I've just completed my first day in South Korea (an-yong, spelled how it sounds as I can't spell in Korean means 'Hi!'). Thursday-Sunday of this week is the annual Korean Cafe Show where I am teaching a green coffee workshop and helping out in a booth so I decided to fly down a bit early to adjust and see a bit of Seoul. Before arriving, I had no idea what to expect so woke up today with a totally open mind about the people, the culture and the coffee. First, I was blown away the genuine kindness of everyone I encountered. For example, a hotel employee ran 2 blocks to ask me about a detail they'd forgotten when helping at the front desk. Second, the city is SO clean! I went jogging first thing this morning and didn't spot a single piece of trash anywhere along the street.

In regards to coffee, my first cup of coffee was at the hotel breakfast. I was nervous upon finding an instant coffee machine but decided to give it a shot. It came out looking an little scary and tasted at least as bad so decided to hit up a coffee shop down the street which turned out to be a chain. I asked for a small coffee and got a very frothy, bitter latte (the latte instead of coffee can be blamed to my lack of Korean language skills apparently 'americano' indicates a black coffee). Strike 2. A customer picked me up shortly there after, however, and took me to a number of oustanding small speciality roater retailers that left me absolutely floored by the culture within realm of the botique roasters.

The attention to detail spent on creating the perfect cup and ambience to match in each little shop was incredible. I've never seen so many pour overs anywhere, let alone in a one mile radius. First stop was a traditional Korean house (or estate perhaps with its many individual buildings for groups to enjoy) that served specialty coffee roasted on site and organic traditional meals. I was so excited when my customer told me that the pour over Harrar I ordered came from us! Next stop was another roaster who has a few shops around Seoul who also served me a fresh pour over cup. I don't speak Korean and he didn't speak English but instead found Spanish to be our common language which was fun. :) We then visited a few more of her customers who all had a BEAUTIFUL shops, some three stories high, all unique and charming. I've got some photos but am having a hard time uploading. Will try again later as I'm jet lagged and with my belly full of delicious traditional Korean food am ready for bed. Happy Thanksgiving to all and take care!