a month of momentum

it's been a fund-raising, ghost-busting, coffee-connoisseuring time around here. and it's all thanks to: you. our people.

if our last writing spoke of a full, packed month, this month's theme might be momentum. there's been a lot of forward momentum as of late, and i can't wait to tell you about it.

1. dreams with finca t have progressed; we're aiming to help add eighth grade for kids whose education would otherwise stop
   
2. our local willard library was featured on ghost files; we went ghost hunting & collab'd on a blend
   
3. introducing "seed to sip: a farm to cup experience," a new concept where we'll highlight a specific coffee's journey from one of our partner farms to you.
   
4. BONUS: sips & tips, the eight variables to understand for all coffee brewing.

the big fundraiser

we're not off the finca t (terrerito) soapbox. it grows!

last month: the evansville city blend entered the scene, and it's still live and well. a portion from each bag of our mayor's chosen blend will support finca terrerito's school building out 8th grade - available on our site and on honey moon coffee co. shelves.

this month: the big fundraiser.
here's a little excerpt we recently shared:

"these kids have no education opportunities past 7th grade. you can change that.

every bag of coffee from finca terrerito already supports the people who grow it. this is a chance to go further. we just launched a crowdfund to expand their community school (which was built on the farm by the farm), so students can continue through 8th grade.

you can support by choosing a [product or service in the] tiered bundle on our website. each bundle directly helps fund the classroom and comes with something meaningful in return. if you have ever believed coffee can connect more than just a table this is for you.

bundles include:
honey moon coffee co. mugs
evansville coffee co. merch
coffee ritual boxes from the one

choose your bundle and be part of the story behind your cup."

friends, i mean it when i say this may be the most meaningful thing i've gotten to participate in since being in coffee. i'd love if you took a moment to consider participating directly.

you can find the story & info here.

this year really has already been a daydream of such neat community collaborations. speaking of which...

ghosts: busted. the grey lady blend has arrived.

yes indeed, evansville's beloved willard library was featured on ghost files, so we went ghost hunting & collab'd on something fun: the grey lady blend.

for over a year, our very own nic main has had a simple but hopeful dream: "i want to do a grey lady blend with the willard library."

if you're not familiar, the grey lady is the commonly used name for the all-too-commonly-experienced ghost of the willard library (but if you ask the librarians, they'll say there are a few of these "ghosts...")

sure enough, nic's dream came true. an avid watcher & follower of ghost files, a show touring haunted spaces, he heard word ghost files might just be coming to the willlard library.

a few conversations & a lil' ghost-busting later, we got to work with the fantastic willard library team to create the very first grey lady blend. proceeds participate in fundraising for the library; check it out here or find a bag on the library shelves today!

if it's not clear, a niche we've enjoyed a lot this year has been community collaboration. community collaboration, however, isn't always with organizations. i'm excited to share another way that we'd love to partner with you.

i formally invite you to our newest brewing class: "seed to sip: a farm to cup experience."

seed to sip: a farm to cup experience

for the next two months, our brew classes are shifting into what we're calling an "experience;" i am so excited to host this for you all.

our next session is may 23 from 3:00-4:30pm, titled "seed to sip: a farm to cup experience." we'll highlight a specific farm & producer that we partner with, learn how the coffee grows & arrives, roast together, and finally, brew the very coffee together.

it'll be a rare opportunity to see firsthand the faces & farms behind these coffees, hands-on experience coffee roasting, and test a coffee with our team.

for more details, just click here. there are only a handful of slots left!

alongside this experience, we're continuing to seek to provide educational opportunities for you. hence, below, we've prepared a thorough walk-through of the core variables you'll need to brew incredible coffee:

the 8 variables to understand for all coffee brewing

we all want to love our coffee. at the very least, we want to enjoy it each and every day.

every once in a while, we might even make our own cup at home that's simply amazing. unparalleled. can't be replicated.

well.. what if it can? what if amazing coffee is less about finding that "unicorn" cup, and more about.. consistency?

as you learn to handle these 8 core variables of coffee brewing, you'll learn to make masterful cups of coffee day after day.

how to repeat the same cup you made yesterday. and how to make something better tomorrow.

it just might be simpler than you think. as you learn how these variables work together...

1. coffee quality: love your coffee
2. grind size: the most important factor behind the coffee itself
3. water quality: which water to choose, which water to avoid
4. time: the longer the brew, the greater the extraction
5. temperature: how a cold brew can take 24 hours while espresso takes 24 seconds
6. agitation & pressure: stirring can make.. or ruin.. your cup
7. filtration: the surprising effects of different types of filters
8. ratio: how much water to coffee, where to start
9. honorable mention: freshness. aim to drink coffee within 8 weeks of roasting for optimal flavor

... you'll find yourself making consistent coffee day in and day out.

we broke down each variable in a full blog on our website, from why grind size changes brewing speed to how filter choices affect both the flavor and the feeling in your cup.

i think you'll find it tremendously helpful. read the full breakdown here!

friends, thanks for reading.

i hope this is an exciting, interesting, or nonetheless helpful update each month.

if so, i'll mention that you can now also find all former blogs & monthly updates in our library archives, under "about us" on our website. feel free to check it out!

until next time, cheers, friends.

all the best,

- jacob

director of coffee, ecc