Join us for an unique & educational evening featuring a

Dark ChocolateTasting

with an Informative Presentation

This coming Monday, September 26^th, 7 to 9 pm

$15 per person
We will learn Regional Flavor Profiles from Cocoa Seedlings to Chocolate Bars
while experiencing the world of dark chocolate in this blind tasting. This educational and sensory stimulating lecture helps you learn to distinguish chocolate notes, discern roasting techniques and recognize origins.

Participants will savor gourmet chocolates from around the world during this session, meanwhile developing sensory control of the palate and texture identification. The audience will gain familiarity with the numerous stages in cocoa production and bean preparation from a cocoa grower from the Amazon. Then, an experienced chocolatier will share about the regional flavors of cocoa beans, the process involved in chocolate making, and the economic impact of the world's third most important commodity. Chocolate bars processed nearby the cocoa groves will be matched up against the prestigious

gourmet, fair trade, and organic dark chocolates in

a blind tasting that will challenge even experienced chocoholics.
Dark Chocolate Lovers Sign up TODAY! Seating is limited.

Please register to reserve your seat!

Do Gooders!

A couple of Conservatory customers were caught repairing Pearl's walker. Pearl is in her 90's and still manages to get here just about everyday. Be careful, or one of our customers might just do something good for you too!

thoughts on coffee

A few thoughts for the new year....

Is sourness in espresso desirable?

Are blends about to become fashionable again?

Is dark roasting really such a crime?

How much 'potato defect" can we tolerate?

Do you need a synesso to be legit?

Do consumers REALLY care about the plight of coffee farmers if it means paying more?

Happy New Year

morning cupping can be art

This morning, Hannah and I cupped several coffees, as we do every morning.

One coffee that really stood out to me was a Peruvian, La Florida. Has anyone ever tried a coffee that tastes like a hot pepper? A coffee that tastes like a jalapeno? And, at the same time, is entirely enjoyable?
I hadn't until today.

One amazing thing about coffee is that it doesn't just taste like coffee (I find that to be true with a number of things). I'm not sure how it would taste actually brewed, or with milk in it. But, in the moment that I tasted this Peruvian, and a totally unexplored ( for me) flavor in coffee, time stood still for an instant, and it was
Art.

~Emily

Pick a coffee!

Greetings, dear reader. I'm drinking a cup sample of El Salvador 'El Carmen',sent from Mercanta and I'm having a thought. Why NOT buy another coffee from El Salvador or Guatemala or Nicaragua,Costa Rica, et al.? Really, how much is too much, of something really good? So my philosophy for the year is; if it's really good and in season, let's get it. This may prove impractical in terms of space and people may become confused by having to choose from 4 great Guatemalans and a washed vs. honey Costa. But were going for it anyway! Maybe next year, after tiring of hearing customers lament about running out of "that amazing El Salvador COE Los Planes or Kenya Ruera Peaberry" or some other coffee in limited supply, I'll simply come up with The Conservatory "House Blend" ala Illy or Graffeo and never change it! Imagine, 3 bags in the corner, a scoop of this, two of that and that's it! So for this year, some good coffees so far are:
Guatemla-La Perla,Las Nubes,El Socorro,COE#19
El Salvador-Miravalle Pacamara
Costa Rica-Finca Genesis Honey, Las Lajas
More to come. See ya in there!

Where have you been?

In an effort to post my wonderfully interesting thoughts more regularly, I will be less critical and more stream of consciousness from now on. Begin: I love coffee. I think I'm an addict. Do I need help? No, I can quit any time I want!

Guatemala-Day 4

After a wonderful visit to La Soledad farm in Acatenango, we depart for Panajachel village, on Lake Atitlan. This is the deepest lake in Central America and considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. We are staying at the Hotel Del Lago, a beautiful place overlooking the lake. After breakfast, we take a lovely boat ride to San Juan La Laguna to see the co-op "La Voz que Clama en el Desierto" which translates "The voice of one crying in the wilderness" (from the Prophets Isaiah and John the Baptist). The influence of Christian Missionaries is evident in the joyfulness of the people and their open praising of God. The tour was unfortunately more geared to tourists than coffee professionals, and a lot of the trees and practices needed some help. Nonetheless, it was a beautiful place with colorful people and plenty of potential! After this we boat to Santiago for lunch and then spend a few hours walking the streets to buy a few gifts. In Santiago, the poverty seems to manifest itself in some of the most aggressive sales tactics imaginable. We almost had a group of street vendors jump into the boat with us! I bought an adorable hat and outfit for my daughter Elizabeth here as well as few unnecessary "pressure sale" items!