Tuesday, 31 May 2016

Amber Heard -- Claims Cops Missed Key Evidence in Alleged Beating

Amber Heard is getting trashed because cops didn't do their job properly, or even worse lied to protect Johnny Depp ... so claims sources connected to the actress. The sources say Amber had visible marks on her face when 2 officers…


See Coffee Roasting as You've Never Seen it Before, in Roasted 2

coffee roasting burner
You could roast coffee professionally for a lifetime and never see the mechanics of the process in the way recently presented by Gábor Laczkó of the Hungarian craft roastery Kávékalmár Kft and his film...

From the Court Room to a Coffee Farm: an Interview with Thrive Farmers' Ken Lander

From the Court Room to a Coffee Farm: an Interview with Thrive Farmers' Ken Lander by Michael



Ken Lander

Meet the man who wants to change the way you buy coffee. Ken Lander is cofounder of Thrive Farmers, a coffee company championing a farmer-direct model in which the farmers retains ownership of their coffee until the final sale. Thrive's unique model allows the producers to share in a larger percentage of the profits. We caught up with the former trial lawyer to ask him about what it takes to create a sustainable coffee supply chain. 


What inspired you to start Thrive Farmers? 


My inspiration for thinking about making a living as a coffee farmer was out of necessity. In 2008, I lost all of my real estate holdings in the U.S., which was my exit strategy to leave with the family and move to Costa Rica in 2005.

We lived on a coffee farm, grew coffee, and that was the only and most immediate source of income other than returning to the States and being a lawyer again. 

Trying to make money as a smallholder coffee farmer was a lost cause in the current system of volatile commodity markets and rising costs of production. The coffee I was growing on my farm (6,000 to 8,000 lbs green) was being roasted and sold for $30,000 on the demand side of the value chain, and my net profit on a good year was $600. I didn't understand the disconnect until I convinced a group of farmers in my community to sell our coffee in a coffee shop, roasted and directly to tourists. That integrated value chain made sense, and from that point forward, I knew that connecting the farmer directly to the consumer was the key to success in coffee.


I met my business partner, Michael Jones, whose father-in-law was a Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee farmer. Michael was also trying to understand the value chain of coffee and why his father-in-law's coffee sold for $80 / lb roasted in Japan, and his father-in-law was getting $4 (gross revenue) of that $80 on a good day.

From these experiences in understanding coffee farming as a farmer came the inspiration to do coffee differently, making the farmer a stakeholder in the value chain where the value was being realized. We created a platform to take the farmer to market and share the revenue in a way that created a predictable, stable and higher income for his or her hard work on the farm.



 Ken Lander Thrive

Tell us about the vision of Thrive Farmers. What sets Thrive apart from other coffee companies? 


Thrive Farmers exists for and is passionate about one thing: empowering coffee farmers to thrive!


What sets us apart from other coffee companies is that we take the farmer (not just his or her product) to market as a partner. We know that unless you change the economic reality of coffee farming, more and more farmers and their children will leave the industry. The key is taking them to market as true stakeholders and partners.



Ken Lander

Before founding Thrive, you worked as a trial lawyer, then you moved your family to Costa Rica to work on a coffee farm. What was that transition like? 


I can tell you that a place does not change you. The transition was very hard. A hyper-type A person who enjoyed having 500 balls in the air at one time was my condition in moving to Costa Rica. Many a panic attack occurred as I realized that other cultures actually live a slower life, do less, and are much happier.


Early on, my training and passion to be an advocate of others made me question the justice in a family working for generations, just to survive on something that I paid $3 per cup for without thinking twice. It wasn't until I reached the place of fully relying on the same amount of money my neighbors were accustomed to that I realized that my life could be about finding a better way, not just for me, but for the worldwide community of coffee farmers who work so hard with such little compensation.


I was humbled by their passion to the craft and trade, and by their commitment to continue the work of the generations before them.



Thrive Farmers

Do you still live in Costa Rica? 


I sure do! I am writing to you from the front porch of my house on my coffee farm (Finca Flor Mar) in San Rafael de Abangares, Costa Rica.



Thrive-Farmers-Coffee-53

What coffee are you drinking right now? 


Right now I am drinking a coffee from fellow Thrive Farmer in Helsar de Zarcero in the West Central Valley of Costa Rica.  All of our coffee from our farm went to Thrive Farmers this year!




As an industry, we talk a lot about premiums for quality. Do you think this is the best way to improve the livelihood of farmers? 


No, I don't necessarily think premiums based on quality are the best way to improve the livelihood of farmers. However, quality has to always be the standard from the beginning of any relationship in coffee. Premiums necessarily indicate, in my vernacular, a premium above the market price. As long as the market price is in play at any level, there will never be stable, long-term and predictable pricing, which is key for a farmer to build an economically sustainable business.


The word premium has the significance of “prize,” and in Spanish, a prize is a “premio.” What coffee needs at scale is two things: First, long-term, stable, higher and predictable pricing that is based on the real value of the coffee in the consumer marketplace, not some volatile C-market. Second, coffee needs identity and partnership for the farmer in the value chain.


It is interesting that when you have these two things, quality coffee results. Why? Because there is an alignment of interests between the farmer and the consumer. Economic sustainability leads to consistent quality, and a long-term relationship brings identity and partnership with the farmer.


Ken Lander



It is interesting that when you have these two things, quality coffee results. Why? Because there is an alignment of interests between the farmer and the consumer.



Who are some of the producers you're most inspired by?


Hands down, I am most inspired by the producers who caught the vision of Thrive Farmers from the very beginning, like Franco Garbanzo of La Violeta, Frailes de Tarrazu, Costa Rica, and Vinicio Gonzalez of Concepcion Pinula, Guatemala. They were able to see beyond one crop year, realizing that the only way to see their kids in coffee in the future was to pave a way to do the business of coffee differently. They had faith in the vision before it was a reality, and many days I looked to these first farmers and their faith in us as a source of strength to continue.

I am also inspired by farmers like Estuardo Falla in Antigua, Guatemala and Lydia Matamoros in Naranjo, Costa Rica who are estate farmers, continuing in third, fourth and fifth generations of estate coffee farming. They had faith in the vision of Thrive Farmers from the beginning as well, and their affirmation of our business model proved the need for stable markets is not just one for small farms. Farmers like these have enormous impact on the smallholder farmers around them. They have a heart for their people, and use their resources to help their communities, their workers and their families to reap the benefits of generations of farming coffee.

They and other estate farmers have been incredible supporters of our platform as we have scaled.


 


All photos courtesy of Thrive Farmers.


From the Court Room to a Coffee Farm: an Interview with Thrive Farmers' Ken Lander was first posted by Michael on The Coffee Compass, The Coffee Compass - Your Guide for Craft Coffee

Monday, 30 May 2016

S.I. Swimsuit Model Suffers Concussion in Post Indy 500 Wreck

Sports Illustrated model Tanya Mityushina and Carls Jr.hottie Kara Del Toro got wrecked on their way home from the Indy 500 ... TMZ has learned.  Indianapolis cops tell TMZ ... Tanya and Kara were in an SUV on Sunday after leaving the…


Cincinnati Zoo -- We Had to Shoot to Kill the Gorilla ... Harambe Was 'Erratic' (VIDEO)

Cincinnati Zoo officials made a snap decision to kill Harambe the gorilla and they have no regrets about it ... according to the zoo's director. Thane Maynard just explained, "When it was determined that the child was being injured ... we had to…


Sunday, 29 May 2016

Rob and Blac Chyna -- Massive Cover-Up at Vegas Pool Party (PHOTOS)

Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna hosted a Vegas pool party ... but due to extenuating circumstances neither dressed for the occasion. BC and Rob didn't venture out from the VIP area at Sky Beach Club -- Rob sipped a cocktail while Chyna sought…


Saturday, 28 May 2016

Kanye West -- Creative Studio Burglarized ... Smells Like An Inside Job

Kanye West fell victim to a thief who made off with a bunch of gear from his creative studio ... and we're told the culprit could be someone 'Ye knows. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ they got a call to Kanye's Calabasas office Tuesday for a…


Friday, 27 May 2016

Justin Bieber -- Here's Proof I Didn't Jack 'Sorry' Vocals (AUDIO)

Justin Bieber's camp thinks they have sufficient evidence to throw out indie pop star White Hinterland's lawsuit claiming he stole her vocal loop for "Sorry." TMZ obtained a 25 second snippet that lays out how Blood, one of JB's co-producers…


Dave Mirra -- Suffered From Brain Disease Before Suicide

BMX legend Dave Mirra suffered from brain disease before dying of a self inflicted gunshot wound ... according to reports.  Mirra's family donated his brain to a neuropathologist shortly after his death in February. Reports say a doctor…


NOT FUNNY: COSBY TO STAND TRIAL IN SEX ASSAULT CASE...



NOT FUNNY: COSBY TO STAND TRIAL IN SEX ASSAULT CASE...


(Top headline, 1st story, link)
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Maine's Tandem Coffee Roasters Partners with Record Store for Vinyl + Coffee Subscription Club

vinyl and coffee
Music lovers often relish vinyl records not only for their warm sound, collectability and larger format of artwork, but for the sheer physicality of the thing, the real-life event of an...

Johnny Depp -- I'm Doing Good Deeds Overseas (PHOTO)

Johnny Depp was playing ear doctor over in Portugal as his estranged wife was in court getting a restraining order against him. Johnny and his band, the Hollywood Vampires, are in Lisbon to headline the Rock in Rio festival ... and a few hours…


Sterling activates sales with limited edition sports themed padlock

Sterling activates sales with limited edition sports themed padlock

A combination of government initiatives and major national and international sporting events means interest in getting active is set to rise in 2016. 


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Ugly Duck Coffee Lands Gracefully in Rochester, NY

Ugly Duck Coffee Rochester New York
When specialty coffee fulfills its reputation for pretentiousness, pristine new shops seem to swoop down from above and glide into a neighborhood like swans into a duck pond. In Rochester,...

Chris Cornell -- Historic Grunge Tapes Returned After 25 Years!!

Chris Cornell just got his hands on the mastertapes for his legendary grunge album -- featuring Soundgarden and Pearl Jam members -- and it only took him 25 years to do it. We're told Cornell and his label, A&M Records, recently settled a…


This Coffee Drinker's Flavour Wheel from Belgium is an Interesting Marketing Idea

The coffee drinkers flavor wheel. Image courtesy of Cuperus.
With the unveiling of the remodel of its flagship café in Antwerp, the longtime Belgian roaster Cuperus has launched a creative new concept that seeks to narrow the gap between...

T.I. -- Multiple People Shot At Concert (PHOTOS + VIDEO)

Gunfire just erupted at a T.I. concert and multiple people have been hit ... TMZ has learned. Law enforcement tells us the rapper was set to perform at Irving Plaza in NYC Wednesday night when the shooting occurred. We're told at least 2 men and 2…


Lil Wayne -- Peace Talks Off ... I'm Sick of Birdman's Lies

Now we know why Lil Wayne started a "F*** Cash Money" chant at his last concert -- all talks of settling his $51 million lawsuit are off, and Wayne's laying blame directly at Birdman's feet. Sources connected to the label tell TMZ ... settlement…


This is James O'Rear and He Is Fired Up About SoCal's Indie Coffee Scene

coffee with james
Drawing inspiration from his favorite culinary-adventurist television personalities such as Anthony Bourdain, James O'Rear has been hosting his own coffee-related program, “Let's Get Coffee with James O'Rear.” Based in Southern California, O'rear...

Johnny Manziel -- 'My Friends and Fam Are With Me' (VIDEO)

After a rough weekend in Vegas, Johnny Manziel surfaced in NYC this week -- where he told TMZ Sports his friends and family still have his back.  Manziel hit up Marquee in NYC Wednesday night -- where he continued his party tear ... at one…


Thursday, 26 May 2016

Arterial Agents Opens in the Heart of Philly's Jewelers Row

Arterial Agents coffee retail philly
Occupying a modest 300 square feet in one of downtown Philadelphia's most heavily foot-trafficked locations, multi-retailer Arterial Agents has opened in Jewelers Row, with coffee being the lifeblood. The shop is...

Monday, 23 May 2016

Prince Harry -- Disney's Still a Scream ... Just Like It Was with Mom (PHOTOS)

Prince Harry took the same dive at Disney World he took 23 years ago with his mother, Princess Diana. Harry was screaming through the big drop on Splash Mountain on Monday in Orlando ... and, no doubt, reminiscing about his 1993 visit to the park…


Josh Littlefield Embarks on the Great American Coffee Tour

Josh Littlefield Embarks on the Great American Coffee Tour by Michael


Josh Littlefield


Many of us fantasize about quitting our job, throwing a bag in the back of a truck, and café-crawling our way around the country. Josh Littlefield is actually doing it. The former New York-based barista is spending the next year sipping his way around the 48 contiguous states, and he's got a website to prove it. We got a chance to ask Littlefield a few questions about his journey before he debarked on the Great American Coffee Tour earlier this month. 

What inspired you to quite your job and go on a nationwide road trip centered around coffee?

The specialty coffee community has been a welcoming home for me over the last 4 years. From NYC to New England, at competitions and all over the country, so many folks I've met have been just wonderful. This seemed like a perfect time in my life where I could take some time to do this. I've been saving for the last year and the time is finally here! It's my chance to connect with those folks and showcase all the great things they're doing at their home shops! I'd also like to create a platform that is approachable for the general public. I'd love for folks to check out this project who have no idea what specialty coffee is all about and introduce them to this crazy world we work in!


IMG_9626Equal_Quality Control



Where were you working before?

Joe, Intelli, Seven Stars, Irving Farm, a moble coffee truck, kinda everywhere! And restaurants. I was also managing back of house production for Spring Street Social Society, a dinner club, cabaret, social club thing in NYC.


Before working in coffee you went to culinary school. How does that affect the way you approach coffee?

Good job Detective Butterworth! Surprisingly, I'd say in noticing the importance of workflow. I'll be pretty honest, the basic techniques of cooking really aren't that difficult (NOT baking, that is actually very difficult!) the real thing that sets cooking in a commercial kitchen apart from a hobbiest is your work flow, your preparation, your ability to make 10 or 100 dishes in a row, having them be identical and not making a massive mess along the way. I'd say that leads into coffee. You need to be a master of preparation, aware of what your equipment can and can't do and have a expert understanding of your ingredients. Have all the refractometers, scales and shiny things you want, at the end of the day it's two ingredients, coffee+water. A deep understanding of the whole process, the ability to make 100 coffee's identical, tasty and keeping it tidy in the process? That's where it's at, yo.


IMG_8977Portland_Dock


Tell us about your travel plans. How are you getting from point A to point B?


I just grabed a 80% functional 1997 Dodge Dakota off craigslist. It appears the last owner had a run in with a tree and it kind of shells like cheese, but I think I can have it in pretty solid shape before my start date. Mechanically I believe its solid and I've got high hopes it will make it up, down and all around until it hits the West Coast.


What cities are you going to?

Processed with VSCO with a6 preset


Oof, a whole bunch I'm pretty much hugging the East coast, starting in Portland, ME, all the way down to Florida then working in a up and down pattern until finishing in LA.


Is there still time to book for a guest shift? How does one do that?

Yes! Yes! YES! I've pretty much only planned the route, I'm now in the process of cordinating guest shifts with folks. Please shoot me an email, I'd love to work with you!


How can our readers follow your progress?

I'll be posting on my website- greatamericancoffeetour.com. It's going to be pretty varied, lots of coffee shops, regional food and an interview here and there with the people I meet. If you want to be in the know be sure to subscribe to the weekly newsletter, Facebook page and Instagram will be the most frequently updated.

 

IMG_9041Portland_CBD_Roaster

What's next after the tour is over?

I've always been very methodical with planning my caereer choices. 1-year, 2-year plans, I've always had them so for this I'm intentionally leaving my post trip plans wide open. I'm excited to see where this project leads and I'm going to let whatever happens happen! Coffee/Taylor Swift 1989 World Tour? Possibly…..


Josh Littlefield Embarks on the Great American Coffee Tour was first posted by Michael on The Coffee Compass, The Coffee Compass - Your Guide for Craft Coffee

Coffee Has Sprung at The Springs Cafe Yoga and Wellness Center in LA

The Springs cafe wellness coffee
At the hip café, yoga studio, wellness center and co-working space called The Springs in the Arts District of Los Angeles, all things natural and transparent are welcome. Their products...

Sunday, 22 May 2016

Madonna & Stevie Wonder -- Makin' It "Purple Rain"

Madonna just paid respect to the Purple One in epic fashion ... bringing out Stevie Wonder for a duet of Prince's famous track. With the Billboard Music Awards dripping in purple ... Madge and Stevie would've made him proud.


Calvin Harris -- The Mangled Wreck (PHOTOS)

Calvin Harris may have needed an ambulance after his car accident Friday night, but the crash pics we got show he was actually a very lucky man. The SUV in which Calvin was a passenger could easily have been struck head on ... had it been hit a…


Saturday, 21 May 2016

Johnny Manziel -- Booted From Vegas Club After Violent Scuffle (VIDEO)

Johnny Manziel was removed from a Vegas club after the former NFL QB allegedly hauled off and punched a guy. Witnesses inside Jewel Nightclub at the Aria tell TMZ Johnny was in a VIP booth near the stage Friday night. Drake showed up for a surprise…


Kanye West -- 'Pablo' Temp Store Hits L.A.

Kanye West just left his mark on Fairfax Ave ... attracting hundreds to a surprise store for his "The Life of Pablo" collection. The L.A. shop features everything from Pablo tees to jackets and hats -- and they're not out of this world pricey either…


Friday, 20 May 2016

Lexy Pantera -- Twerkin' Out The First Pitch ... At Miami Marlins Game

Here's celebrity twerk instructor Lexy Pantera throwing out the first pitch at a Miami Marlins game moments ago ... and twerking while she does it of course. Lexy's a big deal who's taught the art of the twerk to celebrities like Mel B, Christina…


Cadillac Enlists Joe Coffee as Partner in Multi-Retail Concept Cadillac House in NYC

Cadillac House New York Joe Coffee
The classic American automaker Cadillac moved its headquarters from Detroit to New York City in 2014 as part of an effort to revamp its image and revitalize sales. This summer the...

Thursday, 19 May 2016

Whitney Houston -- Hologram Duet with Christina Aguilera Leaks!! Update: 'Voice' Gig Canceled (PHOTOS)

4:45 PM PT -- The duet isn't going to happen, after all. Sources connected to the deal tell us Whitney's estate decided to pull the plug once they saw the finished product 2 days ago. We're told they weren't satisfied because the hologram…


Will the Ona Coffee Distributor Make Your Espresso Taste Better?

Will the Ona Coffee Distributor Make Your Espresso Taste Better? by Michael


Ona Coffee Distributor One of the most basic barista tasks is also the hardest to master. Over the course of a shift, a typical barista will pull hundreds of shots of espresso. In order to pull a decent shot, the barista must evenly distribute the ground coffee in the portafilter and compress the grounds with a nice, level tamp. It sounds simple enough, but after training dozens of baristas I can attest that it's one of the last barista skills I see people master. Although steaming milk, pouring latte art, and making pour-overs might intimidate new hires, it's tamping that keeps a self-aware veteran awake at night. Even a minuscule inconsistency in the distribution of the coffee can result in the dreaded phenomenon of channeling. Simply put, channeling is when the water passing through the bed of espresso finds a path of least resistance. This results in a small portion of coffee coming in contact with too much water while the majority of the coffee remains underextracted. The result is a shot that is simultaneously sour and bitter with a thin mouthfeel. It's an unpleasant sensory experience no one should pay money for.



As a barista educator who received above average tamping scores during my last couple of barista competitions, I have a confession I'm reluctant to make: I still see shots I pull channel. Of course, those shots never make it across the counter, but there's nothing like re-pulling a shot during a rush to throw off your bar flow. That's why I was very interested a couple of years ago when WBC technical judge Şerif Başaran told me about a barista in Australia who invented a distribution device that was so effective Başaran handed out his first perfect score on distributing. I emailed a barista who was unknown to me named Sasa Sestic, but was disappointed to hear he only had a couple of prototypes that weren't for sale. Fast forward a year and a half later and Sestic is the reigning World Barista Champion and his Ona Coffee Distributor (OCD.) is making waves in the global barista community. After getting to use the OCD for the first time at SCAA, I wanted to see if it lived up to the hype. So after getting home I ordered one from the American importer of the OCD, Brew Global.


Initial Impressions


As a working barista, I'm skeptical of any product that hasn't been bar-tested. As such, in a slightly reckless decision I decided to use Quills Coffee's loyal customers as guinea pigs and use the OCD for an entire bar shift. Over the course of a moderately busy closing shift I used it to distribute around 100 shots.


Ona Coffee Dist


Immediately, I verified that the OCD makes the top of your espresso puck perfectly even. So even, in fact, one coworker didn't realize the coffee still needs to be tamped after distributing! (I tried pulling a shot without tamping- I don't recommend it.) There's is some debate, however, concerning what impact distributing the top of the espresso has when the majority of the grounds are below. But if you're trying to evenly extract a shot of espresso, it's hard to see how starting with a perfect flat surface before tamping is a bad thing.


Over the coarse of the bar shift, I didn't have a single shot channel. In fact, in all of my subsequent use of the OCD I've only had one shot visibly channel on me, and I think that was due to a megadose from the grinder. (It wasn't during a formal testing session where I double-weighed every shot.)


Third, I found it much easier to evenly tamp the grounds after using the OCD. I always check to see how level my tamp is when pulling espresso, and I believe my tamping was more reliable with the OCD than without.


Extraction


Ostensibly, a more even saturation of the espresso grounds should result in both a higher total dissolved solids (TDS) and extraction percentage. As such, I pulled out our trusty refractometer and started taking some readings. I compared three spins of the OCD to my normal distribution technique (3-4 horizontal taps on the side of the portafilter with my hand).


DSCF6485


In order to achieve as accurate data as possible, I weighed each dose to the tenth of a gram and alternated shots with and without the OCD in order to minimize the effect of grinder temperature on any one set. I pulled each shot with the same grouphead of a La Marzocco Linea PB in order to get as consistent water delivery as possible.  This, however, was an extremely small data set and is nowhere close to conclusive (click here for the spreadsheet). I would love to see other people repeat the experiment (or send me more VST filters!)


Taken as a whole, the set with the OCD averaged much lower extractions than the set without: 20.45 compared to 21.37. This surprised me, as shots brewed with a naked portafilter with the OCD appeared to saturate more evenly than those without. Conversely, the spread with the OCD was smaller in every category. Although extractions with the OCD were lower across the board, shot times, strength, and extractions were more consistent.


So why was the OCD more consistent from shot-to-shot while being less effective at extracting in this data set? My guess is that it was to do with the partial tamping that happens when using the OCD on it's highest setting (which I used for this experiment). In the process of distributing the grounds, the OCD partially compresses the puck. The barista then tamps the puck even further with a tamper. I think the single motion of my more conventional tamping technique allows for more dense compression of the puck. This would explain why the second set averaged almost an entire second longer of shot times. If I can bring myself to drop another $20 on VST filters, I would like to try the experiment again with the OCD on its lowest setting.


DSCF6487


Problems


In addition to lower extraction percentages, I did encounter two potential problems, which were also articulated by most of the baristas I asked to give me feedback.


One, the OCD introduces another step to espresso preparation. If the device adds even 3 seconds to espresso preparation in a busy café that could easily amount to an extra half hour customers are waiting for drinks. I found, however, with proper mise en place a barista could introduce the OCD to their espresso routine in the same amount of time it takes to distribute other ways, if not less. Furthermore, I believe the OCD will make up for any potential lag with the time it will save in re-pulling channeled shots.


Two, sometimes a small amount of coffee grounds stick to the bottom of the OCD. This seems to happen without rhyme or reason, though it happens less on the lower settings. The waste was always less than .1 of a gram, but over the coarse of the day it adds up, dirtying the counters in the process. The mess is easily remedied by keeping a brush near the espresso grinder, but the waste is unfortunate. Some users online reported less cling over time, but ours shows no sign of letting up.


Concluding Thoughts


In spite of the aforementioned problems, I strongly recommend the Ona Coffee Distributor. The OCD all buts eliminates channeling and makes tamping easier for new baristas. My experience using it on bar and in the lab point to greater consistency from shot to shot than other distribution techniques. The OCD also makes it easier for different baristas to achieve the same results. As such, I think using the OCD increases the likelihood of serving your customers a tastier cup of coffee. If nothing else, any barista competitor who doesn't use the OCD is throwing away tech points!


DSCF6474


Will the Ona Coffee Distributor Make Your Espresso Taste Better? was first posted by Michael on The Coffee Compass, The Coffee Compass - Your Guide for Craft Coffee

Master Lock introduces a full line of safes specifically designed for business offices

Master Lock introduces a full line of safes specifically designed for business offices

Cash, digital media, laptops, tablets, electronic devices, documents and confidential files are many of the possessions and valuables that must be secured against fire, water and burglary.


Read more...

Wednesday, 18 May 2016

Prince -- Brother's Spawn Enter Money War ... And Here's Their 'Proof'

Prince's alleged niece and grandniece are officially in the game ... filing documents they believe prove they ARE blood relation to his royal purpleness. Turns out Prince's deceased half brother ... Duane Nelson Sr. had a daughter, Brianna ...…


Marketing Beat: Organic Valley's Pop-Up Shop Pokes Fun at Coffee Culture

At the Organic Valley pop-up shop in Nolita last month, where silly New Yorkers proved they're willing to spend their money on anything as long as it looks fancy.
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TRUMP DROPS 'R' WORD ON CLINTON



TRUMP DROPS 'R' WORD ON CLINTON


(Main headline, 1st story, link)




Gadgets, Repairs and Coffee at San Diego Multi-Roaster Multi-Retailer TechOutfitters

Images courtesy of TechOutfitters
The emotional, lifestyle-oriented connection that a well-executed coffee business fosters with its customers is increasingly becoming an essential building block for a variety of combined retail environments - the clothing...

Tuesday, 17 May 2016

Conor McGregor -- Video of Boxing Sparring Session ... With Ex-Boxing Champ

Here's Conor McGregor BOXING -- trading shots with a former IBO champion at a prestigious L.A. boxing gym ... and TMZ Sports has the footage. It all went down at Box 'N Burn gym in Brentwood -- when the UFC superstar stepped in the ring with…


Swedish Fika's Little Stories to be Told in Upcoming Video Series

fika
In a retail landscape where the clicking of laptop keyboards is often more common than the sound of voices in conversation, it's easy to understand the renewed and sustained cultural...

Dave Bautista -- I've Tried Pole Dancing ... It's No Joke! (Video)

You read that headline correctly ...  "Guardians of the Galaxy" star Dave Bautista says he got a WHOLE NEW respect for pole dancing -- when he actually tried to do some of the moves himself ... yes, Bautista got on the pole! Both Dave and his…


Lenny Kravitz -- Skin to Win for Luxury Shopping Spree (VIDEO)

Lenny Kravitz don't need no stinking dressing rooms -- the guy shut down the Saint Laurent store on Rodeo Drive and went topless for everyone to see. Lenny tried on a bunch of different shirts Monday evening in Bev Hills. We don't know what he…


Monday, 16 May 2016

Tokyo Coffee Profiles: Ishii Toshiaki of Amameria Espresso

Amamerina Espresso owner Ishii Toshiaki. Photo by Eric Tessier for Daily Coffee News.
Ishii Toshiaki of Amameria Espresso is a relative veteran within Tokyo's young specialty coffee scene. He has been doing hands-on coffee work since 2002, driven by an intense curiosity about the...

Alanis Morissette -- Business Manager Allegedly Screwed Her Out of Millions

Alanis Morissette was fleeced to the tune of $4.7 million by her famous business manager ... so claims the company where the manager worked, claiming he used the money to fund a lavish and glitzy lifestyle. GSO Business Management claims Jonathan…


Sunday, 15 May 2016

Prince -- Church Memorial Underway ... Without Singer's Remains

5:30 PM PT -- Services have concluded and everyone is leaving.  We're told during the ceremony, members of Prince's congregation, as well as personal friends, shared stories of Prince and religion.  Among those in attendance -- Sinbad and…


Saturday, 14 May 2016

George Zimmerman -- Gun Auction Pulled Again ... And Then Relisted

George Zimmerman hit another roadblock in trying to auction off the gun used in Trayvon Martin's death ... and it's all thanks to some internet trolls. We're told honchos at United Gun Group pulled the auction early Saturday after phony bids…


Friday, 13 May 2016

Young Adults Want 'Sustainably Sourced' Coffee, Whatever That Means

Latte art.
S&D Coffee & Tea, the nearly 90-year-old North Carolina-based full-service coffee company that specializes in custom roasting, tea blending and extracts, has been busy trying to figure out what gets...

Thursday, 12 May 2016

SESSIONS: '16 A Choice Between Nationalism And Globalism...


SESSIONS: '16 A Choice Between Nationalism And Globalism...


(Top headline, 1st story, link)
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Justin Doggett's Kyoto Black Drips Slowly Into the Cold Brew Market

Kyoto Black coffee
Cafes that utilize tall, ornate-looking Kyoto-style slow-drip cold brew makers benefit not only from the spectacle of these towering devices, but from the rich and unique product the process yields. Meanwhile...

Ozzy Osbourne -- 'Other Woman' Michelle Pugh Beauties Up (VIDEO)

The alleged "other woman" in the Ozzy/Sharon Osbourne breakup resurfaced Thursday afternoon ... and put her game face on. Michelle Pugh showed up at her place of work ... the Meche Salon in Beverly Hills. She was mum on the rumored, long-term…


Wednesday, 11 May 2016

In Coffee, 'The More You See Women, the More Women You'll See'

Screenshot Joselinda Manueles COMSA
The quote in the headline above is an excerpt from comments made by Equal Exchange Lead Roaster Sarah Hrisak, a woman who, gender-wise, represents a clear minority in her field...