espro is listening to you!

The 8 oz Espro PressSince launching the Espro Press just over a year ago we have had an overwhelming and encouraging response from you - the coffee community - thank you!! And while 8 oz of pressed coffee, all clean and hot, is enough for one person, we know you ultimately want more! So we have been listening to your feedback and are pleased to reveal that we are in the process of new designs for a Press that can make more coffee! Chris McLean (founder and design engineer) is working hard on the science part and we hope to be ready to put the new design into production early next year. We are very excited about the newest Espro product in development and if you share our excitement, follow the updates and join us on this journey.

To get regular updates on the evolution of the Espro Press, join our email list by sending an email to info@espro.ca, or follow us on twitter @esproblog or facebook.

Watch this space!!!

Espro Retailer Profile: Congratulations Seattle Coffee Gear!

Espro Inc. would like to congratulate Victor and his crew at Seattle Coffee Gear for being recognised in this year’s Inc. 5000 List of Fastest Growing Private Companies. Inc.’s annual list honors private, independently owned companies that have demonstrated impressive growth over a three-year period. This year Seattle Coffee Gear has ranked in at number 960 out of 5000 companies recognised by Inc. 

Founded in 2005, the coffee equipment specialist provides a diverse selection of espresso machines, coffee makers, grinders, and accessories via their online store and retail location in Lynwood, WA. "We were thrilled to learn we were selected by Inc.," said Victor Gehlen, Seattle Coffee Gear's founder. "Particularly during such challenging economic times, we feel incredibly fortunate that our business has been able to not only survive but to thrive."

Seattle Coffee Gear currently stocks the Espro Press, Calibrated Tamper and the Toroid Pitcher. Details about these and other Espro products can be found on our website www.espro.ca. 

For more information about Seattle Coffee Gear please visit www.seattlecoffeegear.com.

To find out more about Inc. 5000 go to www.inc.com/5000.

An introduction to the World Brewers Cup competition

The World Brewers Cup is one of the newest competitions put on by the World Coffee Events LTD organization. This competition features coffee brewing by hand and “seeks to promote manual coffee brewing and service excellence.” At Espro, we get really excited when we hear the words “manual brewing” because we happen to be quite fond of our choice manual brewing device: the Espro Press! We have been delighted to have witnessed the completion three times – the US finals in Houston, the world finals in Maastricht, and the Canadian finals in Victoria. Competitors can use any brewing device they choose, but must abide by the following rule: it must be mechanical; powered by manual action, gravity, or created by the action of brewing coffee itself (as pressure in vacuum brewers). A myriad of brewing devices and brewing styles are seen in use during the competition.

A Brewers Cup competition has two rounds. The first round includes all competitors, and the second round includes only the finalists, the six highest ranking baristas from the previous day. During Round 1, competitors must use the whole bean coffee provided to them, and all competitors brew the same coffee. Competitors have a total of 7 minutes to prepare and serve beverages, and no presentation or demonstration is allowed. Judging at this level is based on sensory perceptions and TDS measurements; measured on a scale from 0 (unacceptable) to 10 (extraordinary). In Round 2, the competition heats up! Competitors may choose any whole bean coffee of their choosing. The Baristas involved in this competition spend months selecting which coffee they want to serve, which brewing device they will use, and how they’re going to describe the coffee to clearly represent the coffee taste experience. Competitors have a total of 10 minutes to prepare and serve the coffee, and they are expected to have a presentation that enhances the taste perception. Judging at this level includes the sensory perceptions as well as TDS measurements, but is highly based on the level of service, and how well the competitors’ description of the coffee matches their experience.

Since this competition is so new, we’re looking forward to seeing its progression in years to come. So to all of you budding baristas out there, if you are passionate about sharing your coffee knowledge, get those manual brewing devices out and start brewing!

Cheers,

Amanda

Espro is a Sponsor of the WCE convention. We would extend a sponsorship to Barista’s interested in participating in the WBC competition with an Espro Press. For more information please contact info@espro.ca.

New Retailer - Whole Latte Love

  

We’re delighted to announce a new Espro retailer – Whole Latte Love – a web based, coffee specific retailer located in Rochester, New York. They have picked up several product lines: a selection of sizes and bases of the Espro™ Calibrated Tamper, the 12 and 20 oz Toroid™ Pitcher, and the single serving Espro™ Press.

At Whole Latte Love, they follow the mantra Powered by Passion: “To us, coffee is more than a business – it's a passion. We love what we do and want to share that energy and enthusiasm with you, our customer. That's why here at Whole Latte Love we say we're powered by passion.”

Whole Latte Love has everything you need and want to know about espresso machines, coffee makers, coffee grinders, premium coffees and gourmet espresso beans. You can read articles, watch how-to videos, read customer reviews, research their buying guides, look up coffee origins and, of course, coffee recipes!

Buy Espro products at Whole Latte Love

SCAE Maastricht 2011

Well, it's hard to believe, but it's almost been a month since Chris, our general manager and savvy designer, returned from the SCAE event in Maastricht. Chris represented Espro at the Brew Bar, and spent a great deal of his time brewing coffee for the masses. Like any great success (or any convention for that matter), there was some chaos to contend with in the beginning...

The initial chaos paid off, once the Brew Bar was set up...

Chris attended numerous events, and spent his time hobknobing with the likes of coffee and espresso's leading men, Keith O'Sullivan and James Hoffman, and many other competitiors hailing from international locations.

Evenings were spent attending the numerous events put on during the two-day event; the first being a reception at Town Hall, followed by 'Breakfast with the Champions', a Coffee Kids fundraiser, and on the last night, the Natvia Sweet Fantasy Barista Party.

Unfortunately, Chris forgot the costume he had intended on wearing at the Sweet Fantasy Party. I'm sure he would have fit right in with these guys if he had remembered to pack it... next time, Chris.

There was a total of six competitions that took place throughout the two days, and each competitor took an Espro Press home with them in their goodie bags. We look forward to their valuable feedback and support. We'd like to thank all of the organizers, volunteers, and staff that helped make this fantastic event possible, their hard work and dedication to the industry is truly inspiring.

You can check out the full photo-set here.

Cheers,

Amanda