Sustainable coffee paper runs at high speeds

By George Reynolds
foodproductiondaily.com | Europe

26/04/2007 - A new flexible paper provides coffee packagers with an environmentally friendly wrapper that can withstand high speed line speeds, its manufacturer claims.

Packagers are looking to replace plastic and foil packaging with wrappings that are sustainable, but suffer no loss of performance. Firms are under increasing pressure to use packaging solutions that can also be recycled to reduce waste that ends up in landfill.

Stora Enso Speciality Papers claims its LumiLabel G is a new high−end flexible packaging paper, which offers high-gloss, high-brightness and supports complex graphics.

Made from paper, the wrapping is both from sustainable source and recyclable.

Eckhard Kallies, vice president of packaging papers, said the paper was aimed at premium coffees.

"LumiLabel G is an innovative alternative to plastic wrappers and allows brand owners to increase the sustainability of their packaging without compromising product design and production," he said.

The wrapping that will be on show at Packaging Summit Europe, Amsterdam in June, features a smoother surface on one−side suitable for high−fidelity process printing, claims the company.

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Aussie Invention Ready to ‘Wow’ U.S. Coffee Drinkers

Plastic Coffee Lids for Take-Out Hot Drinks, Which Turn Bright Red, Are Now Available to Coffee Lovers Across America After Smart Lid Systems Sign Manufacturing Agreement, Following Global Industry Recognition

SYDNEY, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The multi-award winning color changing coffee lid is set to become a worldwide hit after Australian inventors secured an international license agreement. Smart Lid Systems, the product development firm behind the lid, has appointed Thermo International as their key global manufacturer.

The innovative lid alerts consumers their coffee/tea may be too hot by changing from a dark coffee bean color to a bright red when the lid is applied. Secondly, the lid visually indicates whether or not it is securely attached to the takeaway cup, placing coffee house owners and consumers at ease regarding the safety concerns of hot coffee spillages.

Localized distribution rights are now being negotiated across USA and Europe with manufacturing underway.

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Can Coffee Stimulate Hair Growth?

NEW YORK, April 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Ernesto Illy, International Coffee Organization Promotion Committee Chairman and Honorary Chairman to premier Italian espresso company, illycaffe, is scheduled to present at the International Culinary Center on Friday, April 27, 2007. Key topics will include coffee's effects on degenerative diseases Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, weight loss, and even baldness, followed by a special espresso extraction tasting.

Dr. Illy will share eighty-two years of scientific expertise with the renowned chefs and aspiring students at New York City's prestigious International Culinary Center, presenting recent breakthrough scientific coffee research including:

* The Center for Prevention and Health Service's ten-year study on coffee's inverse correlation to the cognitive decline in men * American Journal of Medical Genetics recent study on the interaction of coffee and Parkinson's Disease * Caffeine reported to stimulate human hair growth in the International Journal of Dermatology About Dr. Ernesto Illy

Throughout his career, Dr. Illy has openly shared his scientific discoveries -- not only to advance the interests of his own company, but for the benefit of all people who enjoy and appreciate the authentic Italian coffee experience. His passion and life's work make him espresso's most respected ambassador. He has single-handedly introduced some of the most important quality control innovations in espresso brewing in the last 30 years. By applying the scientific method, illy has given the consumer the greatest gift -- the highest quality Italian Espresso coffee each and every cup.

About illycaffe

Based in Trieste, Italy, illycaffe produces and markets a unique blend of coffee as the single brand leader in quality coffee and gives coffee connoisseurs an overall authentic Italian coffee experience. It is available in more than 41,000 of the best restaurants and coffee bars and is sold in over 100 countries around the world, serving over 6 million cups of illy espresso coffee a day. On a global level, it employs over 600 people.

Who's Serving You That Daily Cup of Joe?

Survey Reveals Americans Differ Widely on the Answer:

Barista, Barrister, Bartender, Burrito Lover, Among the Responses

MEDFORD, Mass., April 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Few can argue that the
American coffee culture is more sophisticated than ever. From Macchiatos
and Lattes, to a Cafe Mocha or Espresso con Panna, espresso drinks have
become commonplace. That said, the robust vocabulary associated with this
high- energy movement might not yet have caught up with the trend.

A recent online survey conducted by Krups, the coffee experts and
sponsors of the upcoming 2007 United States Barista Championship, revealed
some interesting results. A national sample of 2,000 Americans* were asked,
"What is a Barista?" Out of the five possible responses they were provided,
approximately 1/3 of the coffee crazed Americans did indeed know that it is
a barista who prepares and serves that cup of joe every morning.

As for the rest of the country, the results to the question "what is a
barista?" were a bit more colorful:
-- 11% reported it was a lawyer from England
-- 7% thought it was someone who prepares alcoholic beverages
-- 6% said it was a fashionable garment
-- 1% reported that it was a person who loves burritos
-- 41% said they did not know

Coffee loving Americans will have their chance to consume vast amounts
of knowledge about baristas at the United States Barista Championship, held
in Long Beach, California, May 4-7. Krups will host the Championship for
the third consecutive year.

Baristas from across the country will compete in a variety of events in
hopes of becoming the 2007 US Barista Champion. Challengers will race
through a maze of judges and photographers while maintaining composure as
they prepare and serve four coffee drinks including an original signature
creation within a 15-minute timeframe. Judges will focus on station
cleanliness, taste, beverage presentation, technical skills and total
impression. The winner will receive a trophy, $1,000 cash and an
all-expense paid trip from his or her hometown to the World Barista
Championship in Tokyo, Japan. The top three finalists will go on to the
World Championship held July 31 - August 2, 2007.

As the coffee experts, Krups endeavors to assist the at-home barista
master the art of preparing the perfect cup of coffee, espresso, cappuccino
-- with the right machine and a few easy tips, anybody can be a barista!

For more information about Krups and Krups products, please visit
krupsusa.com

For more information about the Specialty Coffee Association or the
upcoming United States Barista Championship, please visit scaa.org

* Survey respondents balanced by age, gender and region. Survey
conducted
by Boston-based, Guideline Research.


SOURCE: Krups

The 2nd Annual Coffee & Tea Festival: NYC

April 28th - 29th 2007

Saturday & Sunday
11 AM until 6:00 PM on Saturday
10 AM until 5 PM on Sunday

Metropolitan Pavilion
125 West 18th Street
New York, NY 10011

Thousands will gather for this New York event in Manhattan's beautiful Metropolitan Pavilion to celebrate everything related to coffee and tea. The Coffee & Tea Festival: NYC will bring coffee, tea and confectionary vendors together and introduce them to sophisticated enthusiasts. Within the 30,000 Square foot exhibit space, attendees will enjoy:

- Coffee and tea samples
- Lectures / Classes
- Shopping
- Contests
- Demonstrations
- Art
- Java Lounge with music & entertainment
- Funds will be raised for the official event charity, The Freeplay Foundation and its Coffee Lifeline Project

So come join us for the 2nd Annual Coffee & Tea Festival: NYC! Don't be the only one to miss the gourmet coffees, herbal teas and more offered at this popular New York event.

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Privatization of Jamaican coffee industry

Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke is insisting that the privatization of the coffee industry will be done with transparency.

At a post budget press conference Thursday morning Mr. Clarke said the public will be informed every step of the way.

He added that the Ministry of Agriculture is in the initial phase of the privatization process.

Mr. Clarke says the Ministry will be making submissions to Cabinet shortly.

“What ever we are going to do we are going to be open and everybody will be able to see exactly what we are doing. Whatever we are going to be doing is going to be in the interest of the people who work within the industry and the farmers who are major stakeholders in the industry,” said Mr. Clarke.

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All about coffee

By: Codi Craddock, Features Editor
Angelo State University Ram Page

Coffee. Millions drink it everyday, but how many really know what they're drinking? People might be surprised if they did.

Coffee beans come from the Coffea genus. Within that genus are over 500 genera and 6,000 tropical trees and shrubs. Most cultivated coffee trees are short, but some can grow to over 30 feet. These trees are covered in dark, waxy green leaves with coffee cherries growing on the blossoms. The cherries actually contain the coffee beans inside them, two per fruit. Because this tree is in a continuous cycle, sometimes flowers, green fruit and ripe fruit will all be on the tree at the same time. Coffee trees generally flourish in regions of moderate sunshine and rain, mild temperatures and rich soil. Under the right conditions, these trees can live up to 30 years.

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