The Fourth Wave - Part 1: The Truth About Coffee
It seems in trade journals and newspapers there is a big deal made about estate coffees and the “third wave” coffee movement. What is an estate and why do producers and roasters tout their product as “estate” coffee?When I started in the coffee business over 25 years ago, I bought from five estates. Those estates were on the island of Java. They were owned and controlled by the Dutch. Way, way back when sailing ships were the main source of transportation and commerce, the Dutch controlled some of the Indonesian islands and all but one of the Banda Spice Islands, which was the island of Run. This island is a very small island about 1.5 miles long and .5 mile wide - it was jam packed full of nutmeg. This island was controlled by the British. The man that secured it for the British was a man named Nathaniel Courthope. The Dutch were so greedy at this time that they had to have that last island, so they traded it for an island called New Netherlands. Today you may know that island - it's called Manhattan!
Why would I share this story? Because it's a true story with several facts. I'd like to propose a Fourth Wave of coffee, one based on facts. I like to refer to this wave as, “The Truth About Coffee.”
3 Comments:
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Michael,
I just read your article in T&C and appreciate your open and frank opinion. It was pleasure to read.
Regards,
Vic,
Thank you for your comments. I felt it was time to write a piece about the truth. I and many of my colleagues that have been in the coffee business for years have talked about debunking the fairy tales we read about in local trade journals and newspapers. I am glad it was a pleasure for you to read.
Thank you,
Michael
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