http://theshot.coffeeratings.com/2006/01/sf-new-wave/ Rants and Raves on Espresso Fri, 04 Jul 2008 21:30:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 http://theshot.coffeeratings.com/2006/01/sf-new-wave/#comment-2812 Espresso News and Reviews - TheShot.coffeeratings.com » The caffeine hit - listen to your body to find your coffee limits Tue, 05 Jun 2007 05:35:57 +0000 http://theshot.coffeeratings.com/?p=6#comment-2812 [...] But there are times where even I discover my caffeine limits — like the first time I visited Cafe Organica, and I just had to try four different double espressos with different bean variations within about [...] [...] But there are times where even I discover my caffeine limits — like the first time I visited Cafe Organica, and I just had to try four different double espressos with different bean variations within about [...]

]]> http://theshot.coffeeratings.com/2006/01/sf-new-wave/#comment-2808 Espresso News and Reviews - TheShot.coffeeratings.com » CoffeeRatings.com Reaches 500 Tue, 05 Jun 2007 04:35:46 +0000 http://theshot.coffeeratings.com/?p=6#comment-2808 [...] number of café and restaurant closures in that time. These vary from the high profile examples of Café Organica’s closure due to labor disputes (among other matters), café ownership changes (e.g., Cafe ? [...] [...] number of café and restaurant closures in that time. These vary from the high profile examples of Café Organica’s closure due to labor disputes (among other matters), café ownership changes (e.g., Cafe ? [...]

]]> http://theshot.coffeeratings.com/2006/01/sf-new-wave/#comment-415 Espresso News and Reviews - TheShot.coffeeratings.com » Does “Fair Trade” imply everything else is “Unfair Trade”? Fri, 29 Dec 2006 19:52:14 +0000 http://theshot.coffeeratings.com/?p=6#comment-415 [...] Earlier this year, I recall a specific incident where Eton Tsuno, owner and head barista at SF’s (regrettably) now-defunct Café Organica, was cornered by coffee consumers who complained that only 80% of the coffees he used were certified Fair Trade. Here’s a coffee expert who knew a tremendous amount about the industry, quality coffee, and its various social and ethical implications. And yet he was being talked down to by boycotters, armed with a flimsy three-paragraph article on Fair Trade coffee, who essentially accused him of unethical practices over 20% of his coffee supplies. This was insane — and yet another example where a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. [...] [...] Earlier this year, I recall a specific incident where Eton Tsuno, owner and head barista at SF’s (regrettably) now-defunct Café Organica, was cornered by coffee consumers who complained that only 80% of the coffees he used were certified Fair Trade. Here’s a coffee expert who knew a tremendous amount about the industry, quality coffee, and its various social and ethical implications. And yet he was being talked down to by boycotters, armed with a flimsy three-paragraph article on Fair Trade coffee, who essentially accused him of unethical practices over 20% of his coffee supplies. This was insane — and yet another example where a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. [...]

]]> http://theshot.coffeeratings.com/2006/01/sf-new-wave/#comment-288 TheShot.coffeeratings.com » Tea Time - Or: Where Are All My Coffee Varieties? Fri, 08 Sep 2006 23:18:31 +0000 http://theshot.coffeeratings.com/?p=6#comment-288 [...] The rude truth is that still is the case today. It was seven years ago that I first encountered a restaurant that actually offered several varietals of coffee in personal French presses (Square One in Santa Barbara). Yet even today, such a thing is still virtually unheard of in San Francisco. New, Mediterranean-themed restaurants open with elaborate wine and tea lists and yet still have a pathetic coffee service (Vignette, as an example). And with the sad closure of Café Organica this year, you currently have to drive to Palo Alto or Santa Clara to get a choice of beans for your espresso. [...] [...] The rude truth is that still is the case today. It was seven years ago that I first encountered a restaurant that actually offered several varietals of coffee in personal French presses (Square One in Santa Barbara). Yet even today, such a thing is still virtually unheard of in San Francisco. New, Mediterranean-themed restaurants open with elaborate wine and tea lists and yet still have a pathetic coffee service (Vignette, as an example). And with the sad closure of Café Organica this year, you currently have to drive to Palo Alto or Santa Clara to get a choice of beans for your espresso. [...]

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