Vienna Coffee Company

WEEKLY DEAL: 4th of July

2009-06-29T10:37:00.003-04:00

This Saturday is July 4th! In celebration of America's Independence, we are offering a weekly deal if you can answer this question...

What date was America's Declaration of Independence signed?

If you come into the roastery and can answer that question you will get a 2oz bag of our Monthly Special... American Hazelnut.

Just for your knowledge...

– On the day the Declaration was signed, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation was 2.5 million.

– On July 4, 2008, the nation's population will be 304 million.

Coffee Vocab: Flavor

2009-06-25T10:06:00.004-04:00

When tasting coffee you are often asked to describe the "flavor" of the coffee. What exactly does flavor mean?

Flavor is the combined effect of acidity, body, and aroma plus an evaluation of the four basic tastes: sweet, sour, bitter and salt. It is often described using these terms:

Richness: this term describes an interesting, satisfying fullness
Complexity: a flavor that seems to possess any distinctive quality simultaneously (i.e. full body, wine-like acidity, and a bright finish)
Balance: this term describes a coffee that does not obviously lean to one quality of another.

For example: Peaberry Blend is a blend of beans from Tanzania Peaberry and Costa Rica that creates a very balanced and aromatic cup of coffee.

Come by the roastery to sample some of our coffees and see describe for yourself the different flavors of our specialty coffee.

WEEKLY DEAL: Father's Day

2009-06-22T14:54:00.003-04:00

Father's Day was yesterday, and since I (Roastmaster John's daughter) couldn't be there to celebrate Father's Day with him, I'm asking you to help me honor him. When you go into the Roastery this week please tell him Happy Father's Day (and if you are brave give him a big ole hug for me too). Then after you do that, send me an email at jamie@viennacoffeecompany.com, and I'll send you a beautiful printed picture of Santa Maria de Jesus (home of our La Armonia Hermosa coffee).

Thanks in advance for helping.

And thanks Dad, for being great!!!

Latte Art Mile High Club

2009-06-19T12:23:00.002-04:00

Last month, Les Stoneham and Larry Bourgeois of Espresso Guild and videographer, Jp Leon, went to great lengths to set Larry's plane up with an espresso machine. As they were taking their plane around Cincinnati on a bright sunny day, Les was pulling some great cappuccinos. The image to the left is an example of the cappuccinos poured on their adventure. This is pretty amazing considering they were a mile in the air on a bumpy plane.

Now this may seem a little bit crazy, but you, yourself can learn to pull great cappuccinos like this (on the ground in your own cafe). We offer many classes including Advanced Latte Art Training, Espresso Basics, Espresso Based Drinks, etc. Please check out our website for more details.

WEEKLY DEAL:

2009-06-15T15:38:00.002-04:00

In celebration of Flag day which was yesterday June 14th, come into the roastery and receive a free bag of Harney and Sons tea if you can answer this question:

What year was the current 50 star flag adopted?
A. 1952
B. 1971
C. 1960
D. 1945

Don't know what flag day is?
It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened on June 14th by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777.

VCC donates to ADPSR's Mumford Awards

2009-06-11T15:15:00.002-04:00

This weekend, in Chicago, ADPSR (Architects/Designers/Planners for Social Responsibility) is hosting the 2009 Mumford Awards for Peace Community Development and the Environment. At this event community organizers, green activists, design practitioners, student, and people interested in sustainability will be coming together to honor 3 amazing organizations.

This two day event will feature guest speakers, FREE food from a green caterer, free drinks from a local brewery and winery, live local music, interactive art, and door prizes (provided by Vienna Coffee Company and Chopin Theatre). It will be a perfect way to allow people to know what is going on in Chicago, get connected, and honor organizations who are already doing some great things!

On Sunday they will be putting words into action and chartering a bio-diesel bus to Black Oaks Center for Sustainable Renewable Living's eco-campus. This day will be filled with different permaculture type projects (natural construction building, erecting a yurt, and erecting a chicken coop).

If you are interested in more information about this event check out: www.adpsr.org/chicago

La Armonia Hermosa coffee farm visit

2009-06-05T19:13:00.010-04:00

Les Stoneham is on his way down to Guatemala later this week to continue his work with the coffee farmers in Santa Maria de Jesus. This is the community from which we get our wonderful La Armonia Hermosa coffee.

He and a group of volunteers from Cincinnati will be meeting the coffee farmers and their families and working on construction projects in the village for the next two weeks. It should be a great trip! Please check for updates on their website.

Les has just recently created a non-profit called Deeper Roots Development which will allow the La Armonia Hermosa cooperative and future projects better access to funding and organization. With this exciting new venture, Deeper Roots is looking for people interested in investing in the farmers through micro-loans to fund the construction of a much needed beneficio (processing plant) that will enable the farmers to process their own crop and receive more income. The interest on these loans will be paid back in the form of fresh La Armonia Hermosa Coffee!

If you are interested in learning more about this or about going down and visiting the farmers please contact les@laarmoniahermosa.com

Weekly Deal:
La Armonia Hermosa coffee was such a hit this year, that we sold out! So in anticipation of next year's batch, our weekly deal revolves around the anticipation of our next batch of La Armonia Hermosa Coffee. Order any VCC coffee this week online and 15% of your purchase will go to supporting Deeper Roots, and you also will receive a FREE 2oz bag of coffee with your order. Please make sure you specify in the comments area at checkout which 2oz bag of coffee you would like. Thanks for supporting Deeper Roots!

Random Coffee History Fact

2009-06-05T13:17:00.002-04:00

In 1715, the first greenhouse in Europe was said to have been built to house the Noble Tree, a coffee tree given to France's King Louis XV by the Dutch government.

I bet you didn't know that...

WEEKLY DEAL: Fair Trade Origins

2009-06-01T13:48:00.001-04:00

Did you know the Fair Trade movement grew out of religious initiatives for selling refugee-made handicrafts in the aftermath of WWII? It has grown rapidly since the 1980s with the coffee trade at its cutting edge. Fair Trade coffee guarantees a livable income to farmers and finances schools, water systems and other community-controlled project in coffee growing areas.

Buy any of VCC's Fair Trade coffee online this week and receive a free 2oz. sample bag of a Fair Trade coffee of your choice. Please make sure you designate which sample bag you would like in the comments section at check out so we will know that you saw this weekly deal.

Coffee Quote

2009-05-28T10:53:00.004-04:00

Caffeine is my shepherd; I shall not doze.
It maketh me to wake in green pastures:
It leadeth me beyond the sleeping masses.
It restoreth my buzz:
It leadeth me in the paths of consciousness for its name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of addiction,
I will fear no Equal™:
For thou art with me; thy cream and thy sugar they comfort me.
Thou preparest a carafe before me in the presence of The *Vienna Coffee Company.
Thou anointest my day with pep; my mug runneth over.
Surely richness and taste shall follow me all the days of my life:
And I will dwell in the House of Mochas forever.
~Author Unknown

*quote has been modified slightly
**VCC does not believe in the poster's statement. It is purely for comedic relief.

Send a gift of Coffee for Father's Day!

2009-05-26T09:37:00.002-04:00

Do you have a coffee-loving dad that you want to show just how much you love and admire? Give him the gift of Vienna Coffee. In celebration of my Father, roastmaster John Clark, who loves Kenya AA Estate, we will give you a $3 off coupon when you buy the Coffees of Africa sampler pack. All you need to do is enter in coupon code: FATHERSDAY09 at check out to receive the discount. The coffees of Africa consists of three distinctive coffees from the Continent where coffee was first discovered. Kenya AA Estate, Ethiopian Yirgacheffe and Tanzania Peaberry. In fact, if you come into the roastery John is probably drinking a cup of Kenya AA right now.

For this week's weekly Deal:
Tell us a story about someone you thought about on Memorial Day or what you did to celebrate Memorial Day and recieve a free 2oz bag of Vienna Coffee of your choice!

NEW ONLINE PICK UP!

2009-05-18T15:44:00.006-04:00

Vienna Coffee is pleased to announce that you can now order Vienna Coffee online for pickup at the roastery free of charge! We are making it even easier for you to buy your favorite specialty coffee.
All you need to do is click on the "in-store pick up" at checkout.

WEEKLY DEAL!!!
In fact, if you make an online order this week for pick up at the roastery you will get 15% off your online purchase! Just put the code: InStorePICK0509 in the coupon code when you check out. We look forward to seeing you at the roastery!

Random Coffee History Fact

2009-05-15T09:56:00.002-04:00

Wanting to impress your friends with some random coffee history? Check out this random coffee fact...

On May 14, 1607, Captain John Smith (remember the story of Pocahontas? That guy) helped in founding the English colony of Jamestown on Powhatan territory in North American. He is believed to have simultaneously introduced coffee to the continent.

Thank you Captain John Smith...

WEEKLY DEAL: Columbian coffee prices reach 11 year high

2009-05-12T10:17:00.005-04:00

Coming from the Financial Times,

By Javier Blas in London

Published: April 9 2009 03:00 | Last updated: April 9 2009 03:00

Prices for Colombian wholesale coffee have skyrocketed recently causing the American market's coffee retailers to raise their prices by almost 20 percent at time when customers are "tightening their belts."

Colombia is the leading seller in specialty grade mild washed Arabica coffee and third top-seller for coffee overall. The prices have raised due to the amount of rain and a government program to renew all old coffee trees to aid in the medium future.

The scarcity in top quality coffee has made buyers resort to buying similar style coffee from surrounding countries such as Honduras, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. Unfortunately, due to bad weather and exports running low, the situation is not much better.

To find out more about this topic please click here.

This week's deal pertains to Colombian Coffee...

Colombia is the third seller for coffee over all in the world behind which two countries?
a. Vietnam
b. Brazil
c. Ethiopia
d. Guatemala

(please pick two) and receive a free 2oz bag of Colombian Supremo coffee.

WEEKLY DEAL: Cinco de Mayo

2009-05-05T17:43:00.003-04:00

It's Cinco de Mayo today! Many people have heard of this holiday, but not many know what it is actually celebrating.

Here's your chance to show your holiday knowledge. Answer the following multiple choice and receive a 2 oz bag of our Aztec Chocolate flavored coffee...

What is actually being celebrated on Cinco de Mayo?
A. It's a celebration on May 5th that is also call Day of the Dead, where Mexico celebrates their family and friends who have passed
B. It's Mexico's day of Independence from Spanish rule on May 5th, 1821
C. It's the unlikely Mexican victory over the French on May 5th, 1862
D. It's the day that coffee, and its prolific history in Mexico is celebrated.

Coffee Vocab: FINISH

2009-04-29T21:29:00.004-04:00

In coffee terms, the finish describes the aftertaste on the palate after the coffee is swallowed. Full-bodied coffee tends to have lingering finishes, while thinner coffees may be fleeting. For example, our Organic, Komodo Blend (Swiss Water Process Decaffeinated coffee from the South Pacific) has a mildly sweet start and a slightly floral finish. To better understand what finish is describing, come to the roastery for a cupping. There you will be able to sample a few of VCC's coffee and learn for yourself how to better understand and describe what about a certain coffee you like and dislike. That way, we can help you find the best blend or single origin coffee for your tastes.

INTRODUCING: Java on the Square

2009-04-27T12:18:00.003-04:00

We are pleased to announce...
Java on the Square in Athens, Tennessee. Their coffee shop is a beautiful space with very friendly staff and exceptional coffee (if we do say so ourselves). In a recent letter the owners of Java on the Square, Rick and Lea Anne, wrote...

"Rick and I have been looking for a business for some time and the opportunity to procure a local coffee shop became available. We bought the shop and after 3 months of renovating, we finally decided that it was time to open, ready or not and the first sale was February 14 - Valentines day! We settled on Vienna Roasters in Maryville, TN due to their attention to detail and willingness to help us in many facets of the business. Vienna's owner, John Clark, made a special trip to our shop and gave a coffee and espresso training session with our 6 employees before we opened. We decided on a soft opening and just turned on the open sign and opened the doors without announcing it or advertising the opening. Three weeks later we had our grand opening.

Business has been steady. We have received lots of positive feedback from the community. Everyone loves the coffee and espresso and says the flavor is great! Currently we are booking different venues of entertainment. (Jazz, Poetry, Blues Band, Sushi night, kids reading time)

Being a small business owner / manager with shared responsibilities with your spouse has been challenging and time consuming, but we have enjoyed all of it so far. There is no way we could have done it without attending Coffee School (Bellissimo (ABC training)) and Vienna's help with bean selection and employee training. From design stage to the first sale it was a wild ride and we look forward to the years ahead.

Thanks so much,

Rick & Lea Ann"

We would love for you to check out their new place, and tell them Vienna Coffee sent you.
In fact, we want to support our customer's so the deal of the week this week is...

If you go to Java on the Square and bring back a receipt from purchasing something from Java on the Square you will receive a complimentary tea bag or 2oz bag of Vienna Coffee when you come into VCC's roastery.

EARTH DAY: Coffee Ground Fossils

2009-04-24T11:40:00.003-04:00

Last Wednesday was Earth Day. Did you do anything special to help this wonderful and beautiful land we call earth? In the same vein as Earth Day, here is a craft you can do with your kids to help them learn a little bit about the earth while using up your old coffee grinds.

Crafts: Coffee Ground Fossils

Recycle old coffee grounds and create your very own fossils in this easy to make craft.

What you need:

- 1 cup of used coffee grounds
- 1/2 cup of cold coffee
- 1 cup of flour
- 1/2 cup of salt
- Wax paper
- Mixing bowl
- Some small objects to make impressions in the dough
- Empty can – get an adult to help you with this

Steps:

1. Stir the together the coffee grounds, cold coffee, flour, and salt until well mixed.
2. Roll the dough and flatten it onto the waxed paper.
3. With an adult’s help, use the can to cut out circles of the dough.
4. Press your objects firmly into the dough. When you take the object out, you have your "fossil". If you want to hang the fossil, poke holes into the edge to hold the string.
5. Let the fossil dry overnight and then hang it if you wish.

(taken from http://funschool.kaboose.com/globe-rider/earth-day/crafts/coffee-ground-fossils.html)

SCAA Annual Exposisiton 2009

2009-04-20T13:49:00.004-04:00

SCAA's Annual Exposition 2009 and the World Barista Championships are complete. The entire Vienna Coffee Company staff closed up shop and headed down to Atlanta Georgia on friday to enjoy a full weekend of coffee. A great time was had by all! At the World Barista Championship, the UK National Champion, Gwilym Davies took home the World WBC Champion's trophy. His performance was awesome and very creative! Representing the US, Michael Phillips took home the third place trophy. Michael is a friend of Les Stoneham and Jamie. He runs the Intelligensia Coffee Shop, only 7 blocks from Jamie's home and office in Chicago.

John Attended 4 days of the event and learned a bunch. John said, "The most interesting was the Roaster's Guild Certification course about processing methods for green coffee in the producing countries. The ChE (chemical engineer) in me loves to learn about the machines and chemistry involved."

This week's deal pertains to see if you were reading the blog last week. Answer this question correctly and recieve a 2oz bag of coffee.

How many years has the SCAA annual Exposition be going on??

WEEKLY DEAL: Easter/Passover Story or Tradition

2009-04-14T09:55:00.003-04:00

The Easter and Passover season passed with great excitement. This is a little piece of Easter we were able to enjoy...

Oh the joys of new birth!

What were some of your Easter/Passover stories or traditions that you participated in this year?

Respond in this blog or tell an employee at the roastery and get a free 2oz bag of coffee!

Easter Coffee Drink

2009-04-08T16:21:00.007-04:00

Looking for a special Coffee Drink for this upcoming Holy Week/Passover that will make your guest's or family's mouth water? This recipe is delicious and easy to make!

This recipe is brought to you by Gitta Verbraak on eHow...

The recipe comes from the Netherlands and we often drink it during the spring time and Easter.

Servings: 4
Difficulty: Easy

Things You'll Need

Steps

Step One

Properly brew the coffee (we suggest Vienna Coffee's French Roast or Fair Trade/Organic Sumatra Gayoland). You can make it quite strong, because of the whipped cream you add to it.

Step Two

Whip the cream until it's quite firm. Make sure you don't turn it into butter.

Step Three

Divide the eggnog between the 4 glasses.

Step Four

Pour the coffee gently into the glasses, so that it doesn't mix with the eggnog. Don't put too much coffee into the glasses, because you also have to add the whipped cream and you don't want the glass to flow over.

Step Five

Divide the whipped cream between the 4 glasses and sprinkle it with the cacao or nutmeg.

And Enjoy!

WEEKLY DEAL: Most expensive coffee

2009-04-06T15:52:00.002-04:00

This week's deal is a little harder than last week, but is an interesting fact...

The most expensive coffee in the world is produced with the help of what creature?

This cat-like creature, native to Indonesia, Mayasia among other countries in the region, selects and swallows the highest quality coffee beans. It only digest the outer coating, leaving the seed to be collected from its droppings. Digestive enzymes in the ______ are thought to alter the flavor, producing "deep, chocolaty undertones" that are highly prized.

Correctly name this creature when you go into the roastery and receive a 2oz bag of Vienna Coffee Company's coffee.

Espresso 101 class at Brown Cup Coffee Co.

2009-04-02T12:16:00.003-04:00

Last Tuesday at Brown Cup Coffee Co., John Clark taught a fun-filled and informational Espresso 101 and espresso based drinks class. Each week Brown Cup has different live music, lectures, events and/or classes like this espresso class. Brown Cup is one of Vienna Coffee Company's exceptional coffee shops that serves our Fair Trade coffee.

The image is an example of one of the handouts given out at the class. Are you interested in hosting your own class or participating in a class about espresso basics, brewing coffee, specialty drinks, latte art, cupping, etc.? Sign up now or get more information about one of our classes.

WEEKLY DEAL: April Fools

2009-03-28T22:29:00.004-04:00

This week is bringing about April Fool's Week! For all of you pranksters out there, this is your week! In fact, this might be the one of the only times you will get a reward for being a prankster. Tell us your funniest April Fool's joke by writing in on the blog or telling one of our staff members at the roastery and get a 2oz bag of April's monthly flavored coffee special, Spring Fever (english toffee)! I know you've got to have some good ones, so spill the beans...coffee beans that is...

WEEKLY DEAL: Guatemala

2009-03-23T23:00:00.003-04:00

Our direct trade provider and friend Les Stoneham is currently in Guatemala working and living with the coffee farmers of La Armonia Hermosa. This year's crop is coming along swimmingly. All that needs to be accomplished now is have parchment removed, sorted and bagged for export. We can't wait. This coffee has become a huge hit, and rightfully so.

This week's deal involves the agriculture side of coffee. Answer the question correctly and receive a free 2oz bag of Vienna coffee.

What color is coffee after the fruit is removed off the bean and the parchment paper is removed but before it is roasted?

Vienna Coffee Company

WEEKLY DEAL: 4th of July

Coffee Vocab: Flavor

WEEKLY DEAL: Father's Day

Latte Art Mile High Club

WEEKLY DEAL:

VCC donates to ADPSR's Mumford Awards

La Armonia Hermosa coffee farm visit

Random Coffee History Fact

WEEKLY DEAL: Fair Trade Origins

Coffee Quote

Send a gift of Coffee for Father's Day!

NEW ONLINE PICK UP!

Random Coffee History Fact

WEEKLY DEAL: Columbian coffee prices reach 11 year high

WEEKLY DEAL: Cinco de Mayo

Coffee Vocab: FINISH

INTRODUCING: Java on the Square

EARTH DAY: Coffee Ground Fossils

Crafts: Coffee Ground Fossils

Recycle old coffee grounds and create your very own fossils in this easy to make craft.

What you need:

Steps:

SCAA Annual Exposisiton 2009

WEEKLY DEAL: Easter/Passover Story or Tradition

Easter Coffee Drink

Directions

Things You'll Need

Steps

Step One

Step Two

Step Three

Step Four

Step Five

WEEKLY DEAL: Most expensive coffee

Espresso 101 class at Brown Cup Coffee Co.

WEEKLY DEAL: April Fools

WEEKLY DEAL: Guatemala