Whats in your cup?
My parents blast through freshly ground coffee in their Bunn Automatic. 12 cups in just over a minute. While some snobbier coffee specialists may scoff at such heresy, I find myself every second year or so happily slurping down my second cup before registering that I’m fully awake and in the strange land of Wisconsin.
That said, I can’t rightly remember the last “drip” coffee I’ve had. I’m more your slow brewed Chemex, or double macchiato kinda guy. Forever the zealous apostle of the French Press for all home coffee drinkers. Ideally speaking, we’d all have a home ceramic burr grinder and a La Marzocco or Clover. The reality, however, is the before mentioned freshly ground espresso or pour-over devices are, well, maybe not in the budget or interest of most. So most people will probably stick to the good ol’ Bunn or God forgive you if you do, instant coffee.
Regardless of method, I wonder how many people know what they are drinking? Coffee. Yes, uh huh. Any idea of the washing station? From what country? What continent even?
Now I know we aren’t all coffee zealots. But the worth of the cup is in the people.
A stretch you say?
I think not. The reason we’re in Burundi is a complex yet simple one. We love coffee, individuals, God, family, and potential (not always in that order… in fact in no particular order, or if that offends, you could assume your favorite was written first) I think they are all combined, linked and fully integrated. That is why we are here. That is why it matters that you know what is in your cup.
Perhaps if you knew that you were drinking a cup of fully washed AA Burundi Musema washing station coffee and that it supplied 800 families with their only means of income. Or that by drinking that coffee you not only made their life livable, but sustainable. Don’t stop there. Because of they premium they received for selling their coffee as specialty they are now interacting and learning from key individuals that are influencing their whole way of thinking, crop growing, child raising and exposure to the Gospel… yeah that’s right, to Jesus. Because that’s important to us. Would that make the cup taste better? Motivate you to drink more? Or perhaps inspire you to dream of the important things in your life and dare you to face your fears and journey toward them?
It took us a while. We’re still working on them. OK, we’ll probably never really get there. Wherever “there” is.
Integrating these passions. Loving each. Frustrated by them all. Attempting to live them authentically in Burundi.
Thats why we’re here and why I care whats in your cup.
Coffee Guy
It makes me wish I drank coffee! Though I will admit, I do try and buy fair trade coffee for family, especially when it’s being sold to help raise money for an adoption.
My sister-in-law appreciates it most. I know she would appreciate this coffee.
This is the sister-in-law and I DO appreciate what you’re doing. I drink coffee many times a day and I only buy fair-trade but I still don’t know what happens behind the scenes or if buying fair-trade from huge corporations who aren’t attempting to fairly trade in other departments is helpful. Thanks for doing what you do and please keep up the good work!
What an excellent piece of writing to draw us in to what you’re doing and why! Your personality comes through; your purpose and your passion are strongly conveyed! As an English major, I give you kudos on your writing. As a friend, I continue to be amazed and excited at what God has in store for your lives! Keep it up, Carlsons!
I always drink my coffee warm, but I brew it in a cold press. I also always try to buy fair trade coffee, but living in small towns, it isn’t always so easy.
I know I don’t know you two that well, but I now think about you every time that I buy my coffee and say a prayer for all you’re doing. I don’t think you’re stretching at all; what you’re doing is important work.
I love what you guys are doing! I drink fair trade coffee from Equal Exchange that we sell at our church, but that’s really all I know about the coffee. I may have to google it and see what else I can find out! I’d love to buy some of the great coffee you are finding!
I know what’s in my cup: Aida Batlle’s Finca Kilimanjaro washed, roasted 12 days ago in my garage. Simple aeropress brew, but I’ve got a decent grinder so all the character is there. Please, please, please keep doing what you are doing: origin is everything. 90% of the character in a fine cup of coffee comes from it’s origin: the people who grow it and process it, the varietal and where it’s grown. All roasters have to do is “not stuff it up”.
Thanks for knowing what’s in your cup guys… makes a HUGE difference. And thanks for the love, it’s lovely.
And Stephen, love the passion! Where do you source your green from? I would love to hook you up with some micro lots coming out of Burundi. I’ve been connecting with a couple co-ops here,farmer owned and operated that give purpose and real value to every cup.
KUDOS! Can I dido this whole page? I can’t help but to echo what’s already been said…Love the passion, love what you do, glory to God! My wife and I own a coffee house and digital printing lab. To relate to your situation even if it’s minuscule in comparison or impact…she’s the “Coffee Lady” and I’m the “Camera Guy”. Please forward any information you can so we can buy directly from your farmers or buy from those who do. My hope is two-fold, 1) To bring a better life to those who are making ours possible AND 2) To prove your work there IS making a difference!
Feel free to check out our website even though its in dire need of repair.
Oh my! I almost feel guilty about our Bunn! Dad gets heartburn when he drinks french press, at his office he has the more common home coffee system which drips through the beans a little more slowly-is that better? Doesn’t hot water pass through freshly ground beans for an espresso?As I measure our beans to grind I have considered the 5 x of sorting, each bean is special!
Ben, you and Kristy have our hearts and our prayers and our love. Because of your passion for the people of Burundi and their potential for a better coffee price–and our love for you and God (in what order is all of this?) we have them in our prayers as well. To God be the glory, and may many come to know and love Jesus!! We are praying now that some lots which you recommended will be selected as specialty coffees. If some gets chosen and makes it here (Joe knows a guy who buys Burundian coffee) we will try to brew it in a French press at least once!
Today I am sipping Antigua tea, specialty tea we were give by your friend who roasts, cups, and ships coffee and more in Durban. Dad had his coffee at Main Street, with the guys, today reading and discussing Mark 3.
Watching, waiting, for the news of how many lots you chose, after all that cupping,are accepted and bought at specialty prices!! Love, Mom in Bloomer,WI
Ben,
I was excited to see the coffee my roommate bought is from Burundi. Not sure about the details but I am glad we are helping in some small way. The local coffee shop Anodyne in Milwaukee is the roaster. Praying for you guys!
Maggie
well done Anodyne in Milwaukee! Any hints at the washing station on the package Maggie? Ben