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Java Jolt, Issue #005 -- Coffee For A Better World
April 26, 2021

Issue #005

Java Jolt Returns!

Welcome to the fifth issue of the Java Jolt Newsletter! IT has been a while, but JJ is fully vaccinated and ready to take on the world!

(Java Jolt is a publication of Sustainable Java which brings you a carefully curated round-up of the best articles and most interesting news stories we find from around the world of coffee. Our focus is sustainability so we'll point you to lots of resources on that. But we're passionate about the coffee industry as a whole, so anything related is fair game.)

Java Jolt Newsletter will continue to wear a mask for a bit longer. Please continue to keep six feet between yourself and the newsletter as you read.





On to the news...


BBC News had a great article on some of the innovations being introduced in the area of sustainability. I look forward to trying some of these new products.

Coffee Waste: Companies offer up new solutions



I've been enjoying this La Colombe Corsica lately. It is excellent, especially as a pour over. I really like their packaging as well.





La Colombe Corsica


Daily Coffee News writes about a new book published by Roast Magazine which covers issues in the global supply chain of coffee which need be addressed. The article states that "It is a readable and digestible synthesis of thousands of pages of academic literature and expert interviews, in disciplines ranging from economics to anthropology and from environmental science to history."

Roast Magazine Releases 'Cheap Coffee...' Book


Roast Magazine has a really well thought out two-part article on the specialty coffee industry, relating to how beans are graded and classified. It's an informative look at how it operates now, and what could be changed for the better.

Note: I have linked part two of the article, as it is the most recent. You'll find a link to part one within.



I particularly found their descriptions of these common terms useful:

Artisanal: produced by an artist, synonymous with craft

Boutique: characteristic of a small, exclusive producer; an exclusive business offering customized products or services

Conventional: conforming or adhering to acceptable standards; ordinary rather than different or original

Craft: food or drink made in the traditional or non-mechanized way by an individual or small company; made by hand

Fancy: of high quality

Gourmet: involving high-quality or exotic ingredients and skilled preparation

Premium: of exceptional quality or greater value than other of its kind; superior; of higher price or cost

Prime: of the best possible quality; excellent

Specialty: a special or distinctive quality, mark, state or condition; a product to which the manufacturer claims to devote special care; unusual or superior quality

Standard: regarded as the usual or most common form of its kind; average or normal quality or grade

Superior: above average; of higher grade or quality



Evolving the Concept of Specialty Coffee


Could Florida soon be joining California and Hawaii as coffee producers in the United States?

According to this story, Florida's citrus growing regions may have the right conditions for it. The first tests to see how feasible this may be are underway right now. DCN has the full story:

Exploring the Possibility of Florida-Grown Coffee







Though this is a publication dedicated to coffee, let's not forget about our beloved cousin/brother-from-another-mother, the wondrous "Camellia sinensis", the tea plant! Especially good to drink during these times where we all need to be boosting our immune systems. Whether you prefer black, green, white, red, or herbal, do yourself a favor and steep a nice cup of tea with honey, fresh ginger, and lemon juice added in.

One of my favorite roasters, Highwire, located in Emeryville, CA, also carries a range of excellent teas from their sister brand, 4 Track Tea. These are well worth checking out. I've got my eye on the Bourbon Vanilla Black tea next.

Check out their selections, and if you want to brew in style check out this Hario brewer! Best one I have seen.

Highwire 4 Track Tea

Hario Largo Tea Dripper



Peace Coffee just released a brand new single origin Colombian coffee, and we here at Sustainable Java HQ are excited to try it. Our order is on the way! I'll report back once I've tried it.

Peace Coffee Colombian Single Origin


This article on Barista Magazine's website about Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee was really interesting. It dives into the history, and how it is one of the most sought after, yet misunderstood coffees in the world.

Fascinating read if you're interested in learning what goes into their certification process, and how to know if you're getting the real stuff or a blend.

Barista Magazine - Exploring Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee





Coffee of the Week

My pick for coffee of the week goes to this Ethiopia Aricha from Dune Coffee Roasters in Santa Barbara, California.

This is coffee hits all the right notes and is exactly what I look for in an Ethiopian coffee. Fruity notes of blueberry, with a brown sugar sweetness.

While it's great as a drip brew, my preferred brewing method for this one is pour over. It really brings out flavor notes in a much more pronounced way.





Dune Coffee Roasters



What's Happening on Sust. Java?

Lots of things are in the works for the website. A couple of months back we ran our annual Valentine's Day Gift Guide. Though Valentine's Day is history, the guide is still live and full of great gift ideas for any occasion! We'll leave it up while we work on our next big feature.

We also have a profile on Ferris Coffee in Michigan which has been added since our last newsletter. I'll link to it below. Lots of cool things going on there.

Valentine's Day (Any Occasion) Gift Guide

Ferris Coffee & Nut Profile










Until Next Time...

Thank you for reading! Stay safe everyone, and we'll see you next time!

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