We know you know the French Press. It’s often the first stop for anyone who loves coffee and wants to experiment with their brew method. The French Press is an immersion brew method, meaning that coffee grounds sit with hot water during the entire brew time. There is also no paper filter used. This type […]
The multi-talented artist Eva Avenue designed our new Holiday Blend label. We’ve worked with her since 2017 and find she has a “joie de vivre” that is contagious. So, we did a Q&A with Eva to learn more about her creative process and what it takes to stay inspired during a global pandemic. CC: You […]
While Central American coffee farmers were assessing the damage from Hurricane Eta, another tropical depression was forming in the Caribbean that would rapidly intensify and follow near the same course just 13 days after Eta landed. Hurricane Iota made landfall on Nov. 16 with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph just 15 miles south of […]
When you’re approaching your first Thanksgiving season as a new grocery store owner, and there’s a shortage of pumpkin puree, what do you do? Make your own!, says Kristin Russell, co-owner of Savannah’s Brighter Day Natural Foods Market. Kristin and her partner Brad Baugh purchased Brighter Day at the end of last year, some 18 […]
Hurricane Eta continues to dump heavy rain on coffee communities as it makes its way back into the Caribbean Sea. Below is an update from our importer, Cooperative Coffees on the flooding and damages caused by Eta since it first slammed into Nicaragua on Tuesday, Nov. 3. ————————————————————————————————————————————————- NICARAGUA PROCOCER has reported damages to roads […]
Hurricane Eta passed through northeastern Nicaragua on Tuesday afternoon. There have been reports of landslides that have caused the loss of some homes and farms for PROCOCER and CECOCAFEN/La Providencia farmers. As of Nov. 4, there were fortunately no reports of loss of life. There is no major risk of losing the harvest, because the […]
Because it’s still hot outside, and because we all need a little variety from time-to-time, we’re Flash Brewing our Colombia Medium Roast Coffee. What is Flash Brew? “Flash brew” is a fancy (dare we say.. flashy :) term for a very simple brew method. Bascially, you brew coffee over ice. Instead of using all the […]
Traveling through a winding verdant tunnel deep in North Carolina’s Nantahala forest, Leigh and Clay Hartman’s 12 year-old-son weighs in on their potential move from Charlotte to the tiny mountain town of Highlands. “My soul is here. When can we move?” Despite harrowing curves on the 4,100-foot ascent as you drive up to Highlands, the […]
Steve Clark has probably made over 1 million lattes since he moved to western North Carolina back in the early 2000’s. Watching him work on a busy morning is a lesson in barista efficiency. He stands squarely in front of a silver La Marzocco – never leaving his station – steadily building lattes and cappuccinos […]
What? You can make cold brew on a camping trip? Yes. Making your own cold brew is probably the best choice for an overnight outdoor adventure. Here’s why: 1. It’s Easy to Prepare Once your campsite is set-up, you can prep coffee for the next morning. Simply drop a cold brew pack in water. Cover. […]
Chajul, Guatemala Last week, some 1,200 small-scale farmers in the remote highlands of Guatemala received a month’s worth of basic foodstuffs from Asociacion Chajulense, the cooperative they co-own and manage. The food supplies are meant to support farmers during the coronavirus pandemic, and it was funded, in part, by your coffee purchases. Food Costs are […]
San Marcos, Guatemala Coffee farmers in Guatemala are facing many of the same challenges as those in Colombia. (See our update from Cauca, Colombia, here). “The hardest is to plan, not knowing what is coming down the road,” Carlos Reynoso, general manager of Manos Campesinas, said in a May 29th interview. Manos Campesinas and Apecaform […]
How to Brew a French Press
Coffee EducationWe know you know the French Press. It’s often the first stop for anyone who loves coffee and wants to experiment with their brew method. The French Press is an immersion brew method, meaning that coffee grounds sit with hot water during the entire brew time. There is also no paper filter used. This type […]
Meet the Artist: Eva Avenue
Partner SpotlightThe multi-talented artist Eva Avenue designed our new Holiday Blend label. We’ve worked with her since 2017 and find she has a “joie de vivre” that is contagious. So, we did a Q&A with Eva to learn more about her creative process and what it takes to stay inspired during a global pandemic. CC: You […]
The Aftermath of Two Hurricanes
Coffee Trading PartnerWhile Central American coffee farmers were assessing the damage from Hurricane Eta, another tropical depression was forming in the Caribbean that would rapidly intensify and follow near the same course just 13 days after Eta landed. Hurricane Iota made landfall on Nov. 16 with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph just 15 miles south of […]
Spotlight on: The Sentient Bean and Brighter Day Natural Foods Market
Partner Spotlight, WholesaleWhen you’re approaching your first Thanksgiving season as a new grocery store owner, and there’s a shortage of pumpkin puree, what do you do? Make your own!, says Kristin Russell, co-owner of Savannah’s Brighter Day Natural Foods Market. Kristin and her partner Brad Baugh purchased Brighter Day at the end of last year, some 18 […]
Eta’s Impact on Coffee Farmers
Coffee Trading PartnerHurricane Eta continues to dump heavy rain on coffee communities as it makes its way back into the Caribbean Sea. Below is an update from our importer, Cooperative Coffees on the flooding and damages caused by Eta since it first slammed into Nicaragua on Tuesday, Nov. 3. ————————————————————————————————————————————————- NICARAGUA PROCOCER has reported damages to roads […]
Hurricane Eta in Nicaragua
Coffee Trading PartnerHurricane Eta passed through northeastern Nicaragua on Tuesday afternoon. There have been reports of landslides that have caused the loss of some homes and farms for PROCOCER and CECOCAFEN/La Providencia farmers. As of Nov. 4, there were fortunately no reports of loss of life. There is no major risk of losing the harvest, because the […]
Flash Brew Colombia Coffee
Coffee Brewing, Coffee EducationBecause it’s still hot outside, and because we all need a little variety from time-to-time, we’re Flash Brewing our Colombia Medium Roast Coffee. What is Flash Brew? “Flash brew” is a fancy (dare we say.. flashy :) term for a very simple brew method. Bascially, you brew coffee over ice. Instead of using all the […]
Spotlight: Calders Coffee Cafe
Partner Spotlight, WholesaleTraveling through a winding verdant tunnel deep in North Carolina’s Nantahala forest, Leigh and Clay Hartman’s 12 year-old-son weighs in on their potential move from Charlotte to the tiny mountain town of Highlands. “My soul is here. When can we move?” Despite harrowing curves on the 4,100-foot ascent as you drive up to Highlands, the […]
Spotlight: Buck’s Coffee Cafe
Partner Spotlight, WholesaleSteve Clark has probably made over 1 million lattes since he moved to western North Carolina back in the early 2000’s. Watching him work on a busy morning is a lesson in barista efficiency. He stands squarely in front of a silver La Marzocco – never leaving his station – steadily building lattes and cappuccinos […]
Why our DIY Cold Brew is Great for Camping
Coffee EducationWhat? You can make cold brew on a camping trip? Yes. Making your own cold brew is probably the best choice for an overnight outdoor adventure. Here’s why: 1. It’s Easy to Prepare Once your campsite is set-up, you can prep coffee for the next morning. Simply drop a cold brew pack in water. Cover. […]
Coronavirus in Guatemala: Part 2
Coffee Trading PartnerChajul, Guatemala Last week, some 1,200 small-scale farmers in the remote highlands of Guatemala received a month’s worth of basic foodstuffs from Asociacion Chajulense, the cooperative they co-own and manage. The food supplies are meant to support farmers during the coronavirus pandemic, and it was funded, in part, by your coffee purchases. Food Costs are […]
Coronavirus in Guatemala: Part 1
Coffee Trading PartnerSan Marcos, Guatemala Coffee farmers in Guatemala are facing many of the same challenges as those in Colombia. (See our update from Cauca, Colombia, here). “The hardest is to plan, not knowing what is coming down the road,” Carlos Reynoso, general manager of Manos Campesinas, said in a May 29th interview. Manos Campesinas and Apecaform […]