So why does Topeka, Kansas rank as the 10th best city in the country? In part, because of PT’s Coffee of course! In the July issue of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine, they chose Topeka, Kansas as the 10th best city in the United States. In addition to Topeka’s growing economy and low cost of living, being the home of PT’s Coffee is listed as one of the reasons why Topeka is such a great place to live. Can’t really argue with that! You can check out the article here, and taste why PT’s makes the difference here!

We are proud to announce that two of our favorite coffees just received 90+ ratings from Coffee Review!  Our Burundi Mwurire received an outstanding 93 (buy here)and our Colombia Los Naranjos San Agustin received an admirable 91 (buy here).  Here are the review for these two outstanding coffees!

Burundi Mwurire

OVERALL RATING: 93

Notes: Burundi is a small, landlocked country in Central Africa. Most coffee is grown in the mountains of the north, bordering Rwanda. Benefiting from ideal growing conditions and large plantings of the heirloom Bourbon variety of Arabica, Burundi coffee has an excellent reputation, though it is better known in Europe than in the United States. This particular Burundi was produced from trees of the Bourbon variety. Roasted at PT’s Coffee, where the motto is “without the love, it’s just coffee.” Visit www.ptscoffee.com or call 888-678-JAVA for more information.

Blind assessment: Delicate floral and honeyed fruit-like aroma. In the cup, bright-toned acidity and syrupy flavors reminiscent of orange and apricot fruit nectar with continued floral and honeyed complication. Long, almost sugary sweet, flavor-saturated finish.

Who should drink it: Sweet fruit and flowers from a lesser known but distinguished African origin.  Purchase Burundi Mwurire here!

Colombia Los Naranjos San Agustin

The smoke has cleared, the bids are in, and PT’s Coffee is proud to announce our 2010 offering from Hacienda La Esmeralda.  After tasting each lot, we knew that there were two coffees that we had to have: Mario Carnaval and Mario San Jose.  Both of these spectacular lots are harvested from the region that traditionally produces the best geisha lots from Hacienda La Esmeralda.  There is something about these spectacular micro-climates that creates a flavor profile unlike any other.

Mario Carnaval (last year our roast received a 96 from Coffee Review) was harvested during the peak of the harvest season: February.  Out of all of the lots, Mario Carnaval stood out as our clear favorite.  In tasting the samples, Mario Carnaval seemed to jump off the table.  Its beautifully bright acidity and mesmerizing floral notes brought satisfaction to our eyes: this is what it is all about.  This experience is why people go to so much trouble just to have one cup.

Mario San Jose was harvested at the end of the harvest season: March.  On the cupping table, Mario San Jose surprised us.  Its fragrance and aroma made us think that it was Mari Carnaval.  It was big, it was bright and it was incredibly sweet.  When we tasted it, notes of strawberry and grapefruit filled out mouths.  Its sweet and juicy character made us long for more.  Although it was not Mario Carnaval, Mario San Jose stunned us with it unique and gorgeous profile.

Unfortunately, the Esmeralda Auction bring a little bit of sadness with its excitement and joy.  We finally know which lots we will be able to offer in the coming year, but we also know that we will have to wait a little while before they arrive in our roasting facility.  Fortunately, we have a small lot of last year’s crop still available.  While you are eagerly anticipating the new crop of Hacienda la Esmeralda, sip on the last bit of our Hacienda La Esmeralda Special - Mario Pascua.  Be one of the last ones to enjoy this special coffee here.

Saturday, May 8th, come check out the Gombe Coffee Project Video at the Lawrence Arts Center’s Short Film Festival.  This video was a collaborative effort between PT’s Coffee and Gizmo Pictures.  Gizmo’s David Kitchner traveled with PT’s coffee buyer, Jeff Taylor, on a coffee sourcing trip to Tanzania.  If you cannot make it to the film festival, you can always watch this gripping video here!

Given the announcement yesterday of our change in leadership at PT’s Barrington Village, some of you are probably wondering what’s going on with the previous manager, Robin Seitz. No worries- only good things! Robin has accepted the role of Account Manager for our US accounts west of Kansas City. Starting June 1, 2010, he will be busy getting to know our wholesale clients, answering their questions and helping them find the coffees and products that best fit their tastes and concept.

In the nearly 8 years that he has worked for us Robin has shown a perpetually growing interest in coffee, in all its forms and flavor nuances (prior to his employment with PT’s he had been a daily die-hard regular for another 7 years). His continuous curiosity has led him to pursue a variety of activities and opportunities such as retail management, coffee catering, trade show barista, barista competitor, barista champion, coffee trainer…and the list could go on. Needless to say, he has had a lot of exposure to different perspectives and ideas, and we feel that this experience will translate well to helping our retail partners. Keep on the look out for a Robin sighting near you!

As of June 1, 2010 there will be a new management regime at PT’s original location, Barrington Village. As the location has grown throughout its 17 years in operation, so has the role of management so we decided that it was time to take a little bit different approach…

Three people in three distinct positions. Each of them can have a primary focus on an aspect of the business, bringing their own skills sets and experience to their respective areas. As of yesterday Keith Dunbar, Morgan Smith, and Nikki Strong have accepted their positions! Here’s a little bit about each of them-

Keith Dunbar- Manager of Operations

Keith has been a barista for PT’s Coffee since 2008, but has been in coffee for about 5 years now. Finding that his love for the craft has only grown over time, he jumped at the opportunity to take on a bigger role. As a student at Washburn University here in Topeka, KS, he has been studying both Marketing and Economics and expects to graduate in May of 2011. His skill sets lend him to be a great manager for the ins and outs of operation, as well as having a way with people. Here’s a little more about Keith:

What’s your favorite coffee currently and why? “Currently I find myself favoring the Ethiopian Sidama Ardi. The light roast we’ve been running with allows for a great natural sweetness, perfect for spring.“

How do you brew your coffee at home? “Most of the time I just run down to the shop, but when I do brew at home, I use french press”

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? “Because I’m such a fan of cycling and a lover of coffee, I’d probably go to Europe. I would love to get over there in July to see the Tour de France and enjoy a street side cafe or two…”

What made you want to pursue the manager position at PT’s Barrington Village? “After working for the organization, I felt it was time for me to step up and do all I can for PT’s. I feel I have great organizational skills and wanted to put them to better use”

Morgan Smith- Coffee Quality Manager

Morgan might have only been with PT’s for a year, but it has been a really busy one for her! Last summer when the SCAA’s Midwest Regional Barista Competition was announced to be held at the end of October, she decided that she would see what she was made of. After giving up the majority of her social life for several months in order to be prepared, she not only made the finals, but walked away with the third place trophy! Since then she has prepared for her first national championship where she ranked in the top 25 baristas in the United States. We expect great things! She now wants to focus her energies into Barrington and help elevate the level of coffee knowledge, both with customers and her peers. Here’s a little about Morgan-

What’s your favorite coffee and why? “Costa Rica from Finca Cerro, Paldo, still… (she used this coffee at the United States Barista Championship). It’s clean, mellow and very well rounded”

How did you get into coffee? “I was born into it. My mom opened a coffee shop when I was born so that she would be able to work and still spend time with me. It was the customers that made me want to stick with it.”

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? “Easy. Italy or Greece!”

What made you want to pursue one of the manager positions at PT’s Barrington Village? “I saw things that I felt really needed a change and I thought I could be the right person to change them.”

Nikki Strong- Manager of Food and Bakery

Nikki started with PT’s in 2004, but her romance with coffee started in high school. Before she was taken on as a barista, she was a customer and has been a part of the PT’s family for over a decade. Through out her time with us she has also had opportunities to work for other companies that taught her the value of systems and has a firm understanding of how to apply that specifically to the area of food service. She has a creative outlook on life and we look forward to her bringing that into play with our food offerings and systems at Barrington Village. Here’s what Nikki had to say for herself-

What’s your favorite coffee and why? “I love just about every Costa Rican. They are sweet and chocolaty and yummy!”

How do you brew your coffee at home? “I don’t right now. I usually go to the shop. I want a Chemex but I’m afraid I’ll break it…”

How did you get into coffee? “I started hanging out at PT’s in high school, and that’s where I met my boyfriend (he was a barista there) and a lot of my friends. When a job became available at PT’s Stormont Vail (one of our former locations), I jumped in.”

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? “Somewhere tropical, but not touristy. The South Pacific or Caribbean. I spent a couple vacations in the British Virgin Islands on a chartered sail boat with my family and I loved it!”

What made you want to pursue a management position at PT’s Barrington Village? “I love the shop and I want to help make it even better. I’ve worked at other coffee shops that don’t have the same camaraderie and excitement, and now I’m happy to be back home at PT’s.”

We are excited to see where these three take our retail experience! Please stop by the cafe and congratulate them when you have the chance!