Best of 2006

January

Two new pages on Arizona Coffee — In the first month of this year, Arizona Coffee really came into its own with the addition of two pages, the list of Arizona Coffee Shops and Arizona Coffee Roasters. This had a big impact on the rest of the site.
The Coffee Vein opens in Tucson — A little gem of a coffee shop opened this year in Tucson. Next month they’re holding the Arizona Barista Jam. Talk about progress.

58 — That’s the number of coffee houses that were listed on this site as of February 6th. We now have about 90 at last count.
It’s a month of Coffee Trivia — I gathered 28 clever coffee trivia and posted a new one every day during February.

I’m at Mama Java’s Coffee House for bluegrass — I discover the entertainment at Mama Java’s Coffee House (minutes from my office).
Rain — I observe the phenomenon that is rain, and how coffee shops blossom during rainy days.
Birthday party for Arizona Coffee — Five people showed up at the Arizona Coffee birthday party. It was a great time and we’ll do it again this March.
Rocket Coffee Roasters — Becomes the first sponsor on Arizona Coffee.
Quality… Why Bother? — Jason Haeger’s first article for Arizona Coffee about quality.
My quest for the perfect Americano — Carmen Downer’s quest for a great Americano ends in Prescott.

Market Street Coffee? — One of the fanciest coffee houses in Arizona closes down.
Let’s Analyze Starbucks — The great community here at Arizona Coffee explains why Starbucks is what it is.
Coffee Brewing Basics — Larry Jones writes a great article for beginners or experts.

Interview: 20 Questions with Linda Gomez, co-owner of Inza Coffee in Scottsdale — My first interview with a coffee shop owner.
I visited Copper Star Coffee today — I make my first visit to Copper Star, one of the best joints in town.
Weather and Coffee — A mini review.

Coffee Training: Arizona Needs You — My shout out to people saying that we need more people to train baristas.
Arizona Coffee Podcast #1 with Larry Jones of Rocket Coffee Roasters — First ever podcast, and it went well. Will do more of these in 2007, as well as video interviews.

8 Seconds is Too Short Campaign — Continuation of the theme: baristas need better training.
It’s worth it, if only for the rush — Joey Robert Parks does a great review of Daily Rush.
Tucson by the Numbers — Recap of my trip to check out the Tucson coffee scene.

New Forum — Probably the best thing that happened this year. The Forum has become a thing of its own. Quick stats: 36 members, almost 600 posts in over 100 topics. Thank you Arizona!
Royal Coffee Bar in Downtown Phoenix — A gem.
Out of the Darkness and Into the Light: Appreciating Coffee for What it is — Jason Haeger fills us in on what the different roast levels mean.

Red Rock Foods Knows Coffee, and a Lot More — An awesome company.
The Coffee Shop, In Gilbert — Brian Sheahan gives us a glimpse of what’s happening in Gilbert.
High Marks for Rocket Coffee Roasters — Scored a very respectable 92 points from K. Davids “Coffee Review” site.

Thank you to our contributors! Carmen Downer, Scott Walters, Jason Haeger, Larry Jones, Brian Sheahan, and many others.