Zoka Blog

It's time for another installment of Jared and Nick's Wholesale Adventures.  Last time we joined our heroes they were headed west along the Hood Canal.  This time their voyage brought them east into the high desert of Eastern Washington.  Brulant was the destination and all that separated our brave wholesale team was a mountain range, 102 degree weather, a potential UFO crash site, and lots of scenic views.

Zoka Coffee cravings are not unheard of. And it may seem like those of you outside of the Seattle area are just out of luck. But wait! You don't have to worry: Zoka sells their delicious brews wholesale to coffee shops and cafes all over!

Here is the tale of two Zoka roastmasters on their way to check in with a Zoka's wholesale coffee shop: Hoodsport Coffee Company. Enjoy!

The Coffee Tour

by: Jared and Nick

Our voyage began at dawn. Our destination: the Hoodsport Coffee Company.  We started the journey with a stop at Greenlake Zoka for espresso and pour overs.  Luke Grey and Prestin Yoder provided the fuel that we needed for the drive to Hoodsport. 


There they are. It was still early...

Rain beset us as we sped down I-5, but we persisted onwards toward our goal.  The rain let up by the time we reached Tacoma, allowing us to gaze upon the majestic beauty of the Tacoma Dome (the world's largest wood structured arena). Oh, and the mountains looked alright. Driving past military homes and the occasional bunny rabbit we headed into Olympia for a coffee pit-stop with a Zoka friend.

Olympia Pit Stop

After sampling some amazing single origin coffees from our friends at Olympia Coffee Roasters and spending time with former Zoka Trainer Robbie Britt, we headed back onto long, winding Highway 101 on our way to Hoodsport.  Clear skies revealed the true splendor of the Olympic Peninsula.  Mountains and tall trees were all that could be seen for miles, broken up by the occasional espresso drive through. This may be the backwoods, but it is still espresso country. 

We spotted Hood Canal and knew that we were almost there.  The beauty of the canal was only overshadowed by the countless fireworks stands.  We could have picked up enough fire power to bring down the Space Needle.  Foregoing the purchase of fire crackers (much to Jared's dismay), we pulled into our destination at the Hoodsport Coffee Company.


The Hoodsport in all her glory.

We were created with big smiles, firm handshakes, delicious coffee, and tasty buckets of Olympia Mountain Ice Cream.  Rich, Susan, and Linda run a great shop with plenty of options -- and did we mention the ice cream?!?


Hi Susan.

The age old mystery of where to get a great cup of Zoka Coffee with a scoop of smooth ice cream on the side is now solved: Hoodsport Coffee Company.


Some real, live Hoodsport customers enjoying some Zoka coffee.

Great coffee, great environment, and great service - yep, sounds like a Zoka Wholesale account to us.  The next time you are driving through Hoodsport on the 101 make sure to stop by for a cup and a cone.  Tell them Jared and Nick sent you.

One Love,
Jared and Nick

PS: If you need to take the edge off, stop by Hoodsport Wine Company for the best bottle of rhubarb wine this side of the Mississippi.

Coffee has always been the fuel behind creative fire. It's a more healthy addiction than whiskey (we're looking at you, Hemingway) and ever since the first coffee house opened oh-so-long-ago in Constantinople, coffee houses have been hot spot for artistic minds to meet.

There's no scientific evidence that proves coffee will turn you from regular joe into giant genius. But we'd like to think it helped these greats become more prolific!

1. Alexander Pope

Coffee could very well be responsible for this English poet's ability to spin sweet rhymes about sour subjects. Pope's famous Rape of the Lock was conceived out of coffee house gossip and one line even gives a nod to the brew.
 
In his words: "Coffee, which makes the politician wise, and see through all things with his half-shut eyes."

We left off with Jeff getting a good night's sleep prior to a full 7 hour day of cupping and judging this year's Cup of Excellence Competition in Guatemala. Here's what happened next.

Competition Day

The weather here reflects the beginning of the rainy season for Guatemala - and yes it has been raining very hard for the last few days. Maybe it's not the best for sightseeing, but to me, this this is good sign for next year's crops: the heavy rain will begin the flowerings that will produce next year's coffee beans. And besides, I will inside all day judging COE.

 

Who knew searching for the world's finest artisan coffee could be dangerous? Read Jeff's travel journal as he heads to Guatemala to judge the 8th national Cup of Excellence competition, right before the volcanic eruption of Pacaya and whirlwind tropical storm Agatha (the one that caused the sinkhole in Guatemala City).

Greetings from Guatemala

By: Jeff Babcock

I arrived early yesterday after taking the red eye from Seattle via Houston to Guatemala City, Guatemala for their 8th National Cup of Excellence Competition. I've been involved with the Cup of Excellence Competition since the beginning - this is my 8th time judging it.
 
After a long nap at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Guatemala City, I had a light lunch and chatted with a couple of other early arrivals who would also be judging the competition. Twenty-one judges from around the world will cup and grade the top 40 coffees.

It's a great time. The judges come from all over the globe: Brazil, Canada, the US, Russia, Germany, Norway, Lithuania, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand.
 

As the weather warms to a balmy 80 degrees (ok, so we're still shivering in Seattle) it becomes extremely tempting to commit one of the most egregious coffee crimes: brewing hot coffee, adding cream, and pouring your coffee-milk concoction over ice cubes.

Freeze! No wait- don't freeze! Stop right there. Do not drink iced coffee unless it's cold brewed!

You won't find awful, diluted, cold coffee at Zoka. We don't brew our cold coffee hot and then cool it down. We brew our cold coffees cold from the very beginning.

Warning: Don't be surprised if after reading this, you put that dilapidated, three-legged-excuse-for-furniture up for garage sale. These coffee tables are that cool. We warned you!

They're amazing.

And inventive.

And just begging for a mug of fresh brew and a stack of magazines. 

Unique Coffee Tables

8. Fireplace Coffee Table

Taking Saturday morning to a whole new level of awesome. We recommend not putting coffee table books on this one. Break out the s'mores.

The rumors are true!

Zoka has developed its WiFi policy to be more awesome than ever - and to put our patrons first  

The Low Down on Zoka's New WiFi Policy

Zoka lovers won't have much of a change in routine. Come in, grab your daily brew, and start checking emails. Unlimited access to the internet for two hours with every purchase. Simple as that.

The Perks

• Zoka now has more available bandwidth for those who enjoy to sip and surf.
• Safer browsing and better security. This change is with you in mind.
• Our WiFi is up and running more often and with fewer glitches, so you can peruse the web in peace.
• We mentioned that the wireless internet is still free, right? 

It's the same old Zoka (with the same delicious coffee and tea) as before. Stop by and say hi. We can't wait to see you.

You know that feeling you get when, after a 3 - 5 cup of coffee day, all you crave is... more coffee? Well, do we have a treat for you.

Presenting 6 Delicious Recipes for Cooking with Coffee

With these delicious coffee recipes, your main course will boast that flavor you crave and everyone - coffee skeptics included - will be a fan.

Spring time is in full bloom and summer is just around the corner. Now is the time to dust off your grill and pull out those pot-luck-sized crock pots. It's time to get cookin'.

Remember last month when we said Mug Shots was the newest, coolest, hippest thing to hit the Zoka interwebs?

No? Refresh your memory.

Thanks, Sarah, for sharing your favorite cupping device. The rest of you -- catch on!