May 30, 2006Panama’s Best Coffees Set New Records in Online Auction
Famed Hacienda la Esmeralda Sells for Over $50 a Pound
LONG BEACH, Calif. U.S.A. (May 30, 2006)--- Panama’s number one coffee, from Hacienda La Esmeralda, once again set an online coffee auction record when it sold for over $50 dollars a pound during an online auction on May 30th. Hacienda La Esmeralda placed first in the “Best of Panama” cupping competition in April with a score of 94.6 out of 100.
Competition was active on many of the lots offered during internet auction, which lasted 10 hours as several bidders were after the small lot of five 60-kilo bags of Hacienda La Esmeralda, as well Bambito Estates and Carmen Estates, which placed second and third in the competition, respectively. When the auction closed, Hacienda la Esmeralda had sold for a stunning price of $50.25 a pound. Commercial-grade coffee is currently trading in commodity markets for just over $1 a pound.
The online auction was hosted by the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA). In addition to Hacienda la Esmeralda, thirty additional lots totaling over 33,000 pounds of high scoring coffee from the “Best of Panama” were also sold in the online auction, fetching prices from $1.50 to $14.20 a pound.

What does this mean for you fans of Rocket Coffee Roasters?

No, I did not lose my head and go for the La Esmeralda... Over $33,000 for 5 bags of coffee?

I think it's great for the farmers and Panama coffee as a whole, but that is just way out of my meager means!!! The good news is....

We won the coffee we were actually after in yesterday's auction!!!

Organic Cafe' Kotowa Duncan

A Bourbon Typica Caturra, Catuia & Certified Organic gem of a coffee grown at an elevation of 1,700 m or 5,550 ft. This is a incredible coffee, sweet with good acidity and a butterscotch flavor mixing with dried apricots. Lush tropical landscapes, fertile volcanic soil and an abundance of care help make this coffee what it is!!!

Rocket Coffee Roasters is extremely proud to offer this coffee to our customers and you may look for it on our website in the next couple of weeks!

I started a group for professional roasters living and working in the Southwestern U.S. and we are hoping to hold our first meeting sometime in September of this year. I won't bore you with the details of the group, but will say I'm looking forward to it!

Coffee Fest is around the corner, and Roast Magazine and the Southwest Roasters group will be present and I am hoping to firm up some of the details for our Sept. meeting at the Roasters Speakeasy as well as meet some of our members of the group.

YUMMY

What do we have here? Seems to be a box full of green coffee samples from this years 2006 Best of Panama Auction.

This is one of the true joys of my job at Rocket Coffee Roasters! Getting to experience the very best of the very best coffees from around the world.

Mark Prince - Head CoffeeGeek is traveling Europe for the SCAE (Specialty Coffee Assoc. Of Europe) Show. He was a judge in the World Barista Championships held in Bern, Switzerland and is going on a whirlwind tour of Italy. Mark is checking out the La Marzocco and Elektra espresso machine factories and just living a coffee fanatics dream.

Rocket Coffee Roasters is the Premier Sponsor for CoffeeGeeks WBC, World of Coffee and Italian Coffee articles and podcasts.

You can check out Mark's progress, articles, reports and great photo's that he's publishing from these links....

The City of Bern and Coffee Culture

Gearing up for the WBC...

Enjoy these great articles, check back on CoffeeGeek for new reports and keep your eye's and ears open for his podcasts detailing his adventures!

I'm pleased to announce that Rocket Coffee Roasters is a Coffee Sponsor for the

Western Barista Guild Jam

What does that mean? Well, Rocket Coffee Roasters espresso blend will be used during the espresso workshop and our single origin coffees will be used during the various cupping classes and cupping workshops. So here is the rundown on what's going down...

The Barista Guild focuses on enhancing coffee quality, promoting quality and cultivating a sophisticated “public face” for the industry.
The purpose of a Barista Guild Jam is to foster community between Baristas and retailers within a particular region as well as the Barista community and the Specialty Coffee Industry worldwide. These events, which, officially sanctioned by the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) and the Barista Guild of America (BGA), offer all participants a high level of training and education that will expand their knowledge and skills. At BGA Regional Barista Jams, experts from the Specialty Coffee Industry address topics of interest for Baristas and retailers of all levels, including but not limited to espresso and milk preparation, cupping and tasting coffees, coffee origin appreciation, equipment maintenance, coffee roasting and Barista Competitions. All skill levels are welcomed and encouraged to attend these exciting educational events!
The Barista Guild Jam is June 3rd and 4th 2006 in the ever so lovely Bay Area. Our gracious hosts the Professional Culinary Institute have given the Barista community their 20,000 square fot culinary school facility for the event. PCI is located in Campbell, CA in the south bay.

"classic espresso"

Our new espresso blend!

We have been hard at work in the espresso lab here at the roastery and our new espresso blend is the succesful culmination of our efforts. This classic espresso blend is compromised of four different coffees, all of them of the highest quality Arabica. Humongous amounts of crema and a buttery smooth, big body, this espresso is honey sweet with dominating chocolate, spice and dried fruit notes. This is a well balanced blend that is powerful and complex yet finishes clean. A truly superb shot of espresso!

oh yeah...and dig our new label designed by Sheila, our resident graphic artist and all around "powerchick"

Kenya AA

From the Machure region - Thika Estate

A beautiful Kenyan! Cups like a classic with it's shimmering acidity and flavors ranging from black currant and plum to coccoa and dark honey. This particular coffee has more body than I normally would expect from a Kenyan but it is pleasing with a soft grace. This is one coffee that you should not miss out on! Keep an eye on my online store www.rocketcoffeeroasters.com because I should have this available within the week.

Viva Mexico

Wow, I'm blown away by this new Mexican Hildago Pluma from Oaxaca! The dry aroma is all chocolate with a hint of vanilla. The flavor is sweet and nutty with caramel and milk chocolate. The body is very full which is surprising for a Mexican coffee and the acidity is well balanced.

This coffee is amazing in a French Press! Absolutely stunning! I tried it as a single origin espresso and was pleased with it's clean, clear sweetness. I've been roasting it to a City + and will try a roast at City on Monday. Life is good!!!