One thing many people know about me is I love coffee. I enjoy the experience of trying new roasts, flavors and varieties. I have strayed away from grocery store brands, and find myself gravitating towards
One thing many people know about me is I love coffee. I enjoy the experience of trying new roasts, flavors and varieties. I have strayed away from grocery store brands, and find myself gravitating towards independent startups, small town roasteries, and local businesses.
With that said, I have also found myself wanting to learn more about the complexities of fermenting the coffee berry into the “bean” we recognize, the product quality, its origins, and the final product. This can be a house roast, a latte, or a cappuccino. And there are many, many more options.
Coincidentally, when I heard about the Siouxland Coffee Festival, I was thrilled! I could already envision the creative atmosphere, the friendly conversations, and all the coffee I could ever dream of. I bought my tickets, took my mom, my husband, and his 14-year-old daughter. We were gonna get caffeinated!
I am so excited to have learned so much about everything coffee yesterday. Let’s get started.
Coffee is a World-Wide Operation
One of the first booths I came to was the Coffee Roasters Guild. I got two magazines, and believe me, I read them both. I learned in Peru, coffee producers are abandoning their farms due to slumping coffee prices. Meanwhile, in Rwanda coffee roasteries are popping up everywhere, and government funding is encouraging new businesses and competition.
World Coffee Championship
Every year there’s a World Coffee Championship (https://worldcoffeeevents.org/), and contestants from all over the world compete. South Korea, Greece, Canada, Indonesia, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Japan, Taiwan, Sweden, and even Australia are among the numerous countries that are recognized during the championship.
It’s not just the final coffee product that is recognized either. Coffee accessories, equipment, robots, packaging and flavor additives are all awarded for creativity. In fact, the competition originally started with two judges. Now 20 years later, there are 250 judges. Over the years they have found the need to stagger the judges throughout the day to avoid over caffeinating. And these judges, represent 14 countries, are required to take a 40-count questionnaire about coffee knowledge and behavior.
Competitors know their coffee so well, they will know how it will taste just from the way it’s falling from the basket. They know how it’s been grown, picked, processed and roasted.
Also, at this championship, there is a World Latte Art Champion (http://www.worldlatteart.org/), and World Barista Champion (https://worldbaristachampionship.org/). In addition, winning farms form all over the world, including El Salvador, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Mexico have received the Cup of Excellence award (https://allianceforcoffeeexcellence.org/).
Annual Coffee Color of the Year?
I also learned about the annual coffee color. For the past 20 years the Pathan Color Institute has identified the “Color of the Year”. Previous years have featured Gen Z Yellow and Millennial Pink. This year is Living Coral. And don’t forget about the packaging, what catches the consumers’ eyes? Coffee packaging has become an expression, a unique artwork. By utilizing the unused side panels of the bag, brands are taking the opportunity to enhance people’s daily experience.
Coffee Fermentation
When I picked up these two magazines, the gentleman at the booth highlighted the fermentation article in one of the magazines. Upon reading the article I learned two main phenomena happen during coffee post-harvest processing, the first being microbial activities, and the second, internal seed metabolism. Basically, the coffee bean is a living entity that interacts with and reacts to its environment.
During basic wet processing, fresh coffee cherries have their pulp removed, and submerged under water, drained, cleaned and dried. Microorganisms and bacterial groups play crucial role in fermenting coffee berries, and many other food products we know and love. For example, some of you may know sauerkraut, yogurt, beer and even soft-ripened cheese are all fermented.
Two Interesting Facts I Read in the Coffee Magazine
There has even been a coalition to highlight the role of women in Southeast Asian coffee industry. Women play a large role in the trading and roasting of coffee across Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
Currently, South Korea is investing time and money to study and develop a high-quality domestic coffee able to withstand the country’s winter weather. The study will follow 19 coffee varieties planted in the Jeju Island.
Now onto the Festival!
The importance of shopping local was clearly supported and instilled at the Siouxland Coffee Festival. which is why Burger King’s decision to start a coffee subscription was so controversial. In summary, Burger King launched a daily coffee subscription service offering customers one small hot brewed coffee per day for $5 a month. This is amid the coffee crisis in numerous countries due to inflating coffee prices.
Latte Art Competition
During the festival, we watched some local baristas display their skills at creating latte art. Baristas from all over Siouxland participated in some friendly competition.
We learned that first the shot of espresso needs to be poured hot, then the whole milk needs to also be heated, and settled, so that the access bubbles don’t interrupt the flow while pouring their designs.
We sat and watched for about an hour. It was fun to watch, and some of these baristas take their art very serious. One after the other were proud of their efforts, and the end result. I only wish I could have snagged a mug, and enjoyed a fancy espresso all to myself.
Local Favorites
Our very own jumpy monkey out of Sergeant Bluff, Dakota Dunes’ Stone Bru, downtown Sioux City’s Hardline Coffee, and our dearly loved number one food truck Heartland Coffee and Nosh were among the 35 companies represented at the coffee festival.
There weren’t just coffee brands representing the retail aspect of the industry, there were several roasteries and tea companies as well.
Green Coffee
But before the coffee bean/berry is roasted, this is what it looks like. And different parts of the world produce different coffee berries. In fact, there were two companies at the Coffee Festival that specialized in the wholesale of what is called “Green Coffee”, or pre-roasted coffee. Café Imports and Theta Ridge Coffee import green coffees from around the world.
Roasteries
Among several roasteries appearing at the Siouxland Coffee Festival was Coffea Roasterie (https://coffearoasterie.com/) from nearby Sioux Falls. Also representing Iowa were Ross Street Roasting (https://www.rossstreetroasting.com/) from Tama, and Windmill Coffee Roasters (https://www.windmillcoffee.com/) from Ames. And, making the drive from Burwell, Nebraska was Normal Roasting Company https://normalroastingcompany.com/. Check out all their websites, shop their selection, and try a new roast. Support local businesses and when your friends come over for coffee, you can start a conversation about the new product you have in your cabinets.
Perfect Weather for a Cup of Hot Cocoa
Also representing middle Nebraska was Cup of Coa (https://cupofcoa.com/) out of Kearney, Nebraska. They are a wholesale gourmet cocoa company selling their products to restaurants and coffee shops. I tried a sample, and loved it! They sell a powdered cream based product, that is shelf stable, and only requires hot water, and maybe a topping of whipped cream, to create a cup of the best tasting hot cocoa on the market.
Coffee Companies
If you are adventurous like I am, and want to get out and try a new coffee shop here in Siouxland, check out Carrier Coffee and Tea Company (http://carriercoffeeco.com/) in Onawa, or Parable Coffee Co. (https://www.parablecoffeeco.com/) in Sioux Falls. And the next time you’re in Minnesota, check out Duluth Coffee Company (https://duluthcoffeecompany.com/).
Coffee Equipment, Syrups, Creamers and Accessories
To complete your favorite coffee creation, baristas need equipment, therefore, look no further, La Marzocco and Mavam Expresso were there displaying their equipment. In addition, Simonelli Group, who specialize in expresso machines, was there, and their name is now infamous in all coffee shops as the best quality equipment you’ll need.
Along with equipment, you’ll need accessories and syrups if you plan on being the coffee aficionado at your next neighborhood block party. Get your accessories from Aeropress, and syrups from Monin and Torani, both syrup companies make the most elaborate and unique flavors. Sensory overload is an understatement.
On occasion I’ve drank my coffee black, but 90% of the time I add creamer. Even when I did my seven-day fast, I still drank my coffee with creamer. And unfortunately, I still head to the grocery store and grab my personal favorite, hazelnut. However, I might just treat myself this holiday season with a new flavor from Califia Farms. They specialize in not just creamers, but cold brew coffees and juices. Secret Santa ideas? You’re welcome.
Don’t Forget About the Tea
Don’t forget about the tea! My husband loves hot tea, and especially when I come home with a new flavor. And now that it’s getting colder, this is the perfect time to end your relaxing night with a warm cup of tea. The Tea Smith (https://www.theteasmith.com/SFNT.html) out of Omaha is a great place to start if you’re looking to not only support a local business, but also try something new.
Finally, I’d like to highlight two amazing companies with a cause. The faith-based coffee company, Nightingale Coffee (https://crossroadsgrace.org/nightingale-coffee/), offers supporters and communities Christian fellowship. And the company I’m most impressed by is Teshuah Tea (https://teshuahtea.com/). This tea company rescues women in Asian countries from abusive environments and human trafficking, and then teaches them how to rebuild their lives and make money to help reestablish themselves financially. In turn, these ladies are able to move on, and begin living a life of fulfillment.
Wanna Meet me for Coffee?
Coffee and tea are two of many avenues that can be someone’s open invitation to help their neighbor through hardship. So the next time your friend calls you up and asks to go out for coffee, take up their offer. Who knows? Together, you might just start your very own business. And who knows? You might be the next new business at next year’s Coffee Festival.