Not your Dad's coffee

Your cup of caffeine carries a tonier pedigree these days. Never before have there been more choices for the picky.

By KIM ODE, Star Tribune

The conversations seem out of place. People talk about floral notes, about hints of blueberry and juniper, about finishes and single origins. They're talking about fermentation and terroir. It's as if a wine tasting went awry and sent the tipsy wandering into the wrong convention.

But no, the conversations are decidedly, soberly -- boy, are they sober -- about coffee.

When the Specialty Coffee Association of America's international convention met in Minneapolis this month, more than 7,000 growers, roasters, exporters, baristas and coffeehouse owners from 40 countries were talking big business. Global consumption of coffee is approaching 120 million bags annually -- bags that weigh 132 pounds, more than 5 billion pounds of beans.

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