What is there to say about the coffee industry in Calgary and Alberta right now? In some ways, and perhaps this is just a result of being in school for 8 months, it feels like since last summer, the PRBC and Barista Jam, that the community has lost a bit of its connectivity. There are definitely connections being formed among the coffee geeks in Calgary but is it growing up more, or leaving people behind? How is community really created among those who love coffee?
There are days I come into Kawa and I often see this one guy in there at the same time I am. I think I've met him before, and I rememeber seeing him at the pre-competition barista jam last year. Obviously he has an interest in the community, in coffee. Where is he connection and why does he continue to frequent the best cafes in the city?
Is it possible that we have created a sort-of "exclusive" inner-circe that only those we approve can enter in to? I would hate for that to be the case. In my opinion coffee is hugely inclusive, allowing everyone to come in and enjoy it at different levels of expertise, building friendships and community along the way. I think that I can often exclude or look down on those people or baristas who I don't feel know as much as I do. This isn't fair and it isn't right at all.
These are just some of my thoughts because building community among anyone who wants to participate in the coffee quest is an important part of the experience. I didn't start drinking coffee because I was the most exciting thing I'd ever tasted. Sure, I think that now, but in the beginning I loved the community. Connecting with people. Isn't that in some ways what drinking coffee is all about? It's not worth just being a coffee snob in pursuit of a "god-shot" if there aren't some sort of relationships formed along the way. Community is coffee. But how does it work to bring together so many people from different viewpoints and create a tight-knit community? It is even possible?
Your thoughts and insights are very welcome!
Photo by Jason Prefontaine.
2 comments:
I think the coffee community exists as a duality. There definitely is an "inner-circle" that is mostly a by-product of arrogance/snobbiness/plain ol' jerkness. But on the other hand there is also a really open and friendly one that really can't wait to share personally coffee experiences with whomever is interested in hearing it.
Mike,
I can agree with that. After writing this post I realized that there really is some friendly and open dialogue going on. There's such a fine line between the two at times that my hope is our own coffee community will continue to grow out instead of in toward exclusivity.
–e
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