Phuong Tran, master barista (2005 US Champion) and her cupping staff couldn't have been nicer and more thorough in assaying some recent Badbeard's offerings.  Full disclosure; I sent these off to her after a recent visit to Lava Java (just off the I-5 at exit 14, Ridegefield, WA), where I enjoy the ambiance, good laughs, and total coffee geekiness!

From her phone report yesterday:

Brazil yellow bourbon decaf Marzocco shots); smooth, nice body and color.

Kenya Thangathi microlot: smooth, full-bodied, nice gentle acidity, tomato skin, grapefruit

Friday shots of Deep Cello espresso with Kenya Thangathi: Sweet from 1st sip, classic, dry finish, fruity, toasted bread

Sunday shots: Nice creamy body, clean finish, sweet, dark chocolate, aromatics of grapefruit, pomegranate,alder smoke.

 

Sunday capuccino (prepared by Cam) ["should've been hotter, dude!"] Dark chocolate pops through the milk!

This should be fun as usual, though sadly the predominant trade show themes appear to have almost nothing to do with coffea per se, 98% ancillary stuff.  amazing to see how much evolution and pure product/marketing has taken over.  Can't forget that Andrea and I first encountered Mercanta and their exceptional green and great people just last year, and have enjoyed Finca La Perla, a host of great Brazils, and recently the exceptional Kenya Thangathi microlot.

Rumor has it the barista competition might not even transpire there this year, although it's always a pleasure to see the baristi maestri at their best. After last week seen her shining-smile best, Phuong Tran and Cam and the Lava Javans of Ridgefield, WA are always a treat to be with and talk coffee.

We of PCP (Portland Cello Project) have been brimming with excitement for tomorrow's (Aug 8, Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave, Portland at 8 PM, doors open at 7) HUMONGOUS CD RELEASE concert.  The album is unlike anything attempted and offers a dynamic portrayal of what we and our many fine collaborating local bands can do.  Of course it would be inappropriate to not create a special java for my band, so to wit the merch table will be loaded with bags of PCP MONDOCELLO, as well as the new CD, the EP, PCP tee, and all of our collaborator merch.  PCP Mondocello is a scrumptious blend of three of my best coffees...Mexico Terruño Nayarita Altura (wet-processed gem), Terruño Nayarita Natural (dry processed, awesome orange, leather and floral notes) and Sumatra Triple Pick Lintong.  The 2 Mexican coffees are certified organic, shade-grown and direct trade.  Sales from the coffee will also benefit the Portland-based non-profit organization p:ear, as does sales from WEINMARK, the "other" band coffee I do (with Maker's Mark) for our treasured buds of WEINLAND.

Come to the concert!  If you can't make it, 8/9 afternoon the PCP/collab ensemble will be playing at the Bite of Oregon.  8/10 we'll be at the Triple Door in Seattle at 8 PM.  Seattle ppeps, be there!

justin

No,  not some oblique Obama promo, although I understand the Obamajava blend I donated to the MoveOn.org efforts of a month ago was well received (Kenyan and Sumatran offerings).  The Kenya Thangathi microlot I'll be getting tomorrow is an amazing coffee and will sold on a limited quantity basis, as there is precious little of it in this primerissimo specialty coffee-crazed world.  Kenya coffee lovers stay tuned...

Wine things in McMinnville...it's going to be a strange year in Mac in the Pinot Noir world, but I'm placing serious bets post-barrel tasting on Michael Stevenson at Panther Creek and Stevenson-Barrie and the Eyrie folk (include Black Cap).  Can't wait til November, but it won't be the same without Jim Diamond making the rounds with me, since he'll be teaching chemistry in Beijing and snarfing copious quantities on dim sum and chinese cooking wine.  Hopefully Nick's will have joined the Badbeard family by then and I can count on drinking heavily and then waking up with Carmen's pasta and a few espressi.

To me this seemingly sinking ship hasn't been doing much right these days, and I'm incredulous that with all their resources they can't seem to sell a decent cup of coffee.  You'd have thought that with their proactive feedback loop they'd be able to calibrate something more acceptable than Pike Place Blend.  I just don't get it how within their annual purchases of 300 million pounds or whatever it is the can't roast decently, but alas, it seems the swill gravy train is losing cars.  With the economy shrinking and every 4 bucks counting a lot more we microroasters who NEVER put out a bad cuppa should prosper?!  When will people en masse cotton onto the idea that they can make GREAT coffee in their own homes?

Fortunately for customers in Seattle they can avoid the original *$%#bucks, walk an extra block or so to Seattle Coffee Works (111 Pike St.), and get treated to something special from Sebastian's amazing Synesso machine.

Yeah, they are all great,  the Yirgacheffe Harfusa especially...dream kaffa!  Feel spoiled, frankly, but it's about SHARING the goods, no?  I feel connected to these new "terroirs"...Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Tanzania.   Cafe Imports has some seriousss mofo cuppers, and when these beans came in last week I was particularly delighted to see how pristine and well-packed they were...kudos to Yellow Freight....Looking forward to seeing more in the years to come.  I'll be happy to bring in particular lots or individual bags for any competition baristas looking for something distinctive.  The Harfusa could be featured in a hollowed out lemon with a ring of blueberries...certainly would pick up its distinctive qualities.  The Tanz Peaberry is fabulous, with those je ne sais quois intense orange notes also found in my Terruño Nayarita Natural, as well as other berry overtones and the syrupy body of a Sumatra....have to be tried!  And the PNG just flat out rocks.

Fabulous bundles of green joy to arrive next week....Ethiopians (Yirgie & Harar), Tanzania, Sumatra, Brazil & Papua New Guinea.  Incredible coffees per Cafe Import samples, one more awesome that the next.  And actually planning to share them...hmmm, how much coffee can I drink?  Just what I've been waiting for, great timing for summer stuffs.

Dudes, these Cafe Import guys from Minnesota are always on a roll, esp. having just hosted the SCAA show in a big way.  What a classy operation; incredible response time.  Roasted up today all seven and can't wait to cup on Tuesday with Andrea and a couple other roasters.  The Ethiopians looked awesome, but then again everything is a contender.  I can't wait to be able to offer some of these goodies to everyone! As hot as it was in PDX today, especially within close proximity to the roaster, it was worth it.  The Anokhi is still cupping spectacularly well...an intriguing, unforgettable java if ever there was one.  Wild blueberry notes still all there, complexity and mouthfeel yum to boot. Getting to be toddy season, and I'm more determined than ever make iced coffee taste great.

Willamette Week is SO on top of the scene, putting The Oregonian to serious shame in that department, although kudos to Luciana Lopez for her astute covering.  One of these days we'll meet, as promised mutually...but a nice stroke for us of Portland Cello Project to see a bunch (4) of our fave collaborators make WWeek's top 10 local list

http://wweek.com/editorial/3426/10966/

I'm still amazed that Amy McCullough and gang had the foresight to arrange the video of the Weinmark coffee cupping with mbilly (scrolldown the article).  It is no surprise that Adam sold out all of the special java on their recent NW tour...what better way (outside of buying La Lamentor and other releases, of course) to take a piece of the band home....