Archive for April, 2007

Posted on April 10, 2007 - by deCadmus

What Is Organic Coffee, Anyway? (And why should I care?)

I’d noted in a prior post — Is This the End of Organic Coffee? — that USDA’s plan to change enforcement of its National Organic Program (NOP) standards and guidelines is a big and complex issue, and one that I’m trying to wrap my arms around. There’s lots of perspectives to consider: the farmers’, supporters of all things organic, the many certifying agencies, USDA itself, and — of course — people who love specialty coffee. It’s going to take a bit of parsing to get to the core issues, and so I believe the best course is to start with the basics: just what is organic coffee, anyway? (more…)

Posted on April 9, 2007 - by deCadmus

Coming Soon to a Tube Near You

There’s very little on TV that I consider “must see.” There are exceptions, however…

• I’ve been enthralled of late by Discovery Channel’s Planet Earth series. The photography, alone, is enough to renew your sense of wonder — even for a grump like me — and the intestinal fortitude of the filmmakers in the face of most every adversity and extreme element the planet has to offer is remarkable. See this show, and be amazed.

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Posted on April 5, 2007 - by deCadmus

Ya whisper Spring ’round here…

…and this is what happens.

Posted on April 5, 2007 - by deCadmus

Tap, tap, tap… this thing on?

Apparently there’ve been problems of one sort or another with my web host, so Bloggle’s been off the air much of the day. Hopefully things are sorted out and we can resume with the usual bluff and nonsense.

Posted on April 4, 2007 - by deCadmus

Coffee Notes from All Over

More on the USDA and Organic coffee certification kerfuffle when I can get to it… meanwhile here’s a link-dump of coffee notes from all over:

• Ever wondered what it takes to get to championship levels in Barista competition? Practice, practice, practice. (Youtube.) I really like Jen Prince’s point of view — and her humble approach to the bean — and having been on the receiving end of one of her stellar espresso macchiatos when I was last in Seattle I think she’ll go far.
  

  I don’t really have much of a life outside of coffee.
  – Jen Prince, Zoka Coffee

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Posted on April 3, 2007 - by deCadmus

The Eva Solo CafeSolo™

So you’ve got a taste for the dark stuff and want to get the most of your crand cru bean. But a coffee press leaves you cold. Literally. What was just a few minutes ago steaming coffee in a rocket hot coffee press just isn’t so hot when it comes to pouring a second cup. And you always want seconds, right? Of course you do. (more…)

Posted on April 3, 2007 - by deCadmus

Is This the End of Organic Coffee?

Salon rings the alarm bells on a new ruling released by the USDA that would tighten the requirements for organic certification, and in so doing cause irreparable harm to smallholder farmers of organic certified specialty coffee the world over. (more…)

Posted on April 3, 2007 - by deCadmus

Green Mountain’s Game-Changing Kenya AA

• Rating: Rating:

I have long been ambivalent — or at least something of a fence-sitter — where the whole single-cup coffee thing is concerned. Single-cup brewers are, by design, a study in compromise between convenience and quality. Do you want cup-at-a-time accessibility? Or do you want the full range and nuance of aroma, flavor body and balance that only grinding and brewing fresh-roasted beans can offer? I’d kinda like both. But the Clover is out of my price range and wouldn’t fit in my kitchen anyway.
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