Friday 2 December 2016

The Story of Murango, our Christmas Coffee

The story of women in coffee is an interesting one. Despite often contributing much of the labour in the production side of coffee we are rarely owners of the land or influencers within the business of coffee. 

Kalico Workers Cooperative

Steampunk Coffee is a female-owned business which is extremely proud to also have a woman as our Head Roaster. As such we are particularly interested in the role of women on the growing end of coffee production too. Our new coffee this month Murango, which we have chosen as our Christmas Coffee, comes from Burundi and has a wonderful story behind it of women making a change in their communities through coffee.


Burundi


Tucked between Tanzania and Congo in central Africa, Burundi is a relative newcomer to  specialty coffee. Its coffees are produced on small plots by villagers in the northern part of the country and wet processed at small mills. The coffee is sold at auction to exporters in a system resembling the Kenya auction system. Burundi still largely produces de facto organically grown coffee owing to the fact that the farmers cannot afford chemicals. Most is grown in full shade. At best, when not spoiled during drying, storage, or transportation, it is a floral and brightly acidic coffee of the East Africa style. 

Burundi is a country that continues to face immense social and political difficulties. One of the challenges for the coffee sector is the government’s involvement as an owner and operator of the washing stations. This makes visibility and transparency questionable. Despite this there are a few privately owned washing stations that are working hard to improve the quality.

Muyinga is not a well-known region in Burundi. It is constantly overshadowed by its neighbour Kayanza. However, the cup quality is very similar to Kayanza featuring complex florals, intense sweetness and a delicate but refined body. Burundi is a small country so the districts don’t vary a great deal in climate and cup profile. 

Angele Ciza at Kalico

Murango Washing Station


This coffee gets its name from Murango which is a small washing station located in the province of Muyinga in the North Eastern corner of the country. This used to be a state owned and run station but it was bought back from the government in 2012 by the all-female owned Kahawa Link Company (Kalico, for short), a female owned coop operating in the province of Muyinga. 

Murango favour a single fermentation method using nine different fermentation tanks to keep the lots separate until they are dried and cupped for quality. The lower scoring lots are blended for commercial coffee, with the best lots remaining separate for sale as microlots. Our lot comes from the peak of the harvest and is amongst the highest scoring lots from this station in 2016.

Raised African drying beds at Kalico

Kalico


In 2012, Angele Ciza and Consolata Ndayishimiye, two friends (and experienced business women) decided to go into the coffee business together. They purchased seven washing stations that had been part of the old government run Sogestal program, with the idea of working in close partnership with growers so they could process and export Burundi’s best coffees. The pride and satisfaction Angele and Consolata take in their company comes through in the excitement they have for forging friendships with their buyers.

The washing stations are in the Kirundo and Muyinga Provinces in North-Eastern Burundi, each serving 1,000-3,000 small scale farmers who grow primarily the bourbon varietal. The land runs the range of 1600 - 1800 meters above sea level.

To improve the quality of the coffee produced, Angele and Consolata knew they needed to start with the education of the producers, so they began with outreach to ensure best practices from nurseries to picking. As the quality and value of the coffee increases they are investing in additional training, environmental protection, inputs, micro-credit, micro-insurance, and social infrastructures in partnership with the producer organizations that deliver to their washing stations.


The washing stating has ten small floatation tanks allowing the coffee to be sorted prior to fermentation. With nine separate fermentation tanks, Kalico are able to keep coffees separated throughout the processing stage, allowing them to identify and isolate various qualities.

"We work very, very hard," says Ciza. Her vision for lifting more people out of poverty in her region is clear. "If you want to develop Burundi, you develop the women," she says.


Check out this link to NPR to hear more of the story about four African women fighting to change the traditional roles of women in coffee production. 

Angele Ciza, top left

Specialty coffee in Burundi


Burundi’s economy is heavily reliant on coffee and it is Burundi’s biggest export revenue earner with close to 40% of the population is involved in the coffee subsector. With its mountainous topography, Burundi is geographically ideal for coffee cultivation. It has great soils, very high elevations in some coffee growing regions (up to 2000 masl) and ideal climates. The Burundian coffee sector however has gone through major phases and changes, all of which have greatly influenced the coffee production.

The first stage for coffee was under the Belgian colonisers when coffee was established as a cash crop until Burundi's independence in 1962. During this period, the Belgians had total control over the coffee's production and sales. The coffee industry was private from independence in 1962 to 1976. During this period, the state only intervened to fund research, assist in quality improvement, and set and stabilise the price received by the producers. Even with the help of the state, the quantity and quality of coffee production decreased. The reason for the decrease on production was due of the post-independence political instability, and the lack of interest of the people in growing coffee as growing coffee was seen as a symbol of colonisation.


In 1976, the coffee industry became completely state-controlled. The private coffee factories were nationalised, and all the export activities were under the control of the state. The objective of being a public industry was to increase the quantity and quality of the production, which failed to be accomplished. Coffee production has a pretty good infrastructure in Burundi due to the World Bank and other partners investing heavily during the 1970s and building 133 washing stations (wet mills) that are better equipped and organised than the ones in neighbouring Rwanda. Rwanda by contrast has been more successful so far in transitioning into specialty coffee production. 

Burundi’s move into specialty coffee has arguably been held back by the long and very slowly diminishing government presence in the coffee sector in the form of bureaucratic and mismanaged coffee board (ARFIC, previously OCIBU). In 1986 the public coffee enterprises became totally private or partially private. The privatisation of the coffee sector adopted happened when the management was privatised, certain functions were deregulated and some coffee entities were restructured. For most of the last 30 years, however employees hired by OCIBU were running all of the countries’ washing stations.

In order to improve the general management of coffee, companies with mixed state and private ownership were created. The companies managing the depulping and washing stations—the SOGESTALS—(Société de Gestion des Stations de Dépulpage Lavage du Café) were created. SOGESTALS were set up in the country’s main coffee regions. The state kept the majority of shares in all the SOGESTALS except the ones in Kayanza, Ngozi and Kirundo-Muyinga. Once the private sector invested in the coffee industry, the government introduced the first measures of deregulation. This move allowed people to establish companies with total private ownership. This started the creation of private export companies, new private washing stations were built, private factories were established, and the creation of two private roasting factories were established.

The Future


Today, Burundi is a country whose main export and crop is coffee. Following the intense civil war in the late 20th century, coffee truly helped rebuild Burundi. By supporting the production of specialty coffee in the region and ensuring that producers are well paid for the quality coffees they produce you are ensuring that money is continuing to flow into these communities. That is what truly makes this a special, and meaningful cup of coffee this Christmas.

Monday 28 November 2016

FREE Tasting Events at Steampunk

We have organised two lovely free events for you to come along and find out a bit more about your favourite beverages. Their aim is to be informal but hopefully informative with time for tasting and chatting and then even some special discounts for buying some pressies on the night...

Tea Tasting Evening

5:30pm, Monday 5 December 


Our friends from Anteaques (Edinburgh) have supplied us with teas for many years. They run a lovely traditional tea shop and antiques store on Clerk Street in Edinburgh which is a must-visit destination for any tea lover. Their range of teas is massive and their knowledge impressive. Join them for an evening of tasting, brewing tips and finding out more about your favourite teas. 


Coffee Tasting Evening

5:30pm, Monday 21 December 


Come along to our first public cupping. Try our different coffees and learn more about the journey they take from origin to cup. Find out more about the roasting process too!

Thursday 24 November 2016

Christmas Shopping at Steampunk




Here at Steampunk, we would like to help make Christmas shopping as easy as possible. After all, you want to spend your time with family and friends rather than trawling through the shops.

We have put together a collection of coffees, equipment and steampunk branded stuff which is sure to include exactly the right gift for the coffee lover in your life. You can find all of these on our webshop and also at our coffee roastery/cafe in North Berwick.

Here are some of our top ideas:



Cyclists/Outdoor enthusiasts - check out our HooRag which we have designed using our own Mavis van print and has come direct from the USA. This fantastic bit of kit wicks away moisture, protecting your face, and also offers sun  protection. It can be worn loads of different ways.



Coffee Geeks - our Subscription will keep any coffee lover in clover for 3, 6 or 9 months as they work their way through our constantly changing offering of specialty single origin coffees. How about a 33coffees notebook so that they can keep track of which coffees they are trying? If you really want to take their coffee experience up a notch a Baratza Encore electric grinder will allow them to grind fresh beans for each brew.



Steampunk Fans - how about our hoodie so everyone can see who their favourite roasters are? Fantastic thick and cosy with a contrast grey lined hood.


Camping and Vanlife devotees - You can't beat one of our  camping mugs, an Aeropress and a Rhinowares grinder along with a bag of coffee ...


Tea Lovers??? - It's ok, we know they exist and we celebrate diversity... Try a Steampunk Tin filled with our delicious leaf tea, a diner mug to keep it hot or even a Bonavita kettle which will heat their water to exactly the right temperature for perfect brewing.

Tuesday 8 November 2016

Steampunk’s Christmas Top 10

Look locally to source some great Christmas presents for friends and family this year.


At Steampunk we love to keep things local. We work closely with other small independent businesses to bring you amazing and unique offerings and we know that you, our lovely customers, care deeply about this too. Your sense of adventure and commitment to sourcing locally doesn’t need to stop in the rush up to Christmas either - take a look at these cool gift ideas that are happening on our doorstep. We’ve even broken it down by the type of person you might be buying for to make it super easy for you. 

This is our present to you... (also check out #10)


GoSup


The Adventurous Spirit


1. Our coastline is gorgeous - how about exploring it by paddle board? Check out GoSup who are offering vouchers for paddle board sessions. Check out their gorgeous video.


2.  Or how about a session at Foxfall - the low ropes course at Foxlake
Ailey Mae Raw Chocolate


The Foodie


3. You can never go wrong with chocolate so a monthly chocolate subscription from Ailey Mae’s Raw Chocolate is the perfect gift for the chocaholic in your life. Every purchase before 25 November will enter you into a prize draw to win a year’s worth of chocolate for yourself so buy chocolate for your loved ones for Christmas and possibly get the mother of all presents in return!

4. Budding bakers? How about a sourdough bread course from master baker Ross Baxter of Bostock Bakery? Learn how to recreate his fantastic loaves at home.

5. Colstoun Cookery School (near Haddington) run some cool courses and experiences - last years included bee-keeping, foraging, preserving as well as many different styles of cooking. Check out their website for next year’s possibilities.


Castaway Knitting


The Stressed Out Friend


6. For people who need a bit of relaxation, check out North Berwick yoga teacher and musician Roxana’s Guided Audio Relaxations. This talented lady will help you relax and because she also has a big heart she is donating 50% of each sale to the charity Help Refugees.

7. For those who want to keep their hands busy, Castaway Knitting offer a cool yoga sock kit. Enjoy making them and then stay cosy wearing them. If yoga is not for you, check out one of her other kits. 

Rogue Village


The Family 


8. For families who just need to enjoy time together and hang out, what about tickets to Rogue Village’s New Year’s Day event, The Sunshine Sessions (in Dunbar). This cool event is sure to ease everyone into 2017 in style and appeal to the whole family. Great DJs, performances, impromptu workshops, art tables and plenty of surprises at this laid back jam. With great food, cocktails and a fully licensed bar families can relax, roll back the years and teach their kids a few dance moves or just sit back and catch up with friends to some great music.

North Berwick Gift Vouchers


The Enigma


9. No idea what they might like? Still keep it local by giving a North Berwick Gift Voucher. These can be used at loads of local businesses and by giving one of these rather than a voucher for an online multi-national, you are keeping money in the local economy, fuelling local jobs and keeping your High Street healthy. Vouchers can be purchased at Etc… (and while you are there you will probably find some beautifully designed gifts too).

Steampunk Coffee


The Coffee Lover (last, but of course not least)



10. We are making it super easy to buy something cool for coffee lovers - check out some coffee-related gift ideas in our Christmas Collection including the gift that keeps giving - the coffee subscription. We even have a 10% off code for items in this collection (before end November) if you sign up to our newsletter when prompted on our website.

Thursday 3 November 2016

We're Hiring


Thank you for all of your interest. The closing date for applications has now passed.

Cook / Baker - 12 month Maternity Cover contract 



Full time (40 hours/week): Sunday, Monday, Thursday & Friday 

Steampunk Coffee is a coffee roasters based in North Berwick, East Lothian. From our large warehouse building a couple of blocks from the sea, we roast our beans and run a friendly and busy cafe. We offer excellent home baked cakes and savoury goodies, soups etc. Everything is locally sourced and cooked from scratch in our kitchen. 

You will work as part of a highly knit team but need to be self motivating and organised, able to work under direction and also independently. Our kitchen is a busy and fast paced environment and so experience in a commercial kitchen is essential. 

Essential: 
Experience in a commercial kitchen 
Passionate about food and coffee 
Great baker (professional or amateur) 
Experience of food prep/ cooking 
Reliable and organised 
Able to work independently and also as part of a team 

Desirable: 
Food hygiene certification 
Experience of stock control and ordering 
Driving licence / own transport 

Please apply with a covering letter and CV. 
Closing date for applications Friday 11 November. 


Cafe Service Position 


Full time (40 hours/week) including weekends

Steampunk Coffee is a coffee roasters based in North Berwick, East Lothian. From our large warehouse building a couple of blocks from the sea, we roast our beans and run a friendly and busy cafe. 

This role  involves serving customers, running food and drinks, working at the till and all the other random things that go with working in a busy coffee shop. Experience working with  speciality coffee is not a requirement, but experience in the service industry is an advantage and enthusiasm is a must.

The ideal applicant will be customer-focused , willing to work as part of a team, and have an interest in food and coffee. Our cafe is a busy and fast paced environment and a focus on customer service under these conditions is vital. 

Please apply with a covering letter and CV. 
Closing date for applications Friday 11 November. 

Return to website HERE

Tuesday 25 October 2016

Our Rough Guide to calibrating the Rhinowares hand grinder




Here is Part 3 of our series of Steampunk Coffee Rough Guides.

In this guide we show you how to calibrate the Rhinowares Ceramic Burr hand grinder for the three most common brew methods - Moka Pot (Stovetop/Bialetti), Aeropress and Cafetiere (French Press).

Check out our earlier Rough Guide (Part 1 & 2) which shows how to assemble and use the grinder.

We hope these guides will help you get the most out of your beans at home!

Free Chocolate for Coffee of the Month Subscribers


We think our pal Ailey Mae's Raw Chocolate goes just perfectly with our coffee so we are giving away a free bar of her Steampunk Chocolate (made with our coffee) to everyone who subscribes to our Subscribe & Save option on our Coffee of the Month before 31st October. We will choose the best, newest or most exciting beans and roast them and send them out to you at the start of November along with the free chocolate.
Subscribe & Save allows you to subscribe to 1, 2, 3 or 4 bags of coffee. Then at the beginning of each month afterwards your card will be deducted automatically and new beans will be sent out. You can amend, suspend or stop your subscription super easily at any time. This way you can be sure of always having fresh and amazing coffee at home. Also, Subscribe & Save also gives you a fantastic discount from the standard price of all of our coffees. Win win all round! 

Instagram Competition



We would like to see how and where you enjoy your Steampunk Coffee... post your pics on Instagram and hashtag them #steampunkmugshot . Each month we will send one lucky winner a bag of our best beans.
Shop for mugs, coffee and other stuff here

Steampunk Coffee in Budapest

We are so pleased that Bean Busters in Budapest is now serving Steampunk Coffee. They started showcasing our coffees earlier this summer as a guest offering but have now started serving them as their main coffees as they have gone down such a storm with their customers. They are currently serving our newest coffee from Costa Rica Mirian 1 and our Guatemalan Las Terrazas on espresso alongside our Kenyan Thunguri on filter. This week we have also shipped out our very first batch of our latest coffee from El Salvador which will be available on our website soon. In addition to serving our coffees they are available in the shop in retail bags for their customers to enjoy at home.
Lilla is a big fan of our Kiriani Theresa (Kenya) and used it when she competed in the Hungarian Brewer's Cup this summer. She is pictured here on the left, alongside Adam and Dori (another one!!) in front of the shop.
We are particularly pleased to have our coffee served in Bean Busters as they are not only an excellent speciality cafe but we also have many connections with Hungary. Dori (Head Roaster) and Marcsi (Trainee Roaster) both hail from there and Neil (who has worked at Steampunk over the summer for years) is currently 'Our man in Budapest' as he is studying there this year. He is delighted to still be able to get access to his Steampunk fix!