So, I thunk to myself...does this waste of webspace have any meaning to anyone other than my two (2) readers?

Probably not, but since I'm using bandwith I might as well get a bit personal.

Here's the deal.....

I am getting ready to open a espresso bar. YES! , you heard it here first. So sick and tired of so called "good to excellent" dumps here in our area. SICK & TIRED!

My vision is to elevate coffee to a culinary art, it's rightful place. This is not a pipe dream, this is not wishful thinking, it's REALITY!

The location of this aspiristic endeavor is Downtown Glendale, AZ.

COFFEE is a CULINARY ART!!!

Ever try sipping a lightly roasted Harrar Oromia Coop coffee while eating a handful of freshly picked blueberries, how about a clove and leather Indo Sumatra enjoyed with a bowl of ripe cherries? Yes, coffee and food are a sweet marriage, and if you are picking up on my fruit and coffee pairings...well 'tis the season!

I went off on a tangent. Excuse me if you will. My point is that coffee, exemplary coffee, roasted to it's shimmering perfection can hold it's own and compliment any food. Seasonal not withstanding!

Look for Rocket Coffee Roasters Espresso Bar

coming to a space early in the fall of '06- tax and titles extra, lease due on signing, all manufactures warranties do not imply, we will not be held responsible if you are not happy, but we do suggest you keep on smilin'. Life is too short for bad coffee and please, please support us, we need it!

Interesting development concerning the Cup of Excellence program. I've copied an email I've received with the news below.

Dear Larry Jones,
We are pleased to announce that The Alliance for Coffee Excellence, Inc, (ACE) and The National Coffee Association (NCA) have entered into a formal strategic alliance devoted to the advancement of high quality coffee through The Cup of Excellence® program. Our two organizations share a love and appreciation of coffee and an understanding that a greater knowledge of the variables that affect quality, and a focus on creating consumer appreciation of differing flavor profiles will benefit the industry as a whole.
Cup of Excellence has grown immensely from a single experimental project in 1999 and is now the premier competition and auction program in the world- it is on the cutting edge of quality selection, it supports the development of an enhanced infrastructure, assists cuppers and quality control technicians to fine tune their existing skills and provides an opportunity to excite roasters and their customers in their own coffee discovery process. The Cup of Excellence program has enjoyed strong support from specialty roasters worldwide due to its strict focus on quality and the fair and transparent financial reward it has provided to the winning farmers.
The National Coffee Association created in 1911 is the oldest coffee trade association in the US and represents the US coffee industry with a significant focus on government relations (domestic and international), public relations, market and scientific research and education. The NCA's positive media campaigns have resulted in the good news about coffee and health being publicized worldwide. The majority of its members are small and mid size companies. Log on to www.ncausa.org for more information.
Working with the producer committee of the NCA who's mission statement is to foster positive relationships between coffee producers and the US industry, the Cup of Excellence program will be able to strengthen the bridge between quality producers and US roasters and help create higher volume sales and often longer term relationships for producers recognized by the Cup of Excellence program. The two organizations will work together to enhance Cup of Excellence benefits to the coffee industry, find creative solutions for the program logistics and utilize the NCA Fall educational conference to offer the latest in quality selection techniques to US roasters.
We are excited about this opportunity to strengthen the Cup of Excellence program and its benefits and wish to thank you for your continued support.
Regards,

Susie Spindler

I'll ponder this for a day or two and then share my thoughts. As always, I welcome your comments, observations and feelings, so post 'em!

some random images...

no...that's not me

that's not me either

there I am... conducting a "coffee history and tasting" at one of my accounts, Cuppers Coffeehouse in Prescott

I was down in Tucson yesterday visiting one of my favorite coffeeshops in Arizona. They also happen to be an account and run my "Classic Espresso" at the bar. We are working very closely to formulate a "House Blend" for regular drip coffee.

These folks have got it together! They have a true passion for coffee and excellent service, a desire to continuously improve and meticulous preparation in everything they do. A true "Specialty Coffee" house!

Other coffeeshops owners in Arizona should take notice, the Coffee Vein has raised the bar for quality. I am working very hard with them to insure their rightful place as the "showcase" for Rocket Coffee Roasters coffees and the standard to which all coffeeshops in Arizona and beyond are measured.

If you go;

The Coffee Vein

1545 N. Stone Ave

Tucson, AZ

"Trevino" - Arizona's tallest barista

They love their machine at the Coffee Vein!

Green Coffee Buying Club Roasting Olympics

Sponsored by

Rocket Coffee Roasters

Congratulations to all the competitors!

Overall Champion

Joe Pace

Drip Blend Winner

John F

Espresso Blend Winner

Curtis

Single Origin Winner

Joe Pace

Competition was fierce in this three round no holds barred roast off! Competitors squared off and brought their best to the table. Plenty of trash talking was heard, lot's of good coffee was held to excruciating standards and by all accounts a good time was had!

If you have the skills, the desire to compete and want to enjoy some world class coffees roasted by world class folks and get in on the next GCBC Roasting Olympics, head on over to the Green Coffee Buying Club for details.

latte' art

hangin' with big boys

from the alterra coffee throwdown

I'm happy to report that I was chosen to be interviewed for the 1st ever Arizona Coffee Podcast! I talk a little about the Best of Panama, CoffeeGeek, Synesso espresso machines and a few other things. It's short (less than 7 minutes) and sweet.

Check it out....

Arizona Coffee Podcast Episode #1

HAPPY 4th!

and Canada Day to our neighbors up north!

2006 El Salvador Cup of Excellence

The auction was held last week and we were at it again. Rocket Coffee Roasters teamed up with another great group of roasting companies and went after the #4 coffee in this years auction.

This coffee is from the finca of Santa Sofia and scored a 91.2 (out of a possible 100). Here are the cupping notes from this particular lot,

Jury Descriptions: complex (10), bright acidity (23), clean (19), honey (10), sweet chocolate (20), soft sweet apple (8), clear finish (12), sweet gingerbread (4), consistent (17), rich body (12), maintained good structure (7), citric (3), cinnamon (4)

Please Note: If a number appears in brackets next to a description it indicates the number of jurors that agreed with that particular decription.

This will bring a total of three (3) Cup of Excellence coffees to Rocket Coffee Roasters lineup so far this year, plus we also have our Best of Panama Kotowa Duncan which is receiving rave reviews!