So yesterday we had our first ever official open day. We have had days where we have hosted friends at the roastery, but this was the first Has Bean Open day that was open to everyone.

First of all I feel the need to say we are a very lucky company. The customers who came yesterday were the nicest people you could ever wish to meet, without exception. Of course I’m going to say that but I truly mean it. Some really nice folk.

We started the day with coffee from the Guatemalan coffee bus, with Ian and Judy pulling some of our favourite Guatemalan coffees. The bus is fantastic and luckily the weather held off enough for us to enjoy some coffees outside too. Everyone was impressed with the bus, it really made the day it being there.

We then moved onto a triangular cupping. For those who don’t know what this is, you have three bowls, one with one type of coffee in it and two with another, and you have to use your senses to pick out which is which. We made it easy for the day with some fine fresh coffee and some pre packaged pre ground supermarket offerings. With hindsight it was too easy and it would have been more fun to push this a little more and have some that were a little closer, but everyone who tired them knew obviously which was which. This is something I really want to work on, I think its good to keep you on your toes, and keep the taste buds going. But I rarely have time as when I’m cupping I’m normally looking for new beans or quality control. But it made me realise this something I want to do more.

Then I have to throw a big thank you to my Family who helped with the food, not least Nicola, Bez, Philip,June and Daniel thanks without you it would have been tough to feed everyone.

After Lunch we did a more familiar style of cupping going through the number one cup of excellence winners for Colombia, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatamala, Honduras and last years Best of Panama Panama Esmerelda La Especial, this years Best of Panama Panama Esmerelda. Quite a distinguished table me thinks, and everyone enjoyed it although everyone had a different favourite on the table. But if I was to take a guess at the most popular it was the La Esperanza from Colombia, it showed really well on that table. I was disappointed by the esmereldas, in that company it didn’t really shine, sure was great coffee, but was down below 5^th in my list. Its the first time I’ve looked at it in that kind of environment, a real eye opener.

So then we moved onto a roasting demonstration on my Ambex 15kg with the computer profile, everyone seemed to enjoy this part which seemed strange to me, but then when you do it every day I guess I wouldn’t see the fascination.

And then we sat around drank coffee chatted and this was great, a perfect end to a perfect day (thanks to a fantastic Cuban Cigar brought by Fred) I sat in the sun and chilled. Unfortunately i was so busy I didn’t get many pictures so any one who was there that did please send them on. The ones I have (that I could use) can be seen here.

Thanks for everyone who took time out of their weekend to come and see us it was a memorable day and great fun, but if you don’t mind I might leave it 12 months until the next 🙂