World Coffee Research

Red Cedar Coffee Co. has been a proud supporter of World Coffee Research for years. We feel that it is important to support coffee producers who are the foundation of our industry and who work hard to provide a product that enriches our lives.

World Coffee Research (WCR) was founded in 2012 when Central and South America were experiencing an epidemic of coffee rust (“la roya”), which eventually put 1.7 million people out of work.

Part of the challenge of growing coffee is that across all varieties there’s very little genetic diversity. In addition, relatively few research dollars go to studying coffee which is why coffee is sometimes referred to as an “orphan crop.”

Some coffee producing countries have research facilities where coffee producers can contact for help. Other coffee producing countries do not have these research facilities. Typically, the information gained from these research institutions are not shared with other country’s research institutions. 

This is where World Coffee Research can help. They work with all coffee research institutions to help share their research worldwide.

World Coffee Research is currently conducting an international multilocational variety trial to understand coffee “genetics x environment’ interaction. The hope is that more information may be gained from these trials to see if coffee producers can choose varieties that are optimized for certain growing environments.  

As a result of our support for their study Red Cedar Coffee Co. had the opportunity to try several coffees from a trial in El Salvador which tested one coffee variety (F1 hybrid Centroamericano) from two environments with two approaches to fertilizing.

This is just one example of how our support for this cause helps us be on the cutting edge of coffee education.

More information on World Coffee Research may be found here.

The AeroPress may be a small coffee maker but it’s is one of the most flexible coffee makers on the market. Depending on the recipe, you can brew anything from a single cup of coffee to concentrated espresso-like coffee.

The entire brewing process for the AeroPress takes about 30 seconds. After pouring coffee and hot water into the AeroPress chamber, set the chamber on top of your coffee cup and press. The coffee will be pressed through a paper filter and into your coffee mug.

Once you’re done brewing your coffee, just tap off the grounds and give the AeroPress a quick rinse and let dry.

Why we like the AeroPress:

  • Durable, easy to clean and portable.
  • Constructed with BPA-Free plastic.
  • The AeroPress comes with a paddle for stirring, 350 microfilters and plastic filter holder, funnel and coffee scoop.
  • It’s ideal for travel, the office for in the kitchen.

What you will need:

  • Freshly roasted coffee from Red Cedar Coffee Co.
  • Grinder
  • AeroPress and filter
  • Water Kettle

Pro-tip:

If you enjoy tweaking your coffee brewing recipes check out the recipes on the World Aeropress Championship website.

The AeroPress kit and replacement coffee filters are available at Red Cedar Coffee Co.’s retail store in Berea.

Retail Store Hours
Monday-Friday: 8 am – 4 pm
Saturday: 8 am – 1 pm

We are closed the following holidays:

  • New Years Day
  • Memorial Day
  • July 4th
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Eve
  • Christmas Day
  • New Year’s Eve

The Hario v60 is one of the easiest ways to brew coffee 1-3 cups of coffee at a time.

Small and portable the Hario v60 has become a favorite brewing method for the office and for those that brew their coffee on the road.

The small ridges of the v60 help the filter from sticking to the walls of the dripper.

The Hario v60 is great for bright coffees where you can pick up floral and fruity notes.

 

Why we like the Hario coffee brewer:

The Hario v60 is one of the easiest and most approachable brew methods. It takes up minimal space and the cleanup is easy since you are brewing directly into the cup.

The Hario v60 brews coffee is a shorter time, approximately 3 minutes per cup.

 

What you will need:

  • Freshly roasted coffee from Red Cedar Coffee Co.
  • Grinder
  • Hario v60 dripper
  • #2 Hario filters
  • Water Kettle

 

Pro tip:

Use a digital scale to repeat your favorite coffee recipe.

A good starting point for your coffee to water ratio is 1:16. Use 1 ounce of coffee to 16 ounces of water. Tweak the ratio to your liking.

 

In the retail store:

We offer the Hario v60 in ceramic and plastic along with Hario v60 #2 filters.

The French press brews a full-bodied cup of coffee. If you’re looking to pick up more of the characteristics that make your coffee unique, this is your brew method!

The French press is an immersion brewing method, meaning that the coffee grounds are steeped in hot water before being pressed to the bottom by a metal filter.

You will want to use a coarse grind for brewing your French press coffee. Pour the amount of coffee you’d like into the press then add hot water. Place the lid on top of the French press with the metal filter up. Wait 4-6 minutes and press the metal filter down. Pour and enjoy!

Why we like the French Press

It’s a great brewing method to relax and enjoy your coffee.

What you will need

  • Freshly roasted coffee from Red Cedar Coffee Co.
  • Grinder
  • French Press
  • Water Kettle
  • Digital Scale (to help replicate your favorite recipe)

Pro-tip

We find that steeping your coffee for 4-6 minutes is the sweet spot.

Pictured above

Our retail store carries double-walled stainless-steel French presses. The French presses have new technologies that create a barrier between the coffee and coffee grounds meaning you won’t have to worry about bitter coffee. Also pictured is a handmade stoneware mug.

“What is that?” is a question we often hear in our retail store. For many reasons it is one of our favorite ways to brew coffee.

This brew method is a piece of art that is represented in numerous art museums including the Corning Museum of Glass and Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York.

What is the Chemex?
Invented by chemist Dr. Peter Schlumbohm in 1941, the Chemex combines the beauty of an hour glass with the function of a coffee maker. What makes this piece of art even more impressive is that it brews consistently smooth coffee.

Why do we like the Chemex?
The double bonded Chemex paper filter removes a molecule in coffee oils which creates a clean cup of coffee free from bitterness.

The Chemex does especially well in with washed coffees like our Guatemala Antigua and Costa Rica La Lia Finca Dragon.

We carry the 8-cup (40 ounce) Chemex and coffee filters in our retail store in Berea, Ohio.

Brewing Tip: Use a digital scale when using a Chemex for accuracy.

On Saturday, September 9, 2017, Red Cedar Coffee Co. welcomed Esteban and Luis Ureña from Rivense del Chirripó in Costa Rica. This was part of Red Cedar Coffee Co.’s 12th Anniversary Celebration. The Ureña family owns a micro-mill along with five coffee farms.

For the last couple years, Red Cedar Coffee Co. has purchased coffee directly from their farm, Finca las Torres. Each February Anne visits this farm and micro mill for harvest and the coffee selection process.

Red Cedar Coffee Co. invited Esteban and Luis to the coffee roastery and launch of their coffee at the Anniversary Party. Not often are coffee producers able to see what happens to their coffee after it has left the farm.  It was an exciting visit for Esteban and Luis as it was their first time leaving Costa Rica.

To give a sense of coffee in Costa Rica, most coffee is consumed at home or in small cafeterías (coffee shops). By Costa Rican law, 2% of export grade coffee must be held in country for domestic consumption. Most coffee consumed in country is what the coffee industry calls second or third quality coffee, and most of this coffee is roasted dark or with sugar. This means no coffee is wasted from harvest.

The Ureña family is innovative compared to many other Costa Rican producers. They own their own micro mill which means they can insure their coffee is of highest quality. They have a coffee roaster for sampling their harvest. The family drinks the coffee they grow every day. They cup their coffee harvest which is how coffee professionals evaluate the crop, processes and pre-export evaluation. This visit to Red Cedar Coffee Co. was an opportunity for them to see the other end of the supply chain and to interact with our retail and wholesale customers.

Esteban and Luis learned a lot about the US coffee market during their stay with Red Cedar Coffee Co. Cooking with coffee and crafting coffee infused beverages were new ideas. The opportunity to spend time with a wholesale coffee roaster (Red Cedar Coffee Co.) also provided additional insight into the US coffee market. They also had a chance to sightsee Cleveland.

We would like to thank everyone who came to our Anniversary event and who made Esteban and Luis feel at home.

  

 

 

 

Red Cedar Coffee Co. will host their 12th Anniversary celebration on Saturday, September 9, 2017, between 10am-1pm in their Berea, Ohio, Tasting Room.

During the celebration, we will release our new limited edition direct trade Costa Rica Finca las Torres from the Chirripó region of southern Costa Rica.

Produced by Régulo Gerardo Ureña and his family, Finca las Torres is located between Cerro Chirripó, Costa Rica’s highest peak, and Cerro de la Muerte which is the highest peak on the Inter-American highway.

Our 12th Anniversary is an exciting time and we have brought the Ureña family to our Tasting Room for our Finca las Torres release. Anne returned to Finca las Torres in February and worked with Luis and Esteban Ureña during the harvest and the processing of the harvest.

We are pleased to have Luis and Esteban at our Tasting Room so customers will have the unique opportunity to meet the family behind one of our direct trade coffees and more importantly Luis and Esteban will be able to join in on the celebration as we release their coffee.

During the coffee tasting Finca las Torres will be brewed using the Chemex, as a drip coffee and as a single origin shot of espresso. The three brew methods will provide customers an opportunity to taste how the flavor and aroma changes based on how the coffee has been brewed. This event is free and open to the public.

12th Anniversary Celebration and Meet the Producer Event

Finca las Torres Release

Saturday, September 9, 2017

10am-1pm

Red Cedar Coffee Co. Tasting Room

This event is standing room only.

The gift of great-tasting coffee is always appreciated!

With the holidays approaching, keep us in mind for all your corporate gift needs. We love to create special gifts for your clients, employees, vendors, and even your conference!

Check out our Gift Set Selection.

Corporate gifts from Red Cedar Coffee Co. are available for your company’s events year-round.

Have your gift recipients finalized? Fill out our Gift List spreadsheet with your gift recipient’s information and send it to us to get the ball rolling.

Please give us a call at 440.260.7509 for more information or to place your order.

Coffee Bundle Gift Set

Red Cedar Coffee Co. is pleased to partner with local branches of the Cuyahoga County Public Library as part of their Friends of the Library fundraiser program.

The Library Lovers’ Brew is available in twelve (12) ounce bags at the following Cuyahoga County Public Library locations:

  • Middleburg Heights Branch
  • Strongsville Branch

The Library Lovers’ Brew is a creamy, smooth medium roast created only for the Friends of the Library. A portion of each sale goes back to the Friends of the Library group and will provide funds for use towards the library, future library events and programming.

Read more here for information on the Strongsville branch program. Support your local library and enjoy some great coffee along the way.