I’ve been reading loads recently about coffee varietals, but have found it difficult to find one place where all the knowledge is pooled. So I plan over the coming weeks to write a whole heap of individual papers for each varietal I know about, and then at a later stage once its done pool them all together in a downloadable pdf.
I hope the first will go up this weekend at some point, and I’d love any one to comment if they have something to add or if they think I may have something not quite right. Please comment below and I’ll dive in and edit, or email me. Even if you are not sure I’ll investigate just in case.
Written on March 13th, 2009 | Tags: coffee, project articles, varietal
Posted in Articles | 7 Comments »
If you have been listening to the news you will have heard about the collapse of the pound against the euro and the dollar. Bad news if your going on holiday, good news if you relying on export.
Unfortunately every coffee transaction we do is done in US dollars (or the transactions of our importers) and this is impacting on the prices we will be paying for coffee in the coming months.
Were paying 25% more for everything without giving the farmer a penny more. We hope it balances out, as the pound was way to strong for way to long, but it couldn’t have come at a worse time with everyone watching the pennies, and the doom and gloom over the economy.
So why do I tell you this? Well I think were going to see some rises in the price of coffee. Certainly with Brazil we have already seen this, and if things don’t balance out soon the centrals will certainly be hit with this.
I also think specialty will be hit more than anything else simply the more you pay the more your effected. But as always we will try to keep this under control and react when we need to. But as always we will keep you posted.
Written on February 18th, 2009 | Tags: coffee, coffee prices
Posted in Thoughts | 4 Comments »
Continuing from my post about the wine model and coffee I have some more
A good friend of mine who works for our favourite importers, Grant sent me a power point file of a presentation he did on wine and coffee and the links and separators. I asked him if he minded if I shared, and the good guy he is he said yes. You can go and see it at the link below but I’ve also done a summary
http://faq.hasbean.co.uk/wine/wine.htm
Separations
•Bottled wine is ready-to-consume – requires no additional preparation
•Coffee has potential for error in preparation (extraction, freshness)
•Packaged coffee deteriorates with age
•Historical image of coffee as cheap, easily available, everyday
•Wine is alcoholic and associated with good times!
•Wine grown by professionals, not subsistence farmers
Parallels
•Growing location – exotic, tropical, emotive
•Estate production – clear provenance and denomination of estates, appellation
•Varietal recognition and variation
•Sommelier/Barista expertise
•Award winners – COE and similar
•Affordable luxury
I like it, I think its give a different view. Also a good posting across on Jim Sever at the link here http://www.jimseven.com/2009/01/07/the-wine-model-doesnt-work/, which I think, also makes some good points against. Using the model.
It’s a little more complex than I originally thought (as always) but its really made me think, and I’ve loved the emails you guys have sent.
Written on January 25th, 2009 | Tags: blogging, coffee, ideas, Thoughts, wine
Posted in Thoughts | 1 Comment »
Just a very quick post to let you know the latest in my mug is up at http://www.inmymug.com
I’m really proud of this one its a 20 min first part of an interview
with two of the brothers from La Perla in Guatemala. Its the best so far as it has less of me talking and that’s got to be a good thing. I found it really interesting I hope you do to, let me know what you thoughts.
Written on January 22nd, 2009 | Tags: 2009, coffee, good coffee, Guatemala, inmymug mini, inmymug.com, La Perla, Trips
Posted in Video | No Comments »
Brazil is the topic today. Brazil Fazenda Cachoeira Bourbon 2008-2009 Crop is going to run out very soon. more of this current crop arrives in January but if you want some now dive in, I reckon Monday next week its gone. jump in click
here
I wanted to share this photo from Stephen who owns Inglaterra too, how good does this look!! Still a little left but also nearly gone
This is at the link click
here
Written on January 6th, 2009 | Tags: Add new tag, Brazil, Cachoeira, coffee, Inglaterra
Posted in New Coffees | No Comments »
So at this time of year, its traditional to make some resolutions. So I’ve done some coffee ones as a little bit of fun.
1. I will blog more, feel like I’ve fell of the blogging horse of late, and I will get back on and ride. Expect lots of posts in 2009 (or at least an attempt to post more).
2. 12 second TV I am going to try and embrace 12 second TV, but you got to follow me to make me http://hasbean.co.uk/go/12second
3. Do more newsletters. On the new cart we have a wonderful built in newsletter option, so I will try and do 12 next year, one for each month.
4. Keep in my mug growing and getting better,its been a great time with this project, I love it so much and its been good feedback some exciting ideas for 2009
5. Keep searching and cupping more coffees and more exclusives for 2009 for Has Bean.
Written on January 1st, 2009 | Tags: blogging, coffee, new year
Posted in Thoughts | 1 Comment »
