November 30. The last autumn morning of this year, it could just as well be mistaken for a real winter day. That kind of day when, huddled in a fluffy robe, you look out the window and see the branches of the tree in front of the block full of fruit and think: "I wouldn't leave the house for anything in the world!". Most likely, many of you have tried a similar thought and preferred the warmth of cotton sheets and a good movie to a Sunday morning walk.
The brave ones who dared to face a gloomy and taciturn Cluj last Sunday, were fully rewarded here at Olivo, during the second edition of this season's Accademia del Caffe workshops. And now, allow us to briefly introduce the reasons why we had such a special morning, unlike any other this year:
1. The context
After a busy week with dozens of tasks to complete at the office, very few people feel like writing down activities that require anything other than pajamas. Because we believe that the comfort zone should be exceeded from time to time (in both senses, literally and figuratively!), last Sunday we created a relaxed and different context for spending free time. Advantages: a small number of participants, so that socializing is not a thorny problem for anyone.
2. The information
It is said that man learns as long as he lives. A saying that resonates with us too. So last Sunday we set out to learn a lot of new and interesting things about coffee. And not just any coffee, but about the rarest and most expensive coffee in the world. In other words, coffee lovers from Cluj had the opportunity to learn new things and taste Kopi Luwak coffee beans for the first time in the city.
3. The specialist
Marius Nica, whom we like to see in the position of "professor", is the basic man of the Academy. You also met him at the last edition, where he taught you how to make a Chemex coffee. This time, Marius urged those present at the workshop to enjoy the smell and taste of a rare coffee, to savor its aroma, to compare it with other origins, to give their opinion. We couldn't resist, and we also tasted a Kopi Luak espresso. Verdict: It really is special!
4. The original
Cappuccinos, espressos, lattes...we know them. And we consume them daily. But the curiosity of coffee lovers is a constant one, so we satisfied it as we knew best: giving them the chance to talk with Marius, the one who took them on a long journey to exotic lands, through Indonesian islands or Filipino, in search of the Indonesian Cat. This animal is part of the Viverridae family, its popular name being Luak. You may be wondering what the connection between a mammal and some coffee beans can be... The explanation is coming right now:
Kopi Luak coffee is not picked from plantations, it is not harvested in impressive quantities. If we think about it better, coffee is "produced" even by this Indonesian Cat, which eats the ripe coffee beans; they pass through its digestive system, are partially digested, and the inhabitants of the areas populated by this animal collect the coffee beans from the animal's excrement.
5. The story
What makes these coffee beans so special, sought after and valued is the very story hidden in the earthy aroma of the coffee they produce. The way they reach the digestive process of the Indonesian Cat turns them into an amazing coffee, the process by which the roasted coffee beans pass through the animal's intestine reducing the acidity of the coffee and giving it a pleasant aroma, in addition adding softness to the coffee's body.
6. The occasion
Of course, the theoretical part of any problem is one necessary to know the data, to place the element in an appropriate context, to outline an overall picture. But the notions of theory must also be supported by practical ones. That's why we're proud to have given some coffee lovers the opportunity to test this type of coffee, and perhaps to spark their interest in a possible trip to Indonesia. Of course, but our Marius claims that this type of coffee " is worth trying especially in Indonesia, where you can see exactly where it comes from, you can also see the plantations, talk to the locals who can show you and tell tell tell much more authentic information , coming directly from the source; thus, you will have the certainty of the authenticity, quality and place of origin of the Kopi Luak coffee, vital preparation steps in the preparation of an excellent coffee ".
Our dears, we are glad that you were with us this week as well, it gives us great pleasure to see how Cluj's interest in specialty coffee grows from one month to the next, and last but not least, we are proud to be able to put and we shoulder to support this "origin coffee movement"* in Cluj. So our thanks go to you. Thank you for accepting our invitation to participate in an event** as interesting and interactive as it is useful, educational and enjoyable (we hope :) )
* Related to this topic, that of origin coffee, we have fresh news for you, with the scent of freshly dried printing ink: the new issue of The Daily Cup newspaper, the publication of the Olivo Coffee Roastery, is waiting for you in a few days on the tables of Olivo.
** The next edition of the Academia del Caffe will take place on the last Sunday of January, the end of this year being reserved (for us, but also for you), for spending quality time with your loved ones, respectively for charging the necessary energy reserves in the coming year!