Video proof http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKAJkzvGSB4

I do know for a fact that you invented the first ever 360 spin off on an Intelly deck at Chicago Coffeefest in 2008? I had always worn dress shoes while working in my booth, until that day. Now Van’s are the official foot wear of EP….. Your free to take credit for that if you would like.

Oh and by the way, get back to work.

You get the “3rd cojon” award!

I understand the spirit of your post in that you’ve publicly risked a lot, and it’s paid off for you, other roasters, growers, exporters, importers, retailers and ultimately consumers. Education is not cheap and you’ve certainly paid the price. More than people know, I’m sure. You’ve articulated your commitments to your customers as well as competitors. What I find most distinctive though is not that you may or may not have done something first. But that you were ballsy in the first place and that you continue on with you’re commitments constantly looking to improve.

I’m sure you won’t be suing anyone, and lets be honest I’m sure you won’t be giving up or getting over it any time soon either. Sorry Tom. I can’t imagine its less frustrating every time a new roaster puts DT or FARM GATE COFFEE on their website because they tacked on a farm visit to their vacation and got some great photos along the way.

Nice job keeping the gloves on though.

Sometimes we learn the most from failures. Anyone who has taken big risks has probably had some big falls. priceless stuff. I’m sure you must have had some bumps in the road back in 2003 in your green buying efforts? and even today..? I’m sure offering coffee In Season comes with it’s challenges beyond what most perceive. – Edwin

Ok I’m ready to move on. I do like a good fight. And yes, maybe I am enjoying this a bit more than I should. We’ve met on many occasions and I happen to think you are a really nice guy. You may now think I am an ass, but I hope not. Anyway you are right in saying that people will riff on a good idea and in the case of Direct Trade and seasonality I think that was honestly always the hope. Believe it or not, our desire was that these things become expansive and change how coffee is developed, purchased, perceived and enjoyed. They were to be “open source” so to speak. So here’s the deal. We promise to keep pouring our energy into making the coffee better and more valuable and that everyone involved can benefit from this evolution. That’s it. As for blogging to the top of the Sprudge mountain, I’ll leave that to those that have a lot more time on their hands than I do. We’ve got work to do.

I think you are right to say that we in the US definitely can miss what else is going on in the world. Solberg and Kaffa have always been leading edge companies and have done great work. I certainly think coffee roasters have been buying direct (probably for awhile) and have had seasonality (more recently) as part of what they do for some time. I do however think offering a formalized system with specific guidelines and a name is helpful and can absolutely act as a catalyst industrywide. It would be difficult to argue that the guidelines for and the name Direct Trade have not had this effect.

The first time I heard about the concept of buying directly from farmers paying a higher price was through Solberg & Hansen in Norway back in 1999. This concept actually became a result of the first Brazil Cup of Excellence in 99 and I know S&H has ever since they bought that winning lot, tried to buy all their coffees directly. Wether they call it Direct trade or not, I really don’t care as long as the principles of quality coffee for a quality price and a transparent trade model is followed.

As for seasonality this has been around for some years too. KAFFA in norway has had seasonality in their brochure of coffees ever since they started in 2001. We have focused on seasonality ever since our start in 2007 with our espresso blend changing according to coffee harvest seasons.

But as Tom says, who cares who named it first. The most important is that these ideas are helping the industry forward. So stop fighting about “who was first” and start spending your energy on coming up with more of these briliant ideas on how to make the coffee world better.

Lastly I would like to applaud you, Doug, and Intelligentsia for being a fantastic role model for a lot of people in the coffee industry. You guys are doing fantastic work!

I appreciate the criticism. So then why call it Farm Gate Coffee™ (http://www.sweetmarias.com/farmgatecoffee.php) on your site? Is that a silly name? Why not call it nothing? Would you feel differently if Farm Gate Coffee were used recklessly by a lot of other roasters that completely distorted its original well-founded meaning and risk that it becomes meaningless? Would you sit quietly? I agree with the idea of improving the process and the product. I always have and always will. I think our track record in coffee has proven this to be true. I have been quiet for many, many years, but when folks are merely following suit and say they are the ones that hatched an idea, I will probably speak up. If this offends you, I apologize. If you think it’s dumb, I can live with that. As for the quiet folks you mentioned, I think they are great too.