The Bean blog

From the branch to your cup!

Wed, 14 May 2008 01:58:27 -0400

Today we were visited by Mausi Kuhl, the owner of Selva Negra Estate Farms in Matagalpa, Nicaragua. One of my goals as a roaster is to bring the coffee growers together with the people who purchase and consume the fruits of their labor. It’s not often a person can meet everyone responsible for what they eat and drink.

Mausi gave a slide presentation on her farm and spoke on their environmentally conscious practices. She is a plethora of knowledge on the subject of coffee and her farm continues to set the standard for recycling and agricultural development and conservation. It was an honor to have her visit!

P.S.
As an added bonus, some of my students passed by Urban Sping and had an opportunity to meet the people I work with and see what I do after I leave the school. The sad part to the story was that they were on their way to the wake of another student of mine who’s mother recently passed away. So I want to express my condolences to Donavon and his Family.

Don Telmo de Colombia...

Sun, 4 May 2008 01:46:18 -0400

It was very cool conversing with the owner of Cafe Mesa De Los Santos farms at the SCAA convention in Minneapolis. Hopefully in the Fall, we will be able to visit them in Colombia.

Qantas Magazine Plug

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:47:19 -0500

Thanks to a very cool Brooklyn based writer, Felicity Loughrey, we have officially made our first magazine article. The article was entitled, It’s a Brooklyn Thing and was featured in the December Issue of Qantas Magazine. For those who don’t know, Qantas Airline is the Australia’s main airline in which we had a place on the backs of every seat...sweet! Thanks again. Here is a link if you would like to read the entire article, http://www.qantas.com.au/infodetail/flying/inTheAir/inflightMagazine/newyork.pdf

The MINI that COULD!!!

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 15:55:27 -0500

Listen folks,

Pick-up/Delivery vehicles come in all shapes and sizes! All I am asking for is a little respect, I think that’s reasonable. I don’t need the smart remarks and side comments, I’m just trying to haul my load and earn my keep like all the other vehicles. I mean, I don’t want to sound depressed or anything, it’s just nobody gives me ANY credit. That hurts.

Big or small, we all provide a service, GOT IT! So when you see me on the road, don’t laugh, just nod your head and say, “YES, you can”!!!

Sincerely,

Mr M. Cooper (aka, MINI)

I met Dr. Cornel West

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 20:43:44 -0400

I recently attended a discussion at The New School with Dr. Cornel West and Dr. Simon Critchley on the Meaning of Ethical Commitment and the Possibility of Political Resistance. Without getting into specifics, it was AWESOME!

Personally, Dr. West is an inspiration and to hear him speak live was a rare privilege! He is a professor of Religion and African American Studies at Princeton University. If you haven’t had a chance to read his work, check this out (Dr. West), I think you will walk away the better for it.

I know...this has nothing to do with coffee, but Dr. West and others like him are who push me to strive for that next level, both personally and professionally. Translation...more coffees, diverse blends, better products!