November 2010

• Countdown to the BBC Good Food Show

  Fri 19 November, 2010
  After months and months of careful preparation and planning, the BBC Good Food Show at the NEC in Birmingham is due to start tomorrow, and Grumpy Mule will be there! We will be serving a variety of drinks, including lattes and cappuccinos, as well as offering Grumpy Mule products at special show prices! Its a great opportunity to get some coffee related Christmas shopping done. Look for special offers on these products:-
  
  - Christmas gift sets at a special show price
  - Grumpy Mule Gift tin offers and 'Grumpy Yule' Christmas coffee
  - Brand new Grumpy Mule Fairtrade T-Shirts and Fairtrade Aprons
  - Special offers on our coffee, including the amazing 4 for £12 on a selections of our 227g packs

  Grumpy Mule will be on stand B45. We look forward to seeing some of you there!

• Today's Cupping Session: Tasting Ethiopian Coffees

  Wed 17 November, 2010
  Ethiopian Coffee Cupping

  Another cupping session took place in the Grumpy Mule Cupping Lab this morning, allowing the team to taste a variety of Ethiopian coffees. There were regional coffees from Harar and Sidamo amongst others and a range of natural and washed processing methods, giving a contrast of aromas and flavours to these Arabica coffees.

  Seven coffees were tasted in total, and naturally the team liked some better than others:-

  Ethiopia Yirgacheffe – Washed – Fairtrade Organic
  Light in body, floral and cirtusy. Sweet flavour. Could be a little more aromatic in the grounds and break
  
  Ethiopia Limu – Washed – Fairtrade Organic
  New arrival. Roasted a touch darker, brought out a spicier edge to the coffee. Rounded and pleasant
  
  Ethiopia Harar – Natural – Fairtrade Organic
  New arrival. Bit disappointing as not quite as fruit filled as last batch, but still with a winey flavour and clean finish
  
  Ethiopia Sidamo – Natural – Fairtrade only
  Certainly not as clean in the cup and uneven - nuttier, less sophisticated coffee. Interesting to taste nonetheless
  
  Ethiopia Sidamo – Washed – Fairtrade Organic
  Much more consistent, clean and sweet than the natural processed Sidamo. More aromatic than the Yirgacheffe - surprisingly - but crisper in flavour (cont...)
  

• Trade News: Issue 2 of the Grumpy Mule Coffee Booklet

  Wed 17 November, 2010
  Grumpy Mule Booklet Issue 2

  We've just re-released the Grumpy Mule Compact Guide to Distinctive Coffee, perfect for our independent retailers. Issue 2 is our updated brochure highlighting the Grumpy Mule range of specialty coffees, including Fairtrade, Organic, Cup of Excellence and Limited Editions, coffee gift products and a brewing guide.

  The new brochure contains information about the full Grumpy Mule range of coffee products, from farm and producer information to tasting notes, strength guides and tips on how to get the very best out of every cup.

  The booklet is ideal for our independent retailer customers - delis, farm shops and coffee shops alike - and offers the opportunity to learn more about our products and what we offer. They're a great tool for educating customers about each of the different origins available.
  
  If you are interested in obtaining a a few copies of the Grumpy Mule coffee brochure please get in contact with us through coffee@grumpymule.co.uk.

• Grumpy Mule Team Cupping

  Tue 16 November, 2010
  

  This fine Tuesday morning, the Grumpy Mule Team gathered in the Cupping Lab at the Roastery for an early morning tasting session, in preparation for the upcoming BBC Good Food Show.

  Staff members eagerly gathered around the tasting table, and made there way around the 12 different types of coffee that we are taking with us to the BBC Good Food Show at the NEC in Birmingham. All of these coffees will be available - on rotation - for any visitors to sample at the show.

  Some staff showed off there expertise in coffee tasting, pointing out the subtle tastes that are apparent in our different types of coffee, while for others it was there first coffee tasting experience. For us here it's important for all members of the Team, old and new, to get to know each and every coffee personally!
  
  Well look forward to seeing some of you at the show next week.

• Trade News: Grumpy Mule at the Harrogate Speciality Food Show 2011

  Tue 16 November, 2010
  Harrogate Speciality Food Show

  On the 26th and the 27th of June 2011, Grumpy Mule will be exhibiting at the Harrogate Speciality Food Show for the second year in a row. This is a trade event that brings together over 150 speciality food and drink exhibitors from the UK and overseas, and is a ‘must-visit’ exhibition for both independent fine food retailers and any outlet that wants to serve great coffee.
  
  The team - including Rob and Damian - will be presenting the Grumpy Mule range of coffee products, including Fairtrade certified, Cup of Excellence and organic coffees and will also have a selection of espresso coffees perfect for delis, coffee shops and other food outlets.
  
  The event will take place at the Yorkshire Event Centre in Harrogate, and we’d love to meet our existing retailer customers and new faces alike.

   For more information about the Harrogate Speciality Food Show, visit the Specialty Food Show website