I have a long-standing rule: no coffee after 11am.
Unless, of course, it is accompanied by delicious chocolate. Come to think of it, I’m good with chocolate just about any time of the day.
So, it was clear I couldn’t resist heading over to Slow Food Portland’s “From Bean to Buzz: Coffee + Chocolate Tasting” at Ecotrust last week. This was a round-robin event with some local (and kind of local) chocolate and coffee artisans. Despite our best intentions, we ended up a little late so we missed a part of the proceedings. However, we felt as though that we ended up getting the “best of the buzz” with the two and-a half (out of four) stations we sidled up to.
We caught the end of the Xocolatl de David and Cellar Door Coffee Roasters team from Portland. The chocolate was divine and the coffee was delicious, bold and smooth. Sadly, we missed the meat of the conversation.
Then, it was on to Missionary Chocolates of Portland and Portland Roasting Coffee. Melissa Berry, the chocolatier, gave out many, many (all vegan truffles) samples. First, it was salted caramel. Delicious. Next a lemon truffle. Out of this world. Then, a peanut butter number. More hyperbole. Then, a raspberry truffle shaped in a heart. Superb. What stood out was not just the flavor, but the fact that these vegan truffles, using coconut milk as a base, weren’t heavy — so one could eat an entire box and not feel like saying “oooof.” Pairing it with Portland Roasting’s Guatemalan coffee was just perfect. And Martin Barrett of Portland Roasting was highly engaging and informative.
What also stood out in this Portland group was the good being done. Berry is hoping to fund a new natural healing center. Portland Roasting, with their Farm Friendly Direct™ program funds important projects in communities where they source their coffee. So sure, it’s tasty chocolate and coffee — further enhanced by knowing that there is something bigger going on.
The most entertaining speakers we saw were Aubrey and Jesse from Cacao in Portland. Clearly passionate about chocolate, they were great fun to listen to as they described what we were sampling — and there was plenty to taste. Their pairing partners (both from Seattle) were very good but the Cacao folks stole the show with their enthusiasm.
We missed Stumptown Coffee and Claudio Corallo (from Seattle). But we had the chance to taste both and, even though the palates were fried, it was still delicious. I suppose the good news is that each morning, I brew up some Stumptown with Portland pride, so I am deeply familiar with the brilliance of their beans.
Sure, I broke my big rule about having coffee after 11am. But, when there’s great coffee and chocolate to be had, count me in every time!
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Hello, Thanks for a great review of a great evening. “highly engaging and informative” (I like the sound of that). If you’d like to learn more or come down and take a tour then get in touch and I’d be glad to show you around and tell you more about this great company and the great coffee we roast!
Cheers, Martin Barrett