In February of 1997, Ken Davids & Ron Walters collaborated to form Coffee Review, with the goal of serving as an expertly produced educational resource about fine coffees. It has since become the most respected coffee buying guide in the world. As they put it:
The concept was simple: conduct blind, expert cuppings of coffees and report the findings in the form of 100-point reviews, much like those that exist in the wine industry. […] Our goal at the Coffee Review is to entertain and educate coffee drinkers, food service professionals, and the coffee trade with a credible and easy-to-use coffee guide based on objective, blind reviews from some of the most experienced individuals in the specialty coffee industry.
-About Coffee Review
This month, we were privileged to have one of our personal favorites reviewed—our Kenya AA Estate Gituto, which received 93 out of the total 100 points. From a blind cupping of the coffee, the following tasting notes were recorded:
Exquisitely lyric aroma: flowers, tart cherry, honey, a suggestion of milk chocolate. In the cup sweet acidity and continued meadowy flower and flowering grass notes, honey, tart cherry, all of which carry into a delicate but ringing finish.
-Kenya AA Estate Gituto on Coffee Review
As usual, we are ecstatic about the review! Be sure to take a look at Coffee Review. Explore their wealth of coffee information when you have the chance.
Fear not. Our enthusiasm for cupping continues, just at a better time of day. Who wants to roll out of bed at 10:00 on a Saturday morning for an educational coffee experience? That’s right, but just imagine if all that education could be yours at the convenient hour of 2 in the afternoon. If that’s not a good deal, I don’t know what is. All that to say, from now on, our regularly scheduled weekly cuppings will carry on as regularly scheduled every Saturday, except for the minor time adjustment. Hope to see you there!
Alas! Last Friday’s Atlanta trip was not meant to be. We were scheduled to roll out of Primavera at 5:00. Around 4:00, tornado sirens started going off. Of course, this is no big deal in Birmingham, where a storm seems to blow through at least once a week; however, at approximately 4:45, tree branches & golf-ball-sized hail began to fly through the air. We sought cover inside the coffee shop, while some of the neighboring stores made a run for the basement. Within a matter of seconds, the entire world outside our windows had gone completely white.
Much to our delight, the chaos died down in a matter of minutes. Our parking lot looked as if someone had grabbed a couple of trees & thrashed them on the asphalt. The weather appearing to be under control, though, we piled into our cars, still planning on a little throwdown action. Fifteen minutes in, rain started beating down once again & we were sadly forced to admit that even if the storm blew over, the resulting traffic & ticking clock would be insurmountable obstacles.
We hope the Bikes to Rwanda Throwdown was a success on all levels! And, as always, more scheming is afoot among the Primaverans to point us back in the direction of Octane …
Once more, the Primaverans are packing up early! On Friday, April 11th, we will lock our doors at 5:00 P.M. & point ourselves in the direction of Octane, the best coffee shop in Atlanta. The upcoming throwdown is especially notable, though, with all the proceeds going toward Bikes to Rwanda, an organization working to provide cargo bicycles & maintenance shops for co-operative coffee farmers in Rwanda. This FNT (Friday Night Throwdown) is part of the Octane-sponsored Bikes to Rwanda Benefit weekend, featuring a Saturday art show Alley Cat race, for all you art-enthused cyclists out there who are feeling up to a little weekend action supporting a good cause.
You may have read our recent post about Octane’s series of Thursday Night Throwdown latte art competitions, including Brett’s moment of fame as the winner of the all important kick-off. Well, a minor detail that we may have forgotten to mention was the presence of a CNN reporter documenting the event. His photo essay has just been posted online and it gives a great sense of the various stages in the latte art competition. Brett & Havilah also get a little air time in some short audio blurbs and choice photographs. (We’re pretty sure Brett’s winning rosetta latte is the first shot! Also, we attribute his later enthusiasm to the appearance of free Piraat…)
CNN—"Barista Contest Turns Coffee Into an Art Form"
The Primaverans have another field trip in the works! This Thursday, March 27th, we will close our doors at 5:00 P.M., pile into our respective vehicles, & aim for Atlanta. Why, you ask? I say, why not? Our title remains to be defended (see previous post entitled “Thursday Night Throwdown,”) & further friendships await forging in the regional coffee community. Who could turn down yet another night brimming with so much potential?
We apologize for any inconvenience our adjusted hours may cause you and look forward to seeing you bright & early on Friday morning.
Last Thursday, the Primaverans went on a field trip to Octane, an amazing, progressive, & exemplary coffeeshop in Atlanta to participate in the first of an infinite number of Thursday Night Throwdowns. The experience was amazing, with eighteen baristas signing up for the challenge. Each was given three minutes to pour one drink that embodied their skill. The drink was then photographed & projected onto a screen, accompanied by the scores of a panel of blind judges who analyzed the following: 1) Balance & Symmetry 2) Color Infusion & Definition 3) Use of Space 4) Overall Impression
The highlight of the evening was Brett’s winning pour, a small rosetta latte that captured the hearts of the judges & propelled him toward victory. His name now radiates, emblazoned on a banner gracing one of Octane’s massive walls—a testament to his barista artistry & prowess.
It goes without saying that Primavera is excited to the point of giddiness at the prospects that abound—further interaction with the awesomeness that is Octane, further basking in the glow of victory, & further coffee community, to name a few…
Boys & Girls,
After many months of talking amongst ourselves, we, the Primaverans, have taken action! Our bios are complete, thanks to the wildly spectacular photographic skillz of one Alan Barton. Be sure to take a moment & read about the people behind the business, & the man behind the camera that has immortalized them.
The website has been updated! We have a handful of new selections to offer—two Panamas, two Kenyas, and a Rwanda. Be sure to keep checking as we continue to expand our list!
Latest Comments
RSSJamal
barry
deborah
Wilson, deborah
CJ, m'lissa
Jamal, CJ, deborah