All, I have some tragic news. The owner of RedRock foods and a cafe in queen creek arizona died in a very tragic way just a few days ago. I worked as a barista at the cafe and roasted for another company in scottsdale not related. All the Baristas are stunned and are very sad for the loss. We could not believe it. The Cafe was a very third wave concept. We where excited to have a gb5 and fetco in a shop that has only been open 2 and half months. I am letting you know hoping you can help us bar… Continue

Drove to Chicago a couple weekends ago. Got lost in the confusion of construction detouring.. but made it none-the-less. The trip presented itself by way of business. I went to train some of the lovely folks at Jesus People U.S.A. on how to properly use their newly acquired espresso machine. J.P.U.S.A. is a wild place... full of characters and crazies. JPUSA is a Christian commune that was founded by some Jesus Hippies back in the day. The own two small towers, now commune residences, and the al… Continue

From time to time, we heard about the topics of "customer education". Now, let me say something about it. Are we able to educate the customers? To know this, I would compare coffee with hamburgers. That is the symble of success of Mc Donald (hope the spelling is correct). Is it good? I do not know. But for me, it is not good, simply because I had the better one, much better. But finally, it was replaced by Mac (may I call it like this? Sorry, apple). We have got another one, Subway. It is be… Continue

Brazil Carmo de Cambera Attributes: (1-10 scale) Acid: 8, Body: 7 Texture: vanilla and honey syrup Flavor: Sweetly citrus like lemonade with a hint of cherry- mostly aromatic similar to cherry pipe tobacco. Malty carmelized ginger root, almost brown sugar molasses. Surprisingly thick in body with a mix of hazelnut and vanilla in a honeylike syrup. The high acid stays perfectly in balance with the sweetness throughout without turning sour. Special note: Carmo de Cambara is located in the Minas G… Continue

Sumatra Mandheling Takegnon, Aceh Attributes: (1-10 scale) Acid- mild (3) Body- full (8) Texture- juicy, softly gritty. Flavor- Earthen peat, smoky and scotch-like. Aromatic foliage underbrush, like the forest floor. Bittersweet chocolate wrapped in a juicy, mouthwatering cup. Vanilla extract (light hint of alcohol) on the finish.

Can't tell you how happy I am for Kyle Glanville, the new USBC Champion! Kyle is such a great representative and ambassador for the barista community and the US coffee industry. Big congrats to all six finalists, this comp must go down as the most competitive in US history. Here is the video from the live… Continue

For years after I joining the website and forums abroard where we can meet the baristas, home-baristasm, and coffee professionals, we had been still alone for the good coffee and espresso drinks. In Chinese phrases, we say that it is the coldest when you are at the high level of development. It is what we have to be, and let us be there. I cannot conclude that the effects for the trainees from other training of baristas, while for us, it is so nice to have more and more trainess to have their… Continue

Just watched the finalists announcement, here they are: Nick Griffith, Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea Pete Licata, PT’s Coffee Roasting Company Chris Baca, Ritual Coffee Roasters Heather Perry, Coffee Klatch Kyle Glanville, Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea Drew Catlin, Ritual Coffee Roasters Congratulations to all of the competitors, what an unbelievably tough competition. Best of luck to all the finalists tomorrow, and now off to the BGA party. - Matt

Hey guys, I guess you haven't heard from me before or know a lot about me, I'm not a barista but a coffee grower and promotor from Guatemala. I had been in this business since I was 18 or so. My family has been in the coffee business for more than 2 generations and I guess the pas… Continue

Coffee Kids was delighted to be able to present at the keynote address at the Specialty Coffee Association of America's (SCAA) Conference and Exhibition. We'd like to thank all of our members, partners and sponsors throughout the world who have helped make it possible. We recently put together this video with the help of Machine Hero, a Providence, R.I.-based firm. It features images from our partners in Latin America and interviews with a number of our long term supporters and friends. The vid… Continue