Got a Cup?

Got a cup of coffee?


Well, you're not alone. I just heard that 1.4 billions cups of coffee are consumed every day! I'll bet there are almost as many different ways to prepare it too. When folks come into our Vermont roastery to buy coffee beans or a cup of gourmet coffee, their requests are always different, and sometimes surprising! No matter how you like your steaming cup, I've got some tips to make sure it is perfect for you.

• Size matters! If your coffee is too finely ground it will be bitter. On the other hand, too coarsely ground beans taste flat. Depending on the type of filter you are using, certain size grinds work best.


• Burr or mill grinders usually work better than blade grinders, because they are more consistent.


• Grind beans as close to brew time as possible for the freshest flavor.


• Don't reuse grinds! Yuck- the initial brewing extracts the great flavor of the coffee beans. If you try to run water through them again, you will just get the bitter left-over flavors.


• Don’t be afraid to request a specific grind, or to ask what will work best. I also recommend that you purchase one to two weeks worth of coffee, depending on how you store it.
  

In the end, a good cup of coffee is based on your own tastes. Part of my coffee passion involves trying all the different blends, methods and grinds available. What about you? Let me know what you want to know, and we'll talk about it.

Until our next cup,
Sandy Riggen

Time for Coffee!

It's summer in the Green Mountains, and I love to take my first sip of the day overlooking the rolling hills and peaks out the window of the roastery. Vermont is a haven for all things natural and fresh, so it's no wonder that organic offerings are in high demand up here. If you drive past our location in Cambridge, there are several farms offering mindfully grown local produce, syrup and wines. What does this mean for a wholesome cup of organic Java?

Organic coffee beans are grown with methods that have minimal impact on the earth, replenish its soil, and don't use synthetic pesticides or chemicals. Here in the US, the Department of Agriculture gets to put its stamp of approval on anything claiming to be organic.

Fair Trade is another certification that means the small farmers (generally in third world countries) that grow and harvest these beans are paid livable wages. In fact, about 78% of fair trade coffee sold is organic.

How do these factors impact taste? Remarkably well.

The care taken in the planting and harvesting of organic coffee beans only adds to the quality of the final brew. So, when I select organic coffees, I tend to look at the regions they come from. This is part of what determines the flavor of each bean.

Coffee Regions

For instance, I like organic coffees from both Peru and Columbia. Peruvian coffees are often mild and used in French roasts and blends. On the other hand, Columbian coffees are usually bold and rich. Of course, there are variations in both.

Whether you are in the mountains of Vermont or the Andes, there is a great cup or organic coffee just waiting to be enjoyed.

Until our next cup,

Sandy Riggen

Ready for Our Coffee Break?

I'm sipping a mug of our Sumatra Mandheling that I love for its smokiness, as well as a little hint of chocolate and caramel. How can that NOT start the day out right? So pour a mug of your favorite java, and pull up a chair.


About Sandy and Rich


My husband Rich and I spent 14 years working on board a private yacht. Rich was a captain and I was a private chef. I know- it sounds pretty exciting, and really it was. However, it wasn't what we wanted to do for the rest of our lives. We have a couple of beautiful grown children in the Burlington area, precious grandchildren, and that gave us a burning desire to establish a local business with a strong connection to the community.


At our roastery here in Vermont, we custom roast green coffee beans every day. We have a gas fired rotary drum roaster and produce small batches between 10 and 40 pounds at a time. We also have a few tables where locals and tourists sit, enjoy the coffee, and gaze at the mountains. We're actively building a local community of residents, skiers, and local businesses that share our passion for excellence, coffee and conversation.


Coffee Storage Tip


Store your whole beans in an airtight container (like a Ziploc bag or sealed can) for up to three weeks. Ground beans should be stored the same way, but are only fresh for about one week. Remember, if you don't have an airtight container, the coffee will pick up other flavors which dilute its great taste.


Until our next coffee break,


Sandy Riggen