On the road to Kenya

posted at 5:42pm, 23 Nov 09 by Siobhan [ 1 comment ]

We’ll have a number of guest blogs this week from Jacquie Bance, our Marketing Communications Manager, who is in Kenya this week….

“Very excited to set off on a trip to Kenya to visit some of our tea producers and to partake in the upcoming AdapCC workshop in Nairobi this week.

Throughout my visit to Kenya  I will be joining a host of delegates from across East Africa to participate in the AdapCC Regional workshop conference, which will share results and lessons leared from the project with other tea producers and local experts.  We’re also going to visit our producer partners at both the Michimikuru and Kiegoi tea growing regions.

Can’t wait to see tea growing and maybe even learn how to pick it, although the highlight will be meeting the growers.

I’ll keep you updated throughout the week on the blog so stay tuned!”

Friday Fun – name that song!

posted at 11:12am, 20 Nov 09 by Siobhan [ 35 comments ]

Friday Fun is here again! All you have to do is think of bands  or songs related to tea, coffee, or hot chocolate!

‘Coffee & Tv‘ by Blur,  Hot Chocolate , ‘Im a little teapot’ – that’s the kind of stuff we’re looking for. We’re sure that you’ll be much more creative in your choices – the more obscure the better!

Don’t forget to send the link to your friends to get a bit of healthy competition going – everyone loves some Friday Fun!

As usual, the rules are simple:

Post the name of the song/ band in the comment box of this blog post.

The most creative or interesting entry will be chosen by judges from Cafédirect and announced on Monday on our blog.

The winner will win a Coffee  Lovers Treat pictured left -  containing one pack each of our 100% Arabica, gourmet organic Mayan Palenque and Machu Picchu coffees, two classic Cafédirect mugs and a Cafédirect Jute Bag, perfect to use and reuse when you’re shopping or out and about.

Prizes can only be sent to a UK or Ireland postal address.

You have until 5.30 pm today to enter – just before your weekend starts!

Good luck! And remember, if you’re not lucky enough to win the prize, you can now buy our whole range online - free Delivery until end of November!

NEW Luxury Cafédirect gift sets launched!

posted at 2:00pm, 19 Nov 09 by Siobhan [ 1 comment ]

We have just launched a selection of luxury gift sets and hampers exclusively for sale on our new online shop (www.cafedirect.co.uk/shop).

There’s one to suit everyone’s tastes (and wallets!) and are a great way to treat yourself, or someone you love (and introduce them to the Cafédirect range!). Gift wrap is available on all sets, and we are still offering free delivery to mainland UK addresses until the end of November!

Here’s a selection of these fabulous new sets and you can see the rest  here.

Hot Chocolate Lovers Kit

This delightfully chocolatey gift set from Cafédirect is guaranteed to get your mouth watering. Treat yourself or a loved one to a steaming hot San Cristobal Drinking Chocolate and a bar of Divine Milk Chocolate, to be enjoyed in your very own Cafédirect Mug.  These come in a Cafédirect Jute Bag, perfect to use and reuse when you’re shopping or out and about.

Coffee Lovers Treat

The ideal gift for any coffee lover, this gift set contains two of Cafédirect’s finest blends of freshly ground organic, 100% Arabica coffee – Mayan Palenque and Machu Picchu. Enjoy their delicious tastes and fragrant aromas in the classic Cafédirect mugs included with this set. Comes in Cafédirect Jute Bag, perfect to use and reuse when you’re shopping or out and about.

Tea and Hot Chocolate Lovers Hamper

A warming treat for the hot drink fanatics, this hamper includes a fantastic array of Cafédirect’s finest tea and hot chocolate; Gold Tea, English Breakfast Tea, Earl Grey Tea and award-winning San Cristobal Drinking Chocolate. All this can be enjoyed in the classic Cafédirect mugs and comes complete with a rustic fair trade hamper basket, great for storage around the home.

Happy shopping!

Friend of the Month – Simone Guerini Rocco

posted at 10:53am, 17 Nov 09 by Yasmin [ 0 comments ]

Simone works as a barista trainer for Peros, who make sure that Cafédirect gets to the thousands of schools, cafés, hospitals, Universities and workplaces that serve our delicious hot drinks.

He’s been into the Cafédirect office to teach us all how to make the perfect cappuccino, and  makes great coffees at events. You might have seen him at TasteFair or at the Southbank during Fairtrade Fortnight.

Recently, Simone came with us to Paris to serve coffee backstage at Stella McCartney’s show. We thought we’d find out the secret to the perfect coffee and what models on the international catwalk like to drink.

You’ve made coffee backstage for two of Stella McCartney’s fashion shows, what was the best part?

It’s not every day that you only see beautiful women queueing up waiting for a coffee.

Simone backstage at Stella McCartney's Paris show

What was the most popular drink that you made backstage for the models?

Definitely lattes. Oddly no-one asked for a skinny latte.

What is your favourite  Cafédirect coffee or tea?

Organic espresso beans. I like it because of its dense body and the long lasting aftertaste.

Simone with Victor Manuel Salas from Union Majomut in Mexico and Alex

How long have you been drinking it?

For about a year, when I started working for Peros.

You train baristas, but when did you make your first espresso?

I don’t even remember. The espresso machine was a red cimbali; I used to make espresso for my parents after lunch and dinner.  I was probably  about 7-8 years old.

Simone's father's bar - where he made his first espresso aged 7

What’s the secret to the perfect  coffee?

Coffee should be picked, roasted, brewed and served by hand. I don’t think too much technology should be involved during these procedures.

Simone and I making coffees during Paris Fashion Week

How did you discover Cafédirect?

The first time I’ve tried it was about a year and half ago. I was eating a hamburger in a  “fine burger” shop in Islington, and when I asked for an espresso I received it in a Cafédirect cup.

What’s the best thing about being a Friend of Cafédirect?

It’s good to know that when I enjoy something that for me is a pleasure, I’m actually influencing someone’s life a little on the other side of the world. It should be the same for everything.

Name one thing not many people know about you?

I always drink espresso, not by holding the cup from the little handle, but  from the actual cup.

Do you have any hidden talents?

In Italy I used to play drums.

What’s your favorite thing to do on a Sunday afternoon?

I spend most of my Sunday afternoons in the kitchen cooking Italian food.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?

A one-year trip in south and central America.

Tea or coffee?

Single espresso please.