Obsessive? Possibly. But a snob? Definitely not!
I’ve been writing about coffee since the early 1990s. I enjoy coffee as much as I think it is possible. But, I’m not into putting down people who enjoy simpler coffees than I do, or who put cream, sugar or for that matter combine their coffee with other flavors such as hazelnut or Irish cream. How could I?
When I first thought of a consumer coffee festival I dreamed of a giant coffee meet-up with every conceivable style of coffee. There are all these wonderful coffees from all over the world. A coffee from Sumatra has a different flavor than one from Guatemala. There are different roasts. A light roast of a coffee will smell and taste different than that very same coffee roasted darker. A French press of that coffee will exhibit different flavor notes than when it is brewed in an automatic drip maker.
At CoffeeCon we’ll have the best, the cream of the crop. For your admission price, you’ll be able to sample coffees that cost on par with scalper sporting event tickets. Yet there are coffee lovers who insist they want a simple cup of brew. Do we say don’t come to these enthusiasts? No, we do not.
Future Coffee Drinker?Families are always welcome at CoffeeCon.
For example, we have a Vietnamese coffee preparation class that relies upon Robusta coffee beans. These are some of the world’s least expensive mass-produced coffees. This method, which combines condensed milk with extracted Robusta coffee is a savory treat, one you may find you enjoy as much as the above mentioned cultivars, yet is demonstrates CoffeeCon diversity and inclusion.
People always ask me if we’re kid-friendly. I always envisioned families enjoying our event, so the answer is yes. In fact, under twelve, they get in free if they bring you along with them. I remember taking my two young sons to a coffee museum auction a few years ago. We had a great time. The home roasting area is a big draw. There are lots of treats here on par with our coffees.
Bottom line: If you’re a PBR beer freak, don’t think you’re not welcome at CoffeeCon. We like coffee. All coffee. All of the time. It’s the quality we’re emphasizing, not the attitude. Come be a part of it. CoffeeCon.
