While we definitely recommend applying for every award you possibly can; Roaster X has a special affinity for the Golden Cup. Standardization of 'quality control' is a key element to long term success within our industry.

It's great to say 'our coffeehouse has the best coffee'. The Golden Cup award is the tool to back that statement up. The Golden Cup offers your customers the assurance that your house coffee is brewed based on the 'optimum brewing standards' set up by the Specialty Coffee Association of America (www.scaa.org).

The Golden Cup offers additional promotional aspects; It is a new enough program that chances are you will be the first coffeehouse in your area to win the award. The standards are just difficult enough that most larger retail chains don't want to mess with it; an additional advantage for your independent coffeehouse! The program has enough national exposure that your coffeehouse will gain in overall public recognition. While our coffeehouse hasn't increased house coffee sales markedly since we received the Golden Cup two years ago, we have gained exceptional bragging rights, our customers have become even more loyal due to our commitment to quality, and we regularly receive email from travelers asking for directions to our shop from the freeway!

The Golden Cup award is a set of brewing standards. The award consists of submitting to Roaster X;

a water sample from the brewer, a brewed coffee sample and a couple of simple forms.

For the award there are a number of tests which we complete in house including Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Relative pH, and brew strength ratios. The award states a 'brew master' (owner/ manager) who oversees the day to day operations, and sets forth the following basic standards:

• Clean and properly functioning brewing equipment.
• Coffee to water ratio of 3.25-4.25 ounces of coffee for 64 ounces of water.
• Total brew time (time of coffee to water contact) of 3-8 minutes.
• Brew temperature of 195-205 degrees.
• Total hold time of brewed coffee of no more than 30 minutes.

Roaster X is a 'Golden Cup' certified roaster. We can provide all the quality standards, technical data, and testing necessary to award your coffee service! In addition, we have assisted several of our customers in winning the 'TOPS' retail award, another valuable advertising tool, and another certificate to display. Your customers recognize quality.

Want more info on these programs? Visit the Specialty Coffee Association of America, and email roaster X for our 'Golden Cup' package!