Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/556538
24 STiR tea & coffee industry international / Issue 4, 2015 (August/September) US BKON at Panther Coffee Panther Coffee, based in Miami, Fla., is a small batch coffee roaster and whole- saler. The company recently installed BKON Craft Brewers at its Coconut Grove and Miami Beach locations. Customers can sample coffees roasted on a "pre-WWII Probat Perfekt Roaster" and brewed using BKON's patented RAIN (reverse atmospheric infusion) process. Panther's BKON launch menu includes six single origin coffees: Finca El Recuerdo, Cencoic (Colombia); Fazenda Santa Lucia, Fazenda Irmas Pereira (Brazil; Kichwa Tembo, Kamviu (Kenya). BKO brewed beverages include loose-leaf teas and infused waters. Panther Coffee will install BKON Craft Brewers in two new locations due to open this fall. Learn more: www. panthercoffee.com/locations suspend the regional competitions leading up to the US Barista Competi- tions. Tracy Allen, president of the SCAA board of directors, issued an apology for how the news was an- nounced on June 29. In his note, he hinted that alternatives for qualifying events will be explored. "We heard you, and the Barista Guild of America Executive Council (BGAEC) will be following up about next steps," he said. The Alliance for Coffee Excellence (ACE) released a statement that it would suspend, in theory temporarily, some of its Cup of Excellence (COE) competi- tions. The ACE announcement, while having drawn public criticism on social media platforms, has not yet resulted in an apology. Some critics of the move to scale back while re-inventing the auction platform think it unfair that competitions will be held in Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Honduras in 2016. Both stories make for interesting case studies in managing communica- tions in a digital world. In addition, two such announcements so close together raise many questions about the financial sustainability of competitions in the coffee sector. Starbucks Cold Brew While some in specialty coffee prefer the flavors and mouthfeel of traditional iced coffee, made by brewing hot coffee and pouring over ice, Starbucks is out to convince customers their slow, cold brew is better. Originally announced in March, Starbucks Cold Brew has now become a permanent item on the menu in many stores in the US and Canada. Michelle Sundquist, a Starbucks employee who participated in the research and development process, reported the team's goal "…was to find the perfect spot where the coffee was rich, dense, and slightly sweet. We found that 20 hours was the right balance of sweetness with citrusy and chocolate notes." "Cold Brew Blend features high- quality varietals from Latin America and Africa," said Leslie Wolford, senior coffee specialist at Starbucks. "The blend delivers a flavor profile of chocolate balanced by citrus notes for a sweet, dense and smooth cup." (See, Cold Brew is Hot, by Sherri Johns, pg. 48) FSMA comment period now open BKON Craft Brewer Competitions Suspended Two controversial announcements have taken the coffee social media world by storm this season. The Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) announced it would Voluntary Qualified Importer The time has come to comment on proposed rules and draft guidelines for food importers issued by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). On July 24 FDA published proposed rules and draft guidelines for a voluntary, fee-based program for the expedited review and importation of foods into the United States. The voluntary qualified importer program (VQIP) would provide importers a means of having expedited entry for imported foods. The authority for establishing VQIP derives from the 2011 law, FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The proposal describes how user fees to fund the process of accrediting third-party auditors and certification bodies would be established. The draft guidance document outlines VQIP provisions, including what benefits importers who participate in the program would receive, eligibility criteria, how to complete an application for becoming a qualified importer, what conditions could result in a revocation of that status, and how an importer could be reinstated after having qualified status revoked. The public is invited to comment on the proposed rule and draft guidelines for 75 days. Development of the final rules and guidelines will follow the closing of the comment period.