ivdp wrote:"Know" what you are drinking? - Be knowledgeable about/at coffee tasting?
This is a very nice goal.
Despite the scoff I heard in the tone of the 1st sentence, I’ll take the 2nd as a compliment. Thanks, Ivo. Better to have a nice goal and work towards it rather than just serve what the general public is used to, no?
ivdp wrote:In the professional trade one would be regarded as knowledgeable only after several years of intensive daily cup testing - (I mean intensive, 2 sessions of 30 or more cups a day!). Even then, if you miss the talent to remember all the varieties and subtleties.
I am not and will not misrepresent myself to be a professional cupper, nor do I want to be one. I will never be an expert in all things coffee and it’s not my goal.
Sometimes, in
my experience, experts can intimidate the uninitiated into a blind following and that is certainly not the atmosphere I would like to create.
I don’t expect to remember a large number of coffee varieties or subtleties. I envision growing and experiencing this with my future guests, albeit at different levels. I expect that some of my guests will have far more experience and/or knowledge than me. I will learn from them, as I am learning from many here, and hope that they will be happy with my little operation and my intentions.
What I do expect and wholly believe I can achieve is “knowing” the products that I wish to serve. By knowing, I mean, being able to distinguish and describe them by sight, smell and/or taste in their different states from green to charred and everything in between.
Right now, I’m trying as many beans as I can and choosing based on my experience level now as I believe many of my future guests will be where I’m at now. I’ll be picking those that I enjoy and where I can easily distinguish the different notes, not the subtleties, so that they can too. Once I’ve chosen these products, I intend to keep tasting/drinking them until I feel
I can’t pull out any more “subtleties/notes” out of them. These products I choose will be based on my ethical & taste preferences as well as experiences with the suppliers. I also realize that some of my preferences will not be to the liking of all & vice-versa, this is where I enlist the help of my “network” or circle of friends & forum members, coffee professionals, family, whatever. Even then, not all will be satisfied; but, “c’est la vie” and I need to do what I believe in. It would be nice to have something for everyone, but frankly, is that realistically even possible?
ivdp wrote:This is not to put someone off, but to look at things in perspective.
And be modest.
I'm sorry if I sounded as if I was a know-it-all to you. I thought I was consistent in claiming that I still had lots to learn. Now that you've had a chance to see my perspective, I hope you're not still shaking your head.
ivdp wrote:Why would an "approved by TMC" drink be good?
Because I value the opinions of this forum. I’ve learned a lot from TMC and it’s lead me to making drinks that taste better and look better (ok, according to me and my 50 or so guinea pigs). Because of the generosity of its members in helping me improve my coffee experience (like Joey for allowing me to see and experience a coffee house behind the scenes, Steven for demonstrating the Hottop, and all the other regulars who responded to my questions, provided guidance, recommendations, etc.) Because it helps me try new things I wouldn’t have previously that have led me down this exciting path. Because I believe that if I had attempted this without TMC, I’d contribute to the state of the coffee currently served in the majority of establishments in NL today.
ivdp wrote:Ivo
+the more we discuss the closer we get to the truth+
Sometimes the truth gets lost in all that blah blah. So enough blah blah from me. My truth (as she throws modesty out the window) is that if someone like me, who didn’t even drink hot drinks, much less coffee, can get this excited about this in such a short time, imagine what my enthusiasm can do for the experience of those who can’t get by the day without it. It'll be like crayola coming to town for those who loved to draw/colour but only had a 2HB pencil. And that folks, is kissing my own @$$… Damn! I didn’t know I was so flexible!!