One of the things that captivated me early on about the coffee industry, specifically the specialty coffee industry, is the journey that happens on the way to my cup. Long before it sits in a pretty package on my brew station, it goes through so many hands and processes! Have you ever wondered what happens to coffee before it gets to you?
- From seeds growing inside of ripening cherries on a tree, farmers' livelihoods depend on taking great care of these plants and they take great pride in the quality of the coffee they grow.
- Exporters help farmers get the most from their crop and share it with people around the world.
- Sourcing companies here in the U.S. build relationships with exporters and farmers and pick great coffees to sell to coffee roasting companies.
- Coffee roasting companies choose coffees they are crazy about and roast them meticulously to highlight the unique attributes and sweetness inherent to that coffee - without masking its natural characteristics.
- Finally, people brew coffee. Some people brew automatically and some people choose to labor out of love - both enjoy the finished product!
I want to give you the opportunity to peer into this world. This blog series was designed to highlight the perspective of a few of our friends along the coffee chain - literally from the farm to the cup. Here's what you can expect to see!
March 3: Ryan Chipman writes from Yepocapa, Guatemala
March 10: Meet Ricky Keane from Balzac Brothers in Charleston, SC
March 17: Meet Cameron Heath from Revelator Coffee Company in Birmingham, AL
March 24: Meet Kayla Bodkins : Florence, SC coffee enthusiast/brewer
I've really enjoyed seeing the world from each of their perspectives and I'm excited to share them with you. Stay tuned!
(image credit to Jubilee Roasting Co.)