590 KTIE The IE News Hour and Klatch Coffee created operation All Out Attack, Klatch will donate a bag of coffee for every purchase made of All Out Attack coffee blend to support troops overseas.

October is coming to a close. After a great month in celebrating Fair Trade coffees we move on to traditional and classic beans to ring in the holiday season.

From Sao Paulo we traveled to Fazenda Ambiental Fortaleza (FAF), home of the Bob-o-Link. Unfortunately this was a sad and disappointing visit. We were told by owner Marcos Croce that the high quality Bob-O-Link we loved in the past would now be a lower quality blend that does not meet Klatch standards. We also tried many-many cups which Marcos called "micros lots," unfortunately they were mediocre in quality, and had prices at Cup of Excellence (COE) levels.

Right after arriving from the airport and a quick stop to drop off our luggage at the hotel, Steve Sims, from Bodhi Leaf Trading Co., and my myself, were off to visit Coffee Lab. Coffee Lab is a experimental coffee bar created by former Brazilian Barista Champion, Isabella. The Coffee Lab is no ordinary coffee bar. This nontraditional coffee bar has no counter and set up just like a coffee lab. There is a 12k Diedrich roaster on one end with sealers and basic roasting items, with a La Marzocco espresso machine and various brewing methods on the other. Most drip coffee is brewed by a AeroPress coffee maker.

Out of Africa will be available at all Klatch retail locations and online at www.klatchroasting.com, Friday, August 5, 2011.

One of the great things about the coffee industry is the friendships and relationships. Even though we all compete and strive for the perfect roast or espresso, we still work together and help each other. Often we travel together and even buy lots together. One such person I do a lot of this with is my friend and co- ‘Roaster of the Year’ Jeff Taylor of PT’s Coffee Roaster. That’s how this story starts. You see Jeff found these wonderful lots of Kenya and offered to share with another friend and Klatch, Chuck, of Bird Rock Coffee Roasters.

Klatch Coffee's new Kenya just received 93 points by Coffee Review. The same Kenya submitted by two other top roasters -- KIatch ranking on top.

For the third time, a Grand Champion of Hawaiian Coffee has been crowned by the The Hawaii Coffee Association, and for the second time in two years, that champion is Rusty’s Hawaiian 100% Ka’u Coffee.

Southern California coffee source Klatch Coffee now offers unroasted coffee in a variety of package sizes, which include 200 grams, 1, 2 and 10 pounds.

I have to admit, I was not to excited to travel to Houston for the 2011 SCAA's symposium and Exposition but after being there I have to add it to my list of cities I would like to return to. The Convention center was surrounded by park, great hotels, wonderful restaurants, and a baseball park, making Houston a wonderful city.

As I sit in the airport waiting for my plane, I am already exhausted with three more flights in the next three days. But all good work has rewards and this trip is no exception so far. After the red eye into Guatemala, we cupped 60 lots to find the best from Retiro, Covadonga, and several new farms.

It is Spring time with 12 hour days that can only be fueled by great coffee: El Salvador La Montana and Belle Espresso.

It is the end of March the perfect time for cupping Centrals, hence the reason for my current travels to Guatemala, El Salvador and Panama. I will be arriving in Guatemala from a red-eye out of Los Angeles on Thursday, March 31, 2011. Once I arrive in Guatemala I will be cupping El Retiro and Covadonga. Both farms were just beginning to be picked while I was in Guatemala last month with Liz, our Associated Barista Trainer, during our origin trip. This trip is dedicated to reassurance of quality and choosing the best-of-the-best from these great farms.

Rwanda long known for its deep berry and floral jasmine. Yet, this remarkable attractive cup holds Yirgacheffe floral notes and flashes of Kenya-like brightness. The fragrance has soft floral and sweet citrus notes. The wet aromatics is were this distinguished fair trade washed bean comes to life - a bouquet of flowers featuring hints of stonefruit raspberry, sugar plum with ruby red grapefruit acidity.

Arriving in Guatemala and straight to Antigua, we quickly headed to visit farms and mills. Our first stop, Finca Candeleria. As we were relaxing and enjoying the beautiful scenery on the top of the farm at the base of the Fuego Volcano, we heard a rumble, felt the ground shake, and saw the mountain spew its awesome smoke.

I have just arrived in Guatemala City and have a brief moment to share with you my experience in Antigua. So much has happened. As you may know the first day I felt the ground shake. I looked up and saw a volcano spewing out smoke. It was a pretty humbling moment. They were not lying when they said Volcana de Fuego is still active.

Buenos Dias from Central America! Mike and I have just landed in Guatemala and are enjoying the view of Antigua on the terrace of our little hotel. The city is beautiful, bustling with people, and the old Spanish buildings are holding strong. The experience of visiting origin has been amazing so far. I was in El Salvador for four days and got to visit several farms: Las Mercedes, Kilimanjaro (all organic) and Carrazul amongst others.

If I could sum up our final day in El Salvador it would be three words: Cupping, Cupping, Cupping. For those who know me, the best part of my job is cupping. Whether it is enjoying the comfort of an old friend like Pepinal, or the joy of meeting a new one like El Bosco, cupping makes me happy. And today was a happy day.