ESPY

05/02/2024

🇵🇸 PEOPLE'S CONFERENCE FOR PALESTINE 🇵🇸

espy is joining hundreds of organizations from around North America in endorsing the People's Conference for Palestine! We would love for you to join us in Detroit from May 24-26 for a three-day convention. Thousands of people are travelling to Detroit for this historic conference - movement leaders, community members, students, artists, and activists. This critical moment calls on us to deepen our relationships, strategies, and tactics, building unity for the struggle ahead.

Programming will consist of panels, workshops and cultural performances, with the aim of advancing political education and  popular consciousness. It's rare to get such an incredible opportunity to participate in an event like this, especially in our own corner of SE MI.

🇵🇸 REGISTER TO ATTEND 🇵🇸

The registration fees are a sliding scale donation that will go to rebuilding Gaza. but if money is a barrier use the code "DETROIT50" for 50% off. Ultimately, no one will be turned away who needs financial assistance, and there's a link on the registration page to a quick and easy form if you need the fee waived.

The registration page asks if you are a part of an organization - please mark "Yes" and type in "espy coffee"! We're really excited to see you all there, and would love to start a group chat to coordinate carpooling, espresso breaks, attending workshops as a group, etc. Let us know if you plan on attending!

Links in bio

05/10/2023

In anticipation of new coffees this summer, we're catching the Insta feed up with our subscription releases. Here's an excerpt from our December newsletter:

"
LA RESISTENCIA
The first coffee we purchased as espy was a multi-producer peaberry blend from Cafe Colis Resistencia, a group of indigenous Xincan coffee farmers and activists. This marked a turning point for us, in terms of refining our approach to sourcing coffee and eventually led us to fully commit to importing projects. Now in our third year of purchasing from the group, we are continually looking to this project as the model for the type of coffee buying we believe in.

(UN)SUSTAINABILITY
On the boxes of coffee you all received this month, we wrote: “It’d be easy to say that buying or drinking Eder’s coffee represents a more sustainable coffee industry, but it doesn’t”.

We absolutely believe that on a micro level, Eder’s family is materially impacted by their coffee sales (of which espy is half). With Semilla’s above market payments, they’re able to make a profit that allows them to pursue legal action against Pan American Silver. We’re equal parts proud and honored to support them in any ways we can, and will continue to try and grow our commitment to their project.

But we also know that this solution, roasters paying higher and higher prices for green coffee, can never be universalized. While the details are always hazy, those in specialty coffee (especially roasters) love to position themselves as the model for a mythical future of traceable microlots, a horizon where the axes of ethics (read: price?) and high cup scores converge. Experience has taught us to be deeply skeptical of even our own previously held convictions. Status quo specialty coffee, for all of its language about supporting producers, advances an ideology completely consistent with the very economic system that accelerates crises around the globe.
"

Check out Eder's beautiful coffee on our site, and our blog for the full archive of (at least the recent) monthly newsletters.

02/28/2023

DURAZNO from Santos Aguirre - washed catuaí

This is our second year with Don Santos’ coffee, and a milestone for us, as we were able to purchase the entire production of his small farm. Specialty coffee buying is often depersonalized, coming down to cup scores and price points that only serve to enlarge profit margins and egos. We‘re interested in commitment without condition, choosing instead to build relationships that are based in agency and mutual trust.

Santos was approached throughout the growing season with offers from multiple "coyote" buyers. These were cash offers brought all the way to his remote doorstep, even in the midst of climate uncertainty. He rejected each offer, telling them “we already have a client”. This is an example of how trust goes both ways. When we commit to buying his coffee every year, Santos is also committing to trust us enough to reject other offers. This is no small thing, and it’s deeply meaningful to us - hopefully just a glimpse of the sort of international relationships and connections we hope to build.

photo!! / import cred:

11/02/2022

MONKAABA from Marleyi Córdoba - washed tabi

We sent this new coffee from the project in our September subscriptions, and it is now live on our website for retail / wholesale folks! Here's part of the email we sent out a few months ago:

MARLEYI
Marleyi Cordoba works on her family's farm with her mother, and this is the first year they have sold specialty coffee. Her story is detailed really well in the attached packet, but to sum up, she returned home to farm coffee after some pretty rough patches of economic insecurity, the death of her brother and her father's departure from operating the family farm. We're so excited to see her being supported by the Monkaaba folks, and can't wait to see what the relationship grows into.

DIGGING INTO CHAOS
While we're just starting to get to know her story, we're already inspired by Marleyi's commitment to digging in. At this moment of uncertainty and volatility in her life, she is expanding her farm, reaching out to new markets, planting new varieties and investing in her ability to grow and process truly special coffee.

I think most of us can resonate with experiencing uncertainty, volatility, and accelerating chaos! I find myself having mirrored conversations over and over again. Whether across the bar at work or at the dinner table, there's clearly a widely experienced vibe of instability, of falling apart (for better or worse - but probably worse).

Objectively it's undeniable - the endless consolidation of capital, celebration of imperialist violence, inadequate response to climate apocalypse, etc. are all very real and very scary! BUT these are moments that can lift the veil and shake things up! With accelerating chaos necessarily comes accelerating potential. Instability can breed possibility, things can fall apart into the imaginary. One possible response to instability is to commit to self discipline, to dig in and get to work. One of Corita Kent's rules is: "Be self-disciplined — this means finding someone wise or smart and choosing to follow them." So this month, I'm going to try and follow Marleyi, and everyone else fighting apathy with action!

♥️S+P

09/27/2022

UMUSAZA - low O2 washed red bourbon, a subscription exclusive coffee from and

We sent out this coffee to espy subscribers in August, as the last of 4 Baho coffees we roasted this year. We're so grateful to those of y'all who've subscribed over the past few years. espy has grown to the level that we can actually purchase coffee specifically for sending our subscription program, which is super gratifying. Commitment is a big theme when talking about making the coffee value chain more equitable, and we deeply appreciate those that have committed to us.

If you missed this coffee, no worries! Swipe to see a small amount saved for a special occasion - stay tuned 😉 and subscribe so you don't miss the next one!!

A lot seperation from Baho’s Fugi station, Umusaza means “old man” in Kinyarwanda. This coffee comes from two of the eldest coffee farmers in the area, Protais Ntanyundo and Paulin Kamegeli. While the specialty coffee industry promises better terms for producers, the extractive market forces primarily hype the young and wealthy at the expense of rooted, sustainable growth. Baho-owner Emmanuel deeply respects older generations of farmers. In his words, these elder men form the “pillar of coffee growing in Rwanda”, providing historical context and generational wisdom to young producers.

To us, this is so inspiring! Sometimes in imagining a better world, it’s easy to dismiss that which came before. But anything real must be built relying on lessons of elders, even in our most radical pursuits.

04/20/2022

Update from the Resistance in Mataquescuintla

Urgent Call to Action

For Semilla (and espy), buying coffee from CCR is a commitment to people who must live in resistance. Historically, the members of CCR and the Xinka more generally have been unrecognized, unsupported and being stolen from daily. Their ultimate goal, and the aim of any project supporting their intere...

01/07/2022

MONKAABA - new coffee, long post - buckle up!

We're incredibly honored to roast our first coffee from the coffee project, imported by . Monkaaba is based in San Agustin, Huila, Colombia, and aims to lift up coffee producers in the area. Led by and other experienced coffee professionals, they focus on investing in the knowledge and skills of producers, connecting them to higher paying specialty markets and building meaningful lasting relationships across the coffee value chain.

A statement from Esnaider was passed along to us by Semilla, and we've been stewing over it for the last month. He speaks on the tensions of this "great dream, looking for a real impact in the coffee supply chain". How "small producers have been like instruments for companies - big and small". About the discrepancy between what coffee companies say about supporting coffee producers and the reality of who holds the risk. But he also speaks with unbridled love for this work and the people to do it, their stories and histories.

DMing with Sam and I on insta, he said, "On our side in origin, we are trying to work with many young producers to try to make a real generation relay where the young feel love and passion for coffee. And beyond that we want a team of friends to support each other and grow together. There are many young people full of dreams and hopes in this world of coffee."

And damn, even now, copying this from a saved note on my phone, I'm weepy about this. As part of a small company on the other side of a global supply chain entrenched in imperialism and exploitation, it feels so so real and good to have a conversation this full of hope and promise. Solidarity is a balm for alienation and despair! Building change IS hard, but "with good relationships, little by little it lasts".

Anyway! This absolutely delicious pink bourbon was grown by Diego Hoyos and his partner Lucy, two young coffee producers selling coffee through Monkaaba and Semilla for the first time. We're thrilled to be connected with them, as they have obviously put so much love into this coffee and their new-ish farm La Fortuna. ....... Continued in the comments lol

09/04/2021

Just in case you can't tell, Sam is THRILLED to show you all our new coffee!

Building on their work in Burundi, has started a new coffee project in Kenya! While their recently planted SL-28 seedlings are still a few years away from harvest, we're so excited to share this beautiful coffee from the Kiruga Factory.

This is the first Kenyan coffee we've had at espy. Coffees from Kenya have a reputation for being loud and vibrant, and this one is! We love drinking coffee this captivating, feeling how time stops when you take your first sip.

If you're a subscriber to espy, your Kiruga is on the way (or already arrived). Even if you're not, this coffee is now live on our website - make sure to get those orders in before Tuesday morning to make it on this week's roast :) ALSO pls check out the offerings for another brand new Kenyan coffee! Try them side by side! We wouldn't be able to roast with out their support ♥️

08/23/2021

Thanks to everyone who came out today! We had a blast meeting everyone, cooking and brewing for y'all. It was also so good to see old friends, customers from 3 jobs ago, etc... You know who you are! We're so thankful for you ♥️

Especially huge huge thanks to the family + staff, especially Yusef (pictured taking a VERY cute selfie). Love you guys, best friends forever?

If you missed this, don't fret! Stay tuned for more events in the future. In the meantime, go grab yourself lunch at El Harissa tomorrow - I promise their food will fill your soul up. We also made extra coffee fizz for bottling (!), and will announce a pickup scheme on the page shortly.

That's all for now! We had so much fun today :) until next time

Pete + Sam

08/22/2021

Absolutely obsessed with these peaches! This is the best Michigan peach season I can remember, literally shed happy tears eating one the other day 🥲

Come grab these beautiful spelt sourdough pancakes tomorrow from 10-2 at in Ann Arbor! Served with pureed + sliced peaches and wild carrot flower infused honey 🐝🌼🍑🥞 Can't wait to see everyone! Feel free to preorder through the link in our bio, supplies are limited and this is the best way to make sure we have what you're coming for!

08/21/2021

What a time to be alive! So many gorgeous fruits and veg coming out of the AA farms these late summer days. Nailed down the final details of our Monday pop-up this morning, so I'm thrilled to announce that the menu is LIVE! Feel free to pre-order via the link in our bio if you don't want to miss out on trying something!

FOOD
Sourdough pancakes
Whole kernel spelt, red haven peach, wild carrot flower, honey

Frittata
Farm eggs, potato, zucchini, caramelized leeks. Served with roasted and raw tomatoes + peppers

Green salad
Moonglow pears, nigella, dill, preserved lemon

Plum pie
Rye butter crust

DRINKS
Hot coffee
La Resistencia

Coffee fizz
Fermented La Claudina and blueberries from Carol 💙

Iced miel
Los Hermanos concentrate, oat milk, honey + aniseed

We'll also have the three coffees we're serving available for purchase in vac-sealed boxes!

Can't wait to see y'all! Sam and I are super excited. DM us if you have any questions about the menu or ordering ☕🥞🥗🍾🥧🍳

08/16/2021

Hey folks! Here's some exciting news :)

espy is going to be popping up at El Harissa in Ann Arbor on August 23 (next Monday) from 10a-2p. This is our first pop-up in AA, and the first time we'll be serving food! I (Peter) first fell in love with the coffee business as a long play to find fulfilling food work that didn't include late night dinner shifts, and it's definitely a huge milestone to start cooking for espy. Truly can't wait to feed y'all 🍴

Sam and I will be there slinging brewed coffee, , the iced oat milk drink of your dreams and our favorite SE MI veg, fruit, grains. More details + menu to come!