Chinese broadcaster reignites debate over Forbidden City Starbucks

BEIJING, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Chinese netizens have backed a campaign by a China Central Television (CCTV) anchorman to banish an outlet of American coffee giant Starbucks from the Forbidden City, more than six years after it first opened.

Rui Chenggang wrote in his popular blog that the coffee shop should be removed from one of China's most acclaimed heritage sites. His suggestion was backed by thousands of readers, who agreed that the coffee house was having a "damaging effect on China's heritage".

A netizen going by the name "wu83726bbc" wrote, "A Starbucks in the Forbidden City is a disgrace to Chinese culture." He also accused the museum administration of being slaves to money.

Another netizen named "Liushuirenjia" called for media campaigns to arouse the attention of officials who had the power to decide the chain store's fate.

However, Wei Yingjie, an editor and columnist from Hangzhou, said in a comment piece in Tuesday's Beijing News that Starbucks in Forbidden City was not "trampling on Chinese culture". Wei describes its existence as "a dialogue between Capitalism ideology and traditional Chinese culture, which is common in today's China".

Jim Donald, CEO of Starbucks, said Starbucks was invited by museum officials to open a store six years ago, and "has made serious efforts to fit within the environment of the Forbidden City", according to a correspondence with Rui, published by the blogger.

The museum authorities, however, refused to comment.

In 2000, Starbucks removed its eye-catching white-black-and-green logo from the Forbidden City outlet in response to visitors' protests.

In 2002, American fast food Kentucky Fried Chicken was removed from Beihai Park, north of the Forbidden City, after representatives to the local political advisory body raised objections.

www.chinaview.cn

2007-01-16

3rd Coffee Festival China 2007, May 12-14

We are so glad to inform you that Coffee Festival China 2007(3rd China International Coffee Festival) will be held in Guangzhou International Convention & Exhibition Centre during the period of May12-14 2007. This exposition is organized by Canton Universal Fair Group Ltd, Sponsored by All-China Bakery Association, and supported by All China Federation of Industry & Commerce and China Chamber of Commerce.

Nowadays, Coffee consumption is being increased by 15% in China every year and the Chinese coffee market is expected to grow by 70% in total volume sales between 2003 and 2008 to reach 11,073 tones. Moreover, tariffs on coffee imports are going down, with World Trade Organization commitments calling for the 2003 tariff rate come down to 10.4% and reach 8% in 2004. As a result, experts have reason to believe that, with market growth continuing apace from its small base, coffee will become an integral part of the country's daily life in one to two decades.

The 2nd Coffee Festival focused on the same date of Interbake China 2007, which is one of the largest and most influential exhibitions in Asia. With a total area of 36,000 square meters, this great event attracted over 63,072 professional visitors and 632 exhibitors from 62 countries, which included 5 national pavilions and other absolute exhibitors from different countries. Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association,TRUNG NGUYEN COFFEE,VINACAFE BIENHOA JOINT STOCK COMPANY, Union Commerciale ( French Instant Coffee), Chen Ao Coffee Ltd, Coffee Bag China etc were very popular in this event. The professional buyers came from food & beverage store owner,- Roasters & Packagers,- Department & grocery store buyers,- Consultants,- Chain store buyers,- Industry executives & buyer, Distributors and - Office coffee buyer and ect.

As we know, your famous association has members in Coffee Industry, you are cordially invited to organize your members to participate in Coffee Festival China 2007. We can offer your association one free booth and commission or hotel if you can organize over 3 exhibitors for us.

Please feel free to contact us for more details !

Annie Yang
Project Representative
Canton Universal Fair Group Ltd
Tel: 86-20-87746095, 87639852
Fax: 86-20-87746096, 87639807
E-mail
www.faircanton.com

International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York

/PRNewswire/ -- Restaurateurs and foodservice industry professionals will have several new features to discover, demo, taste and source from during the upcoming International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York. Among the new attractions are PMQ's New York Pizza Show; a preview of the inaugural New York Wine Expo; the Ultimate Barista Challenge^TM; and the new Japanese Demonstration Theater and Pavilion. The Show will be held March 4-6, 2007 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

The premiere event for professional baristas also joins the line-up of new attractions at the 2007 International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York. The Ultimate Barista Challenge^TM comes to New York after preliminary rounds in Los Angeles and Orlando. This exciting event is produced by Whole Cup Coffee Consulting. The Ultimate Barista Challenge will take place on the exhibition floor and highlight the business benefits of featuring creative and quality coffee on a menu. Attendees are invited to watch as baristi prepare their own inspired espresso beverages for a panel of professional judges. Competitors will participate in a showdown of three flights of espresso frappe, espresso cocktails, and beautiful cafe latte art to establish the definitive Ultimate Barista!

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ICO forecasts sustained strong coffee prices

By staff reporter

15/01/2007 - The recovery in coffee prices recorded in November 2006 became more pronounced in December, according to ICO executive director Nester Osorio.

The monthly average of the ICO (International Coffee Organisation) composite indicator price reached a level of 108.01 US cents/lb, the highest since June 1998.

"The increase was significant in the case of Arabicas; the New York futures market (NYBOT), which is sensitive to the situation of Arabica supplies, recorded its highest price level in the last 20 months," explained Osorio.

"This firm price trend continued in the first week of January 2007."

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Costa Rica Photos

I realize this is not a travel blog, but just in case you are interested, here is the link to my photo album of the Costa Rica trip I and my family took in late December. Costa Rica Photo Album

It's a lot better to be bored by someone's vacation photos in your own home than in theirs.

Our trip was great! The weather was perfect in the mountains and just right at the beach. The Costa Ricans (Ticos) were very friendly and went out of their way to make us feel welcome. My wife fell and broke her arm, but the visit to the ER in the Quepos hospital was very pleasant. We were in and out in an hour and were very pleased with the medical care. And, the total charges for everything were $100.

The country "grabbed" me and will not let go.

How was the coffee?

I drank lots of coffee on the trip and most was very good. But, just as in the US, good coffee not treated well produces mediocre coffee to drink. We had coffee at various kinds of restaurants, from touristy bars to what the Ticos call sodas. A soda is a small and very inexpensive restaurant, serving comida típica, or typical Costa Rica food. The best coffee we had was at two places, Café Britt and Café Milagro. I especially liked Café Britt because they offered a variety of Costa Rican coffees and the coffee was served in a press pot. Café Milagro in the Manuel Antonio area was also very good and I had the pleasure of meeting the charming owner, Adrienne.

Robert

Higher Near-Term Supply Presents Call Selling Opportunities in Coffee

By James Cordier and Michael Gross
13 Jan 2007

TAMPA, Fla. (ResourceInvestor.com) -- The bulls are starting to tout their case in the coffee market as of late. Smaller production from Brazil, a 2007-2008 production deficit and increased world consumption are all factors sited by bullish traders and the media as to why coffee prices should have a banner year in 2007.

But before you bet the house on coffee prices, it might be prudent to take a look at the current supply situation in coffee and how coffee is priced. While we believe coffee prices could see a slight increase in 2007, we feel rallies will be limited. The public’s belief that a bull market is imminent, however, could create some excellent profit opportunities for astute call sellers.

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Higher Near-Term Supply Presents Call Selling Opportunities in Coffee

By James Cordier and Michael Gross
13 Jan 2007

TAMPA, Fla. (ResourceInvestor.com) -- The bulls are starting to tout their case in the coffee market as of late. Smaller production from Brazil, a 2007-2008 production deficit and increased world consumption are all factors sited by bullish traders and the media as to why coffee prices should have a banner year in 2007.

But before you bet the house on coffee prices, it might be prudent to take a look at the current supply situation in coffee and how coffee is priced. While we believe coffee prices could see a slight increase in 2007, we feel rallies will be limited. The public’s belief that a bull market is imminent, however, could create some excellent profit opportunities for astute call sellers.

More...

Costa Rican Coffee...El Chorreador de Café

About twenty years ago almost every home, restaurant and office kitchen in Costa Rica was equipped with a coffee making device called Chorreador de café. It consisted of an unvarnished wooden frame about 33 cms. tall, with a round hole at the top where a wire rimmed cloth filter or strainer was placed.

Fine ground coffee was placed in the filter and boiling water was poured in filtering down to the coffeepot below. This humble device is losing ground fast to modern percolators, coffee makers and Mr. Coffee machines. The reason usually given is that the new devices are said to be faster and more convenient.

In our home the Chorreador de café lives on. Why? The coffee simply tastes better.

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