from Alex


The Cup of Excellence samples are here and roasted!!! This weeks Friday morning cupping (10 AM sharp) promises to be a great one. We will taste samples of the best coffees Nicaragua is producing.

Cup of excellence is a program where farmers submit samples of their best coffees for auction. After an international cupping panel evaluates the coffees, an auction will be held where each micro lot will go to the highest bidder. The Nicaragua Cup of Excellence auction will take place in early June.

Thanks to all those who came out for our Barista Jam in April! We had a great time pulling shots, slurping, steaming, and pouring.

from Alex


USBC in the LBC

We're in Long Beach California for the specialty coffee conference and the United States Barista Competition! I will be representing Kaldi's in the USBC, and the competition will be fierce. The roster of baristas will include all the usual suspects and some new but very skilled baristas. There are even some past champions who are jumping back in the ring.


UPDATE:
The first round of competition was great. I made the second round and will compete in the semi-finals on Sunday. Kaldi's even made the front page of the Long Beach paper!

Highlights included an amazing performance by Jon Lewis of Bumper Crop Coffee and Jay Caragay pulling shots while Metallica blaired and (literally) pouring a shot out for the homeys!

UPDATE II:

Congrats to Heather Perry of Coffee Klatch Roasting on winning the USBC. Heather will go to Tokyo Japan in a few months to represent the United States in the World Barista Competition. Good Luck Heather!