Journal — August 2022

Hi everyone! I just realized that this month marks the beginning of Yonder’s 5th year as a subscription. That feels like a pretty cool thing to celebrate, so whether you’ve been with us that whole time, or this is your first month with us, we’re really glad to share our birthday with Calendar and each of you.

Zarah and Dan are some of my favorite people in the coffee industry. Calendar Coffee hails from Galway, Zarah’s hometown, and one of Ireland’s most charming seaside villages. She met Dan when they were both working in London’s coffee industry. Soon, they fell in love, started dreaming of opening their own roastery, moved to Galway, and the rest is history.

Since we featured them last, they’ve had their first child (an adorable baby girl who’s now Calendar’s part-time mascot and full-time babyccino-taster) and brought on several new teammates. As they grow, they’re continuing to impress with the coffees they roast and the impact they have. Zarah explains, "we believe quality isn't just how a coffee tastes. It's knowing who produced it and how much they were paid. Was the coffee farmed using organic practices, and what steps have been taken to reduce the carbon footprint on its journey from seed to cup? All businesses can and should be a force for good which is why we've made it our mission to run ours a little differently.”

I find that perspective to be so refreshing, especially in a confusing world of green-washing and corporate virtue-signaling. I’m inspired by small companies who dedicate themselves to getting to the bottom of their numbers and making sure their impact on the world is a positive one.

This month’s coffees are a delight. Juliana Martin is such a fun, delicious, and easy-drinking coffee. I keep coming back for cup after cup. Huehuetenango grows some of my favorite Central American coffees, but this one still surprised me with it’s fragrant, floral aroma and sweet flavor. Karimikui is also sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Kenyan coffees have changed a lot in the last ten years, and I love discovering one that reminds me of why I first fell in love with them. This one, with its balanced acidity, and complex and creamy mouthfeel is a joy to drink. Jose Perez is a gorgeous example of what Peruvian coffee can taste like and Miguel Mendoza is another lovely coffee from Guatemala. You can’t go wrong!