Espresso 101 class at Brown Cup Coffee Co.

Last Tuesday at Brown Cup Coffee Co., John Clark taught a fun-filled and informational Espresso 101 and espresso based drinks class. Each week Brown Cup has different live music, lectures, events and/or classes like this espresso class. Brown Cup is one of Vienna Coffee Company's exceptional coffee shops that serves our Fair Trade coffee.

The image is an example of one of the handouts given out at the class. Are you interested in hosting your own class or participating in a class about espresso basics, brewing coffee, specialty drinks, latte art, cupping, etc.? Sign up now or get more information about one of our classes.

WEEKLY DEAL: April Fools

This week is bringing about April Fool's Week! For all of you pranksters out there, this is your week! In fact, this might be the one of the only times you will get a reward for being a prankster. Tell us your funniest April Fool's joke by writing in on the blog or telling one of our staff members at the roastery and get a 2oz bag of April's monthly flavored coffee special, Spring Fever (english toffee)! I know you've got to have some good ones, so spill the beans...coffee beans that is...

WEEKLY DEAL: Guatemala

Our direct trade provider and friend Les Stoneham is currently in Guatemala working and living with the coffee farmers of La Armonia Hermosa. This year's crop is coming along swimmingly. All that needs to be accomplished now is have parchment removed, sorted and bagged for export. We can't wait. This coffee has become a huge hit, and rightfully so.

This week's deal involves the agriculture side of coffee. Answer the question correctly and receive a free 2oz bag of Vienna coffee.

What color is coffee after the fruit is removed off the bean and the parchment paper is removed but before it is roasted?

Converge:Exchange

On Wednesday and Thursday of this week, Vienna Coffee Company donated their La Armonia Hermosa coffee to the Converge Exchange dinner/conference.
The conference was a huge success with more than 100 communities, activists, and practitioners converging in a set of lectures and round table discussions to exchange ideas, current projects, resources, funding, etc. Also, on Wednesday night a wonderful 5 course meal with all local/seasonal food that the chef had a personal relationship with was prepared for about 35 panelists and organizers of the conference, and adding to the relational story Vienna Coffee was able to tell their story of their relationship with the farmers in Santa Maria de Jesus, Guatemala.

In this changing economic climate Chicago's design world is merging with communities and activists to make sense of the change and how to better our world through collaboration. It was great to hear about all of the amazing sustainable projects, activities, and organizations going on in the area. This event, spurred on by Vienna Coffee Company's coffee, allowed for all of these people to connect in hopes of making a larger impact. We look forward to seeing what comes out of this event in the future.

If you are interested in joining the discussion check out www.convergeexchange.org. They will be adding a discussion board onto their website shortly.