Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea, a Columbus, Ohio-based coffee roaster and coffee franchise alternative, is a finalist in the America’s Best Espresso competition atCoffee Fest New York, March 8 to 10. The only finalist from central Ohio, Crimson Cup is one of 24 coffee roasters facing off head to head in a winner move on, loser go home tournament competition to determine America’s best espresso blend and roast.
Crimson Cup entered its signature Armando’s Blend® in the competition. “We believe Armando’s Blend® deserves a title shot for America’s Best Espresso because it’s a multifaceted coffee house superstar,” said Greg Ubert, founder and president. “It tastes great as a straight espresso, a cold-brew espresso, or even hand-poured or drip coffee; and it blends smoothly with milk and syrups in lattes and mochas."
To prepare Armando’s Blend, Master Roaster Dave Rochus hand-roasts a compellation of Class 1 Specialty Grade coffee beans to a Vienna – or Medium – roast at Crimson Cup’s headquarters. Sweet and smooth with a nutty undertone, Armando’s Blend® repeatedly has won blind taste tests against a vast array of espresso blends, making it Crimson Cup’s top-seller for more than 20 years. Armando’s Blend® is available at more than 350 independent coffee houses, restaurants, colleges and universities and specialty grocers in 28 states.
Crimson Cup’s first appearance in the competition is at 3:26 p.m. Friday, March 7, when company baristas will pull shots of Armando’s Blend® for a panel of three judges, Armando’s Blend® and a competing espresso will be evaluated for flavor complexity, mouth feel and appeal, and aftertaste. The winner moves on to the next round of competition.
America's Best Espresso Eastern Championship competition takes place March 8 to 10 at Coffee Fest New York, a coffee industry trade show held in Hall 1 D and E of the Jacob Javits Convention Center, 655 W. 34th Street. The winner of the America's Best Espresso title will be crowned Sunday afternoon.
About Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea
Since 1991, Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea has roasted and packaged quality, great-tasting coffee in Columbus, Ohio and taught independent business owners how to be successful in specialty coffee through its coffee franchise alternative program. In 2007, Crimson Cup opened its first company-owned coffee house, which joined a network of more than 350 independent coffee houses, grocers, college and universities, and food service operations across 28 states that serve Crimson Cup beverages. For more information, visit crimsoncup.com.
