Earlier this year we traveled to Boquete, Panama for the Best of Panama competition. While we were there we met a remarkable young coffee farmer named Keith Pech, who manages his family’s far
Category: Interviews
Interview: Marlee Benefield of Gather Coffee
Most of the interviews we’ve done here at The Coffee Compass focus on the baristas and roasters who make your coffee. But there’s a whole group of farmers, importers, educators, and co
Tartine Manufactory: An Interview with Maja Vojnovic and Chris Jordan
Tartine Manufactory, located at 595 Alabama St in the former Heath Ceramic warehouse in the Mission District of San Francisco, CA made its debut in August as Tartine’s long awaited second
The Apprentice: an interview with Bethany Hargrove
Two years ago I tried to overcome my disappointment with not qualifying for the semifinals at the United States Barista Championship by going to a local latte art throwdown. I was no more fortunat
From the Court Room to a Coffee Farm: an Interview with Thrive Farmers’ Ken Lander
Meet the man who wants to change the way you buy coffee. Ken Lander is cofounder of Thrive Farmers, a coffee company championing a farmer-direct model in which the farmers retains ownership of the
Josh Littlefield Embarks on the Great American Coffee Tour
Many of us fantasize about quitting our job, throwing a bag in the back of a truck, and café-crawling our way around the country. Josh Littlefield is actually doing it. The former New York-based
Matt Argo of Good Folks Coffee Talks Rebranding, Origin, and Expansion
Matt Argo is quietly building a coffee empire. From humble beginnings in a basement to a brand new roasting facility in Louisville’s Shelby Park neighborhood, Argo’s Good Folks Coffee
Introducing the Dominican Republic’s First Specialty Coffee Roaster, Gente de la Isla
Coffee producing countries are beginning to roast and serve craft coffee. We recently came across an exciting new roastery in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic that is introducing specialty coffe
Empire State of Grind: Erika Vonie Leads Expansion at Brooklyn’s Variety Coffee Roasters
One of the most rewarding aspects of competing in barista competitions is not the moment in the limelight or even the free swag, it’s the friendships one makes with other committed coffee pro
Palace Coffee Shares What it Takes to be America’s Best Coffeehouse
Recent controversy around the cancelations of regional barista competitions by the SCAA has led to lively online discussion concerning the future of coffee competitions. Many voices are calling fo