|
F&B World March - April 2007
Pacita "Chit" Juan is the formidable woman behind the 100% Filipino-owned chain of specialty coffee shops - Figaro Coffee Company. She is also the Executive Director of the Figaro Foundation Corporation and the Co-Chairperson of the Philippine Coffee Board. A prime mover of the Save the Barako Campaign, Chit Juan has been working hard to elevate our local Barako coffee. It may be a source of national pride but one that has been sadly neglected over time. Because of her hard work and dedication to the Big Bean, she has sparked awareness about the importance of saving it, along with the help of consumers, volunteers and farmers. In Barako: The Big Bean (published in 2005), Juan co-writes with Dr. Alejandro Mojica the definitive book about our local bean – how different it is from other coffee bean varieties, how it put our country on the map, and how it is developed from farm to coffee cup. With interesting information of its growth, harvest, grinding, brewing, cupping and storing, Barako: The Big Bean is definitely a book you will read from start to finish. And it doesn't end there. The book also features coffee recipes and native rice cake recipes that are a must try for anyone with a passion for homegrown coffee and Filipino food. It also recounts the inspiring tale of Dr. Amado "Amading" Silva, the original Barako Man and owner of Siete Baracos Coffee.
Ever heard of "sip, slurp, spit?" Get to experience a coffee "tasting" in the chapter on "Cupping." And just as the saying "save the best for last" goes, the last few chapters entitled "Our Ticket to Fame," "Barako to the World" and "An Open Letter to Pinoys Abroad" give a slight pinch to the heart, calling Filipinos to take pride in our homegrown native coffee, and challenging all of us to help revive Philippine Barako and bring it to the rest of the world. Hopefully, our country will once again be a major producer and exporter of coffee. We have a lot of catching up to do and the industry needs all the help to make a difference. Thanks to Juan and Mojica, Barako: The Big Bean is an important step in this direction.
Once again, the doyenne of Philippine coffee, Pacita "Chit" Juan, is back to give more interesting insights on the drink that has captured the taste buds of people around the world. This time, she teams up with the equally passionate Ma. Regina "Reena" S. Francisco, COO and Director for Stakeholder Relations of Figaro Coffee Company, to present An Introduction to Coffee. As the outside back cover states, this book is a must-read for students, professionals, coffee experts and avid coffee consumers. It is filled with information and instructions on how to make that perfect cup of coffee. The book starts with a concise history of coffee from its origins until it landed on our shores, then moves on to the different phases of specialty coffee. From plant to cup, appreciate the goodness of coffee as it is grown, roasted to perfection, and brewed to its fullness. The "Barista Guide" is all about the art and science of making coffee. With the help of illustrations and simple instructions, learn tips on how to brew coffee, how to use an espresso machine, what are the basic espresso concoctions, along with the different barista tools and accessories.
For those who want to take their passion for coffee a step further, the next chapter is called "Setting up a Coffee Shop - the Do-it-Yourself Guide." Understand the business side of coffee and gain insights on how to run a successful coffee shop. Learn from the real world experiences of the authors who have made a name for themselves in the industry, thanks in large part to their love for the brew. The book also has a chapter on coffee exercises to test readers on their knowledge of coffee. An Introduction to Coffee is perfectly capped with the chapter, "A World of Coffee - Recipes and Concoctions." For both the coffee expert and novice, this handy book will definitely enhance your coffee knowledge and even challenge your creativity.
|
