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The next day I went cupping with the Hartmann family. They were really very enthusiastic so we scheduled 3 rounds. Of course I didn't say no to a 4th round either. Who wouldn't want to taste Hartmann Mi Finquita coffees!
In the end, I tasted a total of 30 Hartmann coffees and 8 Mi Finquita coffees, making an impressive total of 38 coffees.

During this cupping we really tasted all sorts of things mixed together. From Geisha to Caturra, from Maragogype to natural, washed and so on. The tasting is done with a cupping spoon and blind, so I didn't know which variety was in front of me either. Each coffee has a number and the experience is noted. You are only told afterwards which coffee belongs to that number, so you are never biased. At one point I tasted a coffee that, to me, stood out tremendously.

Rick and Esther visited Kopepi Ketiara in Takengon, Sumatra. Sumatra is Indonesia's largest island. An island with a whimsical history and enormous natural wealth ranging from mountain scenery, volcanoes, swamps and rainforests to waterfalls and lakes. Almost the entire island is Islamic, with strict Islamic sharia law in Aceh province.

Ketiara cooperative was founded in 2008 by chairwoman Rahmah, which is unusual in Medan. There are about 1,100 cooperative members, 70% of whom are female.

Ketiara has earned a well-earned reputation as a producer of excellent Fairtrade...

Currently our Rick Maas is on a coffee tour in Indonesia. The first part of the trip took him to the island of Java (central, east and west), where he visited three projects, among others. Java is known for its fertile volcanic soil, which is ideal for growing coffee. Rick is looking for new cooperation opportunities, harvests and coffee varieties. At several plantations, small amounts of coffee are roasted in sample roasters to assess the flavors and judge the coffee. Working with coffee farmers and local contacts, Rick has tasted many wonderful natural and washed coffees.

Our Colombia is a high-quality organic coffee with flavor notes of chocolate, honey and dried fruit. No wonder this coffee tastes so good! Not an incredibly pronounced coffee, but the chocolate notes and mild sweetness make for a perfectly balanced coffee.

Also this year, we are playing the BOOT Coffee Game with awesome prizes from our main sponsor Jura Espresso Machines, among others. Participate and win a Jura espresso machine - E8 Piano Black (EC) + 1 year of free BOOT coffee (1 kilo every month) and 1 year subscription to KTC Magazine or 1 of many other great prizes! Test your knowledge about BOOT Coffee at www.bootkoffiespel.nl.

From a young age, I've been infused with it. That incredible range of smells of coffee, it's fantastic. At least, when you smell specialty coffee. Then you may be touched by a kaleidoscope and rainbow of scents from nature, from organic gardens, from magical places. A history of olfactory awareness opens up, and it all continues in your taste and in the aftertaste. Such a specialty coffee experience brings me into the now, and I feel at one with my mind, body and soul. And the great thing is: I see the same in so many other coffee drinkers. A feeling of happiness and "I'm all there. The art of producing, roasting and brewing coffee is to touch the heart of those potential scents and flavors. As if you are dancing with your coffee to the next intense experience.