Grumpy Goat Coffee invites the public to meet their local food and beverage artisans at a free tasting event on Thursday, January 26, 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. in Bonita Springs at the Causeway Commerce Park, 28280 Old 41 Rd, unit 11. Grumpy Goat Coffee, Alligator Bay Distillers, Kristi’s Key Lime Cookies, Naples Canning Company, Pansardo Italian Food Specialties, Caddy Corner Concessions – a food truck from the team at Corner Spot Diner, and Olde Naples Chocolate will be exhibiting at the Grumpy Goat Coffee roastery. Attendees can meet their local master roaster and other food and beverage experts and sample their specialty coffee, cookies, farm-to-jar pickled vegetables and preserves, chocolates, cheeses and artisanal Italian tapas and wine. The event is open to the public. For more details about this or a future tasting event subscribe to email alerts at grumpygoat.com and follow Grumpy Goat Coffee on major social media channels including Nextdoor and Yelp.
Grumpy Goat Coffee makes fresh roasted, fully traceable, single origin gourmet grade coffee from a wide variety of countries. Alligator Bay Distillers is a small batch craft distillery located in Punta Gorda, Florida that produces rum made from 100% Floridian black strap molasses sourced locally from Clewiston, Florida. Kristi’s Key Lime Cookies creates handcrafted, baked fresh to order vanilla cookies smothered with a decadent key lime topping that contains no preservatives. Naples Canning Company produces small batch artisanal pickled vegetables, fruits, jams, mustards and preserves. Pansardo Italian Food Specialties produces and imports a variety of cheeses and artisanal food products from Sardinia. Olde Naples Chocolate specializes in making top quality, gourmet custom chocolates hand-crafted daily from the finest natural ingredients.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. (December 1, 2022) – Grumpy Goat Coffee will host a free holiday tasting event featuring several local food and beverage artisans Thursday, December 22, 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Causeway Commerce Park, 28280 Old 41 Rd, unit 11 in Bonita Springs. Grumpy Goat Coffee, Kristi’s Key Lime Cookies, Naples Canning Company, Pansardo Italian Food Specialties and Olde Naples Chocolate will be sampling and have unique items available for purchase for last minute holiday gifts and stocking stuffers. Attendees can meet their local master roaster and other food and beverage experts and sample their specialty coffee, cookies, farm-to-jar pickled vegetables and preserves, chocolates, cheeses and artisanal Italian tapas and wine. The event is open to the public. For more details subscribe to email alerts at grumpygoat.com and follow Grumpy Goat Coffee on major social media channels including Nextdoor and Yelp.
Grumpy Goat Coffee makes fresh roasted, fully traceable, single origin gourmet grade coffee from a wide variety of countries. Kristi’s Key Lime Cookies creates handcrafted, baked fresh to order vanilla cookies smothered with a decadent key lime topping that contains no preservatives. Naples Canning Company produces small batch artisanal pickled vegetables, fruits, jams, mustards and preserves. Pansardo Italian Food Specialties produces and imports a variety of cheeses and artisanal food products from Sardinia. Olde Naples Chocolate specializes in making top quality, gourmet custom chocolates hand-crafted daily from the finest natural ingredients.
About Grumpy Goat Coffee
Grumpy Goat Coffee Company, located in Bonita Springs, Florida was founded in 2016 and makes fresh roasted, fully traceable, single origin gourmet grade coffee both exciting and approachable. Brian Abernathy is the founder and master roaster who selects a wide variety of coffee origins from the world’s top, high altitude growing regions. Brian’s collaborations with chefs, brewmasters and food industry partners have resulted in multiple award winning Grumpy Goat coffee inspired flavors and recipes. Learn more at grumpygoat.com.
About The Farm Stand at Naples Canning Co.
The Farm Stand at Naples Canning Co. is a farm to jar operation with a mission to generate a conversation based on understanding where our food comes from, how it is being grown, and how it is being treated. The retail store allows shoppers to become closer to the agricultural food system in Southwest Florida. We create small batch, gourmet, artisanal pickles, jams and mustards and premium quality preserved foods using traditional canning methods without the use of any commercialized additives or preservatives. Ingredients are sourced locally and seasonally. Learn more at naplescanningco.com.
About Pansardo Italian Food Specialties
Established in 2013, Pansardo is the Florida branch of their Italian parent company established in 1999 based in Sardinia, Italy. They produce and sell all varieties of Pecorino Romano dop, Ricotta Salata and several other well aged sheep and goat cheeses from the island. Pansardo also has wines and imports a variety of artisanal foods from Sardinia such as bread chips, breadsticks, taralli, panada and more.
About Olde Naples Chocolate
Olde Naples Chocolate specializes in making top quality, gourmet custom chocolates, infusions, wedding favors, candy, confections, gift baskets, chocolate seashells, holiday chocolates, baby shower favors, and chocolates for all occasions. Our creations are hand-crafted daily from the finest natural ingredients. Visit our shop in Naples, Fla., or order online. We deliver all over the U.S. Learn more at oldenapleschocolate.com.
About Kristi’s Key Lime Cookies
Kristi’s Key Lime Cookies creates gourmet, handcrafted, baked fresh to order vanilla cookies smothered with a decadent key lime topping that contains no preservatives. Kristi’s Key Lime Cookies were featured in the Daytime EMMY® Awards Swag Bags in Hollywood CA and the News & Documentary Emmy® Award Swag Bags in New York City. Find a retailer or order online at kristiskeylimecookies.com.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. (November 11, 2022) – Grumpy Goat Coffee invites the public to meet their local food and beverage artisans at a free tasting event on Thursday, November 17, 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. in Bonita Springs at the Causeway Commerce Park, 28280 Old 41 Rd, unit 11. Grumpy Goat Coffee, Kristi’s Key Lime Cookies, Naples Canning Company, Pansardo Italian Food Specialties and Olde Naples Chocolate will be exhibiting at the Grumpy Goat Coffee roastery. Attendees can meet their local master roaster and other food and beverage experts and sample their specialty coffee, cookies, farm-to-jar pickled vegetables and preserves, chocolates, cheeses and artisanal Italian tapas and wine. The event is open to the public. For more details subscribe to email alerts at grumpygoat.com and follow Grumpy Goat Coffee on major social media channels including Nextdoor and Yelp.
Grumpy Goat Coffee makes fresh roasted, fully traceable, single origin gourmet grade coffee from a wide variety of countries. Kristi’s Key Lime Cookies creates handcrafted, baked fresh to order vanilla cookies smothered with a decadent key lime topping that contains no preservatives. Naples Canning Company produces small batch artisanal pickled vegetables, fruits, jams, mustards and preserves. Pansardo Italian Food Specialties produces and imports a variety of cheeses and artisanal food products from Sardinia. Olde Naples Chocolate specializes in making top quality, gourmet custom chocolates hand-crafted daily from the finest natural ingredients.
About Grumpy Goat Coffee
Grumpy Goat Coffee Company, located in Bonita Springs, Florida was founded in 2016 and makes fresh roasted, fully traceable, single origin gourmet grade coffee both exciting and approachable. Brian Abernathy is the founder and master roaster who selects a wide variety of coffee origins from the world’s top, high altitude growing regions. Brian’s collaborations with chefs, brewmasters and food industry partners have resulted in multiple award winning Grumpy Goat coffee inspired flavors and recipes. Learn more at grumpygoat.com.
About The Farm Stand at Naples Canning Co.
The Farm Stand at Naples Canning Co. is a farm to jar operation with a mission to generate a conversation based on understanding where our food comes from, how it is being grown, and how it is being treated. The retail store allows shoppers to become closer to the agricultural food system in Southwest Florida. We create small batch, gourmet, artisanal pickles, jams and mustards and premium quality preserved foods using traditional canning methods without the use of any commercialized additives or preservatives. Ingredients are sourced locally and seasonally. Learn more at naplescanningco.com.
About Pansardo Italian Food Specialties
Established in 2013, Pansardo is the Florida branch of their Italian parent company established in 1999 based in Sardinia, Italy. They produce and sell all varieties of Pecorino Romano dop, Ricotta Salata and several other well aged sheep and goat cheeses from the island. Pansardo also has wines and imports a variety of artisanal foods from Sardinia such as bread chips, breadsticks, taralli, panada and more.
About Olde Naples Chocolate
Olde Naples Chocolate specializes in making top quality, gourmet custom chocolates, infusions, wedding favors, candy, confections, gift baskets, chocolate seashells, holiday chocolates, baby shower favors, and chocolates for all occasions. Our creations are hand-crafted daily from the finest natural ingredients. Visit our shop in Naples, Fla., or order online. We deliver all over the U.S. Learn more at oldenapleschocolate.com.
About Kristi’s Key Lime Cookies
Kristi’s Key Lime Cookies creates gourmet, handcrafted, baked fresh to order vanilla cookies smothered with a decadent key lime topping that contains no preservatives. Kristi’s Key Lime Cookies were featured in the Daytime EMMY® Awards Swag Bags in Hollywood CA and the News & Documentary Emmy® Award Swag Bags in New York City. Find a retailer or order online at kristiskeylimecookies.com.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
Grumpy Goat Coffee launches SWFL STRONG coffee to raise funds for disaster recovery
Grumpy Goat Coffee roastery in Bonita Springs has launched SWFL STRONG coffee. Profits from sales of SWFL STRONG coffee will be donated to hurricane and other disaster recovery efforts.
The SWFL STRONG coffee was inspired by a Grumpy Goat Coffee customer. As businesses in Bonita Springs, Florida recover from storms such as Hurricanes Ian, Helene, Milton and others, local non-profit organizations can benefit from sales of this specially curated blend.
The specialty grade, single origin, high altitude coffee is fully traceable and features tasting notes including chocolate, coffee cherry and cocoa flavors and finishes clean with a smooth mouthfeel.
SWFL STRONG coffee is available in 16 ounce bags both in person at the roastery and also at grumpygoat.com where free shipping is available on orders of $35 or more.
Grumpy Goat Coffee roastery is located at the Causeway Commerce Park, 28280 Old 41 Rd., unit 11 near historic downtown Bonita Springs.
BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. (October 16, 2022) – Pansardo Coffee Shop and Italian Food Specialties will host Grumpy Goat Coffee’s Sips & Bites tasting event on Thursday, October 27, 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. Local food and beverage artisans from Naples Canning Company, and Olde Naples Chocolate will also be exhibiting at Pansardo. Attendees can meet their local master roaster, craft brewer and other food and beverage experts and sample their specialty coffee, beer, Sardinian wines, farm-to-jar pickled vegetables and preserves, chocolates, cheeses and artisanal Italian tapas. The event is open to the public. For more details subscribe to email alerts at grumpygoat.com and follow Grumpy Goat Coffee on major social media channels including Nextdoor and Yelp.
Grumpy Goat Coffee makes fresh roasted, fully traceable, single origin gourmet grade coffee from a wide variety of countries. Pansardo Coffee Shop and Italian Food Specialties produces and imports a variety of cheeses and artisanal food products from Sardinia. Naples Canning Company produces small batch artisanal pickled vegetables, fruits, jams, mustards and preserves. Olde Naples Chocolate specializes in making top quality, gourmet custom chocolates hand-crafted daily from the finest natural ingredients.
About Grumpy Goat Coffee
Grumpy Goat Coffee Company, located in Bonita Springs, Florida was founded in 2016 and makes fresh roasted, fully traceable, single origin gourmet grade coffee both exciting and approachable. Brian Abernathy is the founder and master roaster who selects a wide variety of coffee origins from the world’s top, high altitude growing regions. Brian’s collaborations with chefs, brewmasters and food industry partners have resulted in multiple award winning Grumpy Goat coffee inspired flavors and recipes. Learn more at grumpygoat.com.
About The Farm Stand at Naples Canning Co.
The Farm Stand at Naples Canning Co. is a farm to jar operation with a mission to generate a conversation based on understanding where our food comes from, how it is being grown, and how it is being treated. The retail store allows shoppers to become closer to the agricultural food system in Southwest Florida. We create small batch, gourmet, artisanal pickles, jams and mustards and premium quality preserved foods using traditional canning methods without the use of any commercialized additives or preservatives. Ingredients are sourced locally and seasonally. Learn more at naplescanningco.com.
About Pansardo Italian Food Specialties
Established in 2013, Pansardo is the Florida branch of their Italian parent company established in 1999 based in Sardinia, Italy. They produce and sell all varieties of Pecorino Romano dop, Ricotta Salata and several other well aged sheep and goat cheeses from the island. Pansardo also has wines and imports a variety of artisanal foods from Sardinia such as bread chips, breadsticks, taralli, panada and more.
About Olde Naples Chocolate
Olde Naples Chocolate specializes in making top quality, gourmet custom chocolates, infusions, wedding favors, candy, confections, gift baskets, chocolate seashells, holiday chocolates, baby shower favors, and chocolates for all occasions. Our creations are hand-crafted daily from the finest natural ingredients. Visit our shop in Naples, Fla., or order online. We deliver all over the U.S. Learn more at oldenapleschocolate.com.
The final stop for Grumpy Goat Coffee’s Wandering Goat summer series of roving tasting events is Ceremony Brewing Company, 10441 Packinghouse Lane in Bonita Springs. On Thursday, September 29, 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Grumpy Goat Coffee, Naples Canning Company, Cru Wine Club, Pansardo Italian Food Specialties and Olde Naples Chocolate will be exhibiting at Ceremony Brewing. Attendees can meet their local master roaster, craft brewer and other food and beverage experts and sample their specialty coffee, beer, wine, craft beer, farm-to-jar pickled vegetables and preserves, chocolates, cheeses and artisanal Italian tapas.
The event is open to the public. For more details subscribe to email alerts at grumpygoat.com and follow Grumpy Goat Coffee on major social media channels including Nextdoor and Yelp.
Grumpy Goat Coffee makes fresh roasted, fully traceable, single origin gourmet grade coffee from a wide variety of countries. Located in historic downtown Bonita Springs, Ceremony Brewing is a taproom, brewery and bottle shop that believes in quality beer, experimental ingredients, adventurous palates, community, equality, punk and heavy metal. Naples Canning Company produces small batch artisanal pickled vegetables, fruits, jams, mustards and preserves. Cru Wine Club is a tasting room in Bonita Springs that serves samples from the Cassata Sonoma family vineyard including their flagship Utopium varietals. Cassata Vineyards is built on a foundation of bio-sustainable farming. Pansardo Italian Food Specialties produces and imports a variety of cheeses and artisanal food products from Sardinia. Olde Naples Chocolate specializes in making top quality, gourmet custom chocolates hand-crafted daily from the finest natural ingredients.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
The next stop for Grumpy Goat Coffee’s Wandering Goat summer series of roving tasting events is Riptide Brewing Company, 28120 Hunters Ridge Blvd. in Bonita Springs.
On Thursday, July 28, 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. Grumpy Goat Coffee, Naples Canning Company, Cru Wine Club, Pansardo Italian Food Specialties and Olde Naples Chocolate will be exhibiting along with Riptide Brewing.
Attendees can meet their local master roaster and other food and beverage experts and sample their specialty coffee, wine, craft beer, farm-to-jar pickled vegetables and preserves, chocolates and artisanal Italian tapas.
Grumpy Goat Coffee makes fresh roasted, fully traceable, single origin gourmet grade coffee from a wide variety of countries. Riptide Brewing Company is a craft beer brewhouse and tasting room providing handmade creations to Southwest Florida. Naples Canning Company produces small batch artisanal pickled vegetables, fruits, jams, mustards and preserves. Cru Wine Club is a tasting room in Bonita Springs that serves samples from the Cassata Sonoma family vineyard including their flagship Utopium varietals. Cassata Vineyards is built on a foundation of bio-sustainable farming. Pansardo Italian Food Specialties produces and imports a variety of cheeses and artisanal food products from Sardinia. Olde Naples Chocolate specializes in making top quality, gourmet custom chocolates hand-crafted daily from the finest natural ingredients.
The event is open to the public. For more details subscribe to email alerts at grumpygoat.com and follow Grumpy Goat Coffee on major social media channels including Nextdoor and Yelp.
Grumpy Goat Coffee is producing the Wandering Goat, a summer series of roving tasting events where you can meet your local craft food and beverage experts and taste samples. The Wandering Goat will arrive at The Farm Stand at Naples Canning Co., 11308 Bonita Beach Rd. in Bonita Springs on Thursday, June 30, 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. Grumpy Goat Coffee, Naples Canning Co., Cru Wine Club, Pansardo Italian Food Specialties and Olde Naples Chocolate will be sampling their specialty coffee, wine and chocolates along with artisanal Italian tapas.
Grumpy Goat Coffee makes fresh roasted, fully traceable, single origin gourmet grade coffee from a wide variety of countries. Naples Canning Co. produces small batch artisanal pickled vegetables, fruits, jams, mustards and preserves. Cru Wine Club is a tasting room in Bonita Springs that serves samples from the Cassata Sonoma family vineyard including their flagship Utopium varietals. Cassata Vineyards is built on a foundation of bio-sustainable farming. Pansardo Italian Food Specialties produces and imports a variety of cheeses and artisanal food products from Sardinia. Olde Naples Chocolate specializes in making top quality, gourmet custom chocolates hand-crafted daily from the finest natural ingredients.
The event is open to the public. For more details subscribe to email alerts at grumpygoat.com and follow Grumpy Goat Coffee on major social media channels including Nextdoor and Yelp.
Grumpy Goat Coffee is producing the Wandering Goat, a summer series of roving tasting events where you can meet your local craft food and beverage experts and taste samples. The Wandering Goat will arrive at Chartreuse Craft Cocktail Lounge, 27313 Old 41 Rd. in historic downtown Bonita Springs on Thursday, May 26, 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. Grumpy Goat Coffee, Chartreuse Craft Cocktail Lounge, Cru Wine Club, Pansardo Italian Food Specialties and Olde Naples Chocolate will be sampling their specialty coffee, craft cocktails, wine and chocolates along with artisanal Italian tapas.
Grumpy Goat Coffee makes fresh roasted, fully traceable, single origin gourmet grade coffee from a wide variety of countries. Chartreuse serves classic and craft cocktails and a variety of desserts with a 1930’s, old Florida, swanky vibe. Cru Wine Club is a tasting room in Bonita Springs that serves samples from the Cassata Sonoma family vineyard including their flagship Utopium varietals. Cassata Vineyards is built on a foundation of bio-sustainable farming. Pansardo Italian Food Specialties produces and imports a variety of cheeses and artisanal food products from Sardinia. Olde Naples Chocolate specializes in making top quality, gourmet custom chocolates hand-crafted daily from the finest natural ingredients.
The event is open to the public. For more details subscribe to email alerts at grumpygoat.com and follow Grumpy Goat Coffee on major social media channels including Nextdoor and Yelp.
Take the trip of a lifetime to your favorite coffee producing country – Cirrí Sur, Naranjo Costa Rica
Buckle up grumpies, because today we are taking a trip to Costa Rica! All you need is a fresh hot cup of Grumpy Goat Costa Rican Coffee and we’re off!
Located at the heart of Costa Rica in the quaint province of Alajuela is Cirrí Sur of the Naranjo canton. Also known as one of the world’s most famous coffee-producing regions. While Costa Rica is known for its beautiful sandy beaches and thriving cities, the true Costa Rica experience comes from the quaint coffee-producing towns and provinces.
Most people wouldn’t think to plan a trip to Costa Rica just for some coffee. However, coffee plays such a huge role in Costa Rica’s economy, culture, and history that excluding it from your itinerary will make your trip incomplete.
A brief history of how coffee became the backbone of Costa Rica’s economy
Costa Rica was first exposed to coffee in the 1700s when settlers arrived. Due to the perfect weather conditions, the plant was able to take root almost instantly and eventually spread across the vast Costa Rican mountains.
This quickly led to a booming economy for Costa Rica and a specialty that no surrounding countries had at the time. In fact, Costa Rica was the first country in the area to dip its toes into the coffee industry.
Since coffee is at the center of the Costa Rican economy, it’s also at the center of their culture. While there are many things that can divide individuals, coffee is certainly not one of them. Coffee in Costa Rica is a staple to their culture and their roots. No matter what someone’s social class or occupation is, a cup of coffee is enjoyed by every citizen that calls Costa Rica home.
Coffee first, then everything else – the different ways to process coffee crops in Costa Rica
The Natural Process: In this type of process, the mature coffee bean (aka a cherry) is dried to separate the pulp from the seed. By utilizing this process, a unique flavor is created. Not to mention it reduces the amount of money spent to process the bean!
The Washed Process: Through this process, the coffee cherries are sent to a wet mill, and high-pressure water strips the pulp away from the seed. The majority of coffee crops use this method.
The Honey Process: This is often seen as a middle ground between the washed process and the natural process. This technique initially removes part of the fruit from the coffee beans and then the rest is left to dry and fall away from the bean over time.
How do you know which process produces the best flavor profile for you? Well, there’s only one way to find out…
Experience love at first sip – Alajuela Costa Rica coffee tours that are calling your name
Just like visiting the beautiful white beaches while in Costa Rica is a must, so is signing up for some coffee tours. It’s truly an experience like no other. Not only do you get to watch the entire process and meet the hard-working families that have made this their lively hood, but you also get to drink pure, full-bodied coffee with beautiful scenery. It doesn’t get much better than that!
Here is a list we have compiled of the best coffee tours to go on in the Alajuela province:
The Doka Estate Coffee Tour: Located about an hour from Cirrí Sur, the Doka Estate is one of the oldest coffee plantations in Costa Rica! Stationed up in the valleys of the Alajuela province, the weather conditions provide a cool climate and fertile soil – the perfect place for coffee to take root.
When going on a Doka Estate Coffee Tour, you certainly get what you pay for! The tour takes you through the extensive process from planting the tree, to picking the cherries, roasting the beans, and making a hot cup of coffee the Costa Rican way.
Learn more about the history, the culture, and the impact of coffee on the people of Costa Rica. And most importantly – enjoy some great laughs, with great people and great coffee.
North Field Cafe: Craft Specialty Coffee and Chocolate Tour: who doesn’t love coffee and chocolate?! Experience the best of both worlds by going on a coffee and chocolate tour on the slopes of Volcano Arenal, La Fortuna, and San Carlos.
Located about two hours from Cirrí Sur, the North Field Cafe Tours allow you to genuinely experience all that Costa Rica is. Coffee and chocolate are strong pillars in Costa Rica’s economy and North Field Cafe Tours bring you up close and personal to some of the most fundamental aspects of their society.
Sloth Coffee and Chocolate Tour: Bet you thought it couldn’t get any better than a coffee and chocolate tour?! This one-of-a-kind coffee tour allows you to relish the history of Costa Rican coffee and chocolate while simultaneously hanging out with some cool sloths! The only thing missing is some Grumpy Goats!
Located in the province of Alajuela about 2 hours from Cirrí Sur is the Arenal Jungle Tours. Experience coffee prepared the way that the ancestors of Costa Rica intended and go on a guided tour that allows you to experience the beautiful landscape of Costa Rica.
Don’t get us wrong, while you’re in Costa Rica you should definitely do all of the things a typical tourist would do. Go to San Jose, visit the Paos Volcano, go zip lining, get some really bad tan lines on the beach or maybe even go out on a safari! But you would surely miss out if you didn’t allow yourself to indulge deeper into the roots of Costa Rica by experiencing their true culture – coffee.
And hey, maybe a trip to Costa Rica isn’t in the budget for this year, but you know what the second best thing is? Our very own Grumpy Goat Costa Rican Coffee harvested in – you guessed it – Cirrí Sur, Naranjo! You may not be able to go to Costa Rica but at least you can brew a fresh cup of Grumpy Goat, read this blog and pretend like you’re enjoying a nice rainforest coffee tour surrounded by sloths. We can dream, can’t we?[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
Grumpy Goat Coffee Donated to Rescue Crews at Surfside Condo Collapse
The BELFOR Property Restoration office in Bonita Springs, Fla., Grumpy Goat Coffee Company, Stan’s Coffee & Food Service and Fort Myers based marketing agency M&M Multimedia have collaborated with the BELFOR branch in Deerfield Beach, Fla. to donate more than 2,000 cups of coffee, commercial coffee brewing equipment and related coffee supplies to Mercy Chefs and the rescue crews working at the scene of the Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside, Fla.
Mercy Chefs, a faith-based, non-profit disaster relief organization is in Surfside to provide professionally prepared, restaurant-quality meals to victims, volunteers, and first responders responding to the tragic building collapse. Shift after shift, they dutifully continue their unimaginable efforts, resting for just a few hours in between. When their shifts are over, Mercy Chefs is there to offer them a hot meal and a listening ear before they sleep and then head back again.
For as long as I can remember, my dad has never been the best at directions. He’s either missing a turn because he was too busy playing the air drums to Whole Lotta Love by Led Zeppelin, or he’s grumpily arguing with the navigation system because his morning cup of coffee hasn’t kicked in yet.
Growing up, I vividly remember the bright red tub of Folgers that used to sit on our countertop next to the coffee pot. It was so habitual for my dad to make his morning pot of coffee, that I grew to think it gave him some kind of superpower – how else would he make it through his constant meetings?
I remember asking my dad if I could take a sip of his superhero coffee. He laughed and said, “You’re not going to like it.”
He was right. I in fact did NOT like it.
When Starbucks mesmerized the world with its pretty decorated drinks and sweet flavors, my dad was left dumbfounded on why anyone would want to drink coffee that was more sweet than bitter. While I thought it was certainly a step up from Folgers, I didn’t realize how far behind we all were when it came to good coffee.
Like many impactful things in life, coffee has experienced a series of waves or changes that have influenced the way it’s produced, marketed and enjoyed.
I’ve come to the realization that maybe the reason my dad is grumpily arguing with the navigation system (even though he’s already had his morning cup of joe) is most likely because he doesn’t realize the evolution of coffee has introduced us to so much more than Folgers and instant coffee.
So, before my dad hops in the car today and asks Siri for directions to the new steakhouse that just opened, I’ve decided I’m going to give him some direction on what the different waves of coffee really mean.
The First Wave of Coffee
Me: Ok, let’s start with the basics and talk about the first wave of coffee.
Dad: I don’t understand – isn’t it all just coffee? And how come my GPS isn’t understanding that I want to take the backway to the steakhouse tonight?
Me: No dad, there’s a history behind it just like everything else. Let me explain the direction coffee has gone in before we figure out the directions to the steakhouse.
The roots of the first wave of coffee run back to the 1800s. Entrepreneurs of the time recognized that there was a market for providing coffee, only if it was affordable and “ready for the pot.”
I don’t blame my dad and the countless other parents in America who stuck with brands that came from the first wave. It was quick, easy and affordable – something every parent needs more of in their life.
However, the problem with first wave coffee is that it often sacrificed taste and quality to promote convenience.
Another problem with first wave coffee is the lack of background or history attached to the coffee you’re drinking. In order to make coffee like this convenient, it was often made in a factory, and you could certainly tell. When it comes to first wave coffee, there’s almost no mention of the bean’s origin country or even how it was processed.
Think of it this way, in this first wave of coffee, the consumer was the one who led the way. They knew they needed something that would give them a boost of energy but was still quick and easy for them to make.
But because of this major focus on convenience, a lot of other factors were left out of the equation.
Here are some common signs of first wave coffee:
Artificially or “naturally” flavored beans
Language of “premium” or gourmet”
Primarily pre-ground offerings
Super dark, bitter coffee
The supermarket coffee aisle
The Second Wave of Coffee
Me: Are you following so far dad? Or did you miss a turn along the way?
Dad: I guess so… basically you’re telling me the coffee I’m drinking is crap.
Me: Not necessarily, but coffee has grown with us as a society. So as we’ve grown and changed, so has the coffee we drink. We no longer have to drink coffee that we don’t really like the taste of just because it’s convenient. Let’s talk about the second wave of coffee.
The second wave of coffee can mainly be attributed to brands like Starbucks and the way it revolutionized the way we looked at and consumed coffee.
Starbucks helped influence “cafe culture,” meaning the focus was far less on the coffee you were drinking and more on the social aspect of the coffee you were drinking.
Starbucks led the way with upbeat elevator music and a comfortable atmosphere for college kids to sit and knock out their final paper or for businessmen to stop in for a quick coffee on the go.
With a high-quality coffee experience, there came higher-quality coffee. During this era of coffee, people started to want to know more about the origin countries that their coffee beans were coming from. People no longer wished to drink coffee that was mass-produced in a factory.
However, the focus still wasn’t fully on the coffee beans themselves, it was more centered around the kind of specialty drinks that could be made with coffee. The driving force behind this second wave was marketing the experience of drinking coffee.
By mixing espresso shots with sweet, flavorful syrups and caramel drizzle, Starbucks made drinking coffee fun and exciting.
Here are some common signs of Second Wave Coffee:
Heavy focus on flavored drinks
Fairly dark, bitter coffee
The upper shelf of the supermarket coffee aisle
Slight recognition of the coffee origin country
The Third Wave of Coffee
Dad: Okay, I think I get it now. Starbucks helped make drinking coffee be more than just a way to wake you up in the morning.
Me: Exactly, except it still missed some steps along the way. Think about it like it was wine –
Dad: Oh, I do like wine!
Me: – With wine, you prefer a Burgundy from France right?
Dad: Yes! It doesn’t get better than that.
Me: Well, that’s what the third wave of coffee did. This new era has helped people understand the difference between certain roasts like light, medium and dark – they also discovered which their taste buds preferred best. But the main thing that this new era of coffee has done is educate people on the many regions that coffee beans are produced and how they are produced – this helped many people realize that that they no longer had to rely on first wave brands, they wanted something fresher. You wouldn’t go back to drinking Barefoot wine after knowing what kind of Burgundy you like from France, right?
Dad: Heck no! Tell me more about the third wave.
The third wave actually has its roots in the 1980s with a niche community that was very focused on the origin and production of coffee beans. Since this community was so small, their goals and ideas didn’t really blossom until recent years.
In fact, the term third-wave coffee wasn’t coined until 1999. This new era awakened many people in what is now referred to as a “coffee renaissance.”
The thing with first and second-wave coffee is that it was so bitter that nobody really enjoyed the taste, they just wanted the energy that came along with it. Of course second-wave coffee tried to fix this with syrup and heavy milk, but when those factors were taken out of the equation, you were still left with bitter coffee that just wasn’t enjoyable.
The goal of third-wave coffee is to find coffee that isn’t bitter or ashy, but instead so enjoyable you don’t even need to add anything to it in order to love it.
How do you find coffee like that? Well, you won’t find it in the grocery store coffee aisle that’s for sure. Instead, look for local coffee vendors, roasters or shops that are transparent with the coffee beans they sell.
Specific flavor notes (honey sweetness, rose aromatics, and orange acidity)
Roast profiles specific to bean origin
Latte art
Single-origin beans
High degree of origin transparency
Manual brewing methods like pour-over cones and french presses
Freshness transparency by publishing specific roast dates
Certifications such as Fair Trade, Shade Grown, Organic, etc
The Different Waves of Coffee
Dad: I get it now! There’s a lot more to coffee than just convenience and a boost of energy
Me: Exactly! You can actually enjoy the coffee you drink and not just suffer through it in order to get your daily dose of caffeine. Now, let’s figure out these directions to the steakhouse.
Dad: Wait, real quick. I just googled specialty coffee roasters in our area. Let’s plug in the directions and stop here to pick up some origin specialty coffee beans before we go to the steakhouse.
You will see it as a setting on many coffee grinders and it results in a finer grind.
Any coffee beans can be ground to an espresso level of fineness. That doesn’t mean that every coffee bean makes a great cup of espresso.
Which brings us back to the premise that Grumpy Goat loves to teach coffee lovers about.
A main key to the perfect cup of coffee is the quality and freshness of the coffee beans.
Espresso is widely popular. The power of marketing and messaging has taught us that it is a special coffee experience. Espresso lovers have come to cherish the crema that forms on the surface of their espresso style coffee.
What exactly is espresso?
There’s more to the espresso story than meets the eye.
In fact, there’s a dark hidden secret about traditional espresso.
It has to do with the coffee beans used to make it.
Typically, espresso is a blend of arabica coffee beans with some robusta coffee beans.
Robusta beans, although low quality and almost undrinkable on their own, serve two important roles in the making of an espresso.
First, the robusta beans contain about double the caffeine of arabica beans.
Second, it’s the robusta bean that allows for a thicker crema to form on top.
What really defines an espresso is how it is brewed, and that’s why the grind type is critical.
The grind size for espresso is very fine. This fineness creates a more compact surface area and resistance for the pressurized hot water to flow through. This process results in a more intense and concentrated coffee experience.
An espresso machine is designed to create pressurized extraction as it forces hot water under very high pressure through a compressed bed of roasted, ground coffee.
This style of coffee is widely popular, helped along with mass marketing that this is how a great cup of coffee should be experienced and thereby creating a use for robusta coffee beans that are bitter on their own.
The secret behind espresso crema
Espresso style coffee is known for the thick foamy crema that forms on the surface of the coffee.
Reddish and caramel in color, the tiny bubbles of the crema are visually appealing and make for great Instagram posts.
But the carbon dioxide gas in the crema contributes to the bitterness of the espresso taste.
So, it’s not uncommon to have an attractive looking espresso with a less than desired taste.
See for yourself and try scraping the foam away and letting the coffee stand on its own. Or, mix the crema in and experience an entirely different flavor profile.
Either way, know that you can enjoy a strong cup of espresso without an overly thick crema as long as you are using fresh, high quality coffee beans.
Does Grumpy Goat have espresso beans?
It’s a valid question and we are happy to answer and offer advice.
But it all starts with the origin, quality and freshness of the beans.
Grumpy Goat focuses solely on high quality, single origin, fully traceable coffee beans. No blending, no flavoring, no risk of mishandling.
There are several Grumpy Goat coffee origins that will make a great espresso style experience.
Examples include Colombian, Ethiopian, Kenyan and Sumatra and although traditionally most people would opt for a dark roast, do not be afraid to try making an espresso with a medium roast.
In fact, many coffee-forward cultures such as in Scandinavia, have fully embraced enjoying espresso style coffee using single origin beans and using lighter roast profiles than the traditional Italian espresso.
There’s no right or wrong here. It boils down to your personal taste and we encourage you to experiment and land on what types of coffee fit best with your palate.
But without the blending of the robusta beans you are unlikely to see the same thick, foamy lid form on the surface of your cup. Not to say there won’t be some crema – there will be – just not the same as when the low quality robusta beans are blended in.
The crema is arguably a mask that inhibits the true tasting notes of the beans from being experienced. If you’re using low quality beans then perhaps the crema is a nice complement to hedge against the bitterness.
But when you’re using high quality coffee beans you want that flavor profile to shine.
And remember, it’s the marketing that has “taught” us that the crema is what makes espresso special.
One skyrocketing trend that was triggered by people spending more time indoors during the coronavirus pandemic is brewing coffee at home. “Coffee Cupping” is the process of tasting, describing, and scoring coffee.
Trying different coffees and different brewing methods can be fun – a lot like doing a wine tasting.
Expertly trained and licensed professional “cuppers” grade the coffees. These very skilled individuals have completed testing requirements much like the Master Sommeliers in the world of wine.
So we thought we would share some tips about how to do a coffee cupping at home.
Items Needed for Coffee Cupping
No fancy equipment required!
Preparing to have fun with your at-home coffee cupping only requires a few simple items which you’ll find already in most kitchens.
Even if you do not have exactly the right items, you can improvise without too much inconvenience.
If you do not have a coffee grinder at home, no problem. Just make sure that you use freshly ground coffee from your favorite roaster.
Or, if you are curious about getting your own coffee grinder, check out our coffee grinding article for options and tips.
What heck is a “cupping vessel?” A vessel is ceramic or tempered glass that holds 7-9 fluid ounces and is around three inches in diameter like in this picture courtesy of Olam Coffee.
Preparing for your Coffee Cupping
A good coffee cupping experience will include at least three or four single origin coffees. But if you are feeling more adventurous you can certainly expand that number. Generally, you can cup six samples with a single tea kettle. Grumpy Goat offers at least twelve single origin coffee options throughout the year and usually more as we receive other origins in limited quantity depending upon the season. Here are a couple of different strategies or themes you can consider for your coffee cupping experience:
1. Region Specific Comparison
There are four main regions in the World where the best coffee is grown: Africa, Indonesia, South America, Central America. One cupping theme you can try is the select all your single origin coffees from the same region and compare them. For example if you do an African theme you can cup with Kenyan, Ethiopian, Tanzanian and Burundi and compare and contrast them. Even though they are all from African you will find them to all be unique.
2. Cross-Region Comparison
Alternatively, you can prepare a coffee cupping experience where you compare different parts of the World. For example, you can get one single origin from each of the four main growing regions. One grouping that would offer a diverse menu would include Ethiopian, Costa Rican, Peruvian and Sumatra. Put 8-10 grams (approximately 0.3 ounces) of ground coffee into each cup or bowl.
Start your tea kettle to boil the water. (Reminder – water affects coffee taste so check out our tips about water for brewing coffee)
Coffee Grind Aroma – Dry
The first part of your coffee cupping evaluation is the sniff the aroma of the dry coffee grinds.
Jot down your notes about what you smell. You may not be able to pinpoint the exact words about what you smell but don’t worry – write something – there’s no wrong answers.
Many people struggle to assign names to smells.
In fact, the words you may choose can be similar to the tasting notes of a coffee.
Here is a short cheat list of vocabulary that you may experience while sniffing the coffee grind aroma: floral, nutty, cocoa, vanilla, fruity, musty, cinnamon, caramel, fragrant, spicy, citrusy.
This isn’t a complete list by any means but will put you on the right path. Don’t be afraid to use your own words. There is no wrong answer.
And keep in mind that each person has their own sensitivities to smells and tastes. So even if your coffee cupping pals experience a different aroma than you, it does not mean that someone is wrong.
Repeat this for each coffee you have.
If your nose becomes overwhelmed by too many scents, you can hit the reset button on your nose by sniffing your forearm.
Coffee Grind Aroma – Wet
The tea kettle is whistling and you’re ready to pour some hot boiling water on the dry coffee grinds.
But before we taste it is important to experience the aroma of the coffee after the grinds are soaked with some boiling water.
Pour 150 ml of water (about 5 fluid ounces) “just off the boil,” (around 200°F / 93°C) over the grounds in each cup.
Wait about four minutes. Watch for a crust of coffee grounds that forms on top of each cup.
Using the back of your soup spoon, push the grounds aside while sniffing the coffee. TIP: position your nose close-in as you “break the crust”; this is the moment when most of the coffee aromas are released.
Make sure all of the grounds have been broken up completely.
Just like you did with the dry coffee grounds, jot down what you smell. Remember, there’s no wrong answers.
Remember to rinse your spoon between each coffee to avoid mixing them together.
HINT: have a glass of the rest of the water from the tea kettle on the table so you dunk your spoon to rinse.
Removal of Grinds when Coffee Cupping
Before we move on to tasting the coffee, there’s one step required which may take some repetition before you get the technique down but don’t stress over it.
Coffee cupping at home is supposed to be fun so don’t get caught up in the technique.
When you “break the crust,” the coffee grounds will settle to the cup’s bottom.
You should see a caramel-colored foam still floating on the surface.
Professional coffee cuppers use two spoons, held vertically, to steer that foam into one spot of the cup and then pull it all out at once. Years of practice and cupping hundreds of vessels help them perfect this technique.
But at home you do not need to be perfect. Do your best at cleaning the surface of the coffee of any remaining foam.
Don’t forget to rinse your spoon between coffees.
It’s Time to Taste the Coffee
We do not want anyone burning their tongue and taste buds so allow the coffee to cool from boiling.
Tasting Round 1 of Coffee Cupping
Lift a spoonful of coffee to your lips and “slurp it into your mouth like a rude dinner guest eating soup.” (we borrowed that well put phrase from Olam Coffee)
The action of slurping is helping you cool down the hot coffee but also you are intaking air which will send some of the coffee compounds back up into the smell receptors behind your nose.
Another Reminder: rinse your spoon after each cup so you are not co-mingling tastes
Then, just like with your smell tests, jot something down.
Here is a short cheat list of vocabulary that you may experience while sipping the coffee: nutty, chocolaty, bright, earthy, rich, sweet, savory, vanilla, berries, fruity, cinnamon, caramel, spicy, citrusy, bitter, dull, dry, smooth, tea-like, full body.
Taste is subjective so there are no wrong answers here.
Tasting Round 2 of Coffee Cupping
After completing the first round of sipping and note taking, let the coffees cool for another five minutes.
Then taste all of them again following same process.
The tasting notes of coffee will change as it cools.
On your second round you will experience new things about the coffee as the temperature changes.
Jot down those additional notes.
Coffee Cupping at Home with Friends
After completing the note taking on all the coffees, all the participants can share their findings, rank their favorites and compare notes.
Similar to participating in a wine tasting, the use of flavor profiles and tasting notes and aromas to describe coffee is the at the core of a fun coffee cupping experience at home.
Just like it matters to properly prepare and serve wine, it is important to properly prepare and serve coffee to experience the best cup possible.
Now that you have the process down for doing a coffee cupping event at home you can invite your friends to a unique and fun experience.
Ugandan Gorilla Summit Coffee – Lifting Families out of Poverty
Historically, hundreds of Ugandan small holder farmers supplied lower quality robusta coffee to the world but Gorilla Summit Coffee is working to change that.
In recent years, successful efforts have been made to develop a high quality, specialty arabica coffee industry. New partnerships with premier coffee roasters and distributors around the world (like Grumpy Goat Coffee) have been established.
The specialty coffee is in limited supply but here’s how you can claim yours.
Gorilla Summit coffee can be ordered via our online store or picked up locally in our Bonita Springs coffee roastery.
If you are not yet receiving email alerts from Grumpy Goat click here to signup.
Introducing Ugandan Gorilla Summit Coffee
Gorilla Summit Coffee is a project started in 2012 by Gerald K. Mbabazi. The singular goal is to help coffee farmers earn more income.
The program kicked-off in Kanugu, a west Ugandan village.
Traditionally the coffee farmers there were only able to produce lower quality coffee which resulted being paid ridiculously low prices—sometimes less than $0.05 per pound.
Through the skill building offered by Mr. Mbabzi’s Gorilla Summit Coffee program, farmers improved their growing and harvesting techniques.
They also constructed their own coffee cherry processing station and implemented more modern equipment. These steps help Ugandan farmers produce higher-quality coffee.
In fact, they have achieved cupping scores well into the specialty coffee range (85 points or higher), adding internationally recognized credibility.
Better quality has led to premium prices being paid. This has resulted in the doubling of incomes for these otherwise vulnerable families. The quality of life of more than 1,800 coffee farmers and their families is improved with every crop, every bag, and every cup of coffee we enjoy.
Community Benefits Thanks to Ugandan Gorilla Summit Coffee
There are several transformative community improvement projects that are underwritten from the premium revenues generated by Ugandan Gorilla Summit Coffee.
Clean Water
We take clean water for granted in the United States. But in many developing areas of the world, clean well is difficult to access. The premium prices earned by Ugandan Gorilla Summit coffee farmers help the community build new clean water wells. This improves the quality of life for everyone.
Education
Leaving the world a better place for our children is a goal each generation pursues. Education is one path by which people can improve the economic opportunities available to them. The Ugandan Gorilla Summit Coffee program has resulted in training programs for farmers. In addition, there are new opportunities for children by building schools, even one accredited university.
Economic Diversification
Increased revenues from selling high quality coffee allows Uganda farmers to reinvest in other farming strategies such as raising livestock such as chickens. Small scale egg production is another benefit.
Health Care
Imagine not having access to a medical professional during a complicated pregnancy. The Ugandan Gorilla Summit program generates monies that are used to build maternity clinics in remote areas. These are so essential as mothers have no access to hospital care and many of the babies die due to inadequate birthing facilities and professional care.
Give-a-Goat Campaign
Selected farmers from the program were granted goats. Then when each new baby goat is born, it’s paid forward to a neighboring farmer at no cost. As a result, an ecosystem of small-scale goat farming has been set-up. This opens new income streams for the smallholder farmers.
Solar Energy
Electricity is yet another thing we take for granted in the United States but is less common in developing regions of the world. Thanks to the Ugandan Gorilla Summit Coffee program, the participating growers have the opportunity to purchase solar lamps for their homes. Children can do their school work at night using safe light rather than kerosene which is dangerous to breathe.
Mosquito Nets
The most effective means of preventing malaria is sleeping under a mosquito net. Malaria is transmitted by certain mosquitoes when they bite. The extra revenues generated by Ugandan Gorilla Summit Coffee farmers are used to purchase mosquito nets to protect coffee growers families.
Think about it.
For every bag of coffee you purchase, a child is able to go to school.
For every cup of coffee you enjoy, a mother is able to afford a hospital bill.
For every sip of the gorilla summit coffee, you help lift families out of poverty.
Ugandan Gorilla Summit Coffee Tasting Notes
The volcanic soils of the Bwindi mountains that rise high above Lake Victoria give the unique tasting notes to the Ugandan coffee varieties.
The common tasting notes of this region’s coffee include raisins, black cherries and dark chocolate. Recent harvests are described as sweet and heavy with tart fruit acidity, cocoa, coffee and mild berry flavors. But tasting notes can change from season to season and harvest to harvest.
These coffees are grown in an area near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and forest, a protected primeval forest that reaches elevations up to 2,600 meters.
More About Ugandan Gorilla Summit Coffee
One of the more heartwarming results of the community improvement projects is that human interference with gorillas has greatly gone down. Since gorillas do not eat coffee berries, this has promoted the two groups co-existing in harmony.
Since Ugandan coffee farmers and their families are able to be paid a living wage and benefit from the additional community projects there is less pressure to compete with gorilla families for the habitat.
The bottom line impact of the Gorilla Summit Coffee program is more disposal income for farmers to care for their family and to create a brighter future for themselves and their children.
Grumpy Goat Coffee is excited to share the story behind Ugandan Gorilla Summit Coffee. The coffee is in limited supply. If you are not yet receiving email alerts from Grumpy Goat click here to signup.
A good coffee cupping experience will include at least three or four single origin coffees. But if you are feeling more adventurous you can certainly expand that number. Generally, you can cup six samples with a single tea kettle.
The first part of your coffee cupping evaluation is the sniff the aroma of the dry coffee grinds.
It’s Time to Taste the Coffee
There are several transformative community improvement projects that are underwritten from the premium revenues generated by Ugandan Gorilla Summit Coffee.
The volcanic soils of the Bwindi mountains that rise high above Lake Victoria give the unique tasting notes to the Ugandan coffee varieties.