Ever wondered how your favorite brew can make a difference? Grab a chair as these pros spill the beans! From farm to table, these champions are transforming lives, one bean at a time. Get ready for an exciting journey where every sip counts and every pour has a purpose. Because when coffee meets compassion, magic happens. Leave inspired to brew some change!

Presented by Jen apodaca

Woah.  Really brewing up a special one for you here.  Presented by 🏆 2019 US Cup Taster Champion, 🥈 2022 US Roaster Champion, and Owner of one of our favorites, Mother Tongue Coffee.  Come learn the difference between coffee taste and smell,  the coffee flavor wheel,  how to read flavor descriptions on retail bags, and more!

“Arabica Cadabra!”

Join Mr Black Brand Ambassador Erin Schaeferle and a surprise guest from one of SF’s best cocktail bars as we explore how the complex flavors found in modern specialty coffee can drive a wide range of delicious cocktail applications.

SPONSORED BY

What do we really mean when we use the word "terroir" in regard to coffee? And is there really a "taste of place" in coffee? Kenneth Davids, longtime editor of Coffee Review and author of four books on coffee, quickly takes us through the use of the term “terroir” in wine and other beverages, and then considers how the term applies to coffee, or how it might or should apply. He also reflects with us on the longtime use of country or regional names as shorthand for how a coffee tastes. Why are “Sumatra Lintong” coffees regarded as “earthy” or “malty” for example? At a time when grower experiments with tree variety and processing method are exploding across the coffee world, where do we look for broad verbal guideposts to help us choose coffees and understand them? You don't want to miss this one! 

PRESENTED BY SANDRA LOOFBOUROW

Let's unravel the secret of the “global language of coffee”! Delve into the intricate art of sensory perception, where personal memories and emotions intertwine with professional expertise. Through interactive exercises, we'll hone our ability to identify and articulate flavors with precision, building a robust vocabulary for describing scents and tastes. From understanding the biology behind taste and smell to navigating cultural nuances, we'll embark on a flavorful journey, exploring familiar and exotic candies to broaden our sensory horizons. Join us as we decode the essence of coffee using neutral, universal language, ensuring each cupping experience is a delightful adventure for all participants!

We've all said it.  From your local favorites to multi-location operations, running a coffee business is harder than it looks.  Hear the stories of how these pros navigate the coffee business, their tips, and what to do if you decide to open a coffee shop.

Yo Ashanti, what's coffeeeee? Got to do, got to do with it, babe.  We’re on a regular mission to convert all tea drinkers to coffee, but these folks are going against the grain.  Foes?  Frenemies? Or Friends?  Join these chai, tea, and matcha slingers, as they spill the tea about the dynamic world of flavor beyond coffee.