San Francisco, CA: coffee town

A lot of catching up to do, and perhaps not the most productive in a hurry. Many thoughts to take away from a visit to the specialty coffee community of San Francisco; the number one city, in my opinion, in terms of carrying out and driving, what is happening in specialty coffee; more thoughts perhaps for a later time. 

On behalf of Cuatro M, I was able to visit with two Roaster/Cafes, Ritual and Sightglass Coffee Roasters; both big characters within the coffee scene of the bay area. 

Ritual, a current partner of ours, featuring coffee from Finca El Naranjo, a farm in Apaneca, ES that we have to privilege to work with and process coffee for. At their roastery and lab, I had the chance to cup all of their El Salvadoran coffee offerings; which were awesome to taste side by side; and listen to Steve, their green coffee buyer, narrate the story and characteristics of each farm and cup. 


With Sightglass, I had the chance to cup coffees out of Finca El Manzano; and talk about the potential for a relationship between our two companies. I spent much that Thursday with C.C., the green coffee buyer for Sightglass; and as he and I peddled to and from different cafes and shops; we sorted through the idea of how to bring newness to the industry; both at the shop and relationship level of the trade; trying to do more to translate the goals of objectives of a roaster/cafe into the actual cup tasting experience. 

A short but good stay in San Francisco, then out Friday morning, to the centennial state; for a visit with Coda Coffee Roasters in Denver.  

Sightglass Coffee Roasters: 7th ST

Ritual Coffee Roasters: Valencia ST.