Arizona Coffee

Our friends at Cartel Coffee Lab are merging with Avenue Coffee in Tucson to form Cartel Coffee Lab, Campbell Avenue. They just announced the merger last night on Facebook and on their blog.

The state of Arizona has very little in regards to quality specialty coffee, and even the direction and incentive to strive for those standards. We saw Cartel Coffee Lab as one of the only voices in the state that echoed those standards that we, as the coffee shop Avenue Coffee, grew into over the past year.

I see statements like this, and while true to a large degree (Arizona is a desert), it comes off sounding like nobody in AZ has passion. I’m sure that wasn’t the intention. There are a growing number of people starting and running coffee shops in Arizona that do have passion for the bean, and keep high standards. I could rattle off a list of shops right now that I think deserve praise.

So, anyways kudos to the crew at Cartel! Oh, and the Tempe location has expanded hours! Beginning August 10, 2010 hours are 7 am – 11 pm, daily. Which sounds fantastic because often after work I’ll want to go somewhere, but it’s too late in the day.

Update: Brian from Cartel Coffee Lab wrote in to let me know about the following:

“[Avenue Coffee] will continue with business as usual until a switch over date, even when the sign reads “Cartel” they will be accepting “Avenue” punch cards. They will have a program where instead of 10 punches = free drink, that the customer can redeem the punch card early for a free drink. They will be phasing out the large batch brewing and moving over to cup-by-cup brew via the Hario V60 with NO free refills, but again, this will all be done in due time.

There is going to be an anniversary party plus unveiling of Avenue as Cartel Coffee Lab – Campbell Avenue on August 9, 2010 (8/9/10).”

Ron Cortez wrote in to let me know that Gelato Dolce Vita is hiring baristas for their opening this weekend.

Gelato Dolce Vita
2743 S. Market Street
Suite 105
Gilbert, AZ 85295
Located in the southern part of San Tan Village, near Carrabbas, Outback, T-Mobile.

Mitch (Roaster at Press Coffee) told me about the Tambaroo yesterday. It’s an interesting little product designed to make cleaning up your French Press pot easier.

The little magnets hold the Tambaroo to your plunger, and make everything stick together, making cleanup easy. Watch this video if you want to know how it works.

Steve Kraus pouring a cappuccino at Press Coffee.

Excellent job by the Pittsburgh Tribune editing this latte art video clip.

While visiting Cartel Coffee Lab’s downtown location this morning, Jason Silberschlag mentioned to me that the USBC has redrawn the regional map used for competitions.

Now, instead of the “southwest” being defined as Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico it expands to include Hawaii, California, Utah, and Colorado!

This is great news, but also means those who choose to compete will have intense competition! If you’re interested, the announcement PDF is available here.

Oh, and the 2010 World Barista Champion is Michael Phillips.

Victor posted a link to this Live Science article about the “mysterious” benefits of coffee, and I thought I’d post a summary.

• Lowered cancer risk
• Sharper memory
• 39% decreased risk of head and neck cancer
• Fewer cancers of the mouth and throat than non-coffee drinkers
• Drinking coffee can help prevent the neural degeneration associated with brain disorders
• Good for the cardiovascular system
• Lowers the risk of stroke by 19% among women
• A 60% cut in risk of aggressive prostate cancer in men
• Reduce the risk of developing liver cancer by 41%
• Protective against certain brain tumors, endometrial cancer, and advanced prostate cancer
• Source of antioxidants that prevent cellular damage

Your results may vary.

Joe Johnston just published a terrific post outlining his guidelines for how to rate an espresso bar.

The folks at The Coffee Bump have kindly offered to give away a free Bodum Chambord 4-Cup French Press (valued at $37.99).

To enter to win, just leave a comment here, or on Twitter using the the hashtag #arizonacoffee. Your comment must be a funny joke or story. It can be original, or something you copied from somewhere else. Please keep it clean.

One winner, chosen at random, will be announced on June 25th. When you leave your comment, be sure to include an email address so we can contact you! Offer valid only in the United States. One entry per person. Thanks, and have fun!

I’m pleased to introduce the newest sponsor of Arizona Coffee is The Coffee Bump.

They sell coffee makers, grinders, and Bodum products. Thank you for your support!

The Coffee Bump
5890 De Zavala Rd. STE 107
San Antonio, TX 78249
Phone: (210) 615-6611

Mitch from Press Coffee gives us a personal demonstration of their new Trifecta Brewing system, which is a brand new machine. Press Coffee has the first one in the state that is in a coffee shop. So watch the video!

The sales rep for Bunn was on hand at the time, and I asked him what they sell for. He indicated that a coffee roaster could get one for $2,499 but the street price is double that (I seriously don’t get that… why not just have one price?).

It’s a very simple machine, with a sturdy aluminum construction weighing 49 lbs. Visually, it isn’t the most amazing looking machine, but it reminds me of the Super Soaker… simple design without a lot of flashy parts. In that manner, it is very much different than the Clover.

If you visit Press Coffee, you should ask for a cup. It’s really nice and is making some very good coffee. I tried two of their coffees: a Sudamo and a Peruvian and both were excellent. Very smooth. And unlike a french press there is no “grounds” at the bottom of the cup.

Press Coffee Food Wine
5410 E. High St.
Suite 115
Phoenix, AZ 85054
Phone: (480) 419-6221
Twitter: @PressCoffee

Flagstaff residents have another coffee shop to visit. Kickstand Kafe has just opened and is on Humphfreys St.

They get their coffee roasted by Firecreek Coffee Company of Cave Creek, AZ. Thanks to Jon over there for letting me know.

Kickstand Kafe
719 N. Humphreys
Flagstaff, AZ, 86001
Phone: (928) 779-5393

Press Coffee has a new toy — a Trifecta Coffee Brewer.

I’m going to get a video of it in operation very soon.

I’m currently enjoying some Kenya Tekangu coffee from Lost Dutchman Coffee Roasters.

Some fascinating coffee spending statistics worth taking a look at.

Do people from Phoenix really spend more money on coffee than San Francisco residents?