Coffee and Contracts

03/11/2024

And just like that! I was a granddad to three3!

02/26/2024

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11/26/2023

A friend sent this to me this morning, seems relevant. Thoughts?

What is the origin and the meaning of the name Yerushalayim? And why is it important?

The name Jerusalem, or Yerushalayim in Hebrew, first appears in the Book of Joshua 10:1.

Geographically it is the Temple Mount, the spot where Abraham almost sacrificed his son, Isaac.
The Torah mentions: "And Abraham named that place, The Lord will see (Gen: 22,14).

The Hebrew word for “will see” is Yir’eh. That is the first half of the name Yer’shalem.

What was the city called before Abraham renamed it Yireh? It is told that after rescuing his nephew, Lot, from captivity, Abraham was greeted by Melchizedek, the king of Shalem, who greeted him with bread and wine. Ancient tradition tells us that Melchizedek (believed to be Shem) was the son of Noach, and that Shalem (formerly the spot of Jerusalem) was the place that Abraham would eventually rename as Yireh.

How does all of this fit together? Following these historical reports, we learned that “Shalem” is the second half of the word Yerushalem:
yireh + Shalem = Yerushalayim

In fact, Yireh Shalem has an even deeper meaning: “Complete awe.”
יראה = Awe
שלם = Complete

Yireh Shalem (or Jerusalem) therefore (to me) means “COMPLETE AWE,” (a state where one is so in touch with God on a spiritual level).

Yerushalayim is not just a city on a world map, it is that special place within each of us, where we are, or can be, one with God, and deeply in tune with His presence.

Today I will continue to seek and dwell in my own Yerushalayim, and I pray blessings on each of you who finds these words and the place of peace to which they may help you find in your self.

!

06/03/2023

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between espresso and drip coffee? What are their unique uses? Why do they have different brewing methods? ⁣
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Without going too much into detail, I thought I would unpack the basics of coffee’s versatility and all the ways you can enjoy it. ⁣
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From brewing times to grind sizes, water pressure, and more, there are many elements that go into crafting a delicious cup of coffee. If you go to a coffee shop, you’ll notice they usually have an option for drip coffee or a latte. The main difference is drip involves a less concentrated matter that has a higher water-to-coffee ratio, while espresso is more concentrated into a 1 to 2 ounce shot. ⁣
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To get the larger quantity of coffee, you must make the grinding size coarser for more water to flow through slower and more evenly. For espresso, the coffee grind is finer, which allows the water to flow quicker and creates a full-bodied, strong flavor. ⁣
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If you’re looking for a faster way to charge up with lots of caffeine, try ordering a shot of espresso to drink on its own or to pair with a yummy latte!

05/25/2023

Remote working has been around for a while, however, it wasn’t until 2020 that this convenient job form became more popular around the nation and world. ⁣
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There are several benefits that many have found to enhance their overall quality of life through working remote, including the following:⁣
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Increased productivity: Some people find that the ambient noise and bustling atmosphere of a coffee shop can actually boost their focus and productivity. It can provide a level of background noise that helps drown out distractions and keeps them engaged in their work.⁣
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Networking opportunities: Coffee shops are often frequented by professionals from various fields, making them potential networking hubs. You might meet like-minded individuals, industry peers, or potential clients/customers, opening up possibilities for collaboration or career development.⁣
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If you work remotely, where is your favorite place to work?

05/05/2023

Whether you would like to start roasting your own coffee beans or have dreams of developing a coffee business, the price tag can be high depending on what you are looking for. ⁣
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One of the most essential factors to consider is what types of commercial coffee roasters exist for your best usage. Two of the most common roasters on the market are drum coffee roasters and fluid bed coffee roasters. ⁣
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Drum coffee roasters come in two different types: single-wall drums and double-wall drums. The outer wall of a double-wall drum roaster utilizes air to heat up the inner wall, providing a more stable and balanced roasting experience. Generally speaking, these roasters all-in-all are much easier to manipulate to create a specifically curated coffee bean you and customers will love. They provide a full-bodied flavor that encapsulates the richness and boldness of the coffee itself. If you’re looking to roast a large quantity of beans, this roaster is the way to go!⁣
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Fluid bed coffee roasters mainly rely on convection heat transfer to effectively roast coffee beans. It is built with a tall cylinder where hot air rises through a chamber into the roaster. This creates a cool feature of the coffee beans floating in the midst of hot air to be roasted fully. These machines are typically more compact and avoid the potential for scorching the beans. ⁣
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Depending on your needs, there are many pro’s and con’s to these two types of coffee roasters. Once you learn the ropes, you’ll be able to roast delicious coffee for your next morning cup of joe or your personal coffee business.

04/13/2023

You know an outstanding coffee shop when you see and experience one! For the founders of Copa Vida, good coffee, tea, and food are more than just a product to sell to customers. They are elements to a platform for cultivating a thriving community. This husband and wife duo were raised in immigrant families, so they know what it is like to not have a place of their own while being an outsider looking in. Their goals with Copa Vida have been to create a space where every individual feels welcome with a sense of belonging. ⁣
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This company was founded in 2011 and is currently a specialty coffee roaster based in Pasadena, with several additional locations around California. Copa Vida roasts and sources all of its own coffee, and their aim is to always select the best quality coffees on the market. Being meticulous about serving coffee with consistent, unique characteristics for a memorable experience is essential to success. ⁣
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If you live in the area or are visiting from out of town, be sure to stop into one of Copa Vida’s shops to enjoy their coffee beverages. They also offer coffee brewing classes and other educational events to teach customers about the essence of specialty coffee!

04/10/2023

Are you a coffee business owner or have dreams of opening your own shop? ⁣⁣⁣
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If you’re curious what types of commercial espresso machines are the best on the market, I’m here today to share some information that could help guide you. ⁣⁣⁣
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According to espressoparts.com, there are a variety of options out there depending on your personal budget and preferences. For 2023, these are the products they recommend: ⁣⁣⁣
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• Best all around machine: La Marzocco Linea Classic S 2-Group EE⁣⁣⁣
• Best for price value: Ascaso Barista T Plus⁣⁣⁣
• Best for small spaces: Ascaso Baby T Plus⁣⁣⁣
• Best for busy, larger cafe’s: Sanremo F18 2-Group AV⁣⁣⁣
• Best entry-level machine: Sanremo Zoe Competition 2-Group AV⁣⁣⁣
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Planning for your next exciting venture can be fun when you know the right places to look. I hope this can be of some benefit for you with your coffee business. Good luck!

03/28/2023

Have you ever wondered what the best and most popular coffee is in the world? If you’ve had a cup of Ethiopian drip or a latte made with Colombian espresso, then your palette has been blessed by the unique features of the richest coffee growing regions on earth. These plants are grown on plantations, which are large farms used for the early stages of what is brewed and eventually goes in your favorite coffee mug. ⁣
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Here are three of the best regions coffee is grown: ⁣
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• South America: This region produces some of the world's best coffee and includes countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. Brazil is the largest coffee producer in the world, followed by Colombia, which is known for producing high-quality Arabica coffee.⁣
• Africa: Countries in this region such as Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania are known for producing some of the world's most distinctive coffee flavors. Ethiopia, in particular, is considered the birthplace of coffee, and it produces a wide range of coffee varieties.⁣
• Asia: Countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and India are major coffee producers in this region. Indonesia is known for its unique and flavorful coffee, such as the famous Kopi Luwak, while Vietnam is the largest producer of Robusta coffee in the world.⁣
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The next time you pick up a bag of coffee from the store or visit your local coffee shop, ask questions to learn more about the places you’re drinking your coffee from!

02/24/2023

Specialty coffee refers to high-quality coffee that is sourced, roasted, and brewed with a focus on its unique flavors, aroma, and origin. It is typically made from premium-grade Arabica beans, which are carefully grown and harvested in select regions around the world.⁣⁣⁣
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The coffee beans used in specialty coffee are typically grown at high altitudes, which results in a slower maturation process, allowing the beans to develop more rich, complex flavors. They are also carefully harvested and processed to ensure that only the highest-quality beans make it into the final product.⁣⁣⁣
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Once the beans are roasted, they are often brewed using special techniques that highlight their unique flavors and aromas. Specialty coffee shops often use manual brewing methods such as pour-over, French press, or AeroPress to create a cup of coffee that is both flavorful and aromatic.⁣⁣⁣
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Overall, specialty coffee is all about celebrating the unique characteristics of each coffee bean and creating a truly exceptional coffee experience!

02/16/2023

Coffee roasters in the United States have to abide by many environmental requirements that are enforced from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This is to make sure that your coffee is roasted in a proper way so it can fully be enjoyed, while protecting every hard working employee processing it! Some of the key EPA requirements that may apply to coffee roasters include:⁣⁣
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Air emissions: During the roasting process, a coffee roaster can release fumes of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can contribute to air pollution and may be harmful to your health. If you are in the roasting industry, you should check the Clean Air Act for specific rules about your machine and business.⁣⁣
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Hazardous waste management: Coffee roasting can generate hazardous waste, such as solvents and cleaning agents. Roasters should dispose of these substances based on requirements from the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).⁣⁣
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Water quality: Coffee roasting machines may produce wastewater that can hold pollutants such as oils, grease, and caffeine. The Clean Water Act is the perfect resource to look into for knowing how to handle wastewater so it does not harm water quality.⁣⁣
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Emergency planning: No matter what type of building you’re in, it’s always important to have a strategic game plan when accidents or emergencies happen. Think of exit ways and materials to keep handy for safety. ⁣⁣
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Energy conservation: Coffee roasting is an energy-intensive process, and roasters may be encouraged or required to take creative steps for saving energy and reducing greenhouse gas fumes.⁣⁣
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The specific requirements that apply to a coffee roaster will depend on a number of factors, including the size and location of the roasting operation, the type of equipment used, and the specific environmental regulations in the area.

02/16/2023

A barista is the friendly face who prepares your coffee or pours a unique art design on your latte at your local coffee shop. For a barista to stand out and make a lasting impression that’ll have you coming back for more caffeine, they must have a combo of great technical skills and a distinguished personality. They should feel like your best friend that you catch up with every morning on the way to work!⁣⁣
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If you’re thinking about becoming one of the cool coffee kids or want to simply learn about what makes an outstanding barista, consider the following:⁣⁣
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Passion For Coffee: We’re not saying you have to be addicted, but a love for coffee and an excitingdesire to learn about the complete science behind it is essential for a good barista to be successful. ⁣⁣
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Attention to Detail: A barista should pay close attention to the big and tiny details, like knowing about brewing strategies for a great cup of joe,, fancy coffee equipment, and dosing. In addition, baristas should be familiar with temperature settings for water, the right grind size for each coffee, and the extraction time for pulling tasty espresso shots. This will all ensure that each cup of coffee is of the highest quality and flavor. ⁣⁣
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Customer-Service Skills: A fun barista stands out when they are friendly, approachable, and able to communicate effectively with customers. They should be personable and inviting by making recommendations, answering all the nerdy coffee questions, and providing a memorable customer experience.⁣⁣
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Time Management Skills: Baristas must be able to work quickly and efficiently while maintaining the quality of the drinks they’re making. They should be able to multitask and manage their time effectively to keep up with customer demand. Once you get the hang of the rhythm like any other job, you’re bound to have a great time grooving to cool coffee music and chatting to guests.⁣⁣
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Creativity: A barista stands out when they get creative and are able to come up with exciting drink ideas and variations. They should be able to make unique and visually appealing drinks that wow customers. . This is where the team as a whole gets to have fun and collaborate together on designs and concoctions!⁣⁣
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Every coffee shop’s environment is unique in its own special way. Ask your local barista how they enjoy their job and apply to join in the fun!