Eden Project Coffee Challenge - Crop To Cup

[Tristan]

Hey guys, just thought I would let everyone know about my attempt to pick, process, roast and cup some of the coffee growing at the Eden Project here in Cornwall.

I am doing a detailed rundown on my blog but would like to get as many people involved as possible just for opinion and advice really.

As far as we know it will be the first cup of coffee ever made from beans grown in the uk, the dome which the coffee grows in simulates a sub-tropical environment and the arabica grows in a shady kind of area up high.

Any advice or tips greatly received.

Oh also we're going back soon to pick more and it looks like we have a film crew coming along to make a mini documentary, so hopefully we can spark some interest into speciality coffee and it's (normal) origins.

[CakeBoy]

Excellent mate. Can't wait to read all about it

[Steve]

I'd love to try some Tristan if there is any left at the end.

Keep us posted

[Tristan]

If you're at the bristol heats i'll hopefully be bringing some up with me.

By the way Steve, have you seen the pictures? Anything thoughts on how they look?

[Steve]

I have seen the pictures and they look realy cool, I wish I could have been there.

When are the Bristol heats? Had bad news recently I wont be able to make the Northern Heats either not good times

[Gouezeri]

So, did nobody else see Tristan's picture in the Dec 18th copy of the Metro?
There's an online version here too... Must say it is nice to see someone other than Jim in the papers But that's probably only cos he's been out of the country
It really is about time we made a TMC t-shirt for all our tabloid tarts to wear
Well done Tristan!

[Tristan]

Thanks, I can assure you that I will not be wasting the coffee on making 'frothy lattes' though!

Steve, Bristol heat is on the 16th Jan I think.

[fred25]

Wow, that's cool! Really look forward to hear how they taste.... great stuff!

[Tristan]

We've already tasted them Fred, in summary it was surprisingly good! For more info I did a post on my blog.

[EspressoSquirrel]

very interesting blog Tristen, I think its a great idea to understand the entire process behind what makes a good coffee. Hope you get to do this again in the coming years.

Is coffee a very difficult plant to grow in this country(or in doors in any country)? or is it just difficult to get a good coffee without a farm?

I ask this as one of my Christmas presents this year was a little coffee plant seedling, now i don't have a giant futuristic climate controlled bio-dome or any particular knowledge of plants, so i'm not thinking of harvesting just yet. I just don't want to kill it, its done quite well already surviving being posted on its side in tiny box and being left wrapped up for nearly a week. (before i got it)

I do have one advantage, altitude! my apartment is on the 10th floor

[Sunnyfield]

I was at the Eden Project 4.5 years ago, and I clearly remember the coffee plants. I even picked an unripe berry, out of curiosity. Good luck!

[fred25]

We've already tasted them Fred, in summary it was surprisingly good! For more info I did a post on my blog.

that's what happen when you go on holidays

Had a read on the blog - I must say, pretty amazing stuff! Especially for us end-users/lovers, who don't have much direct contact with the growers of the coffees, it's nice and really interesting to see a similar process happening much closer to home!