COUNTER INTELLIGENCE ROBUSTING MYTHS?
India's Sethuraman Estate's Robusta Kaapi Royale (RKR) has become the first robusta coffee certified by the Coffee Quality Institute's R Coffee System, which aims to up the standing of Arabica's oft-disregarded counterpart. In a blind evaluation per- formed last month, the RKR coffee achieved a score of 82.76 to receive the first R Certificate issued by the organization. "CQI's mission is to improve the quality of coffee and the lives of the peo- ple who produce it, including those who grow robusta," says CQI executive director Ted Lingle. "Robusta farmers have not enjoyed the higher coffee prices of the past several years, as low (or no) standards for robusta coffees have rendered them an inferior sub- stitute." coffeeinstitute.org or kaapiroyalecoffee.com
PEOPLE & PRODUCTS
FEEL-GOOD SLEEVES
Promo-products company Marco recently rolled out a line of reusable coffee sleeves that retailers can offer as shop mementos to first-time customers as well as regulars. The items also support families in a producing country: Handmade in Kenya, the cotton sleeves allow a group of mothers there to net extra income for their families. Each jacket is cut and sewn by hand in the town of Maai Mahiu, and the story of the craftspeople is screen printed on the inside of each sleeve. 503/620-0770. marcopdx.com
ON BAR AND ON TOUR
Nuova Simonelli's world tour centered around its Aurelia II T3 espresso machine continued last month when 2009 World Barista Champion Gwilym Davies presented the device to baristas and other coffee profes- sionals in Toronto and Vancouver. The Aurelia was recently named the official espresso machine for WBC events from 2012-2014. Two more education events are planned as the company tours the product around: 2007 WBC champ James Hoffmann will lead a session in
Washington, D.C., on April 15 and another in Chicago on April 16. 360/366-2226. nuovasimonelliusa.com
BRITISH AND SUSTAINABLE
Colorado tea packer Two Leaves and a Bud in March launched a line of English- style tea that is organic and fair-trade certified. Dubbed Paisley Tea Co., the brand is a response to what the company feels is a specific demand. Two Leaves recently issued a survey that found 66 percent of respondents would be more likely to drink English-style tea if it carried the pair of certifications. The product is currently available in 24-bag boxes. 970/927-9911. twoleavesandabud.com
72
Fresh Cup Magazine freshcup.com