SCAA Houston - Day 2 - Cupping Classes

Apr. 29 - spent most of today in cupping classes. First, a 3 hour class on the SCAA form and calibration. Trish Rothgeb, Wrecking Ball Coffee, was the instructor. Then for the afternoon, a 3 hour class on cupping defects, taught by Andi Trindle from Atlantic Specialty and Chad Trewick, Caribou Coffee. Both classes were excellent, providing hands on experiences and plenty of experts in the class to discuss and debate the various issues.

In the morning I was happy to find that Artisan Coffee Imports decaf Colombian had arrived for the roaster skill building workshops! (see photo) Whew! Shipping miscommunications had caused unfortunate delays -- Max Gonzalez of Amaya Roasting in Houston saved the day with a dramatic curb-side pick up of the coffee from the trucking company SAIA. Thanks Max!

In the evening I met some cafe owners/baristas and we went to the Barista Guild competition where they were announcing who would move ahead to the next round -- Jeff Hoffman of Square Mile in London was one of the judges/announcers.

From there we went to a reception hosted by Utz and I was glad to see two of the cooperative chairmen from Kenya who I had met in February! Raymond Gitau of Ndumberi Coop in Kiambu and Fredrick Kariithi of Rung'eto Coop in Kirinyanga.