and emceed by its editor-at-large, Dan Bolton, the Tinker’s Minute gives exhibitors the opportunity to demonstrate their wares and pitch the crowd just before the show floor opens. Representatives from each company had one minute to sway attendees who cast secret ballots for the three top spots in two categories. Award-winning barista Heather Perry joined judges from Specialty Coffee Retailer and Coffee Fest to interview participants on the floor and to sample their products, awarding points for innovation and “retailability.” The tally from attendee ballots determined the final score. Three products in the consumables category and another three in the non-consumables category took top honors. Perry joined Specialty Coffee Retailer's Brian Grau and Tinker Dan to present the awards Feb. 19. Here are the results:
T JET – NON-FAT YOGURT SMOOTHIE MIX
Jet recently introduced non-fat yogurt mixes in peach and strawberry banana flavors made with fruit purees and displaying the creamy texture of one of America’s favorite foods. These all- natural mixes contain no potassium sorbate or sodium benzoate and are shipped in aseptic packaging. The mixes have excellent shelf life and wholesale for about $1 per 16 oz. serving. Learn more at www.jetsmoothies.com, phone
(888) 676-3832 or email jet@kerry.com
JUDGES COMMENT: Yogurt enjoys a growing following as a healthy and wholesome food. This innovative and user-friendly mix contains prebiotics, is 100-calories per serving and is on the leading edge of a foodservice trend that follows the big surge in packaged yogurt sales at grocers.
TEASOURCE – DARK ROSE TEA
Minnesota-based Teasource traveled half way around the world to discover black tea, a Chinese pressed tea from the eastern provinces. Popular in Tibet, this all natural dark blend is flavored with rose petals and shaped in a single-serve heart. The rose petals provide a familiar note. The tea has a healthful reputation as it retains active bacteria without the earthy fragrance of pu-erh. Learn more at
www.teasource.com, phone (612) 788-4842 or email info@teasource.com.
JUDGES COMMENT: This molded tea is prepared by simply dropping the heart-shaped tea into a t-sac. Serve in a take-away cup or tea pot. Over steeping is not a problem as black tea does not become bitter. At 20 cents per serving this tea is a terrific value. Retailers can earn $1.50 profit per cup.
COUNTER CULTURE - APOLLO SEASONAL ESPRESSO BLEND
Counter Culture Coffee is renowned for innovation. The approach to its most sophisticated blend yet is admirably transparent and crafted to challenge the most skilled barista. Coffee Review awarded the blend a 93 for its distinctive and original flavor, but what sets this espresso apart is the introduction of version numbers signaling variations in the blend. Counter Culture identifies the grower, region and percent of each coffee in the blend. The latest version is Apollo Seasonal 3.0 which is characteristically acidic. Its qualities are described in great detail at www.espressoapollo. com. The online information describes how the
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Durham, North Carolina-based roaster dialed down a lemon note by adding a Shakisso from Sidama, Ethiopia. To learn more visit www. counterculturecoffee.com, phone (919) 361- 5282 or email info@counterculturecoffee.com.
JUDGES COMMENT: The latest iteration contains 45 percent Peruvian, 45 percent Panamanian and 10 percent Ethiopian coffees. It is “brilliantly interpreted” according to Coffeereview.com but more significant, it is a logical extension of this roaster’s commitment to transparency and a fine example of how roasters can convey their art to baristas so that customers get the very best.
-shirts were flying as the Chicago crowd gathered round the Tinker’s Wagon to get a first look at espresso blends labeled with version numbers, a non-dairy chai and spa-quality bath and body line made from coffee extracts and oils. Sponsored by Specialty Coffee Retailer
