Gourmet Coffee Reviews

South Sound bloggers were abuzz recently about the possible demise of Commencement Bay Coffee Co., the coffee shop and former roasterie at 2354 Jefferson Ave. in Tacoma.

Seems the owner, Keith Prichard, has been ordered by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency to pay a civil penalty of $8,730 – which is down from an original penalty of $13,878 – assessed because Prichard continued to roast coffee without proper attention to mitigation. He had been told to use an “after-burner” that incinerates particulates that could, and did, rise into the air.

“I’ve had a problem with them for over three years,” Prichard said. (“Them” is the clean air agency.) “I feel I’ve been unfairly fined for the whole affair. They say I need to send a check, or we’ll go to court. I’m at the point, if they pursue that, I’ll have to close.”

Jim Nolan, director of compliance at the agency, said that Prichard installed the roaster without a permit and without an air pollution control device.

After an initial confrontation, the agency changed its regulations to allow roasters the unmitigated roasting of 10 pounds or less per batch. Prichard was roasting 30.

The agency offered Prichard three options: control the pollution; get a smaller roaster; or contract with another roaster who complies with the law. Prichard now buys his roasted coffee from Martin Henry Coffee Rosters of Puyallup.

“He continued to run until we caught him in January 2007,” Nolan said. “He had made no progress, and continued to roast. Our view was that he was trying to ignore the issue. The penalty was for operating past the due date.”

“I was waiting for them to come and talk to me,” said Prichard, in his defense.

“Then he had the right to appeal, which he never did,” Nolan said. “We’ve been trying to work with him. His time for appeal went out. We sent him a form letter, an order of civil penalty. We’re always willing to talk to him about a settlement. If he’d like to engage with us, we’re willing to talk about a settlement. If he does nothing, eventually we’ll file a lawsuit.”

“I’ll talk to them,” said Prichard. “I want them to leave me alone.”

For more information, visit coffeeuniverse.com

Global hot beverages market is expected to witness steady growth through the 2001-2010 period to reach 9.7 million tons in sales by 2010. Growth in the coffee and tea industries would be driven by rising awareness about health benefits of these products, and quality. While coffee continues to grow in popularity as a premium product, particularly among young adults in developed nations, tea is gaining ground due to its medical benefits in lowering the risk associated with stroke, coronary heart disease and some forms of cancer. The rising price of regular coffee is further contributing to the growing demand for specialty coffee products.

China and India are emerging as major tea and coffee producing and consuming markets in the world. Rising disposable income, improved lifestyle, urbanization, wider acceptance of western culture and lifting of retail restrictions are prime factors contributing to the increased consumption of coffee in China. The presence of a largely under-penetrated market is proving to be a major factor pushing international players in the coffee market to enter China. Coffee market in China is forecast to exceed 100 thousand tons in sales by the year 2010. India, on the other hand, is the leading producer and consumer of tea in the world. Tea industry, governed by stringent regulations, is a significant contributor to the nation’s economy.

Europe represents the leading hot beverages (coffee and tea) market for 2007, both in terms of value and volume sales, accounting for about 45% share of the dollar market for the year, as stated by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

For more information, visit strategyR.com