as seen here:http://wweek.com/editorial/3419/10528/

[March 19th, 2008]

Three dollars may seem like a lot for some hot liquid, but any Portlander will tell you that coffee in this town is more Orient Express than Amtrak. Crisp espresso, sinewy foam, knowledgeable baristas and the comfort of a warm cafe—that’s luxury, and at three or four bucks, it’s pretty affordable. These are the cafes that do it best.

Extracto

The most exciting cafe in Portland right now, thanks to the looming launch of Cherry, a new small-batch roastery that will operate out of the space beginning this summer. In the meantime, Extracto offers beans from California’s excellent Barefoot Coffee Roasters, making it a must-visit for coffee enthusiasts. 2921 NE Killingsworth Ave., 281-1764. Open daily.

get over there!

During the last week of February Barefoot Coffee Roaster Dominic Taylor had the honor of attending a round table conference in the birth place of coffee. Going to Ethiopia is an experience most roasters can only dream about so you can imagine how excited I was. Taking part in a conference designed to connect roasters with the farmers who grow their coffee was unbelievably perfect. My deepest gratitude goes to USAID/FINTRAC and Boot Coffee Consulting for organizing such an event and Barefoot Coffee Roasters for sending me.

Monday started with a series of presentations followed by the round table discussion. All sectors of the coffee world were represented. We heard from U.S. coffee importers, Ethiopian coffee exporters, coffee farm managers, governmental officers, foreign aid representatives, coffee roasters and CQI. One of the key presenters was Ted Lingle, possibly the largest force in the US specialty coffee industry.

The second half of our day was spent cupping at the Ethiopian Coffee Exporters Association. The ECEA had a huge presence at the conference and I suspect that many of the developments in Ethiopian coffee, especially in the way of promotion, will have to come from them. We had some pretty funky tasting coffees and some very pleasant ones as well. There were Limmu’s, Sidamo’s and a couple Yirgacheffe’s. I have to admit though that I was pretty much shot for this cupping due to the travel, the altitude (Addis is around 8000 ft.), and a lingering flu I had the week before I left.

Jimma found me in much better health. This was the second stop on our journey and the locale of the major part of the conference. Jimma is about 45 minutes by plane south of Addis Ababa. The first day was very relaxed with only a trip to the Jimma Agricultural Research Station on the itinerary. The rest of the time was spent mingling at the Central Jimma Hotel. Everyone attending the conference ate all three meals together so there was plenty of time to get to know people.

Day 2 of the conference brought together opposite ends of the coffee chain. We heard from roasters on one side and farm managers/exporters on the other. Filling in the middle was representatives from CQI and Boot Coffee Consulting speaking on the importance of cupping. It was so nice for me to see the presentations by Abdullah Bagersh of S.A. Bagersh (think Idido Misty Valley) and Dante Vilones of Dominion Trading Company. The passion for growing coffee that was displayed reminded me of home and the passion I share with the roasters and baristi in the cafe.

It was a special treat to meet Dante of Dominion Trading Company. We shared many meals together and had lots of time to talk. I brought some of Barefoot’s DTC coffee and we were both delighted to see the coffee go from grower to roaster and then back again. I was also very excited because Dante had some new samples for me. This year DTC is also venturing into natural Yirgacheffes. Their washed coffee is some of the best I have ever had so I can’t wait to try the natural. I was also able to establish contact with Abdullah Bagersh. Barefoot wasn’t able to get any coffee from them last season but I have tried the Idido Misty Valley from other roasters and it is awesome.

The whole conference was set up to give buyers a chance to meet with farmers and exporters to try and set up direct relationships. I now have many contacts. That first day in Jimma I was sitting next to Mr. Getachew of IPS. IPS is the largest specialty only coffee exporter in Ethiopia. I have already received samples from them and was delighted to find out that our new Ghimbi is from them but purchased through one of our importers. I also met a number of farmers and exporters who are on the cusp. They are in the process of raising quality and entering into the specialty market. Two of these coffees stood out and we will be keeping an eye on them in the future. Guji coffee and Tepi coffee will be the next great regions of Ethiopia I think.

As we strolled through the coffee trees under the canopy everyone noticed how many birds were there and people started asking about “bird friendly” certification. They are not certified but only because they haven’t applied. This should change soon. Giday samples? Yes. One of the nicest wild forest Limmu’s I had while in Jimma.

Day four. The most special day in a coffee lovers life. Today we go to Bonga! We did get some work done in the morning though. This days conference allowed me the chance to address everyone on the process that Barefoot goes through to source coffees (cupping!!) and what we try to offer our customers in the way of great coffee, education, and service. We also heard from USAID/Fintrac on what they were trying to accomplish in Ethiopia. Their goal is to raise coffee production in Ethiopia by 74% in the next 3-5 years and they are succeeding. Phenomenal! We also had a surprise presentation from a young couple from Holland who happened to be at the Hotel. They had just finished getting Jimma’s first public radio station online and were offering it as a resource to get education to the local farmers.

The rest of the day was spent primarily on a bus to Bonga in the Kaffa district. Yes, Kaffa the birthplace of coffee. Where it all started. Our first stop and resting place for the night was the Wush Wush tea estate. Even though I have been to many tea estates before I am still overwhelmed at the great swaths of green that tea fields are. We arrived with just enough time to take a walk through town at sunset before dinner.

Taking the bus to Bonga and the coffee farm the day after Wush Wush was another unforgettable experience. Not so much for the dusty roller coaster ride that it was but for the scenery. I have never seen so many shades of green. All kinds of vegetation overlapping and competing with each other to form a dense web of life. I found out that Kaffa gets rain ten months out of the year and it certainly showed. Also delightful for those of us who reside in more northern regions was the baboons and monkeys. One thing I noticed was, what I later found out were, beehives in many of the trees. A little added income for the local coffee pickers. And what makes that honey so damn good. The coffee. The bees feast on coffee blossoms. Okay, so whatever amazing forested farms I saw in Jimma… forget it. These Bonga farms were truly like walking into the jungle only the under story was comprised of thousands of coffee trees. It was funny, all the seasoned coffee pros who have been to origin before duly minded the tour. The rest of us got lost taking pictures in the coffee jungle. The only downside to todays trip was that this farm too had already been targeted by the Japanese. Why must the Japanese have such good taste in coffee?

We arrived back from Bonga in the late evening. Dinner, a beer, and bed. The next day would be a late morning flight to Addis and the end of my new friends and my time together. The next day back in Addis left plenty of time for the last chance souvenir shopping and one last dinner.

The excruciatingly long trip home left me with much time to reflect on the whole experience. There is no one thing that impacted more than another but many things that have further formed me both as a roaster and a person. Ethiopia is an amazing country both for its land and its people. The sheer beauty of Ethiopia and the relaxed happiness of its people had me wanting to live there. The many people I met in the conference validated my choice of career and I hope I can develop a personal relationship as well as business with those that I met. Coffee is a truly amazing thing and attracts truly amazing people.

Look for some exciting coffees coming soon as results of the amazing partnerships Barefoot has been developing in Ethiopia.

But the tears keep clouding my vision. Every time I try to write more about Carlos and Edwin Martin and the tragedy at Finca Vista Hermosa I cloud up.

Thank you Mark Prince at Coffeegeek.com for putting finger to keyboard and doing a great pair of men justice.

Read it here

Thank you so much for your outpouring of support for the Martin family at Finca Vista Hermosa! With your help we have already raised over $700 in two days. Spread the word and join our support of the Martin and Martinez family by telling anyone interested to buy coffee or donate money.

With your help we can reach $2500 or more by this Friday! And our friends at Victrola Coffee and fellow Finca Vista Hermosa friends are going to be launching their own program to offer proceeds from the sale of FVH coffee for the Martin fund and we will add this to the check we give to Edwin Martinez (owner of Finca Vista Hermosa) when he goes to Guatemala in two weeks.

Thank you all!

And Edwin Martinez has setup a donation and more info about Carlos and Edwin on his blog as well

Tragedy at our farm partner Finca Vista Hermosa in Guatemala.

On February 15^th, 2008 a tragedy struck our farm partners at Finca Vista Hermosa in Guatemala. For the last decade or more Carlos has managed the day to day operations of Finca Vista Hermosa. He has labored tirelessly to bring exceptional quality, exquisite farming methods, demanding harvesting and processing procedures and intense cross training for all farm workers. The results have been astounding. Finca Vista Hermosa has consistently won international awards for coffee flavor and quality in auctions and programs. Carlos Martin lived a rich and full life and lived for his family and for coffee. He was training his oldest son Edwin Martin to take over managing the farm when he retires.

But Carlos and Edwin Martin’s lives were tragically cut short. On a return trip to the Finca they were ambushed by armed bandits and brutally murdered. They were returning with payroll for the farm workers and supplies and food for the entire farm. The sorrow and pain we here at Barefoot Coffee feel is deep and taxing. Roast Master Eugenia Chien and Andy Newbom spent a great deal of time with Carlos and Eddie when we last visited Finca Vista Hermosa.

To show our love and support for the entire family of Finca Vista Hermosa and to help Carlos’ wife Juana and her 11 children Barefoot Coffee Roasters is launching a support fund for their family. From February 22^nd through March 7^th

100% of all proceeds from sales of all of our Guatemala Finca Vista Hermosa coffees beans will be donated to the fund for Juana.

In about two weeks Edwin Martinez (the owner of Finca Vista Hermosa) will be going back to Guatemala and will bring down the check and present it to her. Please join us in supporting this amazing family of coffee farmers. You are also encouraged to make cash donations as well.

Carlos Martin and his son Eddie were an amazing team of coffee professionals and our hearts are saddened at their passing. Carlos’ older brother and original farm manager Lencho and Carlos’ son Diego are working with the Martinez family to manage the harvest right now as they are in the middle of the key part of the harvest.

Buy any Guatemala Finca Vista Hermosa coffee in our cafe or from our online store between now and March 7th 2008 and 100% of the sale will go to Juana and her 11 children.

You can also make a cash donation in the cafe or online right here.

We’re holding a special pre-competition training on Saturday, March 1st to encourage new comers and experienced competitors to get in training mode for the Western Regional Barista Competition - and a party afterwards so you can relax and mingle.

The Western Regional Barista Competition has been sanctioned by the USBC Committee of the Specialty Coffee Association of America. It will be held March 28-30, 2008 in Berkeley, CA. We hope you’ll join us! And feel free to hit the forward button at the end of this email and send it along to anyone you think might be interested in the training and/or the party!
Kerry & John Laird, Pacific Bay Coffee Co. & Micro-Roastery and Andy Newbom & Monica R. Hill, Barefoot Coffee Roasters.

WRBC Pre-Competition Training
Get your game on now!

Attendees will spend a full day learning from veteran competitors. The morning will be devoted to the score sheet and rules & regulations. Competitors will see and taste what the judges are and aren’t looking for in an espresso, cappuccino, and signature drink.

Expect to walk away with a comprehensive understanding of what you need to do get your highest score. After lunch, attendees will have the unique opportunity to observe two experienced competitors do a full routine from start to finish, including the critical set-up time.

If you’ve watched a competition and don’t understand why the competitors are moving the way they are, this is your chance to find out. The routines will be narrated and attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and critique the demonstrations. Learn what goes into making a solid routine, from the training schedule to the music.

If you are an experienced competitor come join us too - or pass this along to help a newcomer in the world of Barista Competition.

Event Location
Pacific Bay Coffee Co.’s Wholesale Roastery
2332 Fourth Street, Suite E, Berekeley, CA 94710
Saturday, March 1, 2008
9:00AM-5:00PM

Barista Guild of America Party!

After the training join us for a SCAA Barista Guild of America meeting and party at Cafe Mediteraneum, home of the first latte! All baristas are welcome, affiliated with the training or the BGA - or not! There will be a minimal fee of $5 to cover the cost of food and location for those not participating in the training. Come hang out and socialize with baristas from California. Chapter Representative Sean Komescher will be in attendance as well as Executive Council members Heather Perry and Andy Newbom. We will discuss barista culture and enjoy bounteous coffee love!

Cafe Mediteranium is located 2475 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, CA. Saturday, March 1st, 6 pm

Barefoot Coffee was invited to participate in the 2008 Ethiopian Limited Coffee Competition and Q Roundtable Conference. This is a fantastic opportunity to improve our relationships in Ethiopia, learn more about the coffee processing and farming of several different regions and visit the birthplace of coffee. This is an honor and a priveledge and we are thankful for the opportunity.

Coffee roaster Dominic Taylor is the lucky soul who is in Ethiopia right now helping with the Q Roundtable Conference. Tomorrow he is off to Djimma to visit a handful of farms and mills. During the next 9 days he will be visiting a dozen or so farms and several mills and doing pre-selection cuppings and screenings for the upcoming Ethiopia Limited Coffee Auction. This auction replaced the famous eCafe auction of former years.

The itinerary is below:

2008 Roundtable Conference, Djimma, Ethiopia

Sun. Feb. 17: Recommended date for arrival in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia.

Monday Feb 18:Q Buyers Forum - Addis Abeba.
The Coffee Buyer’s Forum is organized by the Coffee Quality Institute. The Forum has the objective to promote the concept of Q graded coffees in Ethiopia and to assist in the actual start of Q coffee trade.