Help Madison go to Spacecamp!

3-2-1…WE HAVE LIFT-OFF!
Vernon’s Madison Sawka has been selected as the recipient of a Spacecamp scholarship for School District #22! She will be attending Spacecamp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama in June 2010. Madison was selected based on her high academic achievement and involvement in sports and music. She is well respected and comes highly recommended by her teachers at Vernon Secondary School .

At Spacecamp, Madison will be given the opportunity to see what it’s like to train as a shuttle pilot, flight director or mission scientist. This is an unbelievable opportunity for Madison. She needs some help getting there, Madison’s tuition and room and board for the camp are covered as part of the scholarship – but her travel costs are not. Her airfare will total over $1,000. This is a great chance for Okanagan businesses to help a local student reach for the stars – literally. If you would like to be one of Madison’s sponsors, she will personally let you know about her Spacecamp experience. Please contact Danielle Calder or Madison Sawka for more details.

Cherry Hill Coffee wishes Madison all the best and looks forward to hearing all about her zero-gravity adventures!

Off the beaten path in Panama

‘DEUCE’ MIXES A LITTLE BUSINESS WITH PLEASURE

Cherry Hill’s co-owner Jeff ‘Deuce’ Biglow took some time out of his holiday in Panama to meet with coffee producers and visit some farms in Boquete in the western part of the country. It was a perfect opportunity to get hands-on experience with coffee processing before it reaches Cherry Hill Coffee for roasting. It was also a chance to have frank and honest discussions with growers about Fair Trade and Organic practices and coffee prices paid to the farmers.

“It was an eye opening experience to see cherries de-pulped and the entire fermentation and drying process up close,” Jeff explained. “There’s a lot of work involved before we get the beans.”

The highlight of his visit to Boquete though was cupping some of Panama’s famous Geisha varietal at Cafe Ruiz while he talked off the ears of the owner (surprise, surprise).

“I must have chatted with Maria (at Cafe Ruiz) for three hours – she has a wealth of knowledge and a passion for coffee.”

Cafe Ruiz was the largest farm Jeff visited with an annual production of over 6,000,000 lbs. Finca La Milagrosa on the other hand produced only 20,000 lbs a year. The differences were apparent with owner Tito Vargas’ homemade equipment attracting a lot of attention from Jeff.

“Tito had built his own sample roaster, hand-made all his processing equipment and even had a car transmission running his jerry-rigged coffee grinder, unbelievable!”

In the end though the hospitality of his host was what really stood out. “At one point during the tour at Finca La Milagrosa Tito let me take over – because of his poor English or my constant interruptions, I don’t know – but he was super-friendly and gracious. We had a blast there.”

And then it was time to pack up and hit the beach town of Santa Catalina for some surfing, some people have the life! Can’t wait to hear about your next trip Jeff!

Warm up your heart with a Sweetheart Latte

CUPID HAS SCORED A DIRECT HIT JUST IN TIME FOR VALENTINE’S
You could say we’re a little lovestruck with our sweetheart latte. Sweet and spicy cinnamon, yummy espresso and fluffy steamed milk will have you head over heels too. Beginning Jan 25.

Introducing Cherry Hill’s Signature Reserve Series

EXCLUSIVE ESPRESSO BLENDS FOR REFINED TASTES
We are pleased to announce that after many months of research and development, Cherry Hill Coffee now offers customers a selection of limited espressos. Our Reserve series showcases our very best blends and reflects our passion and commitment to specialty coffee.

RED LABEL
This poised, balanced espresso produces a rich aroma and a quiet elegance in the cup. Dark and spicy characteristics give way to an indulgent, chocolatey sweetness. A versatile blend recommended for all brewing methods and perfect on its own or in milk-based beverages.

GOLD LABEL
Smooth and graceful with a soft acidity. This espresso masters milk with a gentle, brandied chocolate authority. Lingering notes of caramel and dark ganache endure beautifully in a lush finish. An exceptional choice for cappuccinos, lattes and other milk-based espresso drinks. This darker roast espresso is best for traditional espresso machines.

BLACK LABEL
A sophisticated blend with notes of roasted hazelnut and fresh baked biscotti. Black label is a traditional Italian espresso that takes on a crisp dark chocolate character and carries into a delicate finish. This lighter roast espresso is remarkable in semi-automatic and automatic machines.

Our Reserve Series are available exclusively at zcafe.ca and from our Kelowna roastery. Our commitment to sustainability is stronger than ever as we source out only 100% certified organic coffee and work closely with our brokers to ensure fairness and socially responsible practices at the farm level. Make a difference with your next cup!

It’s a Boy!

NEW YEAR’S LITTLE MIRACLES
By Steve MacNaull

David and Vonne Biglow keep staring at their new addition.

“We don‘t ever want to put him down or stop looking at him,” said David of Kelowna‘s New Year‘s Baby, Angus Orion Biglow, born 5:16 p.m. on Friday.
“It‘s a great feeling. Having the New Year‘s Baby is special, but, for us, really it‘s the miracle of life and having a son.”

Vonne‘s original due date was Jan. 5, so having the city‘s New Year‘s Baby didn‘t occur to them at first.

But then, at Vonne‘s regular checkup around Christmas, the couple found the baby looked like it was ready to come early.

“Right then, I knew it,” David said. “I knew we would have the New Year‘s Baby. The whole scenario just had that vibe about it.”

Angus weighed six pounds, seven ounces and is the couple‘s first child.

“We were married Jan. 10, 2008, in Mexico, so Angus can now be our third amigo when we celebrate our second anniversary,” David said.

“I also have a new respect for women. Childbirth is intense and amazing.”

So far, Angus is a quiet baby who is easy to soothe when he fusses.

David, 39, and Vonne, 36, own and operate coffee roaster and wholesaler Cherry Hill Coffee in Kelowna.

(Courtesy of Daily Courier, read the rest of the article here.)

Holiday Hours

Cherry Hill Coffee will be closed for the Holidays Thursday, December 24th and Friday, December 25th. We’ll also be shutting down for New Years Eve Thursday, December 31st and New Years Day Friday, January 1st. So if you have relatives visiting for Christmas, be sure to stop by and see us before then. Fresh-roasted coffee will make your holidays better. So will doubling up on the nog. Merry Christmas everyone and all the best in 2010!

Gift Ideas for 2009

GET THE COFFEE SNOB ON YOUR LIST SOMETHING THEY’LL APPRECIATE

French press is the weapon of choice for coffee aficionados and we have the perfect gift idea for them. Bodum has a great line of new products with their ‘Bean’ French Press. Expect the usual fantastic workmanship and classic design but the real benefit here is the double walled thermo-glass that Bodum has designed. It keeps your coffee hot longer. Cherry Hill also carries the classic Brazil French Press coffee maker, Bodum’s original coffee maker and a symbol of what Bodum stands for. Now available in red!

Also new for the holidays is the Chemex Infusion Brewer. Invented by a chemist to improve filter-type (infusion) brewing, Chemex have a devoted following of coffee enthusiasts. The elegant and simple hand-blown glass design will certainly earn a coveted spot on your counter. Want to impress your friends? Tell them that your Chemex is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Last but not least, don’t forget to pick up some 50g bags of our Holiday Blends. They make perfect stocking stuffers and are a great start to Christmas morning. And for the caffeine-shy we have loads of hot cocoa, teas and assorted chocolate goodies too!

Happy Holidays from Cherry Hill Coffee!

From The Original Country of Origin

CHERRY HILL COFFEE PRESENTS BARAKA (ETHIOPIA}

This certified organic medium roast is characterized by bright aromas of citrus and blackberry with chocolate undertones in the cup; Baraka is a wild and vibrant coffee with enduring depths and a very clean finish. Grab a freshly roasted pound in our shiny retail bags where Cherry Hill Coffee is sold near you.

Ahoy landlubbers…Highlander Grogg is here. Now certified organic!

INTRODUCING HIGHLANDER GROGG IN 1LB RETAIL BAGS

Warm butterscotch notes along with heroic overtones of spiced rum characterize our classic Highlander Grogg coffee. You’ll want your sea legs before brewing!
Available at organic grocers and friendly neighbourhood cafes across Western Canada! Find a location near you.

Just in from the North Pole!

OUR HOLIDAY BLENDS ARE BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

Whether you’re stocking up or stuffing stockings, Cherry Hill Coffee’s holiday blends are sure to keep you off Santa’s naughty list and give everyone that warm and fuzzy yuletide spirit. We have three seasonal blends to choose from (whole bean or ground); Jack Frost (Chocolate Mint), Christmas Blend and Gingerbread. Available here at the Kelowna roastery or at a cafe or organic grocer near you.

Jack Frost (Chocolate Mint)
Even Old Man Winter needs a hot cup of coffee. And when he reaches for his French press, this is what Jack is brewing. Toast the holidays with a festive blend of icy cool mint and silky smooth chocolate

Gingerbread
“Run, run, run as fast you can…before this holiday classic is gone!” Hansel and Gretel would be all over this spicy blend of fresh, ovenbaked gingerbread, with just a hint of brown sugar. A perfect complement to a snowy winter day.

Christmas Blend
This North Pole fave goes over huge with the herd. Sweet and spicy with a tremendous body and long finish, Christmas Blend is great for sharing with family and loved ones.