Nespresso Launches 'Reviving Origins' Program to Help Revitalize Coffee Regions Under Threat

Nespresso announces the launch of Reviving Origins, a program to help restore high-quality coffee production in coffee farming regions that are under threat due to political conflict, economic hardship or environmental disaster. The company is committed to working with smallholder farmers to help rebuild strong and resilient coffee industries. As part of his fifteen-year relationship with the brand, George Clooney has championed the Nespresso sustainability program and has supported its work with farmers in many coffee regions, travelling most recently to Puerto Rico as part of the Reviving Origins program.

Reviving Origins is grounded in Nespresso's belief that quality coffee presents a strong opportunity for the long-term sustainability and resilience of coffee farming communities. Together with agronomists and organizations on-the-ground, including TechnoServe, Fairtrade International, Fair Trade USA, and the Rainforest Alliance, the company provides farmers with training and materials to help them grow high-quality coffee, creating shared value and making a positive impact locally. It also offers access to new practices and networks that had not previously existed in the regions. Through this work, Nespresso is giving coffee lovers access to some of the world's rarest, highest quality coffees.

The brand is committed to investing 10 million CHF ($9.8 million USD) over the next five years to encourage economic development and bolster high-quality coffee production in regions such as Colombia, Zimbabwe and Puerto Rico. The premiere Reviving Origins coffees, Tamuka mu Zimbabwe and Esperanza de Colombia, from eastern Zimbabwe and Caquetá, Colombia – virtually unknown, rare coffees – are available today. The first Reviving Origins coffee from Puerto Rico will be available in limited quantities in September of this year.

"At Nespresso, we firmly believe that quality coffee has the transformative power to bring lasting stability to farmers, their families and their communities," said Guillaume Le Cunff, President and CEO of Nespresso USA. "For decades, we have worked directly with our partners in coffee growing areas across the globe to help build sustainable coffee sectors. We are proud to enter new regions and help farmers replant their land, one coffee tree at a time, and reclaim their future, while bringing new and exciting coffee experiences to U.S. customers."

In 2018, Nespresso worked with the Hispanic Federation to donate $1 million to help revitalize the coffee sector in Puerto Rico after Hurricanes Irma and Maria destroyed more than 80 percent of the island's coffee harvest and trees. In January of 2019, Clooney toured farms and met with farmers and their families in Puerto Rico to discuss coffee as catalyst for reviving their land.

"Over the 15 years that I've worked with Nespresso, I have seen firsthand the impact of the company's investments on coffee regions around the world and, more importantly, on generations of families," said Clooney. "Nespresso's involvement in local coffee industries means that the rhythm of life can return to normal after conflict, natural disaster or other hardships."

INTRODUCING REVIVING ORIGINS TAMUKA MU ZIMBABWE

In the late 1980s, Zimbabwean coffee farmers produced over 15,000 tons of coffee (according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture), but production almost came to a complete halt as a result of climate factors and economic instability in the country. By 2017, production levels were lower than 500 tons.

In collaboration with the global non-profit TechnoServe, Nespresso works with the local coffee farming community in the Manicaland Province, located in eastern Zimbabwe, to establish sustainable farming practices, bringing in expert trainers and new techniques for coffee processing and tree management. This investment has helped to produce an even higher quality Arabica coffee.

"This project is not only helping to bring back some of the world's best coffee. It is also providing economic opportunities for Zimbabwe's hard-hit rural areas," said William Warshauer, President and CEO of TechnoServe. "As a non-profit that takes a business approach to reducing poverty, TechnoServe is excited to partner with Nespresso and the farmers of Zimbabwe to build a brighter and more prosperous future."

Reviving Origins Tamuka mu Zimbabwe is bursting with complex fruitiness and zesty acidity, with notes from cranberry to red berries, and currant to grape. It has a creamy, smooth texture when combined with milk, making it an ideal coffee for a Latte Macchiato. Intensity: 5 (for Original and Vertuo range)

INTRODUCING REVIVING ORIGINS ESPERANZA DE COLOMBIA

Coffee risked extinction in Caquetá, Colombia following 50 years of conflict. Since 2017, Nespresso has collaborated with local farmers and the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC) to support the rebuilding of the country's industry. Through the Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program, the brand's agronomists have provided training in and expertise on sustainable farming, quality development, and environmental and water management.

"For many years Nespresso has been a great partner of the FNC in implementing sustainable agricultural practices and improving the quality of coffee in many areas of Colombia. The Caquetá region is no exception," said Juan Esteban Orduz, President of Colombian Coffee Federation, Inc., the North American subsidiary of Colombian Coffee Growers Federation. "We have been able to support the livelihoods of our farmers and make a positive social and economic impact on the coffee growing communities of San Vicente del Caguán and Florencia."

Reviving Origins Esperanza de Colombia is a mild coffee that is very light in acidity. It is beautifully balanced and rounded, and has aromas of yellow fruits, with a hint of a cereal note. Intensity: 5 (for Original range) and 3 (for Vertuo range)

Reviving Origins Tamuka mu Zimbabwe and Reviving Origins Esperanza de Colombia are now available for a limited time at Nespresso Boutiques and Nespresso Boutique-in-Shop locations, through the Nespresso Club (Original: 1-800-562-1465 and Vertuo: 1-877-964-6299), and on www.Nespresso.com. For the Original range, sleeves of Reviving Origins Tamuka mu Zimbabwe and Esperanza de Colombia are priced at $11. For the Vertuo range, sleeves of Reviving Origins Tamuka mu Zimbabwe are priced at $12, and sleeves of Esperanza de Colombia are priced at $15.

Nespresso coffees are packaged in aluminum, a material that preserves the quality and freshness of the coffee and can be recycled again and again. The company is committed to making recycling as easy as possible and offers customers several ways to recycle. It provides pre-paid UPS recycling bags in 48 states so that customers can mail back used capsules or deposit them at one of more than 88,000 drop-off locations. Customers can also recycle used capsules at over 500 collection points, which are located in Nespresso Boutiques and select retail partners across the country. 

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June is National Iced Tea Month: FUN FACTS

Iced tea is a form of cold tea, usually served in a glass with ice. It may or may not be sweetened. Iced tea is also a popular packaged drink. It can be mixed with flavored syrup, with common flavors including lemon, peach, raspberry, lime, passion fruit, strawberry and cherry. While most iced teas get their flavor from tea leaves (Camellia sinensis), tisanes are also sometimes served cold and referred to as iced tea.

Enjoy these fun facts about iced tea:

• Cookbooks dating from the early 19th century indicate Americans have been drinking iced tea sincethat time. However, the beverage became generally popular after Richard Blechynden of the India Tea Commission offered free sample to attendees of the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair.
• New York City tea importer Thomas Sullivan became annoyed at the high cost of the tin boxes he used to send tea samples to customers. So in 1904 he switched to small cloth bags. One of the recipients brewed a pot of tea by simply pouring hot water over the bag — and the rest is history.
• June is National Iced Tea Month.
• According to the Tea Association of the USA, Americans consume well over 55 billion servings of tea (over 2.50 billion gallons) a year.
• June 10th is National Iced Tea Day.
• Iced tea’s popularity was soaring in the early part of the 20th century, but tea vendors weren’t the only beneficiaries when consumers started buying tall glasses for it.  To aid in serving, consumers began buying tall glasses in such quantity they were known as “iced tea glasses.” They also bought long stirring spoons and tiny forks meant to spear lemons.
• Tea is a hydrating alternative to sugary beverages like soda and might help boost weight loss efforts, along with a healthy diet and plenty of exercise.
• Recent studies on green tea shows that “routine tea consumption of an average of about two cups a day is associated with a lower percentage of body fat and weight control” than non-tea drinkers.
• The Arnold Palmer beverage is a non-alcoholic combination of iced tea and lemonade, created and made popular by American golfer Arnold Palmer. An alcoholic version of the beverage (generally made with vodka) is often referred to as a John Daly.
• In 2003 Georgia state representative John Noel tried to pass a house bill making it mandatory for all restaurants to serve sweet tea.
• The teaspoon was developed to easily add sugar to tall glasses full of iced tea.
• Approximately 80 percent of the tea served in the United States today is iced tea.
• The famous Long Island Iced Tea drink doesn’t contain any tea at all (just tequila, rum, vodka, gin, triple sec, and mixers).

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BBQ & Beans, Grillin' with Coffee

Perk up your poultry! Wake up your steak! Coffee can be a great addition to many recipes. As a dry rub, marinade, or brine, coffee can play a big part in summertime entertaining—especially when it comes to grilling.

In addition to being a “get me going in the morning” necessity, coffee can enhance the flavor of meats and many chefs use it year-round to take tried and true recipes to the next level.

Summertime is the perfect time to incorporate coffee and coffee blends into your cooking. Not only does coffee enhance the flavor of your meat by offering a subtle flavor, it also helps caramelize the outside creating great color and texture.

Pre-packaged rubs are available at many gourmet stores nationwide, but why not try experimenting to create your own using your favorite ingredients? Any freshly ground coffee beans will work just fine, many recommend a dark roast for the biggest coffee flavor, and strong meats and a lighter roast if you're looking for something a little more subtle.

For chicken, try adding ground coffee to lemon peel, orange peel, kosher salt, and dried basil. For ribs or beef, how about some ground espresso or French roast coffee with chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, coriander, cumin, kosher salt and pepper.

Unlike store-bought, pre-packaged rubs, you’ll have to experiment to come up with a blend that appeals to your own individual palate. But…soon you’ll be cooking like a pro!

Click here to see the recipe for Bobby Flay’s Coffee Rubbed Rib-Eye offered at The Food Network.com

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RAVE Reviews Releases Ranking of the Best Green Tea

RAVE Reviews, the innovative site that publishes entertaining rankings based on advanced data-driven analysis, has published a ranking of the "Best Green Tea."

People in the West often view tea as a humble beverage that is mostly consumed by people who don't enjoy the almighty coffee. This is far from the truth. Tea is the most consumed beverage in the world (aside from water), is deeply interwoven and held in high regard in many cultures, has a mainstream political movement named after it, and has even been a contributing factor to wars breaking out. Yeah, tea is a pretty big deal. This is without even mentioning the awesome health benefits that accompany tea. Tea quality varies greatly, so RAVE Reviews teed up a list of the best-tasting, highest-quality green teas available.

Why solely focus on green tea when there is such a diverse selection of teas to choose from? Well, all tea actually comes from the same parent species of tea plant. In other words, there is no green, black, or oolong tea plant. Out of all the varieties of tea, green tea is the one that is in its most unprocessed form, meaning it has the most robust array of benefits. The staff at RAVE is all about originality and getting the maximum benefit, so green tea was an obvious choice. If you aren't sure where to start, go with RAVE's number one pick, Tao of Tea's Jasmine Pearls Green Tea. If that isn't your thing, RAVE has also included traditional, matcha, gunpowder, and flavored varieties of green tea. Several different options were covered so that everyone really could find their cup of tea in this ranking.

"I drink so much coffee that I sometimes forget how wonderful green tea is. It tastes great and has been proven to have benefits ranging from the prevention of multiple chronic diseases to elevated cognitive function," said Hillary Miller, Marketing Coordinator for RAVE Reviews. "You have a lot to gain from drinking green tea. This ranking lays out some of the best options available."

In determining which teas to feature, RAVE compared reviews from sources across the internet and took into account multiple factors such as overall quality of the tea, taste profile, price, and the packaging material and method.

The full list of featured products includes:

Babingtons In Tè Veritas - Rome, Italy

Benjamin Tea Pomegranate Green - Chicago, Illinois

Harney & Sons Organic Green Tea with Citrus and Ginkgo - Millerton, New York

Numi Gunpowder Green - Oakland, California

Rishi Sencha Green Tea - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Sazen Matcha Saiho no Mukashi - Kyoto, Japan

Steep it Real Dragon Well Green Tea - Wheaton, Illinois

Tealyra Gyokuro Green Tea - Champlain, New York

The Republic of Tea People's Green Tea - Novato, California

The Tao of Tea Jasmine Pearls Green Tea - Portland, Oregon

RAVE Reviews is an authoritative and entertaining guide for consumer goods, entertainment, and travel. It's not a product review site or a lifestyle magazine. But if those two met on an online dating site, 9 months later, you'd have RAVE Reviews.

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Move Over Cold Brew…Flash-Brewed Coffee is the Next Big Thing!

Earlier this month, big news hit the street…BOSS Coffee was launching in the US.  BOSS Coffee, is a ready-to-drink (RTD) flash-brewed coffee brand, currently Japan’s third best-selling beverage, with dozens of unique products and over 100 million cases sold in 2018. BOSS Coffee now aims to serve the United States’ rapidly growing RTD coffee market, which has averaged over 10% year-over-year category growth since 2013. The Suntory family of companies are well known across the US for their high-end Suntory brand Japanese whiskeys, as well as American brands Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark.

Internationally, Suntory Beverage & Food Limited also has an extensive portfolio of non-alcoholic beverages; BOSS Coffee will be the first non-alcoholic Suntory brand available nationwide in the US.

“For over 25 years BOSS Coffee has been a favorite in Japan, the world’s largest RTD coffee market. Now, we’re excited to introduce Japanese style flash-brew to American consumers,” said Keishi Fukata, BOSS Coffee’s US brand manager. “Flash-brew may be new to the US, but it has old roots in Japan, where it is revered by coffee aficionados for its distinct flavor profile and silky mouthfeel. We’ve spent decades refining BOSS Coffee, and we believe our time-tested production process offers a rich cold coffee that American coffee drinkers will love.”

Brewed Hot, Chilled Fast.  What is flash brewing?  Using a traditional and proven process from Japan, the folks at BOSS Coffee have perfected the method to create the most ideal cold coffee on the market today. Flash brewing involves brewing coffee hot to maximize the extraction of flavor compounds, then cooling it rapidly to preserve them. This as opposed to cold brewing, in which coffee grounds are steeped in unheated water. This flavor difference has a scientific explanation; a 2018 study published in Nature found that hot-brewed coffee contains acid compounds not found in cold brew extracts, as well as higher concentrations of antioxidants. These additional compounds contribute to a more well-rounded and complex flavor. There is no need for compromise. BOSS Coffee has been a breakout favorite in its Colorado test markets since launching in 2018, where it can be found on the shelves of Safeway, Albertsons and King Soopers stores.

Elizabeth Fischer, VP of business development for Suntory B&F N.A., commented: “It’s been fantastic to see BOSS Coffee’s reception in Colorado. People are blown away; because they don’t expect such full, fresh flavor from a canned coffee. Now, we’re excited to bring BOSS Coffee to Americans everywhere.”

BOSS Coffee is currently available nationwide in two flavors: black and café au lait. BOSS’s black coffee is bold, robust and unsweetened – great for coffee purists. The café au lait is creamy and lightly sweetened take on a coffee house brew. Coffee drinkers can purchase 12-packs of BOSS Coffee on Amazon.com for $29.99.

BOSS Coffee has plans for retail expansion in 2019. They hope to usher in a new wave of quality to the US RTD coffee market through their superior quality of Japanese flash-brew.

Info and more: www.bosscoffeeusa.com

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How to Arrange a Tea Tasting Party

A tea tasting party is a great fun and a way to get to know different types of teas with a group of friends. Host an authentic tea tasting party by involving certain traditional elements, but add your own flair to the event.  wikiHow offers these tips for an educational and entertaining afternoon with friends.
Steps:

1. Create a theme for your tea tasting party. A tea tasting party could be a fun way to celebrate a marriage, birthday or "just because". By following a theme for your party, you can make it even more special. Suitable themes that still focus on the tasting aspect include: floral garden, Japanese, Russian, tropical, winter wonder, Southern style and Moroccan. Each of these themes could easily incorporate a range of tea varieties for tasting.
• Fantasy themes are also a great choice. For example, if you are a huge Alice in Wonderland fan, try a “Mad Hatter” tea party for a bit of an edge.
• The time of day may influence your theme. For example, mid- to late-morning could be brunch, mid- to late-afternoon could be an early light dinner, etc.


2. Consider where you'll hold the tea party. During the colder months, it will have to be indoors or in the morning room/conservatory. For warmer weather, the garden provides more opportunities, from the patio to the rose garden or herb patch. If you'd rather hold the party out of your house, try renting a room in a suitable clubhouse, hotel or restaurant, keeping an eye on your budget of course.
• Your choice of where to hold the tea party will also be determined by your ability to boil the water for tea (and keep it warm). If you hire a place, check that they'll do this for you, or provide a space for you to do it.
• Think about whether you'll need helpers; if you're hosting and serving, it can be a bit hectic. Friends or family may be willing to do some of the organizing and tea serving with you.


3. Send out invitations to your tea tasting party. Handwritten is nicest, it has something in keeping with the centuries-old art of tea drinking. Let guests know that this is a tea tasting party, and not just an ordinary tea party.
• If you would like to specify any special arrangements, such as dressing up, bringing anything, etc., add this to your invitation.
• Use your imagination for making the invitations. Anything from vintage postcards to teabags attached to a card will work well.





4. Choose the teacups, cutlery and other accompaniments. Use your best teacups where possible––fine bone china or high-quality teacups are best. If you don't have any, visit a secondhand or thrift store and purchase an eclectic set of old but beautiful teacups. Even though they may not match, the fact that they have a history and have been chosen for their prettiness will make for a great vintage tea party theme in keeping with the tea drinking spirit. Some of the things you'll likely need include:
• Teapots: You'll need a teapot per each type of tea.
• Teacups: As mentioned above, the best quality you can find. For Chinese or Japanese tea tasting, you'll need to use the appropriate non-handled small teacups made in China or Japan (visit local Asian grocery stores for stock).
• Heatproof glasses: For Moroccan mint tea or for fresh herbal teas, if serving.
• Tea strainers: Find pretty ones in good condition, or purchase new ones (they're usually inexpensive).
• Milk jugs, sugar pots: Choose ones of good quality.
• Teaspoons: The prettier, the better. Polish up that silver!
• Dainty cake or dessert plates: For the food accompanying the tea (if any).

 

5. Select the tea varieties. The type of tea that you'll use will depend on the theme (if you have one) or on your own preference. It does pay to be a bit daring and throw in some tea varieties that are new to you, as you may be surprised to discover new flavors that please you and your guests. Consider offering teas from various regions and kinds to make the party extra interesting.
• Visit a store dedicated to selling tea. Browse through the varieties on offer, chat with the salesperson about their opinions and try a few samples if possible.
• Read about different tea varieties. You can find a lot of information in books and online, as people have devoted much time to writing about drinking tea.
• See the brief rundown of major tea varieties set out below for more help.





6. Organize the tea for tasting. Include a wide variety of tea, with a minimum of six tea varieties for tasting. Use tea leaves, not teabags for the best taste and impact.
• Six different teas may be the norm for a tea tasting party, however you can go with four or even eight depending on the crowd and the amount of time. Like a wine tasting party the idea is to soak in and appreciate the tea so, while you want to provide guests with enough tea to savor, you want them to have enough gastronomical room to accompany each flavor.
• Decide how you'll present the tea. Teas will need to be in a serving container, usually a teapot (or a thermal drink container). Display ideas might include lidded mugs (see image for concept) or bowls of tea with tea leaves on small square plates.
• Clearly label and provide background information about each tea. In some cases, providing a bowl of the original tea leaves can be helpful for tasters to see the original tea and smell it in its dry state.
• Using your background research on the tea you're serving, let your guests know about the tea’s origin. It can also be fun to share information about the tea's health properties, historical tidbits of interest and any other fun facts.
• Provide each guest with a quarter cup sample of each tea.


7. Offer food and sweeteners for tea. Although including honey or sugar may considered to be somewhat sacrilegious by some tea drinkers, it’s always a good idea to provide condiments and some food during a tea tasting party.
• Offer nearly every kind of sweetener including artificial for diet-conscious guests. Instead of sugar or sweetener in small packets consider a bowl of sugar cubes, honey in a tiny honey pot or a bowl of sugar with a dainty spoon.
• Have trays of small, delicate sandwiches and cookies displayed on tables. Sugar wafer cookies and scones are considered to be traditional sweets for a tea tasting party. Also, cucumber or watercress sandwiches may be a lovely addition to your party. Keep the snacks light in order to maintain focus on the main attraction––the tea.
• Don't forget to place pitchers of ice water and glasses on each table. Even though tea is not as heavy as wine, provide enough ice water for your guests in the event they want to clean their palate.
• Some tea drinkers enjoy a slice of lemon with their tea. Leave some slices of lemon on a pretty plate, with some dainty tongs for selecting.

 



8. Hold a quick tea tasting class. For fun, instruct your guests on proper tea drinking etiquette. While you may not be having tea with the Royals, knowing proper English-influenced (or Southern-style) tea etiquette can be a fun way to host your tea tasting party.
• Show your guests how to hold the teacup correctly. Cups with handles should be held with the thumb at the six o'clock position and the index and middle fingers at the twelve o'clock position. When tea drinkers use their pinkie it’s raised slightly in the air for balance.
• Show your guests how to use the teaspoon. Instead of rapidly stirring your tea in a circular motion, tea drinkers should carefully move their spoon gently through the tea in a wave motion before placing the spoon on the saucer.
• Demonstrate how to serve tea. Traditionally, tea is typically served with milk, not cream. However, in the event of a tea tasting party you should instead just serve it plain so guests can appreciate the tea’s true essence. Note that the method of serving tea changes depending on the cultural angle you're taking; for example, Japanese and Chinese tea serving ceremonies tend to be more elaborate than those of the English tea serving. Read up on the style you're planning to introduce.
• Explain the proper way to drink tea. Proper ladies and gentlemen never slurp or chug their tea. Instead it should be delicately sipped and savored.


9. Have guests rate the teas. Ask guests to rate the tea on small index cards. Help your guests describe the tea by providing questions on each index card such as, “what did the tea smell like, describe the color, how did the tea taste and did the smell and appearance match the flavor?” Hold a discussion at the end to see which teas rated the most highly.
• If you like, send guests home with sample packs of the teas that they tasted during the party. If you have the time, add some notes on the tea varieties to further their knowledge.

Source: www.wikiHow.com

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