Results tagged “specialtycoffeeassociation”

Just a few weeks ago, we attended a coffee-tasting ritual (called a "cupping") at the Victrola, and crazed roasting genius Tony was there, espousing his bean religion with such fervor that we left inspired ourselves, sinuses filled with nutty aroma and hearts jittery as a tambourine.

As if you don't know, this weekend was the Northwest Regional Barista Competition, presented by the Specialty Coffee Association of America, and hosted by Hines Public Market Coffee and Stumptown Coffee Roasters. Seattlest was there, live, reporting away like a real reporter, just without the expense account. (Actually we had to leave to go find a hotspot. But we typed part of this post live and it was thrilling. We were standing *that* close to 2004 U.S. Barista Champion Bronwen Serna, who was helping judge this year.)

More baristas in Seattle! Get me out of here fast. Seattle is already lousy with baristas but the four-day U.S. Barista Championship began here on Thursday bringing more than 40 baristas from around the U.S. Competitors have had to prepare 12 coffee beverages—one espresso, one cappucino, and one specialty drink for four judges, all within 15 minutes. A specialty drink is a fancy Frankenstein of the coffee world—like the curry macchiato, a blend of tumeric, cardamon, allspice, cinnamon, and pepper brewed by Monica Hill of Barfoot Coffee Roasters in Santa Clara, CA. By today, the competition will be whittled down to just six and you can see them slinging their beans and frothing their milk for FREE at the Seattle Temporary Library at 8th Ave. and Pike Street. (You would think the Specialty Coffee Association of America who puts on the event could find a more glamorous venue—the new library or the convention center, maybe.)