Journal — October 2023

At long last it really feels like fall has arrived here in NC, and crisp days always cause me to daydream of one of my favorite places in the world: Ireland. We’ve brought back a subscriber favorite this month, Calendar Coffee from Galway. If you’ve been with us long, you know you’re in for a treat, and if this is your first time trying Calendar, I’m excited to introduce you to Zarah and Dan (pictured at right), some of my favorite people in the coffee industry.

Galway, one of Ireland’s most charming seaside villages, is Zarah’s hometown. She met Dan (who grew up in Wales) 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. The first time we brought them on, Calendar was just the two of them. But now, they have a couple of kids and a whole team of coffee professionals by their side.

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 lineup feature some real stunners. Rosendo Domingo is a beautiful example of what Huehuetenango can produce. Benti Nenka and Ripira are both gorgeous Ethiopian coffees representing Guji and West Arsi well. And the espresso roast they’ve shared with us from Gedeb is an organic coffee that really shines with milk. I can’t wait to hear which of them you enjoy most.