Coffee for a Cause

[tap tap tap]...is this thing on? Why hello! It's been a while. I promise my recent absence is only due to having my hands tied with lots of fun things that I absolutely plan to share with you soon (like a whole bunch of stuff around the house, the beginning stages of putting together a trip to Europe, and, of course, noms).

I needed to get back to blogging because I have something very important to share with you. My dear friend Jason Dominy is planning a trip to Africa. You might remember Jason from some of my previous posts. Jason Dominy is Batdorf & Bronson's Head of Bean Knowledgy (yes, that's a real word) and all-around coffee enthusiast. No, "enthusiast" seems like a bit of an understatement. This dude has a tattoo of a coffee bean; I think it's safe to say he pretty much lives and breathes it. 

He's so passionate about coffee, that he's dedicated his life not only to the bean itself, but to the farmers who bring us this marvelous crop. He and his wife April have served an organization called Blood:Water Mission for nearly a decade. Blood:Water Mission is a grassroots program that takes on important issues facing African farmers, such as a lack of clean water and HIV/AIDS. This organization's work creates healthier farmers, which not only brings better coffee, but a brighter future for the farmers' children.


As I mentioned, Jason has a unique opportunity to accompany this organization to Uganda on a service trip. He'll visit a center for people living with HIV/AIDS, which Blood:Water built in 2010. He'll visit villages that are re-establishing themselves after decades of war. And you can help get him there!


My friends over at Atlanta Culinary Tours have generously decided to donate all of the proceeds of one of their Coffee 101 tours with Jason. I've personally attended this particular tour, and it's one of my favorites! After just two hours, you'll be able to answer these questions:

• How does a coffee's origin influence flavor?
• What's involved in the roasting process?
• Okay, I feel like I should know this but seriously...what does "fair trade" mean exactly?!

This tour for a cause will be held Monday, August 20th at 7pm. Please visit Atlanta Culinary Tours' website to purchase tickets, and hurry because space is limited! If you're unable to attend, don't worry! You can still donate to Jason through his Crowdrise page. So whatdya say? Will I see you there?