I’ve been traveling for the past two weeks assisting Marty Curtis with administering the Q Grader Exam. The Q Grader exam is the only comprehensive professional accreditation for specialty coffee graders and cuppers. We gave two tests, one in Arkansas at Combustion Systems and one in Boston at Coffee Solutions. The test itself lasts 5 days and includes over 20 different sensory and proficiency tests related to cupping and assessing green coffee quality. I’ve posted some pictures over in our photo blog. If you want to learn more about this program, please visit the Coffee Quality Institute’s website.

I’ve been traveling for the past two weeks assisting Marty Curtis with administering the Q Grader Exam. The Q Grader exam is the only comprehensive professional accreditation for specialty coffee graders and cuppers. We gave two tests, one in Arkansas at Combustion Systems and one in Boston at Coffee Solutions. The test itself lasts 5 days and includes over 20 different sensory and proficiency tests related to cupping and assessing green coffee quality. I’ve posted some pictures over in our photo blog. If you want to learn more about this program, please visit the Coffee Quality Institute’s website.

Cafe Imports is pleased to announce that Tim Chapdelaine has joined Cafe Imports. Tim is the current chair of the Roaster's Guild and a passionate advocate of specialty coffee. Tim's many years in coffee and experience in coffee education, along with his desire to serve the high end specialty market will be a complement! WELCOME TIM!

In March, I traveled with Jason to eighteen micromills in the Central Valley, West Valley, and Tarrazu regions of Costa Rica. Along the many bumpy roads and through the many treat-filled homes of the producers, I gained a better understanding of the hard work and dedication that goes into creating a great cup of coffee. The micromill revolution in Costa Rica has allowed a sustainable price to be paid to the farmer, a high quality cup to develop, and a vast amount of information to flow from field to cup. The region, micro-region, farm name, varietal, altitude, producer names, and history of the micromill are passed along with each lot of coffee produced. Micromills not only allow Café Imports to obtain an exceptionally high quality product, they also allow the stories to be told of producers and the risks they have taken to create a unique and exciting cup of coffee. These stories are included in our beanologies with the hopes that this information will be passed onto the consumer. The producers are incredibly proud of the coffees they nurture, and recognition for their hard work and commitment to quality is well deserved!