http://acrmke.com/wholesale/newsblog/ Current news and specials from Alterra Coffee Roasters wholesale department. en alterra@alterracoffee.com Copyright 2012 2012-04-30T19:11:49+00:00 http://acrmke.com/wholesale/newsblog/wholesale_coffee_specials_may_2012/ http://acrmke.com/wholesale/newsblog/wholesale_coffee_specials_may_2012/#When:20:11:49Z This month’s coffee specials are Punch in the Face, Guatemala Mountain of Flowers and Papua New Guinea! Punch in the Face This is a knock down, street brawl kind of coffee. Papua New Guinea Kimel Plantation and our very special Espresso Toro come to blows after each gulp for a blend that’s nothing less than a punch in the face. Papua New Guinea Kimel Plantation The majority of quality coffee grown in Papua New Guinea comes from larger estates, such as the Kimel Plantation, located in the famous Highlands region. Full-bodied and well-balanced, this coffee features soft, sweet acidity, subtle herbal notes and a smooth mouthfeel. Featured Farm: Guatemala Mountain of Flowers Over the last several years, the coffee grown by our friends from Hunapu has quickly become a favorite among our customers and co-workers. This year, during our visit to Antigua, Guatemala, we tasted our way through the highest quality samples (36 of them, to be exact!) with the goal of selecting the very best coffee of the year to feature as a special “Reserve Lot.” The coffee we selected is a very small lot comprised of peak-of-the-harvest deliveries of 100% Bourbon variety coffee from farmers in the San Miguel Duenas and Ciudad Vieja communities. Its vibrant, cherry-toned acidity, tropical fruit and sweet orange notes, and deep, creamy body was just the beginning of the list of exceptional qualities found in this coffee. Please enjoy the Mountain of Flowers – Reserve Lot. Try any of these great coffees for yourself during April and enjoy 50 cents off each pound (whole bean, ground, or frac’ed coffee) in your order. We’ll also send you an 11” x 17” poster complete with a full description of these great coffees. (Limit one per customer, please.) Coffee Specials 2012-04-30T20:11:49+00:00 http://acrmke.com/wholesale/newsblog/april_wholesale_coffee_specials/ http://acrmke.com/wholesale/newsblog/april_wholesale_coffee_specials/#When:18:01:23Z Brazil Fazenda Santo Antonio Bourbon Natural Rather than spread the picked coffee cherries on patios, Fazenda Santo Antonio allows the 100% bourbon coffee to dry directly on the trees. This method creates a powerful and very distinct aroma and taste that is full-bodied, nutty, and unlike any other coffee. Guatemala Hunapu Genuine Nestled among three massive volcanoes in the central highlands of Guatemala, Antigua is one of Central America’s most beautiful colonial cities. One of the volcanoes, Volcán de Agua, was originally named Hunapú (place of the flowers) until an eruption in 1541 destroyed what was then the capital city of Guatemala. Many of the locals still refer to the volcano as Hunapú, and Beneficio Bella Vista decided to use that name for this very special coffee. Naming a coffee after this epic force of nature carries with it a lot of pressure, but the farmers that harvest the perfectly ripe, 100% Bourbon variety cherries have produced something worthy of such an impressive title. Grown at elevations from 1,500 to 1,800 meters above sea level and dried on patios under the Antigua sun, this full-bodied coffee delivers near-perfect, sweet-tart acidity that cuts through flavors of blood-orange, black cherry and Mayan cocoa. Enjoy! Hondura Capucas Jose Isidro Lara OFT Isidro Lara is a hardworking man of vision and has shown a dedication and a consistency with his coffee farming practices that is almost without comparison. To produce this exceptional coffee, Isidro pays workers extra to sort it out after it is picked, guaranteeing that only the reddest of coffee cherries are de-pulped. After each rain – to ensure quality is maintained throughout production – he takes care to wash the fenced-in patio where the coffee is dried when there is no space in his backyard solar dryer. Isidro attributes all that he has been able to accomplish to the motivated, can-do attitude with which he was blessed. He is positive about the future and hopeful for all the opportunities that production of quality, certified coffee will bring to his family as well as Capucas. Isidro’s coffee shows pronounced notes of crisp, sweet apple and brown sugar and is very well-balanced and drinkable. Enjoy! Try any of these great coffees for yourself during April and enjoy 50 cents off each pound (whole bean, ground, or fracs) in your order. We’ll also send you an 11” x 17” poster complete with a full description of these great coffees. (Limit one per customer, please.) Coffee Specials 2012-04-02T18:01:23+00:00 http://acrmke.com/wholesale/newsblog/the_big_central_barista_competition_is_coming_to_chicago/ http://acrmke.com/wholesale/newsblog/the_big_central_barista_competition_is_coming_to_chicago/#When:15:56:56Z March 23-25th at the Ravenswood Event Center in Chicago, Alterra Coffee, Intelligensia Coffee and Counter Culture Coffee, will jointly host The Big Central, a singular event for both the North Central and South Central regional barista competitions. Winners from these regional competitions go on to compete at the United States Barista Championship in Portland, OR later this spring. Attending barista competitions is a great experience and a fantastic opportunity to get immersed in specialty coffee culture!  Two titles will be given away for both the Barista Competition and Brewers Cup at the event. Anyone interested in volunteering or judging should please contact Alterra Barista Trainers Scott Lucey (Barista Guild of America Chair) at scott@acrmke.com or Cody Kinart (BGA Great Lakes Regional Rep) at cody@acrmke.com. Further details on The Big Central are available at usbaristachampionship.org. About the United States Barista Championship: The United States Barista Championship (USBC) is a regional and national competition designed to highlight the craft of the barista and espresso-based beverage production. The annual competition cycle consists of 6 regional events that lead up to the US Barista Championship. Winners demonstrate their professionalism, passion and skill through various criteria outlined in the USBC Rules and Regulations. In a 15-minute presentation, competitors will prepare and serve three courses of espresso-based beverages (espresso, cappuccino, signature beverage) to a panel of four sensory judges. Two technical judges will score competitors on procedures, consistency, cleanliness and other technical details. The top six from each regional event will be granted entry into the 2012 USBC. The winner then goes on to represent the United States at the World Barista Championship. News 2012-02-29T15:56:56+00:00 http://acrmke.com/wholesale/newsblog/wholesale_coffee_specials_march_2012/ http://acrmke.com/wholesale/newsblog/wholesale_coffee_specials_march_2012/#When:15:55:41Z This month’s coffee specials are Sumatra Mandheling Yudi Putra and Breakfast Blend! Sumatra Mandheling Yudi Putra Sumatra Mandheling Yudi Putra is grown in the Sipangan Bolon region in the northern part of Sumatra at elevations between 1,100 and 1,250 meters above sea level near volcanic Lake Toba.  It exhibits all of the complex, earthy flavors and smooth, full body you expect from Sumatran coffee in a way that is elegant and drinkable, not wild and challenging.  The Yudi Putra name comes from the small, family-run exporter that brought us this exceptional coffee, known for sourcing high quality, native products.  They also pay a premium to producers and provide health coverage, which is something not commonly offered by other exporters in the region. Breakfast Blend Sometimes we need a little help waking up, and that’s where our Breakfast Blend comes in. The combination of light and medium-roasted coffees creates a dynamic cup with the sweet, pronounced acidity to pry open our eyes, and just enough full, smooth body to prop us up. Whether enjoyed with breakfast or while running out the door, you can always count on our Breakfast Blend to start your day off right. Try any of these great coffees for yourself during March and enjoy 50 cents off each pound (whole bean, ground, or fracs) in your order. We’ll also send you an 11” x 17” poster complete with a full description of these great coffees. (Limit one per customer, please.) Coffee Specials 2012-02-29T15:55:41+00:00 http://acrmke.com/wholesale/newsblog/february_2012_wholesale_coffee_specials/ http://acrmke.com/wholesale/newsblog/february_2012_wholesale_coffee_specials/#When:15:45:50Z This month’s coffee specials are Rwanda Dukunde Kawa Coop, Alterra’s Favorite and El Salvadore Miravalle Pacamara! Rwanda Dukunde Kawa Cooperative Located in the town of Musasa in the Gakenke district, The Dukunde Kawa Cooperative cultivates its high-quality coffee near a mountain gorilla habitat in northern Rwanda. By focusing on quality farming practices and employing a majority female workforce, the 2,000+ member cooperative ensures maximum benefits to local families, all while delivering outstanding coffee. Grown at altitudes from 1,500 to 2,000 meters above sea level and dried and sorted on raised beds, this exceptional coffee displays notes of blackberry, violet, sweet citrus and full, meringue-like mouthfeel. Alterra’s Favorite We drink a lot of coffee. Some days we drink so much we start seeing things. When you take your coffee as seriously as we do, you have to have a blend that balances well enough to keep on drinking with impunity. Earthy Sumatra and a bright, acidic light roast brew together in a combination we swear by. Featured Farm: El Salvador Miralvalle Pacamara This exceptional coffee comes from the Urrutia Estate on the slopes of the Apaneca-Ilamatepec mountain range in Western El Salvador at elevations between 1,400 and 1,600 meters above sea level. The Urrutia family has been producing coffee since the 1870’s and their farm is home to several natural hot springs as well as 200 acres of protected forest. The coffee is grown in phosphorus-rich volcanic soil under a canopy of shade trees and although most of the trees are of the Bourbon variety, the farm cultivates a small percentage of Pacamara as well. This lot of 100% Pacamara comes from perfectly ripe, red coffee cherries that were depulped, fermented in cement tanks, washed with fresh water from the geysers and dried in the sun on patios. The result is a cup with sweet, fruit-toned acidity and persistent flavors of caramel and toasted sesame. Try any of these great coffees for yourself during February and enjoy 50 cents off each pound (whole bean, ground, or frac’ed coffee) in your order. We’ll also send you an 11” x 17” poster complete with a full description of these great coffees. (Limit one per customer, please.) Coffee Specials 2012-01-31T15:45:50+00:00 http://acrmke.com/wholesale/newsblog/wholesale_coffee_specials_january_2012/ http://acrmke.com/wholesale/newsblog/wholesale_coffee_specials_january_2012/#When:15:20:28Z Colombia El Castillo: This super-selected excelso-grade Colombian is a specific blend of coffees from the El Tambo, Morales, and Santander de Quilichao regions in the departamento (state) of Cauca. Each lot is screened and cupped at its origin and the best lots are blended to create an intense but balanced Excelso with pronounced, sweet acidity and medium to full body. Slight fruit and floral notes add complexity to enhance this already-dynamic cup. This is GREAT Colombian coffee. Brazil Fazenda São Domingos: Located near the town of Araponga in the state of Minas Gerais, Fazenda São Domingos and owner Danilo de Castro bring us this wonderful coffee. Home to some of the highest elevation coffee farms in the country, the topography, soil, and climate at São Domingos, combined with fastidious processing, results in this unique, delicious coffee. Low in acidity but intensely flavorful, this coffee show notes of chocolate, roasted nuts, dried cherry and tobacco and boasts dense, satisfying body. Try Brazil Fazenda São Domingos or Colombia El Castillo for yourself during January and enjoy 50 cents off each pound (whole bean, ground, or frac’ed coffee) in your order. We’ll also send you an 11” x 17” poster complete with a full description of these great coffees. (Limit one per customer, please.) Coffee Specials 2012-01-02T15:20:28+00:00 http://acrmke.com/wholesale/newsblog/barista_trainer_tip_-_use_your_scale/ http://acrmke.com/wholesale/newsblog/barista_trainer_tip_-_use_your_scale/#When:20:52:19Z Be more accurate - use a scale! Over the past few years, we’ve been finding that scales have become increasingly useful in our cafes. A small scale can do a lot in terms of reducing waste and improving drink quality. A few examples… * Weigh your espresso dose. Weighing your espresso is a great way to not only reduce wasted grounds, but also to learn accurate dosing. When baristas taste shots pulled using varying espresso weights, they’ll start to appreciate the difference in flavor from 17 to 19 to 21 grams of coffee. Visually those amounts might look very similar, but with a scale a barista can zero in on a better-tasting espresso. * Weigh your drinks. Too much foam? Not enough? A scale can make this an objective standard in your café, and allow you to find the perfect ratio of milk to foam. Figure out the right amount of foam for a given drink/size, and then record its weight (taking into consideration the weight of the cup used). Make this number a target for all of your baristas! * Consistency. Whether you’re weighing doses or drinks, a digital scale is a quick and objective way to test a barista’s consistency. Sure, your barista may be able to hit the weight target - but can they repeat that success ten times in a row? If you’re interested, give our Sales Support a call and ask about the Primo Digital Scale. It may be one of the best investments under $30 you can make! News 2011-12-01T20:52:19+00:00 http://acrmke.com/wholesale/newsblog/december_coffee_specials1/ http://acrmke.com/wholesale/newsblog/december_coffee_specials1/#When:20:28:37Z This month, we celebrate the holidays with TWO great coffees! Try either of these exceptional coffees in December and enjoy 50 cents off each bag (whole bean, ground, or frac’ed coffee) in your order, and an 11” x 17” poster complete with a full description of this coffee. (Limit one poster per customer, please.) Snow Day Every year, Alterra customers and staff look forward to the arrival of our much-anticipated holiday blend, almost as much as school kids looking forward to a snow day. It’s a great way to celebrate some of the coffees we’ve enjoyed in 2011 in a well-balanced, satisfying cup, and this year’s blend is sure to please. Subtle fruit and cocoa tones are just the thing to warm your mittens this holiday season. Starry Night - Organic / Fair Trade Starry Night - Organic/Fair Trade pairs coffees from Latin America and East Africa for a cup that’s rich yet balanced. Enjoy this full-bodied blend and its pleasant floral and honeyed aromas, whether gearing up for a crisp winter day or gazing at the night sky with family and friends. Enjoy! Coffee Specials 2011-12-01T20:28:37+00:00 http://acrmke.com/wholesale/newsblog/holiday_gift_options_2011/ http://acrmke.com/wholesale/newsblog/holiday_gift_options_2011/#When:20:55:02Z Holiday coffees and gift boxes return November 29th.  This year, we’re excited to introduce Snow Day holiday blend and Starry Night - Organic/Fair Trade.  Warm your mittens with these outstanding coffees, packed in colorful, resealable valve-bags, featuring sledders, snow and stars! In addition we have the ever-popular Half-Pound Samplers (regular and Fair Trade/Organic), Alterra Trio gift boxes (coffee, cocoa and ABC homemade granola) and the Mug & Coffee set, all packaged in boxes so good-looking they require no gift wrapping! Click the link below for more info on our holiday offerings and please contact Sales Support with any questions. http://acrmke.com/pdf/custdocs/Holiday%20Gift%20Boxes%202011.pdf News 2011-11-18T20:55:02+00:00 http://acrmke.com/wholesale/newsblog/holiday_delivery_schedule_2011/ http://acrmke.com/wholesale/newsblog/holiday_delivery_schedule_2011/#When:20:54:28Z Please note we will be closed on Thanksgiving (11/24) and will close early on Friday, November 25th.  As a result, pay special attention to the following changes to our regular ordering and delivery schedule: If you typically get a delivery on Thursdays, order by 3:00 pm Wednesday 11/23 for delivery on Friday 11/25. If your delivery day is usually Friday, please order by 3:00 pm Wednesday 11/23 for delivery on Friday 11/25. If your delivery day is Monday, please order by 12:00 pm Friday 11/25 for delivery on Monday 11/28. UPS will not be making any pickups or deliveries on Thanksgiving Thursday AND Friday 11/25.  Place UPS orders on Tuesday 11/22 by 12 pm for UPS delivery on Wednesday, 11/23. Tuesday is the LAST DAY you’ll be able to place an order for UPS to deliver by Thanksgiving weekend. News 2011-11-18T20:54:28+00:00