The Malaysian capital is often visited in a hurry, but visitors who take the time to explore will discover a welcoming city, thanks in part to its friendly specialty cafés. BY TANYA NANETTI SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT Photos by Tanya Nanetti Kuala Lumpur, the capital...
From Malawi to Edinburgh: The MF Coffee Project
From Malawi to Edinburgh: The MF Coffee Project
From Malawi to Edinburgh: The MF Coffee Project
From Malawi to Edinburgh: The MF Coffee Project
From Malawi to Edinburgh: The MF Coffee Project
From Malawi to Edinburgh: The MF Coffee Project
Thread Coffee Roasters Opens Tailor-Made Roastery in Baltimore
The interwoven actions of Thread Coffee Roasters in Baltimore are finding exponentially more space this week with the grand opening of a brand-new production roastery and training lab. The worker-owned...
Toronto’s Pilot Coffee Roasters Acquiring Bridgehead Coffee for $3.6 Million
Toronto, Ontario-based specialty coffee roaster and retailer Pilot Coffee Roasters is acquiring Ottawa-based Bridgehead Coffee in a deal worth approximately US$3.6 million. Bridgehead, which has 21 coffee shop locations throughout...
Baking With Coffee For Beginners
This article is from the coffee website Sprudge at http://sprudge.com. This is the RSS feed version. Where to get started when introducing coffee to your bakes.
Bypass coffee brewing: How can it improve extraction?
There is a lot of science to brewing coffee. Whether knowingly or unknowingly, we trigger – and try to control – an almost endless number of chemical reactions to achieve the perfect extraction. To do so, we have to tweak different variables – such as grind size,...
Hawaiian Legislators Introduce Bills for Stricter Coffee Labeling
Legislators representing the Kona district of Hawaii have introduced a series of bills that would require more strict labeling requirements for single-origin coffees and blends containing Hawaiian-grown coffees. Some Kona...
New AFCA Director Gilbert Gatali on the 20th African Fine Coffees Conference
As the African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA) prepares for the 20th iteration of its flagship event, the African Fine Coffees Conference and Exhibition, the group is operating under new executive...
Philadelphia’s Café Don Pedro Seeks to Build Up Small Businesses
A Dominican-owned coffee roasting company called Café Don Pedro recently launched in Philadelphia with ambitions for direct trading and boosting more Latino-owned small businesses throughout its supply and distribution networks....
How much do you over-extract coffee in recipes?
This is sort of an odd question, but it's not a troll. While I love brewing specialty coffee, I also enjoy frappes (with or without ice cream). A major hurdle when using my espresso has been that while the final beverage tastes fine, the coffee is just too high...
Sprudge Maps Spotlight: Little Bear Coffee In Albuquerque, NM
This article is from the coffee website Sprudge at http://sprudge.com. This is the RSS feed version. Little Bear Coffee in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Starbucks Will Hold their Own Barista Championship Thank You Very Much
This article is from the coffee website Sprudge at http://sprudge.com. This is the RSS feed version. The North American Barista Championship is expected to host over 15,000 Starbucks hourly workers.
What I Learned from My First Tea Ceremony
After taking in a brief moment of a tea ceremony in Thailand, I finally had the chance to participate in the full experience recently in Malaysia. BY TANYA NANETTI SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT Photos by Tanya Nanetti In the years that I worked as a barista in a café,...
Why it’s easier for wealthier producers to grow specialty coffee
It takes money – and sometimes a lot – to grow specialty coffee. Producers not only need to continuously maintain and improve quality and yields, but they also have to invest back into their farms. Whether it’s replacing equipment and machinery or planting more...
Does specialty Robusta exist?
Hello! Has anyone tried 'specialty robusta'? I work with specialty cacao, and I often observe Robusta shrubs being cultivated at lower altitudes alongside cacao trees. Some farmers are experimenting with carbonic maceration to enhance the marketability of...
[MOD] The Daily Question Thread
Welcome to the daily /r/Coffee question thread! There are no stupid questions here, ask a question and get an answer! We all have to start somewhere and sometimes it is hard to figure out just what you are doing right or doing wrong. Luckily, the /r/Coffee community...
The Sprudge Guide To Coffee Shops In Vancouver, BC
This article is from the coffee website Sprudge at http://sprudge.com. This is the RSS feed version. Where to drink coffee in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Coffee Machine (High density use)
Hi everyone, i am new in this coffee world and i am looking to buy me a coffee machine to setup a small business. I am looking for affordable machine that is good for high density use. Im open for any recommendation and opinion. Thank you guys! Here is what ive found...
Which to buy first?
Hi there, mostly a lurker until now. I'm trying to incentivize myself towards some goals and decided that rewarding myself with a better coffee set up upon reaching those goals would be great. I plan to get myself one nice thing when I reach my intermediate goal...
[MOD] The Official Deal Thread
Welcome to the /r/Coffee deal and promotional thread! In this weekly thread, industry folk can post upcoming deals or other promotions their companies are holding, or promote new products to /r/Coffee subscribers! Regular users can also post deals they come across....
The London Coffee Festival has just more than doubled its ticket price
Last year: £18 This year: £38 Unbelievable. It’s the same venue and same setup. I’m just an ordinary coffee fan and every year I spend a lot buying roasts and equipment there. submitted by /u/gahgeer-is-back [link] [comments]
Explain making good coffee to me like I’m 5.
Hi everyone, I’m not new to drinking coffee, but I’d like to start making it (well) at home myself. I’m totally clueless. I have an old Keurig that I rarely use, as well as a basic Mr. Coffee maker. Usually I buy dark roast ground coffee (I do like a good, strong cup...
Seeking instant test for rough caffeine level in coffee
About once a month, some inattentive barista gives me regular coffee by mistake, which is a bummer. I drink decaf. So when I get coffee at a cafe, I'd like to do an instant test of the rough caffeine level by dipping a strip into the coffee. Something analogous...
Questions/thoughts on cardamom-forward "thermal shock" processed coffees.
Hey everyone, Having a cup of Buttercream from September roasters and got to thinking. This is the second thermal-shock processed coffee I have had with this huge, distinctive cardamom note (The other being DAK milky cake which is also from Colombia, but from a...
Third Wave Coffee brands
Greetings to all, I am reaching out to this knowledgeable community with a query regarding the recognition of coffee brands within the third wave coffee movement. Is there an existing, publicly accessible list that categorizes and acknowledges coffee brands as part of...
From Malawi to Edinburgh: The MF Coffee Project
We take a trip from North Carolina to Northern Malawi to Edinburgh, exploring the roots, roasts, and impact of the MF Coffee Project.
BY VASILEIA FANARIOTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT
Photos courtesy of the MF Coffee Project
In the quaint village of Manchewe, Northern Malawi, a story unfolded when Cameron Mcallister made the life-altering decision to relocate from North Carolina to this picturesque corner of the world in 2013. Taking the reins of an off-grid eco-lodge perched on a cliff overlooking Lake Malawi, Cameron and his sister embarked on a journey that would intertwine their lives with the vibrant community and the MF Coffee Project.
From Cliffside Views to Coffee Adventures: MF Coffee Project
The idea of venturing into the world of coffee came up when Cameron decided to explore local coffee farms. What started as a quest for a local coffee supply turned into a profound connection with Lyson, a co-founder of MF Coffee Project and a seasoned coffee farmer. Together, they explored the enchanting smallholder coffee farms perched on rolling hills, cultivating a blend of crops within a harmonious ecosystem.
Inspired by the intimate connection smallholder farmers had with the land, Cameron envisioned a shift from treating coffee as a commodity to cultivating specialty coffee with a unique narrative. “Visiting these farms felt like stepping into a magical world. It revealed the challenging truths of the coffee industry and the untapped potential of smallholder farmers,“ Cameron says.
Empowering Communities Through Coffee
Recognizing the challenges faced by local farmers, particularly in Lyson’s village of Nkhota, Cameron and the Tiko Coffee Collective envisioned a communal washing station in 2016. Designed by Lyson, this station aimed to empower farmers and breathe new life into the dwindling coffee-farming tradition.
The Tiko Coffee Collective, comprising 48 farmers, became the cornerstone of MF Coffee Project. Noel Nyrenda, an experienced local coffee farmer, joined forces with Lyson and Cameron, laying the foundation for a collective that would shape the future of coffee in the region. “Our focus was to bring a direct link to the harvest, embodying the true essence of specialty coffee,“ Cameron explains. “The prevalent approach of treating coffee as a commodity was flawed for smallholder farmers. We firmly believed in their ability to cultivate something extraordinary.“
Roasting Adventures in Scotland
In 2020, Cameron and his sister handed over the eco-lodge to a couple of former Peace Corps volunteers, marking a pivotal moment. The transition allowed them to fully embrace their roles as coffee enthusiasts, leading to the establishment of MF Coffee Shop in Edinburgh, Scotland. Scotland’s vibrant coffee scene and progressive ethos provided the ideal backdrop for roasting MF coffee.
Reflecting on their journey, Cameron says, “Roasting coffee in Scotland became a natural progression. The goal was to independently bring our exceptional coffee to international markets and redefine our role in the coffee supply chain.“ A successful pop-up at Summerhall, an eclectic arts venue, led to the permanent takeover of the coffee shop, aligning perfectly with their mission to roast coffee and connect with MF enthusiasts.
Impact Beyond the Bean
The MF Coffee Project has made a tangible impact on the lives of the locals. Cameron’s involvement in the Chipopoma Power NGO initiative, harnessing hydroelectricity from Manchewe Falls, brought renewable electricity to over 100 homes, businesses, and a local school. Entrepreneurs emerged, powered by renewable energy, while students benefited from improved study conditions, and deforestation decreased with the shift to electricity.
Looking ahead, the MF Coffee Project aims to construct a dry mill, adding further value to the coffee’s origin. By utilizing hydroelectricity and embracing sustainable practices, the project strives to be an environmentally conscious coffee producer. “Our commitment goes beyond curating unique coffee varieties,“ Cameron says. “We prioritize environmentally friendly practices, resist monocropping trends, and ensure our collaboration with Tiko remains the driving force behind our existence.“
The MF Coffee Project, with its roots in Northern Malawi and branches stretching into the vibrant coffee scene of Edinburgh, is a testament to the fusion of passion, sustainability, and community. From North Carolina to Northern Malawi and on to the streets of Edinburgh, this journey is yet another example of how coffee binds us together.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vasileia Fanarioti (she/her) is a senior online correspondent for Barista Magazine and a freelance copywriter and editor with a primary focus on the coffee niche. She has also been a volunteer copywriter for the I’M NOT A BARISTA NPO, providing content to help educate people about baristas and their work. You can follow her adventures at thewanderingbean.net.
Subscribe and More!
Out now: It’s the December 2023 + January 2024 issue! Read it for free with our digital edition. And for more than three years’ worth of issues, visit our digital edition archives here.
You can order a hard copy of the magazine through our online store here, or start a subscription for one year or two.
The post From Malawi to Edinburgh: The MF Coffee Project appeared first on Barista Magazine Online.