WEEKLY DEAL: 4th of July

This Saturday is July 4th! In celebration of America's Independence, we are offering a weekly deal if you can answer this question...

What date was America's Declaration of Independence signed?

If you come into the roastery and can answer that question you will get a 2oz bag of our Monthly Special... American Hazelnut.

Just for your knowledge...

– On the day the Declaration was signed, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation was 2.5 million.

– On July 4, 2008, the nation's population will be 304 million.

Coffee Vocab: Flavor

When tasting coffee you are often asked to describe the "flavor" of the coffee. What exactly does flavor mean?

Flavor is the combined effect of acidity, body, and aroma plus an evaluation of the four basic tastes: sweet, sour, bitter and salt. It is often described using these terms:

• Richness: this term describes an interesting, satisfying fullness
• Complexity: a flavor that seems to possess any distinctive quality simultaneously (i.e. full body, wine-like acidity, and a bright finish)
• Balance: this term describes a coffee that does not obviously lean to one quality of another.

For example: Peaberry Blend is a blend of beans from Tanzania Peaberry and Costa Rica that creates a very balanced and aromatic cup of coffee.

Come by the roastery to sample some of our coffees and see describe for yourself the different flavors of our specialty coffee.

WEEKLY DEAL: Father's Day

Father's Day was yesterday, and since I (Roastmaster John's daughter) couldn't be there to celebrate Father's Day with him, I'm asking you to help me honor him. When you go into the Roastery this week please tell him Happy Father's Day (and if you are brave give him a big ole hug for me too). Then after you do that, send me an email at jamie@viennacoffeecompany.com, and I'll send you a beautiful printed picture of Santa Maria de Jesus (home of our La Armonia Hermosa coffee).

Thanks in advance for helping.

And thanks Dad, for being great!!!

Latte Art Mile High Club

Last month, Les Stoneham and Larry Bourgeois of Espresso Guild and videographer, Jp Leon, went to great lengths to set Larry's plane up with an espresso machine. As they were taking their plane around Cincinnati on a bright sunny day, Les was pulling some great cappuccinos. The image to the left is an example of the cappuccinos poured on their adventure. This is pretty amazing considering they were a mile in the air on a bumpy plane.

Now this may seem a little bit crazy, but you, yourself can learn to pull great cappuccinos like this (on the ground in your own cafe). We offer many classes including Advanced Latte Art Training, Espresso Basics, Espresso Based Drinks, etc. Please check out our website for more details.

WEEKLY DEAL:

In celebration of Flag day which was yesterday June 14th, come into the roastery and receive a free bag of Harney and Sons tea if you can answer this question:

What year was the current 50 star flag adopted?
A. 1952
B. 1971
C. 1960
D. 1945


Don't know what flag day is?
It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened on June 14th by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777.

VCC donates to ADPSR's Mumford Awards

This weekend, in Chicago, ADPSR (Architects/Designers/Planners for Social Responsibility) is hosting the 2009 Mumford Awards for Peace Community Development and the Environment. At this event community organizers, green activists, design practitioners, student, and people interested in sustainability will be coming together to honor 3 amazing organizations.

This two day event will feature guest speakers, FREE food from a green caterer, free drinks from a local brewery and winery, live local music, interactive art, and door prizes (provided by Vienna Coffee Company and Chopin Theatre). It will be a perfect way to allow people to know what is going on in Chicago, get connected, and honor organizations who are already doing some great things!

On Sunday they will be putting words into action and chartering a bio-diesel bus to Black Oaks Center for Sustainable Renewable Living's eco-campus. This day will be filled with different permaculture type projects (natural construction building, erecting a yurt, and erecting a chicken coop).

If you are interested in more information about this event check out: www.adpsr.org/chicago

La Armonia Hermosa coffee farm visit

Les Stoneham is on his way down to Guatemala later this week to continue his work with the coffee farmers in Santa Maria de Jesus. This is the community from which we get our wonderful La Armonia Hermosa coffee.

He and a group of volunteers from Cincinnati will be meeting the coffee farmers and their families and working on construction projects in the village for the next two weeks. It should be a great trip! Please check for updates on their website.

Les has just recently created a non-profit called Deeper Roots Development which will allow the La Armonia Hermosa cooperative and future projects better access to funding and organization. With this exciting new venture, Deeper Roots is looking for people interested in investing in the farmers through micro-loans to fund the construction of a much needed beneficio (processing plant) that will enable the farmers to process their own crop and receive more income. The interest on these loans will be paid back in the form of fresh La Armonia Hermosa Coffee!

If you are interested in learning more about this or about going down and visiting the farmers please contact les@laarmoniahermosa.com

Weekly Deal:
La Armonia Hermosa coffee was such a hit this year, that we sold out! So in anticipation of next year's batch, our weekly deal revolves around the anticipation of our next batch of La Armonia Hermosa Coffee. Order any VCC coffee this week online and 15% of your purchase will go to supporting Deeper Roots, and you also will receive a FREE 2oz bag of coffee with your order. Please make sure you specify in the comments area at checkout which 2oz bag of coffee you would like. Thanks for supporting Deeper Roots!

Random Coffee History Fact

In 1715, the first greenhouse in Europe was said to have been built to house the Noble Tree, a coffee tree given to France's King Louis XV by the Dutch government.

I bet you didn't know that...

WEEKLY DEAL: Fair Trade Origins

Did you know the Fair Trade movement grew out of religious initiatives for selling refugee-made handicrafts in the aftermath of WWII? It has grown rapidly since the 1980s with the coffee trade at its cutting edge. Fair Trade coffee guarantees a livable income to farmers and finances schools, water systems and other community-controlled project in coffee growing areas.

Buy any of VCC's Fair Trade coffee online this week and receive a free 2oz. sample bag of a Fair Trade coffee of your choice. Please make sure you designate which sample bag you would like in the comments section at check out so we will know that you saw this weekly deal.