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January 2008, Island Coffee of Ravenel, SC. The great delicacies of the world are often as well known for their stories as for their appeal to the tongue. Such is the case for the whiskies of Scotland, the wines of France, and the coffees of Island Coffee, just outside of Charleston, SC.
Island Coffee's founder and roast master Rob Kramer can tell you some fascinating tales while roasting a batch of some of the most unique beans you will ever taste. He can tell stories of the Boyo region in the hills of Cameroon, Africa, where volcanic soil and humid equatorial winds have produced both a fabulous bean and a stirring saga of fair trade.
Kramer was one of the founders of the Farmers Cooperative Initiative, a forerunner of many of the fair trade coffee associations that have been established in the last twenty years. Kramer and other industry pioneers were seeking a way to improve the consistency of the Boyo region's beans while improving the lives of the farmers who produced the crop. They hit upon a mutually rewarding system wherein farmers were paid directly for their crops while agreeing to process their beans in a uniform manner in order to improve quality and consistency.
Today, Island Coffee still works directly with small farmers in Cameroon to help ensure economic order--truly a roaster with a conscience.
So, as you enjoy that cup of freshly brewed Better Beans, know that you are making a difference not only to your palate, but to others around the globe!
- Better Beans Coffee Clubs
February 2008, Small World Roasters of Princeton, NJ. The small world concept is based on the idea that the world is becoming increasingly connected. There is a theory that every person is linked by a short chain of social acquaintances, ala “six degrees of separation.” And so what does this have to do with coffee? Well, for one, our featured roaster this month is Small World Roasters, of Princeton, NJ. But we're fairly certain they're not participating in social research.
We'll posit that Small World got its name from their community-centric business philosophy. The founders of their cafe wanted to create a place where people could come together. Since 1993 they've been doing just that. And, since 1997, Small World Roasters has been supporting them by with high quality beans and precision roasting.
But, Small World's name might also be based on the idea that the beans in your cup come from all over the world, linking you to the small farmer in, say, Aceh, Sumatra.
Regardless of the inspiration for their name, Small World Roasters has a good name and a good conscience. Let's talk organic coffees.
For years, Small World has offered only organically grown beans, and are now in the process of obtaining organic certification. Organically grown beans are important to our small world, as you know, in terms of sustainability. Not using chemical pesticides or fertilizers assures the health of the soil, the forest, and the farmers for years to come.
It is, as they say, a small world.
- Better Beans Coffee Clubs
March 2008, Greene Brothers Roasters of Hackettstown, NJ. As long as we're in New Jersey, we headed out to rural Sussex County for a treat that gives a nod to our celebration this month of St. Patrick's Day, if only in the color of their name.
Greene Brothers Specialty Coffee Roasters owners Brian and David Greene are, technically, not Irish, but rather English and Danish. Technicalities aside, these brothers have a passion for coffee which is unassuming and genuine.
The Greene Brothers passion dates back to the 70's, when in Old Town Alexandria, VA, they discovered a small roaster on King Street who helped them make one of their richest discoveries—great coffee! The brothers experimented and delighted in sampling varietal coffees, all the while developing their passion which would bring them to their eventual home in the rolling farmland of northern NJ. Brian and Dave opened Greene Brothers Specialty Coffee, known as Greene's Beans, for business in 1995 and quickly established a reputation as the premiere specialty coffee roster of northern New Jersey.
Not just a passion for coffee, the brothers have a commitment to social and environmental responsibility as well. Greene Brothers supports the ideals of sustainable, organic, and environmental-friendly products and buys certified coffees wherever possible. They're bound and determined to leave a mark in this world with their small-batch roasting, a positive impact not only for their customers but also our planet and its inhabitants.
- Better Beans Coffee Clubs
April 2008, Wharton, TX. For over ten years we've been finding America's best small batch roasters and sending their best to you, but we've never seen a roaster quite like the one we have selected for you this month. This month, in honor of Earth Day, Better Beans and you are helping with a bit of frog-saving. Seriously! And who better to show us the way than
Tree Frog Coffees of Wharton, TX.
Roast master-owner Janet Goings is a former teacher turned eco-friendly roaster. In making her career change a few years ago, Janet found that sustainable coffee farming fits her belief system. Sustainable farming is where coffee farmers grow their coffees under the rainforest canopy, clearing only enough of the underbrush to plant the coffee trees. Ecosystems are not only maintained, but relied on to protect and grow the crops. It's a harmonious relationship.
And where do the tree frogs come in? Janet, passionate about environmental concerns, explains that tree frogs are acutely sensitive to environmental problems, akin to the canary in the coal mine. Frog species are disappearing daily, indicating problems such as global warming.
The good news is what's good for the tree frogs is ultimately good for us. This is why Tree Frog Coffees buys 100% certified coffees, only those meeting the standards of being organically produced, shade grown, or bird friendly.
Not only is sustainable farming better for the frogs, says Janet, it's better for our entire ecosystem, including us. Drink up, and save the frogs!
- Better Beans Coffee Clubs
May 2008, Topeka, KS.
PT's Coffee of Topeka, KS.
Better Beans takes you to the mid-west this month to a roaster that is small enough to be considered a small roaster, yet large enough to make an impact in the specialty coffee industry. We're touching down in Topeka, KS, to taste the wares of
PT's Coffee.
"P" is Fred Polzin and "T" is Jeff Taylor. In 1993, they formed PT's Coffee and have been roasting award winning coffees ever since. They began as a coffee shop roasting their own, and now they not only roast with passion, but they buy beans with passion, and they serve espresso with passion.
PT's roasts only top quality beans sourced in the country of origin. They roast and ship on the same day. Not surprising for a small batch roaster, but what really differentiates PT's from other roasters is their commitment to relationship coffees (see What are Relationship Coffees?, over).
PT's buys small lots of coffees directly from growers. They travel to the countries of origin, meeting and staying with the farmers, getting to know their farms, families and communities. PT's not only buys coffees this way, but forms partnerships with the growers, all in the name of exceptional quality.
Interestingly, PT's has a fully functioning barista training facility. And, as we print this edition of The Bugle, their best barista, Pete Licata, is competing as one of the top six in the US Barista Championship in Minneapolis. The other five are from CA. Score one for Kansas!
- Better Beans Coffee Clubs
June 2008, Nashville, TN.
In our quest to find the best small batch roasters, we sought out Cooperative Coffees, an importing collective of small roasters who buy beans directly from small farmer groups. One of their members is
Bongo Java Roasting Company of Nashville, TN.
Buying only Fair Trade and Organic coffees shows Bongo Java's commitment to the farmer and to sustainability. It's the cornerstone of their business philosophy. But what really sets Bongo Java apart are a couple of things. First is how well they are engaged in the Nashville community, and second is the interesting way they, uh, market their brand.
If you've been to Nashville, everyone knows Bongo Java. It's the place to go for great coffee. They've got it all, from a hip downtown location attracting students, artists, musicians and the like, to a theater/music venue to a vegetarian café to an infamous run-in with "nun" other than Mother Teresa (see bongojava.com). Even their restroom is funky, painted by a comic-book artist.
Self-proclaimed "too weird to franchise," Bongo Java prides themselves on their unique brand identity. Aside from the caffeinated logo dude, Bongo Java has a rather unique way to educate their employees (and us) about coffee: they compare it to beer. From Guiness (Sumatra) to Bud (Colombian), they've got a comparison for all the origins.
So sit back and enjoy the brew we've selected for you (we mean the coffee)!
- Better Beans Coffee Clubs
July 2008, Raleigh, NC.
This month, we're taking you back east. You'll need to pack your taste buds, your right brain, and your recycle bin, cause this one's a little nutty.
Larry's Beans of Raleigh, NC, are coffee artists on a mission to change the world, globally and locally.
Larry became a coffee zealot back in his Seattle days. He's obsessed with coffee artistry - finding the best coffees in the world and roasting them with precision and artistry. For Larry, it means getting on board the Fair Trade and organic bandwagon 100%. Larry's Beans is a founding roaster of Cooperative Coffees, as was last month's Bongo Java.
But hang on to your recycle bin, we're about to tell you how Larry operates his business with an environmental consciousness that rivals his obsession with great coffee beans. For one, Larry's run two delivery vehicles around Raleigh that are fueled by waste vegetable oil (vegetable oil!). They operate Raleigh's one and only veggie oil pump. They've recently renovated -- excuse us, "green-o-vated"--their roasting facility to use solar and wind-powered energy, among other sustainable features.
But the most interesting feature we found new at Larry's Beans is their newly developed bio-bag. Developed with both coffee freshness and sustainability in mind, the bio-bag will completely biodegrade in 9 months
Larry's is rolling out the biobags this summer, so look for them a compost heap near you!
- Better Beans Coffee Clubs
August 2008, The Roasterie of Kansas City, MO. This is a love story, the story of how Danny O'Neill fell in love...with a country, its people,and, mostly, its coffee. Danny remembers that moment when, reaching for that first coffee cherry in a tree on a mountainside in Costa Rica, he first fell in love. For nearly twenty years he was in denial, trying to get on with his career, all the while fighting a losing battle. Finally, he gave in, started a coffee roasting business in his basement. The rest, as they say, is history.
Our featured roaster this month is Danny's
The Roasterie, Kansas City's leading specialty roaster that rose to fame from humble basement beginnings
 . The Roasterie is known for two things: building relationships with the coffee growing communities from where they purchase beans, and also a technology called air roasting.
Did you know that St. Drogo is the patron saint of coffee? Well, neither did we until we learned of The Roasterie's St. Drogo Foundation. Aptly named, this foundation shows The Roasterie's love for a dedication to the countries of origin. Through St. Drogo, they've funded humanitarian projects right in the growers' villages.
But what about the coffee? The Roasterie has assembled their dream team and they have numerous awards to show for it, from the most recent Roaster's Choice Bronze Award to several 90+ reviews from coffeereview.com. Now, can you feel the love?
- Better Beans Coffee Clubs
September 2008, Sacred Grounds Organic Coffee Roasters of Arcata, CA. Amidst the pristine bays of northern California, within the vertical canyons of the immense redwoods, the backpacker might be shocked to detect the clear and compelling aroma of Indonesian coffee beans roasting nearby. Or perhaps they're headed, as we are, to
Sacred Grounds Organic Coffee Roasters, our roaster of the month.
Founded in 1997 by the father and son team of Fred and Steve Hebert, Sacred Grounds began as a bustling coffeehouse and roastery in Arcata, a college town known for its environmental and social activism. In 2006, Sacred Grounds was recognized as one of the top micro-roasters in the country as Roast Magazine's 2006 Roaster of the Year runner-up.
As do most successful small batch roasters, Sacred Grounds has built up relationships with dozens of organizations and Fair Trade suppliers around the world – a necessity today for roasters who want a consistent source of top quality coffees. Building and maintaining these relationships includes taking trips to origin. As a result, their lineup is ever-changing, offering the likes of Panama's Haceinda La Esmeralda estate’s Gesha varietal, and Bolivia's Chicoloma Cup of Excellence winner, Criollo varietal.
So sit back this September and enjoy getting back in school, back to work, or backpacking in the woods. Whatever it is you do, enjoy your Sacred Grounds!
- Better Beans Coffee Clubs
October 2008, Muddy Dog Roasting Co. of Morrisville, NC. For all you fans of the furry four-legged variety, we have a treat for you this month. Sorry, feline-lovers, this month we're talkin' 'bout the dogs. And we’'e not talking pretty, coiffed and trimmed dogs, either. We're honoring the real, down-n-dirty go outside and play dogs. So sit down. Sit. Siiiit. Now stay. Staaaay. Now have some coffee! Get out your mugs and get ready to slurp, cause we've sent you a bag of kibble from the
Muddy Dog Roasting Co. of Morrisville, NC.
OK, so comparing premium coffee beans to dog food is, well, not such a great idea. But we thought it might be all in good fun!
The Muddy Dog Roasting Company is a small batch artisan roaster located just outside Cary, NC, named for yellow lab Bailey. They're known for roasting great coffee, using environmentally responsible business practices and having quite possibly the greenest roasting machine on the planet. Kidding? No, read on.
Roast master and owner Jim Pellegrini is proud to roast environmentally and socially responsible coffees. He has even been named one of Coffee and Conservation's Responsible Roasters this past spring. But Jim clearly takes pride in using his eco-friendly, one of a kind, low emissions roasting machine called the Revelation Roaster (read more about it in Revelations in Roasting in this month's Better Beans Bugle).
So get out your trusty travel mug, pour yourself a cup, and get to the park with your own furry, slobbery, muddy dog. Enjoy!
- Better Beans Coffee Clubs
November 2008, Higher Ground Roasters of Leeds, AL. Better Beans by Fairer Means—it not only sums up our year of featured roasters, it's the tagline of this month's featured roaster,
Higher Ground Roasters of Leeds, AL.
 . You can be sure that caught our attention!
Alex Varner, Josh Kelly and Glenn Smith opened Higher Ground in 2002 near Birmingham, AL, not exactly a hub for specialty coffee drinkers or micro-roasters. As if that wasn't challenging enough, they committed to sustainability from start to finish. But six years later, they've shown it can be done, very successfully.
Higher Ground's first priority is to roast exceptional coffees to perfection. They roast exclusively certified coffees, the top 5% of the world's crop. What makes Higher Ground unique, though, is their commitment to sustainability, and how that drives distribution and business decisions.
Higher Ground partners with several non-profits such as the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Access Fund and the Freshwater Land Trust. These partnerships are not only a for the purpose of supporting preservation, but also a vehicle for distributing their coffee. Check out their menu and you'll see the likes of the Freshwater Land Trust Blend, the Literacy Council Blend, the Humane Society Blend, and many others.
Their reward? Higher Ground was named Roast Magazine's Micro Roaster of the Year for 2007, a highly regarding industry award going to the country's best roaster of under 100,000 pounds annually. Way to go, folks!
- Better Beans Coffee Clubs
December 2008, Hampton Coffee Company of Water Mill, NY. For the holidays, we tend to stay close to home to enjoy the quiet, charming New England towns we northeasterners love so much. And for this holiday season, we'd like to transport you to a beautiful place bustling with tourists in the summertime but peaceful and tranquil this time of year. From the world-famous Hamptons of New York, we bring you a blend from the
Hampton Coffee Company .
The Hampton Coffee Company's roastery is located in Water Mill in the Town of Southampton, a mere 90 miles from New York City. If you've been to Southampton, or the trendier East hampton, you've likely passed through this charming hamlet.
Although not as coveted as its more famous neighbors, Water Mill has its share of mansions and bucolic farmlands stretching all the way to the sea. In fact, it was here where generations of farmers grew the famous Long Island potatoes.
Visiting Water Mill is a small town experience. Many of the homes there have been in the same families for generations. The business district has an old-fashioned feel with the historic Penny Candy Shop, the Milk Pail farm store and their one traffic light (installed in 2002 no less). Yet vacationers to the Hamptons are finding their way to this lovely place in the summertime.
Whether or not you get to the Hamptons, here is a bit of the Hamptons for you to enjoy at home this holiday season. Keep it for yourself, or share it with friends and special visitors. Delight in all this season has to offer!
- Happy Holidays from all of us at Better Beans
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