Sunday, February 16, 2014

Alaska Coffee Is The New Novelty

By Krystal Branch


Alaska coffee is touted as special, uniquely different from what many are used to. Perhaps it's because of the cold, but Alaskans have a special relationship with coffee, which originates far from the frozen north. We are used to seeing Colombian beans celebrated, and roasters in Alaska use them as well as many others.

Well, it's a fact that Alaskans love coffee. One of the unique features of this frontier state are roadside shacks that sell only espresso and ice cream. They are all drive-through, not sit-in, and they really are shacks. Ten by twelve foot buildings with decorations and signage to catch the eye of motorists make a business up here and keep motorists awake and happy on long trips.

The truth is that, in the global economy, entrepreneurs everywhere have access to anything they can import. The coffee companies say that it's knowing which beans to use and how to roast them that makes the best cup. On online sites, you'll see that some roasters use beans from eight or ten countries to achieve their different blends. The 'roast-masters' say that they know how to make their products different from what you'll find elsewhere.

Of course, it's also a global marketplace. The internet makes it possible for everyone to try these products. You can fill your shopping cart with blends with whimsical northern names like Outhouse Blend. Organic coffee is available for those who try to avoid chemical impurities in their diet.

There is a sense of community in what you'll see concerning Alaskan specialty coffee businesses. Many of these are family firms, while others have a small staff of dedicated partners. Companies work to boost the Alaskan economy with 'buy local' campaigns, help clients open roadside stands by equipping them with supplies and training, or work with community organizations that benefit youth. All of them seem to support small farmers around the world by buying free trade products.

If you need a truly unusual gift, consider a sample pack of unique blends. Even the non-coffee drinkers will enjoy the colorful logos and names like Deadman's Reach, Wicked Wolf, or Bruin's Blend. You can get a sample collection in a colorful tote that is a gift in itself and will be both fun and useful.

It's hard to resist the names of different brews. Some are vividly descriptive of the effect the invigorating brew will have: Fog Raiser, Resurrection Blend, and even Breakfast Blend, recommended for that valuable first cup of the day. Others evoke the region: Denali Mountain, Tundra Mud, or Skookum Blend (means strong and great in Chinook).

Alaska coffee roasters have embraced free trade markets which support small growers in many countries with impoverished rural populations. Beans are imported from Peru, Mexico, Ethiopia, Colombia, Indonesia, and Guatemala, to name a few. You can get super strong brews like Skookum Blend or decaffeinated varieties. Whether you choose espressos, regular, or French roasts, you'll have new experiences in taste and aroma.




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