Cross Country Coffee Roadshow

QUIMBAYA COLOMBIAN COFFEE LLC

Owner Alex Lozano                                                                                                                   Windsor, WI

Episode 91 "Hips Don't Lie"

https://quimbayacoffee.com/

Traveling the entire country looking for the best that the coffee world has to offer, as you know is our mission. Well this week we traveled our shortest distance ever, and found one of the best roasters in the  country. Alex Lozano was three long miles away at Quimbaya Colombian Coffee.

How does a prosecuting attorney from Columbia end up in Wisconsin? That’s just the tip of the iceberg uncovered during this weeks episode. Alex, who grew up in the tropical district of Barranquilla, in the northern part of Colombia, next logical move... cheesehead land of course.  Must have been the weather. What do Colombia and  Wisconsin have in common?  More than you think. An eyeopener for those who think of the Midwest as only flyover land!

Learn the meaning behind Quimbaya, and why Alex wants people to know about this  pre-Columbian society, and the importance of buying directly from the roasting source. Heresy!! no intermediary? Another great reason to buy Quimbaya coffee! Who else in the coffee business may end up personally delivering coffee to your front door!  If you look out the window you may be lucky enough to see his little barista, entrepreneur sidekick!

 Could you leave a successful career as a prosecutor in Colombia and travel to the United States to pursue a dream of owning your own business?  What was the "wake up moment" and what provoked it?  We are all vulnerable in life but sometimes it takes a near death experience to bring that into focus.

"The best part of waking up" as the commercial jingle goes, always focused on the aroma of freshly made coffee. Learn the way his grandma made coffee and the imprint it made on his future in the coffee world. Just how can he (and we) help the farmers in Colombia? Find out the answer when he asked that question to the farmers directly.

What did Alex soon realize when he began searching for the same coffee experience as the one he grew up with, and how did that lead him into the coffee business? Research, research, research, and the support of a good woman. A short meaningful conversation at a restaurant, the correct guess to a dialect question, and a business card led to a very special event. Alex's version is a bit longer, and it may include Shakira. Remember those hips don’t lie!!

We cover a wide spectrum on this week's show, from the law, drug cartels, and the violence perpetrated against coffee farmers. If all that is not enough content for you... meet your new favorite music style this week...Cumbia!  Listen on Spotify Alex’s Quimbaya playlist and get ready to dance, dance, dance and feel like you're at the Carnaval de Barranquilla!  https://bit.ly/Quimbaya  

BONUS for listeners? Persevere with the power of music and love, great advice in theses times. La Tierra Del Olvido feat. Carlos Vives | Playing For Change  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6exx0sB_iOA  

Remember if you have a question, or topic you want us to follow up on from this week, or a roaster or store you think we should know about, leave it in the comment section for a future episode of CCCRS, we are happy to get that done.

 https://crosscountrycoffeeroadshow.com/contact/

Follow us on social media, remember to like and subscribe, and  listen to this weeks Spotify playlist....remember "hips don't lie"

What do we do now?

Cross Country Coffee Roadshow

Sun Prairie, Wisconsin 53590

We survived  this season despite many obstacles.  Unfortunately Covid prevented roundtrip travel, but we figured a way to interview some fantastic guests (hope you agree) virtually. We ran low on funds but with the help of a wonderful sponsor we were able to put together some amazing episodes, that hopefully did not show the behind the scenes financial and technical high wire act we were carrying out.

So far this season we have covered not only US coffee issues but delved into the plight of some growers and coffee sustainability.  We truly traveled around the world interviewing entrepreneurs,  coffee experts,  NFL Super bowl champions, former Coast guardsman, women and minority run coffee business.  A coffee business (Aspire) supporting those with disabilities and world renowned authors. From both coasts, and Middle America to Colombia South America, and that fantastic "land down under" Melbourne Australia. We brought you stories that spanned these United States, learning more about coffee, production, sustainability, roasting, tasting and flavor profiles. We tackled  a Colombian Revolution along with the differences of fair and direct trade, and why independent stores are so, so important to this ecosystem. We hope we educated you on how to look for not only the best tasting coffee, but what it takes to bring you this magic elixir!  How do we maintain independence and sustainability in the coffee industry?  Ok now its your turn!

All that being said we now need your help, and want to hear from you if you are out there listening to our episodes and reading this. Did we keep you entertained, did you learn anything? Are we providing you with the kind of stories, guests and witty banter, that you need in order for us to keep going. As they say its the rubber meets the road time, and before we travel the next highway in our show and our lives we need to hear from you.  Let me repeat WE NEED TO HEAR WHAT YOU THINK!

As you can imagine there is a tremendous amount of work that goes into each episode and if you want us to continue you will need to let us know. If this podcast has entertained or enlightened you with these episodes and stories from passionate, entertaining, and thought provoking guests, the time to let us know is now.

Our first two seasons were all self funded, and we were fortunate to have a great company for the first half of this season. We are now actively trying to find a suitable replacement, and wrestling with the two minds approach. Do we stay or Do we go. Your answers will help us make that decision.

We will respond to all who contact us,...so once again, send your comments to [email protected] and perhaps we will continue our journey with more stories, education, and our continued search for the best coffee not only in these United States but worldwide!

Next week Quimbaya Colombian Coffee from Colombia and Wisconsin!!  https://quimbayacoffee.com/

Thank you for all the support you have given us so far and remember to buy your next bag of coffee using our show specific discount codes, and as always .....drink what you like and like what you drink.

Dan and Linda

Cross Country Coffee Roadshow

Amor Perfecto Coffee

Colombia, South America

Episode 90

https://amorperfecto.com/

We are back with Amor Perfecto in Colombia this week continuing with our “master class” series on the importance of roasting at origin. And now as they say…the rest of the story.

Amor Perfecto is trying to upend the current coffee supply chain. Obstacles to changing 200 years of tradition? How did they manage to rock the coffee world and stay…and even grow and prosper in this hostile environment? The explosive flavor of this “freshest"’ coffee may have something to do with it. Listen to the voices of this team talk about their farmers, and why scanning one of their QR codes will take you right into that farmers story!

Luis, called for nothing less than the overthrow of the status quo coffee system, and “decolonization", of an "antiquated supply chain". Viva la revolución!

Coffee ground in a big store machine? What's not to love about that! Unless you like your coffee to taste like cigarettes, and more thoughts on coffee by a team member.

Why is there no such thing as Italian coffee? And will there be a war over this debate? From Nescafe con leche, to a French Press. Luis sold his freshly ground coffee in his dried flower shop, and from there a movement began.

What exactly do grapes grown in France and great wine have to do with an Oxford study on green coffee beans? How about eating potato chips on a plane? It will all make perfect sense when you listen to this week's episode with the entire crew of Amor Perfecto. The freshest podcast ever straight from Colombia….without any middleman.

Check out their webpage and order the "World's Freshest Coffee" today, direct from Bogota. If you buy it now, you will receive our special listener discount and be sipping, savoring and enjoying the "rest of the story" from Amor Perfecto:

Discount code: CCCRS20

World's Freshest Coffee | Amor Perfecto

Make sure to check out this week’s playlist for Amor Perfecto Coffee on Spotify, to hear musical selections from our guests.https://spoti.fi/3x8uapn

Remember if you have a question, or topic you want us to follow up on from this week, or any other episode of the CCCRS, we are happy to try to get that done.

https://crosscountrycoffeeroadshow.com/contact/

Amor Perfecto Coffee

Colombia, South America

Episode 89

https://amorperfecto.com/

This week we traveled to Colombia to talk with the entire Amor Perfecto coffee team

(Sara, Hunter, and Ignacio)along with Luis Fernando Velez, founder, to learn more about their award winning coffee, and what it took to bring it to market.

Here’s your first choice: drink the “leftovers''? Or the cream of the crop made on a nearby farm at the perfect elevation. Not much of a choice…. Or so you would think. Listen to this week's episode of Law and Order CCCRS Columbia edition to find out why it may not have been that easy. Proof positive that tenacity, love of coffee and love of country do eventually pay off.

Roast in country of origin? Heresy! Find out how a flower and flower shop led to the most award winning specialty coffee in Columbia. Sometimes you have to crack a few eggs to make an omelet, and this man and his team are truly on a mission.

Did Luis have to break the law in order to produce, roast and sell his coffee? What was his impetus for this rebellious act?

Our guests this week are Ignacio Iribarren, Hunter Rodgers, Sara Andrade and founder  Luis Fernando Valez. Ignacio was a former CEO for electric companies in Eastern Europe and Latin America, and Principal Investment Officer in the World Bank Group in Colombia before getting to know Amor Perfecto in Bogota .Hunter has 10 years experience in business and corporate strategy, marketing, digital advertising, product design & manufacturing, sales, and client relations. He specializes in brand development, capital raising and global roll-out.Sara is a Colombian Venezuelan, working in business and marketing traveling the world and in charge of Amor Perfecto international. And …Luis is her uncle …uncle Lucho the founder of Amor Perfecto

Luis Fernando Valez, is the founder and driving force behind Amor Perfecto. He discovered his passion for coffee through a chance encounter with a French Press and a flower shop. His mission is to bring the freshest, best tasting Colombian coffee to the world.  Luis’s  journey takes him (and us) from farm to cup all the while receiving  more than 20 international awards

How long would a conversation between Columbians last before Luis (uncle Lucho) began his crusade and how about now. What Colombians now know about their own coffee, and why things have changed due to Amor Perfecto!

What do grapes have to do with green coffee beans? You will never look at this product from France the same after this interview.

Frida Kahlo, hand picked beans, transparency, traceability, and increasing the farmers living wage. You want coffee demystified, you want content, this is your episode. In fact so much so that we have doubled your pleasure and separated these interviews into two equally unique and entertaining parts.

Next week: the homework.. the due diligence … and investigative journalism portion along with the conclusion at Amor Perfecto!

But wait there's more! You have to try this coffee while listening to next weeks episode. Check out their webpage and order the "Worlds Freshest Coffee"  today, direct from Bogota. If you buy it now, you will receive our special listener discount and be sipping, savoring and enjoying the "rest of the story" next week from Amor Perfecto:

Discount code: CCCRS20

World's Freshest Coffee | Amor Perfecto

Remember if you have a question, or topic you want us to follow up on from this week, or any other episode of the CCCRS, we are happy to try to get that done.

https://crosscountrycoffeeroadshow.com/contact/

 

Jane Ormond

Author Destination Coffee

Melbourne, Australia

Episode 88

This week we traveled to the land “down under” to Melbourne Australia, and had a fascinating all things coffee chat with author Jane Ormond, on the release of her new book Destination Coffee.

Readers beware! Destination Coffee may cause excessive daydreaming, as you fall in love with coffee and with travel all over again. Even if currently it's only “armchair” travel, it won't be long till you're back at your favorite coffee spot on the avenue des Champs-Élysées (or your local roaster) sipping and people watching with the occasional overheard snippet of fascinating conversation. That’s the kind of interview we had! So use this episode as a guide to prepare for that sojourn. 

Are you shopping for the perfect home brewing appliance, or have anxiety over which is the best café in a local city while traveling here or abroad? Keep this guide nearby. Languishing over the history of coffee or using it as a quick reference guide this is a book for you and your next coffee destination! (Warning this book does not turn into a coffee table).

Destination Coffee by Jane Ormond, the biggest little coffee book you will ever need. From the origins of coffee to brewing the perfect cup, recipes from around the world, and how to decode the coffee label. Stash this marvelous book in your carry on. 

We covered it all this week, prohibition, the temperance movement, Diner coffee culture, New Orleans coffee history, and the biggest surprise best coffee city….and by the way how do you tell if you’re a coffee snob? Well exactly what is the process that you’re using to wash those beans? 

Let Little Miss Baghdad take you on a magical trip around the world still holding her crown and scepter, and all for a few quid.

Remember if you have a question, or topic you want us to follow up on from this week, or any other episode of the CCCRS, we are happy to try to get that done.

https://crosscountrycoffeeroadshow.com/contact/

Make sure to check out this week’s playlist for  Destination Coffee with Jane Ormond on Spotify, to hear musical selections from our guest.

https://spoti.fi/3gbp2Jy

BLQK Coffee

Justin Watson Founder and CEO

Los Angeles, California

Episode 87

Join us this week as we go to the Los Angeles area to interview the men behind BLQK coffee, and learn what a celebration you can have when you marry good business practices with social justice motives and philanthropy. Find out how they are moving the needle in multiple areas through education and donations.

A minority owned coffee company whose mission is to give back and change the world one cup of coffee at a time. Twenty five percent of their profits go to improve access to quality education, bridge opportunity gaps, and cultivate food justice. The kids who have the dreams but not the means will have the opportunity to investigate higher education, and to be exposed to a world they may not know even existed!

Retired Super Bowl Champion Justin Watson used to fall asleep during play review meetings, until he was introduced to this wonderful concoction with caffeine called ...coffee....who knew? For this former St. Louis Rams running back, this may have been the beginning of his journey into the world of java, but definitely not where he ended up

Ritchie Tuazon who is now a major portfolio manager, steeped in the investment world with multiple degrees from UC Berkeley, MIT Sloan and Harvard, to name a few, had a different coffee path, but what changed during the pandemic? .

Brothers from different mothers. How could these guys grow up so differently and yet have such similar traits? Drive and determination crosses a lot of boundaries and neighborhoods. Learn how to make course corrections and give 110% in a business, in a game or in life. This is wise advice from anyone, but especially cogent and meaningful coming from these two.

How does being kicked out of a Starbucks on Juneteenth, lead to a discussion about a “coffee project” and eventually the formation of BLQK? You think you know what that acronym stands for? Get educated this week, in more ways than one on the Roadshow.

Justin and Ritchie recognized inequities in the world and decided to “move the needle” regarding minorities, education, and the lack of opportunities. The phrase pay if forward comes to real fruition with these two.

Pour with a purpose, and Coffee Redefined. These two entrepreneurs are putting their slogans into real action not just platitudes

From Max Ehrmann's Desiderata,  to let muddy waters stand, notes and quotes abound in this week's episode as each of these men bring their own unique perspective to BLQK Coffee.

Justin and Ritchie not only want to make a difference, they want other companies to follow suit. That’s a revolutionary conversation!

Educate yourself this week with Justin and Ritchie, and learn all about BLQK Coffee.

Remember if you have a question, or topic you want us to follow up on from this week, or any other episode of the CCCRS, we are happy to try to get that done.

https://crosscountrycoffeeroadshow.com/contact/

And for our roadshow listeners be sure to use the code: crosscountryBLQK for a 20% discount.

Make sure to check out this week’s playlist for BLQK Coffee on Spotify, to hear musical selections from our guests

https://spoti.fi/3wIAsLJ

Reveille Trading Company

6595 Roswell Rd. Suite G-3066.

Atlanta, Georgia

30328

https://reveille.io/

Episode 86

Reveille" , called in French "Le Réveil" is a bugle call, trumpet call, drum, fife-and-drum or pipes call most often associated with the military; it is chiefly used to wake military personnel at sunrise. The name comes from réveille (or réveil), the French word for "wake up

How fitting a name is this for a retired military man to come up with for his coffee company ...wake up! This week we talk with Calvin Harris, the Founder & Managing Director of Reveille Trading Company, a black- and veteran-owned direct trade coffee company focusing on empowering small farmers through business. They focus not on transactions but relationships...what a concept in today's world. Although the company is in Atlanta Georgia, we caught up with Calvin in Florida to talk about his transition from the US Coast Guard to coffee.

Serving in the US Coast Guard for five years, planning on Officers Training School and then sidelined with medical issues, what is a retired veteran to do? Ask his father of course.

Oh you should be so lucky to get this kind of advice from your patriarch!!

Looking for a new mission in retirement and in the prime of his life, Calvin traveled the world opening his eyes to what abject poverty really meant. This led to the second great piece of advice his wise father gave him...are you sensing a theme here? This one put all the puzzle pieces in place for this amazing young entrepreneur.

What's a guy to do when you wake up in Cambodia, with someone forcing fluids into you without your knowledge? And the fluids? Saline? Gatorade? How about vodka! Say a Cambodian Police Officer overhears your friend talking negatively about the Cambodia government, walks over, and hands you his gun, could the rest of this story possibly go well? No re-education camp for this guy.

From Bachelors, and Masters, to nearing the end of his PhD this man does not stop. It's a good thing java lovers he has now focused his energies on coffee. Calvin is on a mission now to not only educate the public, and bring to the forefront the plight of the farmers who grow and produce the coffee we all love, but also to ensure a fair and equitable wage.

A short lesson in direct vs fair trade, the commodity index, and how Covid has affected this business. Sounds boring?? Trust me with Calvin it definitely is not!

For lovers of coffee everywhere, know what you are buying, and who you are supporting.

Where does your coffee come from?

Our next motto “drink responsibly”!

Remember if you have a question, or topic you want us to follow up on from this week, or any other episode of the CCCRS, we are happy to try to get that done.

https://crosscountrycoffeeroadshow.com/contact/

And for our road show listeners be sure to use the code: CCCRS2021 for a 50% discount. On your first order

Make sure to check out this week’s playlist for Reveille Trading company on Spotify, to hear musical selections from our guests.https://spoti.fi/340b2wv

Chaos in Colombia

Quimbaya Colombian Coffee. LLC

Owner Alex Lozano

Windsor, WI

Episode 85

This week's guest is the owner of Quimbaya Colombian Coffee. He is however on the show for this episode not promoting his coffee or his business but discussing the issues in his homeland. The reason for this lack of self-promotion will become crystal-clear in this interview. We are taking a break from our usual routine and revisiting Covid coffee Chronicles where we tackle specific subjects, related to the coffee industry. If you’ve been following Colombia this may be a refresher course, if you have no idea what we’re talking about stay tuned for some eye-opening information. The impact on Alex’s business is magnified, and that he has all of the components of his coffee business taking place in Colombia from growing the seed to roasting the beans.

Colombia is the third largest coffee producer of coffee in the world, with over two million Colombians dependent on this source of revenue from coffee production for their income. That is over 25% of the rural population. The combination of civil unrest, a worsening of the Covid pandemic and the culmination of building resentment to lack of representation and pay inequities have forced everything to head. The newest demonstrations there are putting a halt to commerce, on many fronts. This is resulting in a significant early impact on the coffee industry, and specifically on our small businesses focus this week.

Tired of “tax reforms”, lack of government representation and being squeezed on both the wages and price market, people are “not going to take it anymore”. What about the farmers in the rural areas? What is stopping them from harvesting their crop? Can anything be done to protect them? Hey but this is all happening in Colombia why should it affect me here in the USofA? Learn how the anti government protesters are causing the extreme slow down of coffee exportation, and why what happens there today can affect you here tomorrow!

Alex Lozano shares his personal stories from his homeland and the heartbreak over the unrest. He also talks about his beloved country and how the slow down of coffee production is not only affecting not only him, but potentially the lovers of coffee in his new country, the United States of America. Listen to a boots on the ground discussion of all things Colombia from someone who grew up there, smelling the aroma of his grandma's freshly brewed coffee. Alex ends with a poignant and extremely important request of coffee drinkers everywhere. It's a simple ask, but truly something everyone could and should be doing.

So for right now as long as supplies last feel free to order some fantastic Colombian coffee from Quimbaya Colombian Coffee, LLC.

https://quimbayacoffee.com 

 

 

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Everyday People Coffee and Tea Company

Founders Jillian and her mom Jacqueline

Washington, DC

https://www.everydaypeoplecoffeeandtea.com/

Episode 84

This week we travel to Washington DC to visit with co-founder Jillian of Everyday People Coffee and Tea. Her mother Jacqueline is the other half of this all female, black owned coffee business.

How many adventures can a mother daughter get involved in and where does it stop? Jillian and her mom started by founding an online vintage clothing company , Vintage World Rocks https://www.vintageworldrocks.com/ One of a kind items from around the world from the 40’s to the 80’s. They have a curated hands on approach, often personally checking out each item flying to each location to verify quality and authenticity. No surprise then that when they said lets start a female owned minority mother daughter coffee company they would put their heart and soul into it!

Online learning, at risk youth, and nature conservation is there any more we can pack into this segment? Listen to how Jillian ties these all together. For our listeners, show and tell is involved so put on your imagination hat and go back to school. When is too young to set up role models, learn about coffee and sustainability? You tell us if you don’t think this should be part of every elementary curriculum. Now kids, go find a coffee bean or some coffee grounds.(ask your parents first) then bring it back to the screen!

What were the challenges facing a minority and all women owned small businesses trying to secure a loan, and did Covid help or hurt in that avenue? What about partnerships? Do borders stop great ideas?.

The beverage we love is produced by people who are living in poverty. Jillian gives us the Reader's Digest version of a long dark history of the coffee industry. You may have heard the origin story of the goat herder, but do you know as Paul Harvey used to say “ the rest of the story”? Coffee lovers take note: What does paying fair wages and supporting small farms have to do with preventing the coffee bean demise!

From slave trade to climate change and sustainability in the coffee business. We cover it all in this week's episode # 84 with Jillian from Everyday People Coffee and Tea. (Yes there are tips for you non-tea drinkers ...ahem, I know some of them well)

Make sure to check out this week’s playlist for Everyday People Coffee and Tea on Spotify, to hear musical selections from our guests.

https://spoti.fi/2RtYH0G

As a Roadshow listener make sure to use code roadshow for 15% off your next purchase at Everyday People Coffee and Tea

Remember if you have a question, or topic you want us to follow up on from this week, or any other episode of the CCCRS, we are happy to try to get that done.

https://crosscountrycoffeeroadshow.com/contact/

 

Congregation Coffee

New Orleans, Louisiana

Episode 83

congregationcoffee.com

 Laissez les bon temps rouler!

This week we traveled to New Orleans where we met up with Eliot Guthrie, owner and operator of Congregation Coffee Roasters. While living in Seattle (where you cant throw a stone without hitting a coffee shop)a three mile journey to work would net Eliot great java, just about on every block. Was there a culture shock when he moved to New Orleans and how did he overcome that?

Learn Eliot's advice for starting a business. It has a lot to do with small children, and how your partner in life may play a prominent role.

Holy congregation Batman! How do you get away from an alligator, and more importantly why are you near them in the first place? High walk, low walk, and what about the gallop? Yes that's a real thing.  A lesson in ancient alligator ancestors moving on to the present day. You can't say that here at the Roadshow we don't try to have a varied conversational exchange. Become educated in what this congregation of fast moving reptiles can do.

From his biggest influence, to his favorite reads, you'll find out why Eliot may not have time for your favorite book. For literary latte, Eliot offers, a new and different kind of tome to add to your library. We don't just do coffee, brush up on those culinary skills... and what about those kids?. Is N’Awlins  largely a tourist affectation or a real thing? Remember if you do take a trip to the Big Easy ....Elliot built these cafes!

If you have a question, or topic you want us to follow up on from this week, or any other episode of the CCCRS, we are happy to try to get that done. Just send us a message !

Make sure to check out this week’s playlist for Congregation Coffee Roasters on Spotify to hear musical selections from our guests, 60's garage punk rock Andy Warhol to Tierra Whack !!

https://spoti.fi/2QBeniO  

Thank you Elliot and good luck with those gators!

https://www.congregationcoffee.com/