Taste the Origin Event Recap – Create Transparent & Sustainable Future

In XLIII Coffee’s minimalist and elegant setting, Taste the Origin served as a special occasion to honor our closest partners. The event brought together XLIII Coffee’s long-term clients and industry professionals who share not only a deep understanding of specialty coffee but also a commitment to sustainability values.

This intimate yet professional gathering provided an opportunity for attendees to gain deeper insights into the realities of coffee-growing regions. Through the perspective and experience of Crop to Cup – our importing partner from Brooklyn, New York – participants gained authentic insights into the challenges faced by farmers and the complexities of the supply chain.

The event was highlighted by the presence of Erinn Buhyoff, Sampling Director at Crop to Cup Coffee Importers. Drawing from extensive experience working with farming communities worldwide, Erinn offered profound insights into the global coffee supply chain.

The cupping session showcased 16 exceptional coffees from both Crop to Cup and XLIII Coffee, divided into two distinct rounds. Each round offered not just a tasting experience but a window into the stories behind every cup.

• Round 1 – Crop to Cup’s finest selections

Crop to Cup Coffee Importers presented eight outstanding coffees, each telling a unique story of innovation and community development. The collection featured three exceptional Ethiopian coffees demonstrating diverse processing methods, alongside a Rwandan coffee showcasing advanced anaerobic fermentation techniques. The lineup was further distinguished by sustainable farming examples from Latin America, including Bioma’s innovative drying experiments in Brazil, Artemira’s Cup of Excellence achievement from Peru, Totutla’s inspiring women’s empowerment story from Mexico, and Leyser Mondragon’s balanced flavor profile.

• Round 2 – XLIII Coffee’s curated collection

The session continued with XLIII Coffee’s distinctive collection of eight coffees, each representing unique approaches to sustainability and innovation. The East African offerings included Kefyalew Deressa’s creative innovations, Muburi’s water resource management insights, and Kinini Village’s empowerment initiatives. The Latin American selections presented diverse perspectives on sustainable development, from Volcan Valley’s flavor preservation artistry to Sudan Rume’s consistency in quality, complemented by Finca Soledad’s community development initiatives and Palestina Gesha’s ecological restoration efforts.

With the expert guidance of Erinn Buhyoff and XLIII Coffee’s team, participants explored the unique flavor profiles of all 16 coffees while gaining deeper understanding of the ongoing sustainability efforts by both Crop to Cup and XLIII Coffee across global coffee regions.

The talkshow segment with Crop to Cup’s Erinn Buhyoff offered fresh perspectives on sustainable coffee practices. As Sampling Director, Erinn shared insights into the delicate balance between quality assessment and building sustainable supply chains.

The discussion centered around three key themes:

• The philosophy of “Good coffee comes from good people” – revealed as a deeply rooted approach rather than merely a slogan. Erinn explained how this principle guides every aspect of their operations, from farmer relationships to quality control.
• Their revolutionary pricing model, designed to ensure fair compensation and build trust with farmers. This included detailed insights into their “flat-rate, cost-plus” approach, which provides farmers with predictable income and transparency in pricing structures.
• The role of technology in enhancing supply chain transparency and efficiency. The conversation explored how blockchain and other innovations are being implemented to create more traceable and accountable coffee sourcing.

The discussion delved into the challenges Crop to Cup faces in pursuing sustainability, particularly regarding climate change’s direct threat to coffee farming. Erinn emphasized their commitment to investing in farming communities, highlighting specific initiatives that create positive social impact beyond commercial considerations.

The Q&A session expanded into broader discussions about the long-term vision for sustainable coffee and the role of business partnerships. The collaboration between XLIII Coffee and Crop to Cup was highlighted as a model for how businesses can work together to drive positive change in the specialty coffee industry.

While the coffee aromas lingered and many stories remained untold within the program’s time constraints, Taste the Origin concluded with profound resonance among participants. The event fostered not just knowledge about specialty coffee but strengthened faith in the industry’s sustainable future. Both guests and XLIII Coffee’s team gained expanded perspectives on their roles and responsibilities within the coffee value chain.

The success of Taste the Origin extends beyond attendance numbers or media coverage to the meaningful values it conveyed. It demonstrated how Vietnam’s coffee community is maturing and ready to play an active role in shaping the global coffee industry’s future.

This Cupping & Talkshow marks the beginning of a longer journey toward building a sustainable foundation for specialty coffee. Through this event, each cup of coffee was elevated beyond a mere beverage to become testament to a sustainable value chain where every member is respected and united in their vision for the future.

XLIII Coffee and Crop to Cup look forward to welcoming you on more promising journeys ahead.