Tools of the Coffee Trade

Good Morning Coffee Lovers,

Have you ever gone into your favorite coffee shop and wondered why the coffee you make at home doesn't taste quite the same? Chances are it's the freshness of the coffee beans that you use to make your morning cup of Guatemalan Antigua or Columbian Supremo taste just right. While there are a number or important factors in brewing a perfect cup of coffee like:

• Type of coffee bean
• Grinder and grind size
• Brewing method

….this coffee blog is looking at the most basic mistake folks make when trying to brew a great cup of coffee at home.

The Biggest Mistake when Making a Cup of Coffee

The biggest mistake I feel most people make is using old coffee beans that have been sitting around for way too long. I think the temptation of buying in bulk at those big box stores adds to the dilemma. Since we all want to save money, a lot of us are cutting corners where ever we can.

Here at our Vermont coffee roasting facility, I'm lucky to have freshly brewed coffee beans ground to perfection for me on a daily basis. But- what do you do if you don't work in a coffee roasting facility? Here are some thoughts:

• Buy whole beans and a good burr grinder
• Join an online coffee club that delivers

You'll notice that I'm advocating grinding your own beans at home. Having a good burr grinder is key. In fact, it's the perfect item for your birthday or holiday wish list if the your budget is a concern. Or a great gift to give your favorite college student. (No, I don't sell coffee grinders, but I believe in them!)

When you grind whole coffee beans immediately prior to brewing you will get the highest impact of flavor and the unique coffee bean characteristics. Sound simple? It is.

Until our next cup,

Sandy Riggen

Green Mountain Coffee and Vermont Values

Good Morning Coffee Lovers,

A week before Halloween and I still can't believe that fall is ready to make its run into winter soon here in the Green Mountains of Vermont. As I poured a cup of Harvest Blend coffee just now, I debated how to address the recent woes of my peer's at Green Mountain Coffee in this week's coffee blog. I mean, how could I not address such a timely issue in a Vermont coffee blog?

Vermont Coffee and Vermont Values

For anyone living outside the state of Vermont, you need to know that the people who live here are passionate about two things: the local environment and supporting local businesses. I think that's why there has been such outcry over Green Mountain Coffee's recent financial dilemma and their use of the disposable K-cups as reported in the Burlington Free Press earlier this month.

So first off- I have to admit a certain amount of respect for anyone that can make their business thrive the way that this one has. It's not easy! Green Mountain Coffee is a household name in Vermont and beyond. I can also understand the dilemma with selling a coffee product that makes a lot of money and figuring out how to make it a part of sustainable business practices. (They make 60 million of the non-disposable K-cup containers each week!)

Brown and Jenkins Values

That being said, I feel the need to say we continually address that dilemma here at our own, much smaller, Vermont coffee roaster. The decision to stop carrying those individual creamer packs and to find compostable cups for take out coffee customers were both based on my own belief that I have a commitment to the earth and my local community.

I'd rather be the best small coffee roaster that consistently delivers a quality coffee product in line with my values, that the largest one that can not.

What's Your Opinion?

Vermonter or not, where do you stand on the Green Mountain Coffee issues? Do you feel that a business can grow without losing its core values? What is most important to you when you buy a product: quality, company values, locally made or something else?

You are such an important part of my coffee community and this business- I want to know your thoughts! By the way, you can purchase a reusable K-cup adapter for about $14, so you can still use your Keurig brewer with any coffee you choose.

Until our next cup,
Sandy Riggen

Vermont Coffee Blog and Local Events

Good Morning Coffee Lovers,

I'm taking the chill off on this nippy Green Mountain morn with a cup of the Apple Crisp coffee that we only offer at this time of the year. It seems perfect as I'm perusing a list of the apple picking venues here in Vermont. There only seem to be a couple of good apple picking weeks left this season. So head out to Adams Apple Orchard or Mazza's sooner rather than later to get your macs before they are all gone! Plus, if you head out to Mazza's this weekend you can visit the Giant Pumpkin Weigh In and see the Giant Pumpkin Regatta!

I really like to include local events in our coffee blog, because being a part of the community is important to me. You may see us at many of the nearby events offering seasonal favorites like the Harvest Blend coffee or the Apple Crisp coffee. It's all part of this multi-faceted coffee business!

Here at Brown and Jenkins we are working on some changes to make the online portion of our coffee roasting business run as smoothly as possible. At the other end of the spectrum, we are incorporating more local Vermont goods into our retail coffee shop. Stop by for fresh Vermont coffee, local jam, freshly made baked goods and more. As always, my coffee connection starts here at home and reaches far and wide.

Until our next cup,
Sandy Riggen

Vermont Coffee Plus Pumpkins Equals Pumpkin Spice Coffee

Good Morning Coffee Lovers,

An early coloring of the leaves this season has started the annual parade of tourists, leaf-peepers and wood-covered bridge seekers off with a bang this autumn. Here at Brown and Jenkins, from atop our scenic vista on Route 15, we watch and welcome the visitors to events like last week's Pumpkin' Chuckin' day across the way at Boyden Farms. And, of course, we serve up fall flavored favorites like Apple Crisp coffee and Pumpkin Spice coffee to locals, visitors and our online customers around the nation and beyond.

Local Pumpkin Sales

Pumpkins and Vermont are synonymous at this time of the year. Although we are located in Cambridge, the Brown and Jenkins coffee community extends to several small towns beyond that border. I've seen signs for an Annual Pumpkin Yard Sale to benefit the Waterville Elementary 6th grade class trip on the 16th, numerous craft sales, and see all the local farms (Valley Dream Farm, Waiora Valley Farm …) selling their pumpkins despite an unusually poor season for the crop.

Of course, our coffee beans come from places like Guatemala and Columbia. While Vermont grows amazing pumpkins and apples- coffee beans just don't thrive here. Still, our roaster Glenn makes that Pumpkin Spice flavored coffee with an artistry that blends coffee beans from afar with the local pumpkin passion. Stop by and try one of our autumnal coffees on your way to any of the great fall events offered in our neck of northeastern Vermont.

Until our next cup,

Sandy Riggen

Vermont Coffee with Eggs and Salt

Good Morning Coffee Lovers,

I hope I haven't turned your stomach with this morning's less than appealing coffee blog title! If so, take just a moment to inhale the uplifting aroma of your cup of Joe, I'll take a sip of my Organic Healthy Living blend coffee and we'll get back to the intriguing topic at hand which is:

Weird stuff people add to their coffee

As an avid reader of coffee blogs and anything coffee themed I do come across some strange coffee facts. Today's is nowhere near my corner of Vermont in the Green Mountains, but from a Smithsonian food blogger. Some of the bizarre things that he notes folks adding to their coffee include:

• Egg shells
• Ice cream
• Salt
• Bones
• Cream cheese

Strangely enough, he claims some reasoning behind the odd additions. Both bone and egg shells contain calcium which can lessen acidity. Salt in either the coffee grounds or the coffee itself is supposed to make coffee less bitter. In Taiwan, salty coffee is very popular. Eiskaffe is a German blend of coffee and ice cream. Now that one I think I'd try!

What about you? What is the strangest thing that you have ever added, or heard about someone adding to their coffee? Drop me a line so I can share it with everyone. (Not in the coffee- just on the coffee blog!)

Until our next cup,

Sandy Riggen

Vermont Coffee Roaster Decorates the Green Mountains

Good Morning Coffee Lovers,

As I was typing away and enjoying the aptly named cup of Blog Grog coffee, something occurred that happens all the time here at Brown and Jenkins coffee roasters. Some one came in to ask if we had any burlap coffee bags that she could have. Glenn was able to come up with one.

Burlap coffee bags, you know- those big brown ones that the coffee beans are delivered in, are in high demand around here. I think you will be amazed at some of the unique ways folks use these. In fact, I've got 4 hanging in my coffee colored and themed bathroom at home. But I'm not the only one using those rugged looking coffee bean containers. Here are some of the innovative and interesting uses our customers have for these bags.

Vermonters use burlap coffee bags to:

• Rub down horses and remove hair
• Keep weeds down in garden
• Store duck decoys for duck hunters
• To train hunting dogs (hunters put bait in bags and drag behind to teach dogs to pick up a scent)
• Provide bedding for livestock
• Decorate college dorms
• Act as curtains in a deer camp

Isn't that fun? Talk about reusing your resources in innovative ways! This in one of the things I just love about Vermonters. We can find a use for just about anything.

Be sure to try out the autumn inspired Apple Crisp coffee in your online coffee club order this week. Happy October!

Until our next cup,

Sandy Riggen