The Van - My Office On Wheels

The Wake-Up! Coffee Van

My discovery of the freshness factor when it comes to coffee led me to ask the question, "How can I share my discovery with others?" The inspiration I received was about creating a way to roast and deliver my coffee as fresh as possible.

I have also been wanting to drive a vehicle that runs on biodiesel. In order to do this I needed a diesel engine. I began looking on craigslist for a diesel van (which is very hard to find). I found one available in my area. I contacted the owner who turned out to be someone who lived less than a mile up the road! (I live in a very rural area). He was selling an '82 Chevy G-20 van with a transplanted diesel engine. Problem was, he was told that the Fuel Injector Pump needed to be replaced which could cost into the thousands. I had a feeling this could be my van and went to take a look. When I saw it from the outside I knew it was perfect! Then I looked inside and saw the engine completely apart. If I wanted to proceed, I would have to have it towed to a garage for further inspection. Again, I had a feeling that this was my coffee van and gave my friend $200 (a 50% deposit), called AAA and had it towed to a garage in Medford.

As luck, and my intuition, would have it it turned out to be a clogged fuel filter. The garage replaced the fuel filters and put the engine back together for a total cost of $402. I gratefully paid my friend the $200 balance and drove my Wake-Up! Coffee van home.

Waking Up!

I love coffee! For the past 10 years or so I have been making espresso every morning and always trying to brew the perfect cup. In the beginning I thought it was all about the proper grinding of the beans combined with a barrista expertise with my espresso machine (I use a La Pavoni Europiccola machine). I was ignorant about how the quality and the roasting of the beans were a part of the process to create 'the perfect cup'.

Once I started roasting coffee at home I was amazed by the results. I had made a quantum leap closer to 'the perfect cup'. I Woke-Up to the most important factor when it comes to coffee. Freshness. And the most critical time period for enjoying that freshness is consuming the coffee within 3 or 4 days after roasting. My research revealed a mantra uttered by coffee experts around the world, 'fresh roasted coffee always tastes better!'

Inauguration Day - Paradigm Shift!

Today I can feel the world abuzz with excitement, hope, and redemption. We have all waited a long time for this time to come and now it is here! Present in all its glory!

A new era has begun and with it I begin a new venture. I call it "Wake-Up!" and it's part coffee roasting and part consciousness raising. I am committed to creating a sustainable green business through my products and business practices while having as much fun as possible.

I created this blog to share my experiences so that I can better appreciate the unfolding that is taking place in my life. I invite you to take this journey with me and I welcome feedback and input throughout the process.