Final Thoughts
by Steven Krolak


We asked individuals from all sectors of specialty coffee a simple question: what does coffee mean to you? The answer is anything but simple, revealing a complex tapestry of experience and sensibilities.

   I own an acre of land in Keini, a place where my family lives, works, and from which I have been able to educate our children.
--unidentified plantation worker, Central Kenya, courtesy of Kimberly Hickock Smith, Business Association Development Specialist, Regional Agricultural Trade Expansion Support (RATES), Nairobi, Kenya

   Coffee has always been the one unpredictable and all-consuming activity of the family: we never know precisely what the yield will be, or even what we can anticipate from it, in terms of revenue. All we ever know is that it demands our complete attention and dedication in terms of time and resources. It goes beyond a normal business activity and refuses to be boxed in and defined. It is a single all-consuming passion, coffee.
--James Kibera, coffee farmer, Fairview Coffee Estate, Kiambu, Kenya, and chairman of the board of the Eastern African Fine Coffees Association

   Coffee is a Way of Life...not just life, but a life which is aromatic, meaningful, rewarding, and passionate. Aromatic with its unique flavour and taste, meaningful as you connect and make friends for life across the world, rewarding when the farmer is not only able to upgrade the quality of his produce but is able to market the same successfully, and passionate when the 'coffee aroma therapy' not only rejuvenates you, but also rekindles life for farmers and consumers around the globe.
--Sunalini N. Menon, Chief Executive, Coffeelab Private Limited, Bangalgore, India

   Coffee has been and is my life, my love and my enduring passion. It offers the ongoing search for perfection without requiring those compromises which blur the radiance of lesser relationships. Its rewards have been lavish, and its only cost is dedication.
--Erna Knutsen, President, Knutsen Coffees Ltd., San Francisco, Calif.

   Coffee is my livelihood, of course, but above all else, it is a passion and a pleasure. The daily pursuit to hunt for great coffees anywhere in the world, buy them and transform them through the roast to bring their subtle taste characteristics to our customers is very rewarding, but it isn't easy. Our customers reward us with their loyalty, and the cycle continues. Coffee energizes, stimulates and entices the senses.
--Mané Alves, roaster, Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea Co., Waterbury, Vt.

   For us schizophrenic degree types (you know who you are!), coffee is career nirvana. We get to do it all: From hard-core science to culinary art and craftsmanship to sustainable agriculture and socioeconomic responsibility, specialty coffee is one field that's full of amazing people doing amazing things together through one amazing product.
--Audra Marx, owner, Muddy Waters Coffeehouse, Elizabeth City, N.C.

   Coffee is a combination of sensory and social experiences coming together, where one enjoys the simple pleasures of cuisine, conversation and reflection. And, being a barista is just plain fun.
--Bronwen Serna, U.S. Barista Champion, Hines Public Market Coffee, Seattle, Wash.