:34:18 Post Subject: Building Relationships with Coffee Farmers
So I have looked at a lot of different green coffee suppliers webpages and talked to a few. Some seem to have a stronger connection with the farmers whom actualy grow the coffee.
I want to know how a coffee roaster can make strong connections with coffee growers from all over the world?
Is it that these roasters buy their coffee from the more farmer/origin concious suppliers or that these roasters actualy get the beans dirrectly from the farmers???
If they do get the beans from the farmers how do they make that connections????
Thank you in advance for any insight here.
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Posted by green beans on 2007-04-24 09:34:18 Post Subject: Building Relationships with Coffee Farmers
So I have looked at a lot of different green coffee suppliers webpages and talked to a few. Some seem to have a stronger connection with the farmers whom actualy grow the coffee.
I want to know how a coffee roaster can make strong connections with coffee growers from all over the world?
Is it that these roasters buy their coffee from the more farmer/origin concious suppliers or that these roasters actualy get the beans dirrectly from the farmers???
If they do get the beans from the farmers how do they make that connections????
Thank you in advance for any insight here.
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View entire thread: Juan Valdez vs. Starbucks!
Posted by tintinet on 2003-11-29 08:42:10 Post Subject: NYT for those who are too paranoid or lazy to register:
Move Over Starbucks, Juan Valdez Is Coming
By SHERRI DAY
Published: November 29, 2003
Tony Cenicola/The New York Times
Bags of Juan Valdez coffee.
How about a nice large cup of coffee, light on the guilt?
The Colombian Coffee Federation, which represents more than 500,000 Colombian coffee growers, is planning to open its first coffee shops - all bearing the name Juan Valdez, after the federation's signature character - in the United States by early 2004. Gabriel Silva, the president of the federation, which is based in Bogotá, says the coffee growers have been "too passive" in claiming a larger piece of the $8.4 billion specialty coffee industry.
"In a cup of coffee that you get at a coffee shop, between 1 and 2 cents goes back to the farmer," Mr. Silva said, referring to Colombian growers. "We need to build our own solutions and take the destiny in our hands and really fight for our share of the industry."
Coffee growers are facing a difficult market. Per-capita consumption has been in decline since 1963 with the only growth area the specialty coffee shops, led by Starbucks, according to the International Coffee Organization in London. The price of coffee beans has also declined significantly from a high of about $1.20 a pound five years ago because of a global oversupply of coffee beans from countries like Vietnam and Brazil. In Colombia today, the average coffee grower gets only about 68 cents for a pound of coffee, Mr. Silva said.
Industry trade groups have tried to stem coffee farmers' losses by encouraging coffee producers to destroy oversupply and raise prices. They have also encouraged food companies to buy so-called fair trade coffee, which aims to guarantee what its advocates say is a living wage to poor coffee farmers in developing countries.
But even with Starbucks buying fair-trade coffee at an average of $1.20 a pound, Colombian coffee growers make only about a penny from each cup of coffee sold, Mr. Silva said. The average Starbucks' latte costs $2.25 to $3 a cup; a mocha costs $2.45 to $3.25.
By selling its own coffee at its own coffee shops, the federation, which represents both small and large coffee growers, plans to return 4 to 5 cents for each cup of coffee sold. Each of the federation's 560,000 farmers will also have an ownership stake in the shops, Mr. Silva said. The profits from the retail operation will go back to the federation, which said it would put marketing dollars behind the Juan Valdez brand and work to improve Colombia's coffee-growing regions by building roads, schools, health centers and housing.
"It's certainly interesting," John Glass, a restaurant analyst at CIBC World Markets, said of the coffee growers' plan. "I'm sure they can capture, to some degree, some more integrated profit if they vertically integrate it. The example would be Exxon Mobil. They own gas stations. They take it out of the ground, and they sell it."
The first Juan Valdez coffee shop is scheduled to open in New York, where the federation owns property on 57th Street and Lexington Avenue. The federation also plans to open three more flagship stores in Boston, Washington and Seattle.
The Juan Valdez trademark, which was created by DDB Worldwide Marketing in 1960's, is probably most familiar from a series of television commercials featuring the character standing in American supermarket aisles. The character was suspended in 2001, after coffee bean prices dropped significantly and the federation could no longer bankroll the ad budget for Juan Valdez.
But last summer, Juan Valdez made a comeback. The federation paid $1.5 million to buy him a cameo appearance in the Jim Carrey movie "Bruce Almighty." The federation plans to spend about $20 million on its coffee shops, but did not say how much of that would go for advertising and marketing. It will spend another $9 million this year and next to promote its marketing program for 100 percent Colombian coffee. The Sawyer Miller unit of the IPG Group is spearheading the federation's marketing campaign. Future Brands, another IPG unit, will work with the company on branding.
The stores will largely be modeled after five coffee shops that the federation operates in Colombia. There, they are testing product mix, pricing and the intricacies of running a retail operation. The stores, which are relatively spartan, serve nine different blends of coffee and are decorated in neutral browns and beiges, accented with wooden chairs that do not encourage patrons to linger. Although prices of the Colombian coffee have yet to be set for stores in the United States, Mr. Silva said he expected them to be lower than Starbucks'.
"Starbucks sells an experience," Mr. Silva said. "It's almost like a social place where you go there and meet your friends and read the paper and have some milk with coffee. They are not maximizing the potential of the pure coffee experience. Our stores are going to be much more down to earth - less opportunities for social interaction. It's not going to be a gathering place; it's going to be a place to get superior coffee, the best coffee in the world."
Advertisement
The federation's plan promises to be a delicate balancing act, as the group will be directly competing with its primary consumers, packaged-goods companies that market 100 percent Colombian coffee as an ingredient in brands like Folgers and coffee shops, especially Starbucks, which controls 38 percent of the domestic specialty coffee shop market.
Officials at Starbucks, which has recorded 12 consecutive years of same-store sales growth despite the slumping economy, said they supported the Colombian coffee growers' efforts and would continue to buy coffee beans from them. Starbucks officials said the company was a "significant buyer" of Colombian coffee, but they declined to say how much coffee they purchased from Colombia, which is the second-largest coffee-producing nation in the world, after Brazil.
"We're not worried," said Dub Hay, Starbucks' senior vice president for coffee. "We're well aware of what they're going to do; we think there's room for everyone."
A representative of Dunkin' Donuts, which says it sells more cups of coffee a day than any other retailer, expressed support for the growers' efforts, along with a little confusion about the identity of the coffee shops' namesake. "Is that the guy with the horse?" asked Jon Luther, the chief executive of the restaurant division of Allied Domecq, which owns Dunkin' Donuts.
The federation has enlisted McKinsey & Company, a management consulting firm, to help develop its retail plan for its United States stores. McKinsey has been advising the federation on the creation of its coffee shop business model and the rollout of the stores.
But the federation's learning curve will be steep as the group will have to figure out how to transfer its skills as coffee growers to retail sales, analysts said.
"There's so much more to it," said Mitchell J. Speiser, a restaurant and food service analyst at Lehman Brothers, about the federation's plans. "It's site location; it's branding. It's the right management team. It's hiring the right people. Just on paper, having real Colombian coffee and creating a retail shop around it, they do win the authenticity factor, but it takes a lot more than that to create a successful brand and a successful retail chain."
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Posted by tintinet on 2003-11-29 08:42:10 Post Subject: NYT for those who are too paranoid or lazy to register:
Move Over Starbucks, Juan Valdez Is Coming
By SHERRI DAY
Published: November 29, 2003
Tony Cenicola/The New York Times
Bags of Juan Valdez coffee.
How about a nice large cup of coffee, light on the guilt?
The Colombian Coffee Federation, which represents more than 500,000 Colombian coffee growers, is planning to open its first coffee shops - all bearing the name Juan Valdez, after the federation's signature character - in the United States by early 2004. Gabriel Silva, the president of the federation, which is based in Bogotá, says the coffee growers have been "too passive" in claiming a larger piece of the $8.4 billion specialty coffee industry.
"In a cup of coffee that you get at a coffee shop, between 1 and 2 cents goes back to the farmer," Mr. Silva said, referring to Colombian growers. "We need to build our own solutions and take the destiny in our hands and really fight for our share of the industry."
Coffee growers are facing a difficult market. Per-capita consumption has been in decline since 1963 with the only growth area the specialty coffee shops, led by Starbucks, according to the International Coffee Organization in London. The price of coffee beans has also declined significantly from a high of about $1.20 a pound five years ago because of a global oversupply of coffee beans from countries like Vietnam and Brazil. In Colombia today, the average coffee grower gets only about 68 cents for a pound of coffee, Mr. Silva said.
Industry trade groups have tried to stem coffee farmers' losses by encouraging coffee producers to destroy oversupply and raise prices. They have also encouraged food companies to buy so-called fair trade coffee, which aims to guarantee what its advocates say is a living wage to poor coffee farmers in developing countries.
But even with Starbucks buying fair-trade coffee at an average of $1.20 a pound, Colombian coffee growers make only about a penny from each cup of coffee sold, Mr. Silva said. The average Starbucks' latte costs $2.25 to $3 a cup; a mocha costs $2.45 to $3.25.
By selling its own coffee at its own coffee shops, the federation, which represents both small and large coffee growers, plans to return 4 to 5 cents for each cup of coffee sold. Each of the federation's 560,000 farmers will also have an ownership stake in the shops, Mr. Silva said. The profits from the retail operation will go back to the federation, which said it would put marketing dollars behind the Juan Valdez brand and work to improve Colombia's coffee-growing regions by building roads, schools, health centers and housing.
"It's certainly interesting," John Glass, a restaurant analyst at CIBC World Markets, said of the coffee growers' plan. "I'm sure they can capture, to some degree, some more integrated profit if they vertically integrate it. The example would be Exxon Mobil. They own gas stations. They take it out of the ground, and they sell it."
The first Juan Valdez coffee shop is scheduled to open in New York, where the federation owns property on 57th Street and Lexington Avenue. The federation also plans to open three more flagship stores in Boston, Washington and Seattle.
The Juan Valdez trademark, which was created by DDB Worldwide Marketing in 1960's, is probably most familiar from a series of television commercials featuring the character standing in American supermarket aisles. The character was suspended in 2001, after coffee bean prices dropped significantly and the federation could no longer bankroll the ad budget for Juan Valdez.
But last summer, Juan Valdez made a comeback. The federation paid $1.5 million to buy him a cameo appearance in the Jim Carrey movie "Bruce Almighty." The federation plans to spend about $20 million on its coffee shops, but did not say how much of that would go for advertising and marketing. It will spend another $9 million this year and next to promote its marketing program for 100 percent Colombian coffee. The Sawyer Miller unit of the IPG Group is spearheading the federation's marketing campaign. Future Brands, another IPG unit, will work with the company on branding.
The stores will largely be modeled after five coffee shops that the federation operates in Colombia. There, they are testing product mix, pricing and the intricacies of running a retail operation. The stores, which are relatively spartan, serve nine different blends of coffee and are decorated in neutral browns and beiges, accented with wooden chairs that do not encourage patrons to linger. Although prices of the Colombian coffee have yet to be set for stores in the United States, Mr. Silva said he expected them to be lower than Starbucks'.
"Starbucks sells an experience," Mr. Silva said. "It's almost like a social place where you go there and meet your friends and read the paper and have some milk with coffee. They are not maximizing the potential of the pure coffee experience. Our stores are going to be much more down to earth - less opportunities for social interaction. It's not going to be a gathering place; it's going to be a place to get superior coffee, the best coffee in the world."
Advertisement
The federation's plan promises to be a delicate balancing act, as the group will be directly competing with its primary consumers, packaged-goods companies that market 100 percent Colombian coffee as an ingredient in brands like Folgers and coffee shops, especially Starbucks, which controls 38 percent of the domestic specialty coffee shop market.
Officials at Starbucks, which has recorded 12 consecutive years of same-store sales growth despite the slumping economy, said they supported the Colombian coffee growers' efforts and would continue to buy coffee beans from them. Starbucks officials said the company was a "significant buyer" of Colombian coffee, but they declined to say how much coffee they purchased from Colombia, which is the second-largest coffee-producing nation in the world, after Brazil.
"We're not worried," said Dub Hay, Starbucks' senior vice president for coffee. "We're well aware of what they're going to do; we think there's room for everyone."
A representative of Dunkin' Donuts, which says it sells more cups of coffee a day than any other retailer, expressed support for the growers' efforts, along with a little confusion about the identity of the coffee shops' namesake. "Is that the guy with the horse?" asked Jon Luther, the chief executive of the restaurant division of Allied Domecq, which owns Dunkin' Donuts.
The federation has enlisted McKinsey & Company, a management consulting firm, to help develop its retail plan for its United States stores. McKinsey has been advising the federation on the creation of its coffee shop business model and the rollout of the stores.
But the federation's learning curve will be steep as the group will have to figure out how to transfer its skills as coffee growers to retail sales, analysts said.
"There's so much more to it," said Mitchell J. Speiser, a restaurant and food service analyst at Lehman Brothers, about the federation's plans. "It's site location; it's branding. It's the right management team. It's hiring the right people. Just on paper, having real Colombian coffee and creating a retail shop around it, they do win the authenticity factor, but it takes a lot more than that to create a successful brand and a successful retail chain."
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View entire thread: BaristaExchange.com - A Networking Website for Baristas
Posted by BaristaTrainer on 2007-12-10 13:23:09 Post Subject: BaristaExchange.com - A Networking Website for Baristas
http://vivabarista.com/images/be_logo_beta.jpg
It has been over a year in the planning and development, but www.baristaexchange.com is now live in it's beta version.
The website is designed to be a great networking opportunity for everyone from baristas and shop owners to coffee enthusiasts and even coffee growers. Ideally this can be a place to meet other baristas from around the world, and also exchange ideas and information freely. To work it will take the involvement of it's members.
The idea was inspired by not only my love to travel, but also from my experience of studying and working abroad, and in the US in other coffee bars. Even if traveling is not an option, the site is great for networking, sharing photos, videos, and blogs.
Feel free to create an account and join. Feedback will be key during this beta version.
Thanks,
Matt
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Posted by BaristaTrainer on 2007-12-10 13:23:09 Post Subject: BaristaExchange.com - A Networking Website for Baristas
http://vivabarista.com/images/be_logo_beta.jpg
It has been over a year in the planning and development, but www.baristaexchange.com is now live in it's beta version.
The website is designed to be a great networking opportunity for everyone from baristas and shop owners to coffee enthusiasts and even coffee growers. Ideally this can be a place to meet other baristas from around the world, and also exchange ideas and information freely. To work it will take the involvement of it's members.
The idea was inspired by not only my love to travel, but also from my experience of studying and working abroad, and in the US in other coffee bars. Even if traveling is not an option, the site is great for networking, sharing photos, videos, and blogs.
Feel free to create an account and join. Feedback will be key during this beta version.
Thanks,
Matt
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View entire thread: NPR Story on Coffee Growers Strife in Central, South America
Posted by tintinet on 2003-10-03 12:35:54 Post Subject: More on Coffee Growers, Pricing, etc.
From The Observer "Best daily newspaper
on the world wide web" :
The backdrop to the coffee growers' problems is the collapse in commodity prices, caused by oversupply, a lack of competition among buyers and hypocritical trade rules. 'It's exacerbated by international advice to developing countries to all produce coffee. And there used to be an international coffee agreement that guaranteed a fixed price,' says Lamb.
For instance, Vietnam recently began producing coffee and now supplies 10 per cent of the world market.
Coffee sells on world markets for about 35p a kilo, while a bag of coffee for use in a cafe costs around 16 times that amount. The mark-up is excellent for the end-user or the Nestlés of the world, but the price paid to coffee producers has been pitiful, especially when set against the rewards for cultivating drugs. Independent reports show that oversupply in the coffee market - and the slump in coffee prices from £2,800 per tonne in 1995 to today's £350 - has left many coffee producers selling at below cost.
The Fairtrade minimum price paid to farmers' associations and co-operatives is $1.26 per pound (ÂŁ1.73 a kilo) for arabica coffee. This includes a 5 cents per pound 'premium' to be used for agreed social and commercial development projects. If the world price climbs above that minimum level, the Fairtrade price is always 5 cents per pound more.
'The heart of the fair trade standards is that farmers must be organised into cooperatives. Farmers know that if they come together they are better able to resist the passing fads of the middle man,' says Lamb.
From grower to supermarket shelf or cafe bar, it is estimated that coffee beans can change hands as many as 150 times. Producers sell to local traders, who sell on to international traders, who sell on to commodity traders. (Illegal drugs, by contrast, have a much flatter distribution network.)
This explains the relatively small cut that is received by farmers. But the slump in prices is also down to the growing power of the big multinationals that buy the produce.
'For some reason or another these markets are not competitive. Big companies can rip off farmers, using their "single buyer" power to drive down prices. In principle this phenomenon, known as "monopsony", is as bad as a monopoly,' says Alan Winters, a trade economist with the Centre for Economic Policy Research.
Companies that profit from the collapse in coffee prices are beginning to be named by campaigning groups.
'Nestlé has made an estimated 26 per cent profit margin on instant coffee. Sara Lee's coffee profits are estimated to be nearly 17 per cent - a very high figure compared with other food and drink brands. If everyone in the supply chain were benefiting this would not matter. As it is, with farmers getting a price that is below the costs of production, the companies' booming business is being paid for by some of the poorest people in the world,' says a recent Oxfam report.
Coffee aside there is the subsidy question. Take the startling example of the Haitian rice industry, put out of business by dumped overproduction from the US, courtesy of massive subsidies. Then there is the Mozambique sugar industry. A country that is desperately looking to trade, following man-made and natural disasters, finds itself up against the might of $1.6bn of subsidies for European sugar producers. Despite it being the world's least efficient place to produce sugar, subsidy has made Europe the world's biggest exporter. Oxfam estimates that British sugar firms received an effective subsidy of ÂŁ120m last year.
There's also 'tariff escalation' which effectively prevents countries from exporting higher value products. Even some fair trade products, including 'polished' rice from Thailand, cannot be sold in Europe because they attract punitive tariffs.
'The EU has got to get it's act together, because it's vested interests are holding up WTO agricultural reforms,' says Fowler.
Fair trade's minor success has helped thousands of small farmers diversify production, and earn enough money to pay for an education. In South America, the fair trade premium has allowed farmers to resist the temptation to revert to growing coca and opium poppies.
'Fair trade is a fairly radical solution - not only giving a better price but giving producers a say in the supply chain. The question we ask is who has the power, and what fair trade does is give poor disadvantaged producers a bit of a say,' says Barry Coates, of the World Development Movement.
The real problem, of course, is that 98 per cent of trade is not fair.
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Posted by tintinet on 2003-10-03 12:35:54 Post Subject: More on Coffee Growers, Pricing, etc.
From The Observer "Best daily newspaper
on the world wide web" :
The backdrop to the coffee growers' problems is the collapse in commodity prices, caused by oversupply, a lack of competition among buyers and hypocritical trade rules. 'It's exacerbated by international advice to developing countries to all produce coffee. And there used to be an international coffee agreement that guaranteed a fixed price,' says Lamb.
For instance, Vietnam recently began producing coffee and now supplies 10 per cent of the world market.
Coffee sells on world markets for about 35p a kilo, while a bag of coffee for use in a cafe costs around 16 times that amount. The mark-up is excellent for the end-user or the Nestlés of the world, but the price paid to coffee producers has been pitiful, especially when set against the rewards for cultivating drugs. Independent reports show that oversupply in the coffee market - and the slump in coffee prices from £2,800 per tonne in 1995 to today's £350 - has left many coffee producers selling at below cost.
The Fairtrade minimum price paid to farmers' associations and co-operatives is $1.26 per pound (ÂŁ1.73 a kilo) for arabica coffee. This includes a 5 cents per pound 'premium' to be used for agreed social and commercial development projects. If the world price climbs above that minimum level, the Fairtrade price is always 5 cents per pound more.
'The heart of the fair trade standards is that farmers must be organised into cooperatives. Farmers know that if they come together they are better able to resist the passing fads of the middle man,' says Lamb.
From grower to supermarket shelf or cafe bar, it is estimated that coffee beans can change hands as many as 150 times. Producers sell to local traders, who sell on to international traders, who sell on to commodity traders. (Illegal drugs, by contrast, have a much flatter distribution network.)
This explains the relatively small cut that is received by farmers. But the slump in prices is also down to the growing power of the big multinationals that buy the produce.
'For some reason or another these markets are not competitive. Big companies can rip off farmers, using their "single buyer" power to drive down prices. In principle this phenomenon, known as "monopsony", is as bad as a monopoly,' says Alan Winters, a trade economist with the Centre for Economic Policy Research.
Companies that profit from the collapse in coffee prices are beginning to be named by campaigning groups.
'Nestlé has made an estimated 26 per cent profit margin on instant coffee. Sara Lee's coffee profits are estimated to be nearly 17 per cent - a very high figure compared with other food and drink brands. If everyone in the supply chain were benefiting this would not matter. As it is, with farmers getting a price that is below the costs of production, the companies' booming business is being paid for by some of the poorest people in the world,' says a recent Oxfam report.
Coffee aside there is the subsidy question. Take the startling example of the Haitian rice industry, put out of business by dumped overproduction from the US, courtesy of massive subsidies. Then there is the Mozambique sugar industry. A country that is desperately looking to trade, following man-made and natural disasters, finds itself up against the might of $1.6bn of subsidies for European sugar producers. Despite it being the world's least efficient place to produce sugar, subsidy has made Europe the world's biggest exporter. Oxfam estimates that British sugar firms received an effective subsidy of ÂŁ120m last year.
There's also 'tariff escalation' which effectively prevents countries from exporting higher value products. Even some fair trade products, including 'polished' rice from Thailand, cannot be sold in Europe because they attract punitive tariffs.
'The EU has got to get it's act together, because it's vested interests are holding up WTO agricultural reforms,' says Fowler.
Fair trade's minor success has helped thousands of small farmers diversify production, and earn enough money to pay for an education. In South America, the fair trade premium has allowed farmers to resist the temptation to revert to growing coca and opium poppies.
'Fair trade is a fairly radical solution - not only giving a better price but giving producers a say in the supply chain. The question we ask is who has the power, and what fair trade does is give poor disadvantaged producers a bit of a say,' says Barry Coates, of the World Development Movement.
The real problem, of course, is that 98 per cent of trade is not fair.
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View entire thread: Formaldehyde in coffee
Posted by ace85driver on 2005-12-30 15:48:32 Post Subject: Formaldehyde in coffee
An acquaintance of mine has been trying to convince me to start buying fresh coffee beans, roast, grind, and brew them myself. His rationale is you get a richer cup of coffee, it’s cheaper, and healthier for you. When I asked him why it’s healthier? He told me many gourmet coffee growers use formaldehyde to keep the beans fresh? Is this true? Also if I start buying raw beans (I guess that’s what they would be called) can I roast them, grind them, and brew them right away? Would I have to let the roasted coffee beans sit for a while before grinding and brewing them?
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Posted by ace85driver on 2005-12-30 15:48:32 Post Subject: Formaldehyde in coffee
An acquaintance of mine has been trying to convince me to start buying fresh coffee beans, roast, grind, and brew them myself. His rationale is you get a richer cup of coffee, it’s cheaper, and healthier for you. When I asked him why it’s healthier? He told me many gourmet coffee growers use formaldehyde to keep the beans fresh? Is this true? Also if I start buying raw beans (I guess that’s what they would be called) can I roast them, grind them, and brew them right away? Would I have to let the roasted coffee beans sit for a while before grinding and brewing them?
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View entire thread: Buying green beans
Posted by Brotherhood of the Bean on 2006-07-17 22:31:42 Post Subject:
I've had good experiences with Sweet Marias. I'm also amazed at how many small independant coffee growers have websites that you can order from.
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Posted by Brotherhood of the Bean on 2006-07-17 22:31:42 Post Subject:
I've had good experiences with Sweet Marias. I'm also amazed at how many small independant coffee growers have websites that you can order from.
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View entire thread: 23 Starbucks stores vandalized in Houston Texas
Posted by notmuffy on 2003-12-05 02:31:26 Post Subject: 23 Starbucks stores vandalized in Houston Texas
http://www.infoshop.org/inews/stories.p ... 04/7094546
I can't believe people go to these lenghts just for a difference of opinion.
The busy vandals who squeezed glue and forced toothpicks into the locks of 23 Starbucks coffee outlets here during the weekend, leaving a mock notice from management to customers taped to the door.
The page-long note is a slam, parodied as a statement from the company, promising to reverse tactics that critics say include putting small competitors out of business, denying "fair" prices to coffee growers, and using genetically engineered milk.
"Thanks for your support in dealing with these vital issues," the message closes.
Are these vandals jealous of Starbuck's popularity?
What do you guys think?
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Posted by notmuffy on 2003-12-05 02:31:26 Post Subject: 23 Starbucks stores vandalized in Houston Texas
http://www.infoshop.org/inews/stories.p ... 04/7094546
I can't believe people go to these lenghts just for a difference of opinion.
The busy vandals who squeezed glue and forced toothpicks into the locks of 23 Starbucks coffee outlets here during the weekend, leaving a mock notice from management to customers taped to the door.
The page-long note is a slam, parodied as a statement from the company, promising to reverse tactics that critics say include putting small competitors out of business, denying "fair" prices to coffee growers, and using genetically engineered milk.
"Thanks for your support in dealing with these vital issues," the message closes.
Are these vandals jealous of Starbuck's popularity?
What do you guys think?
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View entire thread: fair trade? fair or not fair?
Posted by dspender on 2003-08-08 13:34:20 Post Subject: fair trade? fair or not fair?
I don't really understand what Fair Trade does or what it hopes to accomplish? Does anyone understand this idea of 'Fair Trade' Coffee?
I understand the basics of what Fair Trade is and what it does... but I don't understand how it makes a better coffee? Does it? Or is it just a bullying tactic by certain coffee growers to make the consumer feel guilty if they are not buying their 'Fair Trade' coffee? (that doesn't seem fair!)
It just seems to me that whether a coffee is 'Fair Trade' or not is sort of arbitrary.
I would greatly appreciate people's comments!
Thanks!
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Posted by dspender on 2003-08-08 13:34:20 Post Subject: fair trade? fair or not fair?
I don't really understand what Fair Trade does or what it hopes to accomplish? Does anyone understand this idea of 'Fair Trade' Coffee?
I understand the basics of what Fair Trade is and what it does... but I don't understand how it makes a better coffee? Does it? Or is it just a bullying tactic by certain coffee growers to make the consumer feel guilty if they are not buying their 'Fair Trade' coffee? (that doesn't seem fair!)
It just seems to me that whether a coffee is 'Fair Trade' or not is sort of arbitrary.
I would greatly appreciate people's comments!
Thanks!
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View entire thread: Do something for coffee growers in third world
Posted by Ellen on 2006-03-12 14:29:50 Post Subject: Do something for coffee growers in third world
Hey all, it's Ellen again.
I found you guys are sort of expertise in coffee. I'm doing a research on people's preference of buying fairtrade coffee through onlne retailers. The research is technically depending upon online survey. In that case, I have to send out the questionnaire by e-mail. Would you like to contribute your knowledge to this research?
You know, I chose fairtrade coffee as my dissertation topic because I thought it meaningful to do things that might help coffee growers in developing courntries.
If you got any questions concern my research, please don't hesitate to contact me. My e-mail is wh_yuanyuan@yahoo.com.cn
Ellen
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Posted by Ellen on 2006-03-12 14:29:50 Post Subject: Do something for coffee growers in third world
Hey all, it's Ellen again.
I found you guys are sort of expertise in coffee. I'm doing a research on people's preference of buying fairtrade coffee through onlne retailers. The research is technically depending upon online survey. In that case, I have to send out the questionnaire by e-mail. Would you like to contribute your knowledge to this research?
You know, I chose fairtrade coffee as my dissertation topic because I thought it meaningful to do things that might help coffee growers in developing courntries.
If you got any questions concern my research, please don't hesitate to contact me. My e-mail is wh_yuanyuan@yahoo.com.cn
Ellen
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View entire thread: Read "The Coffee Book, An Anatomy of an Industry"
Posted by tlhamzy on 2005-02-07 14:05:38 Post Subject: threatened?
NW Java, you sound a bit threatened by this trend. First of all, don't be silly, the green beans are not sprayed with pesticides, the coffee bushes are. It is explained in the book, I don't think you've read it, or you wouldn't be confused. I expected to get alot of backlash from roasters who don't want to jigger their supply chains to accommodate certification.
Certification is currently the only way we have of ensuring that the coffee was grown organically, in shade grown conditions, and that the farmer received a fair price for the coffee. It's time for us to take some responsibility for our part in the poverty of the countries that grow the coffee.
Of course, if you would like to turn a blind eye and keep doing what you are doing, you can certainly do that, but you may be left behind in the new wave of socially concious decisions that coffee drinkers are making these days.
Yes, I eat fruit (duh), but I try to buy organic as much as possible, and since the organic industry grows at a rate of 92% a year, I'm in good company. We cannot take your word that your coffee was organically grown, there are too many unscrupulous people who just say what you want to hear. THAT IS WHY THERE IS CERTIFICATION, so growers and roasters can't just talk the talk without having to walk the walk.
If you don't have time to read the book, read this article, "The Coffee Clash" from Time Magazine in March of '04.
http://www.time.com/time/insidebiz/arti ... -1,00.html
To answer Blue Monkey, I have looked at some of the other coffee roaster sites, but many offer organic as a side item, I am looking for a company that promotes the organic, shade grown, fair trade coffee exclusively. That shows that they "get it" and that's who I want to do business with. There are others that offer it exclusively too, like sustainable harvest, but their web site is not as user friendly, so I just stick with Grounds For Change. Their pricing makes it easy to stay within the 65% to 75% GPM. I just wanna make a living, without exploiting the environment, migratory birds, and the coffee growers. Without certification, how do we know that they are being treated fairly, they haven't been till now.
GFC has sent me many samples over the past year, and have stuck with me thru thick and thin while i have been trying to open my business. I think they've sent me 20 lbs of free coffee to try, and cheerfully. I suggest you contact them via their wholesale order form. They will get pricing and samples to you right away. Tell them Troy sent ya! Have fun, and stick to your guns. There have been people like NW Java, above, who have tried that wrap on me, don't buy it.
Also, the article above, "The Coffee Clash" from Time Magazine in March of '04 says that many universities DEMAND fair trade coffee..go for it!!!
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Posted by tlhamzy on 2005-02-07 14:05:38 Post Subject: threatened?
NW Java, you sound a bit threatened by this trend. First of all, don't be silly, the green beans are not sprayed with pesticides, the coffee bushes are. It is explained in the book, I don't think you've read it, or you wouldn't be confused. I expected to get alot of backlash from roasters who don't want to jigger their supply chains to accommodate certification.
Certification is currently the only way we have of ensuring that the coffee was grown organically, in shade grown conditions, and that the farmer received a fair price for the coffee. It's time for us to take some responsibility for our part in the poverty of the countries that grow the coffee.
Of course, if you would like to turn a blind eye and keep doing what you are doing, you can certainly do that, but you may be left behind in the new wave of socially concious decisions that coffee drinkers are making these days.
Yes, I eat fruit (duh), but I try to buy organic as much as possible, and since the organic industry grows at a rate of 92% a year, I'm in good company. We cannot take your word that your coffee was organically grown, there are too many unscrupulous people who just say what you want to hear. THAT IS WHY THERE IS CERTIFICATION, so growers and roasters can't just talk the talk without having to walk the walk.
If you don't have time to read the book, read this article, "The Coffee Clash" from Time Magazine in March of '04.
http://www.time.com/time/insidebiz/arti ... -1,00.html
To answer Blue Monkey, I have looked at some of the other coffee roaster sites, but many offer organic as a side item, I am looking for a company that promotes the organic, shade grown, fair trade coffee exclusively. That shows that they "get it" and that's who I want to do business with. There are others that offer it exclusively too, like sustainable harvest, but their web site is not as user friendly, so I just stick with Grounds For Change. Their pricing makes it easy to stay within the 65% to 75% GPM. I just wanna make a living, without exploiting the environment, migratory birds, and the coffee growers. Without certification, how do we know that they are being treated fairly, they haven't been till now.
GFC has sent me many samples over the past year, and have stuck with me thru thick and thin while i have been trying to open my business. I think they've sent me 20 lbs of free coffee to try, and cheerfully. I suggest you contact them via their wholesale order form. They will get pricing and samples to you right away. Tell them Troy sent ya! Have fun, and stick to your guns. There have been people like NW Java, above, who have tried that wrap on me, don't buy it.
Also, the article above, "The Coffee Clash" from Time Magazine in March of '04 says that many universities DEMAND fair trade coffee..go for it!!!
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View entire thread: Vietnam Coffee Industry
Posted by vinacafe on 2003-12-31 10:02:00 Post Subject: Vietnam Coffee
I do business with a couple of different coffee growers in Vietnam. Mostly family owned farms in the Central Highlands. If you'ld like some information. Just drop me an email.
I'm not Vietnamese, but I've spent time living in Vietnam near Hoan Kiem Lake when I worked with agriculture, coffee and irrigation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development at the time.
I like the old Cafe Sua Da as well, the old french press style made with condensed milk on ice.
Cheers!
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Posted by vinacafe on 2003-12-31 10:02:00 Post Subject: Vietnam Coffee
I do business with a couple of different coffee growers in Vietnam. Mostly family owned farms in the Central Highlands. If you'ld like some information. Just drop me an email.
I'm not Vietnamese, but I've spent time living in Vietnam near Hoan Kiem Lake when I worked with agriculture, coffee and irrigation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development at the time.
I like the old Cafe Sua Da as well, the old french press style made with condensed milk on ice.
Cheers!
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View entire thread: roaster purchase
Posted by Alun_evans on 2008-05-03 00:01:18 Post Subject:
I too have sme shark bites to show for my efforts
I think sharks circle anywhere where free marketeering dominates the principles of fair marketing! Ouch 
I can tell you a few stories of my battles with those in between the coffee growers and me.
I know Thailand has produced a couple of quite well known coffee chains (Black Canyon Coffee for example). I am not sure what coffees they ue, but assume a % of it must be Northern Thai Arabicas?
I would also be keen to know a bit more about the roasters you are developing. If you have some technical info and pictures please email them to me for future reference. In many ways it makes sense to look at buying regionally.
Ciao
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Posted by Alun_evans on 2008-05-03 00:01:18 Post Subject:
I too have sme shark bites to show for my efforts
I think sharks circle anywhere where free marketeering dominates the principles of fair marketing! Ouch I can tell you a few stories of my battles with those in between the coffee growers and me. I know Thailand has produced a couple of quite well known coffee chains (Black Canyon Coffee for example). I am not sure what coffees they ue, but assume a % of it must be Northern Thai Arabicas?
I would also be keen to know a bit more about the roasters you are developing. If you have some technical info and pictures please email them to me for future reference. In many ways it makes sense to look at buying regionally.
Ciao
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View entire thread: Green Mountain Roasters Coffee?
Posted by gmcrgirl on 2006-10-19 09:42:33 Post Subject: Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
It looks as though I am a little late to reply, but I wanted to put in my two cents. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters is a fabulous company and I HIGHLY recommend them. They are the top selling double certified Fair Trade coffee roasters. They serve a quality product and will go out of their way to make sure that you are happy with the product. I could go on and on about all of the wonderful things they do, including working with Heifer International (fights world hunger), Newmans and the National Wildlife Federation. When you buy from them, your money is going to help the coffee growers that live in underdeveloped countries, they also encourage localization as well as working with globalization!
~Alissa
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Posted by gmcrgirl on 2006-10-19 09:42:33 Post Subject: Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
It looks as though I am a little late to reply, but I wanted to put in my two cents. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters is a fabulous company and I HIGHLY recommend them. They are the top selling double certified Fair Trade coffee roasters. They serve a quality product and will go out of their way to make sure that you are happy with the product. I could go on and on about all of the wonderful things they do, including working with Heifer International (fights world hunger), Newmans and the National Wildlife Federation. When you buy from them, your money is going to help the coffee growers that live in underdeveloped countries, they also encourage localization as well as working with globalization!
~Alissa
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