$11K Coffee Maker Brews Controversy

The SBUX’s buyout deal on Clover is so notorious, even CNN
picked it up.

Whether it is good or bad for the specialty coffee industry as a whole, there are no short of the opinions. The discussion is more heated amongst the coffee professionals than the coffee enthusiasts. As for me? A French press works just fine. Although I don’t mind a Clover brew once in awhile.

More podcasts on the Clover. The pros and the coffee enthusiasts.

Con Te Partiro

I prefer the following version.

SBUX Buys Clover

(Click on the image for larger view)

You hear read it from here first! (I think.)


Added 3/20/08
I am not too sure about this statement

"Demand for Clover from Starbucks employees is extraordinary", said Starbucks President…."Every store manager wants one..."

In any case, you can read the rest of this story here .

The New Champ!

08-03_GLRBC_0093
Originally uploaded by Intelligentsia Coffee.

Mike Phillips is the newly crowned 2008 Great Lakes Regional Barista Competition champion. I don’t know him too well, but I regard him as a really cool guy. It is truly fantastic to see him represents Intelligentsia and the Great Lakes Region at the US Barista Competition in May.

2008 GLRBC

This year is my first time not going to be inspired and awed by watching my favorite baristi compete at the Great Lakes Regional Barista Competition (GLRBC) in Milwaukee, because I have something else planned for the weekend.

Italian Coffee Bar

Sky Lobby, 311 S. Wacker Dr.
Originally uploaded by Spinnaker007.

I mentioned there would be a brand new coffee bar in my office building last December in January, and it has been opened for business the last couple of weeks now. I heard that it might use Intelligentsia’s coffee, but I have just learned that it uses Alterra Coffee. I like Alterra, I have to go back and see if they can sell me a pound of the espresso blend…

Floored

I miss the energy on the floor, and I can't wait to see this film...

You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?

If ever a challenger wins over the iron (oooops), the ultimate barista, he or she will gain the people’s ovations, and the fame forever. Every battle, the reputations are on the line in the coffee stadium, where the master baristi pit their artistic creations against each other. What inspirations will the challengers bring, and how will the ultimate baristi fight back? The heat will be on!

Beat the Ultimate Barista this March 9~11.

It's Peanut Butter Jelly Time!!!

Bulls vs. Bears

The Bears can’t get a firm grip of this fundamentally troubled market, and the major indices have risen above the level from my previous post. There is a big tug-of-war going on, and the edge is leaning toward the Bulls’ camp. I won’t be surprised to see the Bears getting back in the driver’s seat in the next few days…I can be totally wrong…We’ll see…