mie

first of all : i am competing in this competition, for whatever reason i am not sure of. i hate competing in something i can't possibly win, but then again, it might be fun and i am right now experiencing my head telling me that, and my heart struggling to accept it. "might be fun". ok. so i'm reading the rules and heading over to wendelbottom later today to pick up some divine love (amor de dios is the actual coffee we're going to use). at least i can cup it tomorrow to see what's in it. i hope everyone at the roastery can take their pride in finding my grind.

oh, and i'm also substituting for ben kaminsky. oops. if you are out there, make sure to send me some instructions, or you'll loose !! i plan on wearing a hat for that one.

I’m about to head out of Panama City for the third time in a week – this time for returning to Oslo. Robert came to Boquete to ”pick me up” last Saturday and cup some lots there before we headed to Honduras together for a few days. Yesterday was my birthday, and except from a few beloved ones that were not present, my day was amazing !

Spent the day cupping and visiting the Santa Marta farm (CoE winner with a Pacamara in 2007) where the coffee trees were blooming. So beautiful. Saw the farm, and even went bathing in their water source (true, i was allowed to since it was my bday!). Some cerveza on the way back to San Pedro Sula, some ceviche and then a very very nice present from Robert – a full mariachi band playing ”felicidaaaaades a miiiia” (that’s supposed to be me) and the biggest whitest cake I’ve ever seen. I have to head to the airport now. Friday back home Mr B has been roasting some more Ethiopia samples. Can't wait to taste them, I'll post cupping notes at kaffa.no immediately after.

i'm writing post the awards ceremony from the best of panama (BOP) 2009. i came to panama city late tuesday night and boquete the day after - first flight wednesday morning from panama city to davíd and spent the day cupping samples with josé david garrido. we've been cupping the mama cata farm samples quite rigorously this season and have already committed to a very nice "fully washed" lot - a blend of caturra, villa sarchi, bourbon and typica picked in the beginning of march. i need to note that what they call "fully washed" locally is what i feel is better explained as a mechanical wet process. we have previously bought his honey processed geisha - there's a lot to say about the various processing methods that are experimented with here in panama right now and there were many discussions about the subject. all the judges were asked to cup one table with only naturals when the BOP cuppings were over and asked to give feedback to the farmers.

the official BOP cuppings lasted for three days - and we had some very interesting methodological and existential questions brought up, like mentioned about the naturals. top two coffees were geishas, and we also cupped a very nice third place winning pacamara. winner of the competition this year was the esmeralda farm here in boquete, who has their own geisha auction scheduled for may 19th.

i did a small collage of my essential needs on coffee trips : shoulder bag big enough to fit all the important things you want to bring - samples, green converses and gowns (for awards ceremonies). and of course my aeropress ! i just love it !! upcoming world aeropress championship is announced at the wendelblog. i'm heading to honduras tomorrow to cup some coffees there as well, but i'm hoping for a chic lunch in panama city on my way from one airport to the other.