Spooktacular Evening of Family Fun with Macungie Halloween Festival and Parade October 29 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Macungie Memorial Park 50 Poplar Street, Macungie, PA 18062
Get ready for an enchanting evening filled with spooky family festivities at the Macungie Halloween Festival and Parade!
The East Penn Chamber of Commerce, proud partner of The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber, alongside Macungie Memorial Park and Master Supply proudly present the Macungie Halloween Festival and Parade on Sunday, October 29th, 2023, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST.
Held at the picturesque Macungie Memorial Park this family-friendly event offers an abundance of thrills and delightful activities for all ages.
For just $5.00 per family, attendees gain admission and parking to the festival and immerse themselves in a world of Halloween wonder.
“This year the Macungie Memorial Park volunteers
are excited to partner with the East Penn Chamber of Commerce
in order to provide a
fun-filled hometown Halloween night”
Margaret Young
head of the Macungie Halloween Parade Committee.
“We feel that if your home is not located on the parade route, we want to have you enjoy the festivities and parade entertainment from the home of the Macungie Memorial Park. We hope families enjoy their time at the Halloween festival and that kids end their night watching the parade with excitement. The committee of volunteers spends hours planning this night so that we can allow our kids, our neighbors, and our town to be present in making a lasting Halloween memory.”
The festival kicks off at 4:00 PM, with a wide range of attractions and entertainment options to enjoy. Children can revel in games with Halloween-themed treats as prizes, while adults can engage in fun yard games like cornhole. And when it’s time to satisfy your cravings, indulge in a delectable culinary experience at our array of food trucks, featuring a diverse selection of options, including Cactus Blue, Grubnight, Charlie’s Italian Sausage, Kona Ice, Travelin Tom’s Coffee Truck, Smokehouse, Chartier Farms, Dough & Co, Van Pelt Hotdog Co, The Local Plant Based Food Truck, Triple Sun Spirits, and Rising River Brewery.
“Our family has always loved being a part of the parade. We are very excited to give our support this year” Presenting Sponsor Barb Master of Master Supply said. “We encourage everyone to come out and enjoy this fun family-friendly event!”
Music sets the mood for an evening of merriment and be sure to capture memories at our various photo opportunities throughout the park. But the real highlight of the evening is the Macungie Halloween Parade, set to commence at 7:15 PM. Starting at Buttonwood and Main Streets in Macungie, the parade will weave its way through the park, offering a bewitching spectacle for festival attendees to enjoy. Parade floats and participants will be judged, and winners will have the chance to walk away with fantastic cash prizes.
For those who wish to be a part of this fantastic event, the Macungie Halloween Festival and Parade is still accepting parade entries and volunteers. This is a unique opportunity to showcase your creativity, community spirit, or organization on a float that will parade through the streets of Macungie.
“The East Penn Chamber can’t wait to be a part of the spooktacular fun taking place in Macungie this year!” stated Sarah Yost, Assistant Manager of Affiliated Chambers, East Penn Chamber of Commerce. “We are thrilled to partner with such a dedicated group of Macungie volunteers. Working with local businesses and organizations like Macungie Memorial Park energizes our communities and spreads the feeling of camaraderie and joy.”
Join us on Sunday, October 29th, at Macungie Memorial Park, as the community comes together for a night of Halloween magic, family fun, and community spirit. Mark your calendars and be part of an unforgettable celebration in Macungie!
For more information about the Macungie Halloween Festival and Parade, please visitwww.lehighvalleychamber.org/events
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Hellertown-Lower Saucon: Light Up Night 2024 Nov 29 Family Fun at Morris J. Dimmick Park
Hellertown-Lower Saucon: Light Up Night 2024 Nov 29 Family Fun at Morris J. Dimmick Park
The Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber, a proud partner of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, is thrilled to present the annual Light Up Night, happening on Friday, November 29, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Morris J. Dimmick Park (570 Durham Street, Hellertown). This hallmark event promises an evening full of holiday joy, delicious food, live entertainment, and a dazzling tree-lighting ceremony to kick off the festive season.
“Come join the jolly community spirit! We have great performances from the Saucon Valley Band and Choir to the local Cub Scouts Group #349, plus lots of tasty treats and gifts for everyone,” says Rod Long, Chairman of the Light Up Night committee. This year’s presenting sponsors are Mobile Technology Graphics and Bethlehem Landfill.
Event Highlights:
Light Up Night will feature something for everyone, from families looking to create cherished memories to adults enjoying seasonal beverages. Santa Claus will make a special appearance all the way from the North Pole with a few of his reindeer friends, and live entertainment from local organizations such as the Saucon Valley School District Band and Choir will keep spirits bright throughout the evening. There will be a live ice carving demonstration, free children’s activities and crafts, cash family wagon rides, special appearances from Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and so much more! Guests can shop for unique holiday gifts at vendor stalls and enjoy a variety of activities for all ages.
Make sure to stop by Chamber tent to pick up your Candy Cane Lane passport! This is the inaugural running of the trail, spanning from November 30th to December 7th encompassing your favorite businesses and restaurants in the area. Stop at each location and find the hiding Candy Cane, submit a completed passport to the Chamber to be entered into a raffle!
Food and Beverage Vendors:
This year’s event will include a mouthwatering lineup of food and drink vendors: Big Poppa’s Backyard BBQ, Cosmic Kettle Corn, Couchpota.doh, DonutNV, Fired Up Artisan Pizza, Hausman’s Fruit Farms, Nick and Noah’s, Race to Taste Curbside Grill, RK Mobile, and Tommy’s Italian Kitchen.
For those seeking seasonal drinks, Easton Wine Project, Five Maidens Cider Company, and Lost Tavern Brewing will serve a selection of wines, ciders, and craft brews. Please note: Patrons must be at least 21 years old to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages.
Sponsors:
The success of Light Up Night is made possible by the generous support of local businesses and organizations, including:
- Host Sponsor: Borough of Hellertown
- Presenting Sponsors: Bethlehem Landfill, Mobile Technology Graphics
- Reindeer Sponsor: Heintzelman’s Funeral Home
- Santa’s Sleigh Sponsor: Ron Smith
- Candy Cane Sponsor: Sure Fix Remodeling
- Hot Chocolate and Cookies Sponsors: ASR Media/Fig Magazine, Creekview Veterinary Hospital, Hellertown Dental Group, Lindsay O. Albert, EA, Service Electric Cable TV & Communications
- Sleigh Supporting Sponsor: Jim Gardner, State Farm Agency
- Tractor Ride Sponsor: Steel Club
- Wagon Sponsor: Hausman Fruit Farms
- Comfort Station Sponsors: Carl Volkman & Sons HVAC, Dewey Fire Co.
- Warm Hands Sponsors: Truist, Saucon Valley Bikes
- Jolly Supporting Sponsors: Designing Wealth Management of Raymond James, Hellertown Veterinary Center
- Decoration Sponsors: Andy’s & Pennewell’s Flower Shop, JP Mascaro, Limon Authentic Turkish Kebap House, Lost River Caverns, Saucon Valley Karate Academy
- Apple Sponsor: Bechdolt Orchards
- Cookies Sponsor: GIANT Food Stores
- Cozy Corner Sponsor: Dewey Fire Co.
- Print Sponsor: FastSIGNS of Easton
This year’s Light Up Night is expected to draw thousands of attendees, making it the perfect opportunity to connect with neighbors, support local businesses, and celebrate the season. Admission is free and open to the public.
For more details, visit the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber website or contact the Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber via email at AaronG@lehighvalleychamber.org.
Don’t miss this cherished tradition—let’s light up the night and welcome the holiday season together!
About the Chamber: The mission of The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce is to improve the economy and quality of life in the Lehigh Valley Metropolitan Area. We accomplish this through business-to-business networking events and marketing products, affinity programs and exclusive, money saving member benefits, training programs, government affairs initiatives and public policy advocacy, and community development enterprises. With nearly 5,000 members who employ more than 200,000, the Chamber is the largest in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and in the top ten nationwide.
Thanksgiving in Lehigh Valley: the perfect stuffing bread DOES exist – and it’s… [recipe inside]
This Thanksgiving in the Lehigh Valley, the perfect stuffing bread DOES exist – and it’s brioche. As in St Pierre Brioche Thanksgiving Stuffing
No Thanksgiving spread is complete without a hearty stuffing. While add-ins are a matter of preference, choosing the right bread is crucial. One underrated choice is eggy, rich brioche – and with St Pierre Bakery, you don’t need to go to France to get it.
Thanks to its butter and egg content, St Pierre’s Brioche Loaf provides the perfect balance of crisp toastiness while remaining soft and creamy inside, while its lightly sweet flavor adds a decadent quality that can still lean savory. Attached below is an approachable recipe for stuffing allowing for all the craveable crunch for the whole family with minimal effort required.
St Pierre Brioche Thanksgiving Stuffing
By @BrandiMilloy
Ingredients
1 loaf St. Pierre Brioche Bread
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 medium onion, diced
3/4 cup celery, diced
3/4 cup carrots, diced
1 cup mushrooms, diced
2 large eggs
1 tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped
3 sprigs fresh thyme, just the leaves
1 tbsp. fresh sage, chopped
1 small apple (granny smith works well), peeled and diced
Salt and pepper
Directions
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Preheat oven to 350 F. Cut brioche bread into 1” cubes and bake for about 10-15 minutes until toasted.
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Meanwhile, into a pot over medium high heat add butter until melted. Add onion, celery and carrots and cook until everything starts to soften, about 7 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat and set aside.
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Into a bowl whisk together the eggs, herbs, apples, mushrooms, and salt and pepper. Add your cooked vegetables and mix to combine.
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Pour mixture on top of toasted bread and stir to combine. Bake stuffing for about 45 minutes. If your stuffing starts to get too brown, cover until finished baking. Enjoy!
As America’s favorite brioche brand, St Pierre’s products are widely available via grocery stores nationwide as well as Walmart.
Election Day 2024: Elixir Health and Wellness Offers Free Red Light and Compression Therapy to Encourage Voter Turnout on Election Day
Election Day 2024: Elixir Health and Wellness Offers Free Red Light and Compression Therapy to Encourage Voter Turnout on Election Day
ELIXIR Health and Wellness, Bethlehem’s premier destination for non-invasive, anti-aging therapies, is excited to announce a special Election Day initiative to promote community engagement and support voter turnout. On Tuesday, November 5th, all voters across the Lehigh Valley are invited to stop by Elixir Health and Wellness, located at 1021 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA, for a complimentary session of red light or compression therapy between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
“At Elixir Health and Wellness, we believe in the power of caring, both for the body and the community,” said Yuliya, owner of Elixir Health and Wellness.
“We’re thrilled to offer this special opportunity as a way to give back to our neighbors who make their voices heard on Election Day. Voting is one of the most impactful ways to shape our community, and we want to support everyone who takes the time to participate.”
To take advantage of this Election Day offer, individuals simply need to show proof of voting, such as an “I Voted” sticker. Those who voted early are welcome to participate as well. Elixir Health and Wellness will be open all day to provide red light and compression therapy sessions that can help rejuvenate individuals after casting a ballot.
For those registered near Elixir Health and Wellness, the nearest polling location is:
College Hill Moravian Church
72 W. Laurel St.
Bethlehem, PA 18018
Whether you’re looking for a wellness boost or a relaxing break, Elixir Health and Wellness invites the Bethlehem community to experience its renowned anti-aging therapies and celebrate the importance of civic engagement.
For more information about Elixir Health and Wellness and this Election Day event, please visit our website at www.elixirlv.com.
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Big Bad Voodoo Daddy ‘Bring their Swing’ at Penn’s Peak Friday March 24, 2023
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy marks the 29th anniversary performing at Penn’s Peak Friday March 24, 2023
April, 2022, marks the 29th anniversary of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s remarkable arrival onto the music scene.
Since its formation in the early nineties in Ventura, California, the band has toured virtually nonstop, performing on average over 150 shows a year, and has produced a sizable catalog of recorded music, with sales of over 2 million albums to date.
Early on, during their legendary residency at the Derby nightclub in Los Angeles, they reminded the world, in the midst of the grunge era no less, that it was still cool to swing.
The band, co-founded by singer Scotty Morris and drummer Kurt Sodergren, was at the forefront of the swing revival of that time, blending a vibrant fusion of the classic American sounds of jazz, swing, and dixieland, with the energy and spirit of contemporary culture.
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s all original core line-up
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s all original core line-up includes Scotty Morris (lead vocals and guitar), Kurt Sodergren (drums), Dirk Shumaker (double bass and vocals), Andy Rowley (baritone saxophone and vocals), Glen “The Kid” Marhevka (trumpet), Karl Hunter (saxophones and clarinet) and Joshua Levy (piano and arranger).
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s efforts to promote and revitalize swing music have taken shape as much more than a simple tribute. Taking inspiration from the creators of this uniquely American art form, the band’s original horn-infused music and legendary high energy show introduces the genre to a new and younger generation while remaining cognizant and respectful of the music’s rich legacy.
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s first phase of stardom
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s first phase of stardom featured an appearance in the 1996 indie film Swingers, a movie that not only launched the careers of Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau, but introduced Big Bad Voodoo Daddy to an audience beyond their Los Angeles base.
The band’s music has appeared in countless films and television shows, including The Wild, Despicable Me, Phineas & Ferb, Friends, Third Rock From The Sun, Ally McBeal, and So You Think You Can Dance. They have appeared live on Dancing With The Stars, Late Night With Conan O’Brien, NBC’s Christmas in Rockefeller Center, The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, a remarkable seven appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and the Super Bowl XXXIII Halftime Show.
The band has also appeared as special guests with many of the country’s most distinguished symphony orchestras, and has performed for three U.S. Presidents.
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is not slowing down
After 29 years, 11 records, over 3000 live shows, and countless appearances in film and television, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is showing no signs of slowing down, and is looking forward to sharing its music with new and old fans alike, in 2022.
Tickets on sale Friday, November 18th at 12:00PM at all Ticketmaster outlets, the Penn’s Peak Box Office and Roadies Restaurant and Bar. Penn’s Peak Box Office and Roadies Restaurant ticket sales are walk-up only, no phone orders.
Reserved Seating
Premium Reserved: $27.00
Regular Reserved: $22.00
About Penn’s Peak
Penn’s Peak, a beautiful mountaintop entertainment venue located in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, can comfortably host 1,800 concertgoers. Enjoy a spacious dance floor, lofty ceilings, concert bar/concession area and a full service restaurant and bar aptly named Roadie’s. Complete with a broad open-air deck for summertime revelry, Penn’s Peak patrons enjoy a breathtaking overlook of nearby Beltzville Lake, plus a commanding, picturesque 50-mile panoramic view of northeastern Pennsylvania’s Appalachian Mountains. Choose Penn’s Peak for your next wedding, banquet or special event and treat your guests to an event truly “Above the Rest”.
Geographically convenient to residents of major population zones in Hazleton, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Stroudsburg, the Lehigh Valley, Philadelphia and New York City, Penn’s Peak is an ideal location for any event. It is located only four miles from Exit 74 of the northeast extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information on Penn’s Peak, go to www.pennspeak.com or call 866-605-7325.
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BBQ, Cocktails, Ice Cream and more! Nazareth Food Truck Festival Returns on June 17
Nazareth Food Truck Festival Returns on June 17
The Nazareth Area Chamber of Commerce, proud partner of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce presents the return of the Nazareth Area Food Truck Festival!
The Nazareth Area Chamber of Commerce (NACC), proud partner of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber, is pleased to announce the return of their annual food truck festival on June 17th!
The festival will take place on Belvidere Street in Nazareth and will feature live music and great food from the Lehigh Valley’s favorite local food trucks and eateries.
“We are excited to be partnering with the Borough of Nazareth to bring this beloved festival back to Nazareth,”
said Jessica O’Donnell
EVP of Affiliated Chambers, Easton Initiatives and Northern Tier for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.
“Bringing another fun, community-oriented event is something our Chamber is proud to be a part of, especially when it highlights our beautiful downtown.”
The festival invites families and foodies alike to enjoy local cuisine.Beginning at 3 PM, Belvidere Street will be filled with 10+ food and beverage vendors, ranging in cuisine from sweets like ice cream to savory BBQ and gourmet sliders. Live Music has been scheduled throughout the day, organized and sponsored by the Nazareth Center for the Arts.
Food vendors include: Slide on By LLC, Smokehouse Food Truck, Mon and Mel’s Sweet Scoops, Greek Street, and Roll With It.
Adult beverage vendors include: Triple Sun Spirits, Clever Girl Winery, Five Maidens Cidery, Birthright Brewing Co, and The Easton Wine Project.
“The Chamber looks forward to connecting with our beautiful community and enjoying a deliciously awesome day,” states Nicole Miles, Manager of the Nazareth Area Chamber. “We look forward to a great day in the Borough of Nazareth and want people to come downtown to see what Nazareth businesses have to offer while enjoying the dining experience of a casual food truck festival and listening to tunes from talented musicians on stage.”
Sponsor, The Nazareth Center for the Arts, will be hosting a “Battle of the Bands” on stage all day.
More information can be found on the Nazareth Area Chamber’s Facebook event or on the Chamber of Commerce’s website
When: June 17, 2023 from 3-7 PMPricing Information: Free to attend, food and beverages for purchase
Sponsors (as of 6/10/2023):
Handwashing Station Sponsors: Nazareth Mutual Insurance Company and Keystone Consulting EngineersFamily Fun Sponsor: WRENCHTEC
Music Sponsor: Nazareth Center for the Arts
Supporting Sponsor: Evening Sun EntertainmentCommunity Helper Sponsor: Vigilance Hose Co #1
More information can be found on the Nazareth Area Chamber’s Facebook event: https://tinyurl.com/39k2e3mu
or on the Chamber of Commerce’s website: https://tinyurl.com/3hwex367
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Great Coffee is Affordable, if you know where to go, get answers from Maurice Contreras at Volcanica Coffee
Great Coffee is Affordable, if you know where to go, get answers from Maurice Contreras at Volcanica Coffee
Just about everyone has their coffee preferences. But the truth is, most of us aren’t enjoying coffee the best it can be and we don’t even know it. The beans, the grinding, the flavor (or lack thereof).
And before you ask, nope, good coffee doesn’t need to be expensive. Actually most great coffee is more affordable than the bad stuff you’re currently drinking. True story.
But I wanted to get answers and advice from a coffee expert, so I had a conversation with Maurice Contreras from Volcanica Coffee.
Native Costa Rican Maurice Contreras started Volcanica Coffee to import excellent-tasting coffee from volcanic regions, such as his homeland, to consumers. He started the company in his garage and now operates a coffee plant near Atlanta with 20 employees, including his wife and two adult children.
What is your favorite thing about coffee?
My favorite thing I like about coffee is really the flavor. That actually was how I got started. I’m from Costa Rica and for a long time I would do annual trips with the family. It was a family vacation. One of our trips we did a coffee farm tour. And just got to learn about coffee. And this is back in 2004. One of the things that dawned on me is how coffee in Costa Rica was so much better than coffee in the United States. I just didn’t understand why a 3rd world country had better coffee. The quality of coffee in the United States has really come down over several decades. So that’s when I thought that there was an opportunity to bring better tasting coffee or specialty coffee as it’s known today to the United States. That was really how it got started. It really was more about the flavor and just enjoying the richness of a Costa Rican coffee.
Is there a simple reason why first world coffee just isn’t as good?
Yeah, the general sense was because it became more of a highly produced, big production, big coffee house; and I’ll tell you a quick story. A lot of people don’t know this, the word Maxwell House, it actually is a chain of hotels. Some of them are still in existence. And so Maxwell House started from the Maxwell House Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. They served breakfast and they had really good coffee and it became really popular. It became very famous, and then eventually it became its own brand Maxwell House, and then it ended up getting acquired by corporate conglomerates. And that really good tasting coffee just turned into [not-great] coffee.
So that’s really what happened to coffee in the United States. At one time, back in the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, people would really appreciate good coffee and then just kind of lost sight of what good coffee was.
From a coffee lover’s point of view, what would you say to convince them to give your coffee a try?
That coffee really is an enjoyable drink to be appreciated and enjoyed for the flavor of what it is. It’s not just something to wake you up. But really coffee and all the different varieties, there’s a lot of flavor notes, a lot of different flavors to be enjoyed. A lot of it depends upon the different regions. My recommendation is try it out and get some good coffee with some flavor notes that you enjoy. Like, for example, Ethiopian coffees, they have a lot of berry notes, a lot of fruit tones, even red wine notes. Some of those things can really open up people’s perspective on coffee.
Before we jump more into coffee, I wanted to ask you about your background as far as the work you did before Volcanica Coffee
My career was in marketing specifically I was in the wireless telephone industry. It really was just about creating a brand. I was part of the startup team at TracFone Wireless which is now a part of Verizon. I was the National Director, I created the brand. In fact, there’s still a lot of things in the brand that I created. I had a passion for marketing.
It was kinda like, “Hey, gee whiz, what if I created my own brand and just created a business?”
And so I actually was on a hunt for a couple of years thinking what would be a good business? And then I just kind of stumbled on coffee because it was staring me in the face.
There’s such a message in there. The success you’re currently riding is because you took industry knowledge of marketing, a personal passion for coffee, and took the risk of putting them together in a business start-up.
Yep, that’s true. It was a risk because I was making a good living, I had a young family, I didn’t wanna affect any of that. It was something part-time, working nights and weekends, that’s how it all started out. I
How did your family feel about that? Was there anxiety?
It was definitely a struggle and I loved spending time with them and being with them. But part of how I resolved that was I would just wake up early in the morning and spend 1-2 hours before I had to go to work doing this. I didn’t want to neglect my family and I didn’t.
There’s so many people out there who aspire to take those steps and they always find reasons not to, but you found a way. When people are drinking your coffee, they’re not just drinking delicious coffee, they’re supporting someone who took a huge chance, who followed his passions.
So segueing to the actual coffee part now.
Your website mentions coffee regions and how the region’s soil contributes to the taste. A lot of our audience who’s into food and wine will realize the terroir aspect is very familiar to that.
Can you pick two or three regions and explain their soil and how it contributes to the taste?
I’ll start with African coffees. Their soil is very unique. Coffees from Africa tend to have a lot of berry notes, a lot more flavor of fruit which is very unique and very different compared to coffees from Indonesia.
Indonesian coffees tend to be lower in acidity. Acidity provides flavor but they’re still very good tasting coffees, even though they’re lower in acidity.
Also the coffee in Indonesia, Sumatra, for example, Papua New Guinea, and even Hawaiian Kona coffees, those tend to have a lot of boldness. When you taste the cup, your mouth just tends to [recognize] that bold flavor, which you don’t get in African coffees. So those are a couple examples.
So really it is like old world wine versus new world wine. A noticeable difference in mouth feel depending on what region you’re going after.
When people ask, Hey, what kind of coffee should I buy? I always ask, what kind of flavors do you like? Start there. Then for people that are experimenting, try different coffees from different regions.
You mentioned that you’re from Costa Rica. So tell us more about the Costa Rican volcanic regions.
It’s the most popular coffee growing region in Costa Rica, the Tarrazu area, which is very mountainous, goes up to 5,000 feet above sea level south of San Jose. Very steep.
The coffee beans, because of the volcanic soil, have a lot of flavor. It’s a very mild flavor, but very flavorful as well. And because of the elevations, the beans are also very dense. They’re a harder bean. In fact, there’s a designation strictly hard bean that is used in the industry because of that.
Being from Costa Rica I came here [to the U.S.] when I was a baby. My mom would tell stories about how she would assist with her father, which is my grandfather, in the harvest. Because my grandfather was a teacher, he would work out in the rural areas of Costa Rica where the coffee bean farmers worked. They would assist during harvest time with picking coffee beans off the tree. There was the connection going back a couple generations in our family.
There has been a coffee influence throughout generations of your family.
Yes. For decades, maybe even a century, coffee was the number one product for Costa Rica. Today it’s tourism.
I’m glad you brought up tourism. We cover a lot of travel. If somebody wanted to visit Costa Rica, maybe even a specific coffee lover, is there a place you can recommend to come visit?
One of the farms that we work with actually has an Airbnb right on their plantation. We’ve had several customers that have made trips there and have gone and stayed at the house. It’s gorgeous.
More people are working from home and making coffee at home. A lot of us making coffee wrong. Can you just walk us through step by step the best way to grind and brew your coffee?
The single largest improvement in the freshness of your coffee is by grinding your beans at home. A lot of people don’t know this: buying ground coffee, because it’s in smaller particles, tends to deteriorate very quickly. So you’re not enjoying the best of what coffee can be.
So first of all, grind at home and it’s the type of grinder.
We recommend a burr grinder. The other type of grinder is a blade grinder, which is a cheap type grinder, which does not do as well as a burr grinder.
Second thing is you wanna match your grind type to how you’re brewing. So there’s different levels, how fine or how course you want the coffee. If you’re doing a French press, you want to have a coarse grind. The opposite spectrum is an espresso grind. It’s almost like very fine sand. So if you had coarse coffee and an espresso maker, you’d have a bad cup of coffee. And the opposite too. If you had a French press where you’re using espresso ground coffee, you would not have a good tasting coffee. A lot of it has to do with the extraction and this is the chemistry behind coffee.
Then in the middle of that would be like a traditional drip grind, which most people have which is a medium coarseness of a grind type. That works best to pour over or a drip grind.
Once you buy the equipment, you’re saving quite a bit of money by doing this all at home. More value and quality out of doing it at home?
Oh yeah. A cup of coffee outside can cost $3-6. At home, 50 cents per cup. Plus you’re controlling the flavor, how hot it is and how fresh it is.
How many cups do you think the average coffee person drinks per day?
The average is between one to two cups per day. Wall Street Journal says 66% of Americans have had coffee within the last day.
So with volcanic, you’ve mentioned low acid. Tell us more.
Low acid coffee is actually a natural occurrence. There’s no additives that need to be added, at least we don’t add anything to our coffee. It’s just how it’s sourced. How it’s brewed also affects acidity.
So for example, the cold brew method tends to lower the acidity of coffee. Even more than if you brewed it traditionally in a drip grinder. It benefits people who suffer from acid reflux; and different types of indigestion abnormalities can benefit from low acidic coffee just because the pH is a higher number.
We have a lot of customers thanking us because they could not drink coffee before they heard about our low acid coffee, so now they can drink coffee again.
We have a blend of different coffees called the low acid coffee, plus 12 or 15 other coffees that are also rated as low acid. We rated them, we’ve done the pH levels on all of them, and all of them fall into that category of being lower in acidity.
Volcanica has built up a really strong community on your social media avenues. What have the results been like?
We’re on all the major socials: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok. It’s very easy to find us. We take customer feedback really seriously. We’re always looking for input and ideas.
We’ll get a request [to] carry a type of coffee or coffee from a region and we’ll always look into it.
We offer 100% customer satisfaction. We take returns, even when the customer just didn’t like a coffee, which is no fault of ours.
When someone does suggest a new bean, a new region, is that an easy outreach to investigate, or is that a whole process?
It is a whole process.
What’s a great online shopping strategy for finding the right coffee beans?
Align yourself with a brand that has a quality product. Look at customer reviews, their roasting technique. Then it’s a matter of what type of coffee do you like? What flavor notes? Something mild? Berry notes? Lower in acidity?
So I go onto your website to buy some beans. What’s a safe way to pick a bean that I’ll probably enjoy?
We carry over 150 different coffees, which is a lot. Visiting our website you have to know your preferences. Having some [filtering/search ] tools out there would be beneficial to people helping the selection process, that’s actually on our roadmap for the future.
Part of the reason why we have 150 coffees is because we’ve been listening to our customers over the years.
Tell us something about Volcanico Coffee that not everyone knows.
We love to give back. We’ve been blessed, we’ve been very successful, so we donate 1% of our website sales to an organization called Charity Water. They build water projects in impoverished communities around the world. This year we’re actually sponsoring a well in Ethiopia for a particular town. We know that we buy a lot of coffee from Ethiopia and we’d love to give back to them.
What is the future of coffee?
The future of coffee is specially curated lots. We call them our “Private Collection”. Farmers that are actually fermenting their coffee with mango, peach, different types of fruits. We have a few of them right now. We’re hoping to be carrying more in the near future.
Our audience is listening right now. What would you like them to do?
If you’re interested in finding out more about coffee and experiencing coffee, start exploring. We offer a great cup of coffee. Great different flavors and varieties. We even offer decafs, flavored coffees, something for everybody.
Website: https://volcanicacoffee.com
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/VolcanicaCoffee
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/volcanicacoffee
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