Welcome to the autumn issue of the Swiss Water Wave!
We're excited that fall is now here as we have a number of initiatives on the go, including the opening of our second processing line spurred by continued growth in the decaf category. This issue highlights a recent positive quality review we received from our peers, and Pam's experience at the Roasters Guild Retreat. I hope you enjoy it!
- Ben Hieltjes, vp, sales
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As lovers of specialty coffee, we always watch for Kenneth Davids's latest coffee rankings, much like those that exist in the wine industry, from The Coffee Review (www.coffeereview.com). The Coffee Review utilizes a cupping board, headed by Mr. Davis, that consists of a distinguished group of specialty coffee industry leaders and experienced cuppers who assist in reviewing coffees. That's why we were excited when SWISS WATER® Process Organic Decaf Espresso, from Supreme Bean Coffee Roasters in Los Angeles, received the highest ranking ever given by The Coffee Review to a decaffeinated coffee - a rating of 92 (March 2005).
In fact, out the top six decaffeinated coffees reviewed, half (3) were Swiss Water Process coffees! Based on a 100-point scoring system, Swiss Water decafs scored 92, 90 and 90 respectively. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters's Organic Fair Trade National Wildlife Decaf and Kaffe Magnum Opus's Organic Guatemalan Decaf were both awarded scores of 90 for their Swiss Water entries. According to The Coffee Review, Supreme Bean's espresso was, "...rich and sweet with a tightly-knit, deeply fruity complexity complicated by hints of cedar and toast."
"We are thrilled by these reviews," Eric Buchegger, Associate Marketing Manager, stated. "Quality has always been our number one concern. Recently, we've received a fair bit of positive feedback from customers. Given the positive reviews, I think we can state that we've nailed the quality issue." Buchegger continued, "Thanks needs to be given to customers who make the effort to roast decaf properly and with care, ultimately providing great tasting coffee, decaffeinated without chemicals, for decaf consumers."
We hope that these reviews will establish once and for all that Swiss Water Process coffees are second to none when it comes to flavor, echoing the qualities of the original coffee. But don't take our word for it, or Ken's... compare Swiss Water Process decaffeinated coffees to any of the others on the market, in a blind cupping, then let us know what you think!
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Its hard to believe that the holiday season is upcoming - Thanksgiving, Christmas, Boxing Day, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's - bringing celebrations all over the world, and new opportunities to increase your sales. It's a time to introduce new coffees and new ideas that can add excitement as well as profit to the season. Many of our customers tell us that their decaf sales spike upward during the holidays and we think we know why. People are out and about a lot more, and the whole family is staying up later! Decaf coffee is an especially welcome addition to these celebrations as a respite from the typically frantic, caffeine-charged surroundings. Consider the following opportunities to give some holiday cheer to your decaf customers and increase sales:
- If you feature a flavored holiday drink selection, consider adding flavored decaffeinated alternatives. Offering an Eggnog Latte or Mocha Java Mint Jingle in a Swiss Water Decaffeinated version can add interest to your menu and spark conversation!
- Gift baskets for decaffeinated coffee lovers can be put together with bags of whole beans, coffee grinders, press pots and many coffee-oriented gift items, like cups and mugs, cookies and books. A profusion of these baskets as well as a clever decaf menu can make your coffee house sparkle with holiday cheer.
- If you have a holiday blend on the boards, give serious consideration to a decaffeinated version as well. With our new minimum toll requirement (58 bags, as you will recall!) it's easier than ever to make your decaf drinking customers feel as special as your "regulars."
Don't forget to spice up your decaf offerings in January as well, when people make New Year's resolutions to adopt a healthier diet. Often times, they will cut back on caffeine (heaven forbid!). What better way to start than with 100% chemical free SWISS WATER® decaf?
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 Earlier this year, Batdorf & Bronson Coffee Roasters chose us to help them create a decaffeinated version of their well-known Dancing Goats® blend. At the instigation of Jason Remmer, our Business Development Manager, Scott Merle, Batdorf and Bronson's Roastmaster and Diana Chan, our Green Coffee Buyer began working together. What was ultimately created is a proprietary decaf blend that emulates the flavor and complexity of Batdorf and Bronson's most popular regular coffee.
With the blend created, the next step is to let Batdorf & Bronson's customers know about it! Based on previous Batdorf & Bronson Dancing Goats ads, we worked with them to develop a unique co-marketing campaign specific to Dancing Goats Decaf. The campaign will be launched at NASCORE later this month. On Saturday, Sept. 24, at 1:00 pm, Jason will be stopping by Batdorf & Bronson's booth (# 715-718) for a special presentation of Dancing Goats Decaf. The coffee will also be available for sampling throughout the show at the booth. We consider this type of effort cooperative effort to be possible with ALL of our customers. If you would like us to work with you in promoting your SWISS WATER® decaf, please let us know.
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 The Roasters Guild Retreat is somewhat like camp for adults - and as a kid, I loved summer camp! There's the same excitement about traveling, the opportunity to meet people, anticipation of reuniting with friends and the occasion to learn.
We roasters are a breed of our own... the retreat draws a variety of people. It's a Julie Andrews meets Ozzy Osborne crowd (and everything in between). We share a few common threads and we're a very amicable bunch. I have never met a roaster I didn't like. I believe we also share an obsessive compulsive nature, which comes in handy when trying to achieve the perfect roast. Also, every roaster has an opinion and we're all willing to share! This adds flavor to the retreat.
Click here to read more.
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2005 will go down as one of the tougher years on the books. We began the year with one of the most devastating natural disasters on record, the tsunami that rocked the regions surrounding the Indian Ocean. Now the devastation experienced in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in the Southern US and particularly near New Orleans, is only just becoming apparent. Each of these events, to be sure, had or will have its impact on the coffee market and supplies, but even to consider this in the face of the much more tangible losses of human life and suffering makes us feel petty and shallow. We at Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee Company have many friends that were impacted, and will continue to be, by these terrible natural disasters and our hearts go out to them.
Click here to read more.
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