New roaster is so close we can taste it... er smell it...

We are getting everything set up: smoke stack, gas, electricity, conveyor, etc. There's a lot of work that goes into setting up a new 35 kilo roaster. We are still very excited to have it finally up and running. We are now just putting up the final touches onto the roaster, and by the first of February it will be fully functioning! We'd love to have you come and visit and see the new capabilities. Here are some pictures to tide you over until you see the real deal at the roastery.

WEEKLY DEAL: Chinese New Year

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR! Did you know...
The origins of the Chinese New Year celebrations were born out of fear and myth. Legend spoke of the wild beast Nien (which also is the word for "year") that appeared at the end of each year, attacking and killing villagers. Loud noises and bright lights were used to scare the beast away, and the Chinese New Year celebrations were born.


If you can answer this statement by responding on the blog or telling an employee at the roastery you will receive a free tea bag from Harney & Sons.

In 2009, Chinese New Year is the year of the ________. (example... dog, rat, monkey, etc.)

INTRODUCING: Don Telmo Reserva 100% Bourbon

If you have been by the roastery recently you might have noticed our 100% Organic Don Telmo display. In the past couple of months we have just updated Don Telmo's look...

As the story goes, it was God's will that more than a century ago Father Francisco Romero would discover the Mesa de los Santos, (Table of the Saints) a blessed land in the coffee region of Bucaramanga, port of coffee entry to Colombia. Through a holy vision the priest ordered men and women to pay for their sins by planting coffee, and that land began to produce coffee so special that the priest said that it was worthy of being served only at the Table of Saints.

Father Romero is no longer with us, but his coffee of divine flavor remains among us through the direction of Don Telmo. This coffee is cultivated using the same techniques for more than 100 years. These methods protect the environment, because the coffee stays under shade, respecting the habitat of the fauna and applying solely natural fertilizers and pure spring water. The coffee takes place in high altitudes and is manually selected to guarantee the highest quality coffee.

www.cafemesadelossantos.com




p.s. Bourbon does not pertain to whiskey. It is the type of coffee cultivar. Click here to get more info on the special Bourbon cultivar.

WEEKLY DEAL: Spirit of Change

With the presidential inauguration tomorrow, there is a spirit of hope and change in the air.

What is one of the biggest things you would like to see change in our country? Answer this question by commenting on the blog or tell one of our staff at the roastery and receive a free 2oz sample coffee pack of your choice.

"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."
Barack Obama

CUSTOMER HIGHLIGHTS: Thunderhead Perk

VCC's long-time customer, Thunderhead Perk first opened its doors on September 9th, 2005 Townsend, Tennessee which is the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Focused on Fair trade and organic coffee, Thunderhead serves Vienna Coffee Company's Thunderhead Espresso Blend. This blend is perfect to sip on while using their free Wi Fi and snuggling up to their welcoming and friendly cafe.

Wanna know where to find it? Go to...
7249 East Lamar Alexander Pkwy
Townsend, TN 37882


They don't have only great coffee, but they also have some of delicious baked from scratch goods including...

The Best Pumpkin Muffins

Yum!!!

Need another reason to check them out? Their website states, "At Thunderhead Perk, we strive to take care of our environment. Not only do we serve earth-friendly coffees, but we recycle all plastics, steel, paper, magazines, cardboard, etc. We even compost our food waste such as coffee grounds. We use the eco-tainer cups and sleeves which contain recycled content and use no petro-chemicals. "

WEEKLY DEAL: Wakeup Call

Do you look like this if you don't get your coffee fix in the morning??

As you probably know, many people include drinking a cup of coffee into their daily morning routine to amp up their awakeness. On BBC the question was asked which gender does it effect more?

Fill in the blank to the following question either on this blog or at the roastery and receive a free 2oz sample pack of any VCC coffee.

A study was reported that....

A strong cup of coffee has a greater effect on___________ (men or women).

Coffee Vocab: BODY

In Coffee shops around the world and on coffee descriptions you might come across the world body, such as Vienna Coffee's Rich Mountain full bodied coffee blend. Body is the mouth feel and perceived viscosity of the coffee. As you swish different coffees around in your mouth some will feel "heavy" and some will feel "light." This sensation comes primarily from the amount of vegetable oils and fats in the brew and varies between types of coffee. Some brewing methods, such as the French Press, produce heavier-bodied coffee by allowing more coffee solids and oil into the brew.

(VCC sells Bodum French Press coffeemakers. Call us at 865.681.0517 for more details.)

WEEKLY DEAL: Chicagoland Coffee Tour

As owner, John Clark, drove design/marketing associate (...and daughter), Jamie Clark up to Chicago, he didn't skimp on the opportunity to see the competition in the Windy City.

First on the list of tour stops was Julius Meinl. In Vienna, this was the original Vienna coffee house and where John got his idea of what a Vienna Coffee Company should look like. Granted the Chicago version of the Vienna company is slightly more Americanized, but still has the Vienna classy style. (John and Sue were given the amazing opportunity to go to the real Julius Meinl Cafe in Vienna a couple years ago.)

Second on the tour was Intelligentsia. This coffee company is top class when it comes to their baristas. Last year several of their baristas ranked in the top 10 in regional, national, and international barista competitions while getting 1st place in both regional and national. In fact, the manager of the cafe we went to won 1st place at the Great Lakes regional competition. This cafe was crammed pack with people and interesting industrial artwork.

The final coffee stop was Metropolis. This small batch roaster/coffee house is very eclectic, and is more on the size of VCC. They roast for many local chicago bakeries and coffeehouses, but the coffee shop itself was PACKED, and very interesting artwork all over the walls.


All in all the coffee tour was a success, and John was able to see what is going on the Chicagoland coffee scene.


THIS WEEK'S COFFEE DEAL IS ABOUT COFFEESHOPS. IF YOU ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION ON THE BLOG OR TELL YOUR ANSWER TO US AT THE ROASTERY YOU WILL RECIEVE A FREE 2oz OF OUR MONTHLY FLAVORED COFFEE SPECIAL "AMARETTO."

WHAT IS THE BEST COFFEEHOUSE YOU'VE BEEN TO AND WHY?