Zoka Blog

by Trish Skeie, Zoka's Director of Coffee

There is almost nothing the boss likes more than opening a store with a party. This time is was the Snoqualmie shop...aka, Snoka...aka, Sno-Z...aka, Z3. Jeff had a great time talking with his neighbors, (he lives just a few blocks away from Snoka) and serving up scones in the morning. It couldn't have been better weather outside - bright and sunny. It seemed like the entire town of Snoqualmie, (East on I90-exit 25) came out to indulge in coffee tasting, tea tasting and free bakery snacks.

Special guests included Zander Nostler, founder and Chief Smart Dude from Seattle's Coffee Equipment Company. The Coffee Equipment Company makes the Clover brewing system, a one-cup brewer that we also use at the Green Lake store, (...aka, OZ). Zander had a pretty nice day planned . He was going mountain biking on his favorite trail near Snoqualmie. We were glad that he dropped by to see the new place and share a Clover-brew of the Colombia Llano Grande, Cup of Excellence before heading out to enjoy a gorgeous day in the mountains.

Rachel Peterson, the coffee producer responsible for the Best of Panama Hacienda La Esmeralda Especial, #1, came up just for the occasion. She spent all day with us, cupping a selection from our menu and testing coffees from the Clover as well. She tasted tea with Maki Campbell, our Tea Buyer, along side our new Snoka regulars.

Sergio Diaz spent some time with our new Roastmaster, Thomas Hodges. We just got some great coffee from Sergio's farm in the Carmo de Minas region of Brazil. His cousin's farm is Santa Ines- just up the hill from Sergio's. We bought the Santa Ines via the Cup of Excellence auction late last year. Both coffees are amazing!

The whole weekend was great fun. We look forward to seeing you up there sometime soon.

Drink it up!

trish