Many thanks for your on-going support!
Mount & Crew
The concept of me telling someone not to drink coffee seems foreign. However, this past week, I received an e-mail from someone asking if our coffee was "gluten-free"? My initial reaction was ... I won't mention what I said.
After considering the question, I decided I should do some research to see if there was anything definitive before responding to the e-mail. Here's what I found.
Apparently, those who are gluten intolerant, may experience gluten-like side effects when drinking coffee due to similarities in the proteins present in coffee being similar to proteins in gluten.
Another culprit is when coffee is processed in the same facility as products containing gluten, there can be cross-contamination that takes place. And while I don't believe any of the coffees I purchase have been processed in this manner, I cannot guarantee it.
So the long and short of it is that for folks who find themselves gluten intolerant, you may want to find another option to coffee. I can't believe I just said that!
This Monday, we will be closed for the Fourth of July. If you are on schedule for home delivery on Wednesday, there will be not any interruption to your normal delivery.
The big news on the jazz scene is that on August 8th and 9th at 7:30 pm, Alan Broadbent will be returning to Classic Pianos for two shows. For those of you who are familiar with Alan's music... you'll know what his performances are like. Electric, profound, intimate and humble are just a few adjectives that come to mind.
He's performed at Classic Pianos multiple times and I've attended each of his performances. I have yet to be disappointed. If you would like to experience one of his shows, please call Peggie at Classic Pianos and reserve your tickets. They're guaranteed to sell out quickly. Peggie can be reached at 503.546.5622.
Be sure to check out our selection of coffees on Amazon. You may find them here - www.amazon.com/shops/stjohnscoffee.
Thanks for your continued support!
Mount & Crew
Last week I mentioned we would be receiving a new Ethiopian Sidamo coffee. It arrived late Tuesday and had barely gotten into the shop before we were unloading it from the pallet and preparing it for roasting.
We just did a tasting of it and WOW!!! So full of blueberry!!! And smoothhhhh!!! Very very clean cup.
We sampled it next to the Dry Process Ethiopian Yirgacheffe which is also incredibly smooth but with so much going on! Hits one's tongue immediately and dances around all those taste buds.
Come on in and try them both. They both excel brewed as pour-overs so that would be my recommendation.
The big news this week, aside from the stellar Ethiopian coffees, is that our coffees will soon be available through Amazon.com. Stay tuned for more information.
New products scheduled to arrive next week, just in time for Father's Day:
While the weather can't make up its mind if it wants to be 100º or 60º, it's perfect for drinking coffee. Tomorrow looks like another perfect day for coffee as well as the St. Johns Farmers Market.
Stop by and get fueled and warmed before heading to the market.
Meanwhile, keep the coffee flowing.
Mount & Crew
It's time again for the St. Johns Farmers Market to open. The season begins this Saturday, June 4th and continues through November 19th.
It sounds like it will be perfect weather for kicking off the farmers market season. Lots of sun (and heat). We'll be ready with an abundance of cold- brewed coffees, teas, snacks and treats.
One of the most difficult realizations of the coffee business is the seasonality of the various coffees. Especially when we find those that are incredibly special and which we come to love so much. We enjoy them and before we know it, they're gone.
Such is the case with two coffees we've had, the dry-processed Ethiopian Sidamo and a coffee we've purchased directly from the farm in Brazil (Brazil Grota Sao Pedro).
However, I'm happy to report that both will be returning next week to our offering list. They represent two entirely different profiles on the flavor spectrum.
The dry-processed Ethiopian Sidamo has a prominent blueberry note with orange, tamarind, toffee, taffy, nut, and a, soft body.
The Brazilian coffee, if anything like last year's crop, was like drinking creme brulèe. Medium roast with a wonderful caramel sweetness, chocolate and almond and oh so smooth!
We also have another new coffee from Ethiopia. It's a dry-processed Ethiopian Yirgacheffe. As with the Sidamo, it's fuller in body while still possessing many of the floral notes of the washed Yirgacheffe which, we also have in stock.
Can you tell I'm a fanatic for Ethiopian coffees???
Now that summer gardening has begun, people are often requesting used coffee grounds to be used in their compost bins. Did you know you can also use them as insect repellants and wood stains. Check out this article - http://theheartysoul.com/coffee-ground-uses/
Furthermore, I recently read an article where a group in Great Britain has begun collecting tons and tons of used coffee grounds from Britain's coffee shops, processing them and creating pellets that can then be used to heat homes. Check out this article - http://cleantechnica.com/2015/09/27/recycling-coffee-grounds-home-heating-pellets/
So it's tax day. I'm not sure what else I can say about that. :) I'm always reminded of the Beatles song, "Tax Man", on this day.
For those of you who need a little more "mojo" to get you through your taxes, we have plenty of caffeine related beverages and whole bean coffee to help you.
It has been a huge week for us here at the shop. We worked very hard to deliver our first order of organic and fair trade coffees to Made in Oregon stores in addition to our regular group of retail stores offering our coffees.
Made in Oregon stores are located in all major Portland shopping malls as well as three locations at the Portland International Airport.
One new addition to our line-up is the Market of Choice store in West Linn. They'll be offering two of our coffees in bulk bins as well as an assorted variety of our packaged coffee. If you live in the West Linn, Clackamas or Lake Oswego areas, there's now a new location from which to purchase our coffees.
And, we've added a new sandwich to our line-up of healthy food options. It's a toasted brioche with sunflower butter and apricot jam. Check it out when you're in the shop next.
New coffees were ordered this past Wednesday and are scheduled to arrive next Monday. Among them are a new Ethiopian Dry Processed Yirgacheffe which differs from our current "washed Yirgacheffe". Typically, dry-processed coffees yield a fuller body as well as possessing all the characteristic flavors so I'm very anxious to try it.
We also purchased a new variety of coffee from Sumatra. I was told it has prominent notes of chocolate, caramel, and vanilla. Sounds like a Snickers bar in a cup! I can't wait to try that one!
And just a bit of a warning... the delectable Guatemala Finca Bourbon is getting low. We've ordered a new Guatemala to take its place which we've had before and has always been very very good.
But for those of you who have developed a fondness for the Guatemala Finca Bourbon, there's no time like the present to enjoy it.
Taryn is on her way out the door to the Hillsdale location of Food Front Cooperative Grocery to sample some of our coffees available there. If you're in the area, stop by and say hi. She'll be there from 11 - 2 today.
Meanwhile, I hope you have a fantastic weekend we'll hope to see you in the shop.
Mount & Crew
Recently, the following article from RealSimple Magazine was shared with me and I thought it appropriate to share with you since we provide and offer for sale, local honey from P&P Apiary.
Eco quandary - Considering the bee crisis, is it bad to buy honey.Not at all! Since 2007, the US has lost about a quarter of its beehives each year due to pathogens, parasites, pesticides, and poor nutrition. "Buying honey helps beekeepers offset the cost of maintaining colonies and keeping bees healthy," says Christina Grozinger, Ph.D., the director of the Penn State Center for Pollinator Research.Opting for local varieties supports producers near you, but purchasing supermarket brands is OK, too, says Becky Masterman, Ph.D., the program director for the University of Minnesota's Bee Squad, which promotes healthy bee populations. "Commercial companies are often cooperatives that buy regional honey from beekeepers," she says.Bees are responsible for more than just our honey supply. Up to a third of our food supply depends on the work of pollinators, such as bees. So how can you help combat the loss of beehives? In addition to supporting the beekeepers by buying honey, plant flowers as a food source for bees, and skip the pesticides.Kaitlyn PirieSome of you may have noticed that the coffee descriptions and pricing information have returned to our "offerings" chalkboard. Next up is the consolidation of all our "random" chalkboards into a single menu!A big thanks to Marly Beyer for her artistic talents.
Beginning in March, PBS will be airing a new documentary entitled Coffee: The Drink That Changed America. The story follows coffee from its beginnings in Ethiopia, through the Middle East and Europe and into America. The theme of the show is that coffee is associated with social disruption and change. Learn a
bout coffee's evolution from the "excrement" of the early English coffee houses to the artisan wave we are currently in. Lots of history and ably and humorously (of course) hosted by Dean Cycon of Dean's Beans Organic Coffee Company. Check your local PBS affiliate for viewing times.
Until next week, I hope you're able to get out and enjoy this beautiful weather we're having. It has made for some amazing motorcycle commutes this past week.
Our larger umbrella tables will be going back out today so come by and enjoy your favo
rite caffeinated beverage along with a baguette sandwich or pastry while basking in the sun!
Many thanks,
Mount & Crew