Corinna Kieft Storyteller

Coffee professionals like Jared Lyons with EcoCoffee in Waterloo teach that the first step to making a good cup of coffee is knowing how to identify and describe a particular blend’s taste, aroma, and mouthfeel. 

Lyons has been hosting ‘cupping’ classes at the roastery on weekends. What is normally a process reserved for professionals is now being taught to everyday coffee enthusiasts. Ed Denyer, EcoCoffee’s owner and founder, says that this can be credited to the development of coffee “waves” that he’s witnessed throughout his career. 

“Over the 20 years [we have been in operation], we’ve seen a huge uptake in specialty, we’ve seen a huge uptake in knowledge,” Denyer says.

The four coffee waves are generally agreed upon in the coffee community. The first is sold in bulk, such as the kind you would find at a supermarket. Second, coffee chains such as Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts. Third-wave coffee is known as luxury coffee, which means it’s often produced by smaller companies and will have the origin and roast date listed when sold. 

The fourth and final coffee wave centres around coffee research and chemistry, testing different methods, and innovating and fine-tuning new coffee recipes. 

Innovating coffee recipes and unique blends is essential to EcoCoffee, but Denyer feels that the core of his business is something different. 

Denyer says that running a coffee operation is all about people and relationships. “It became apparent that coffee was simply our medium but that our business was about people and about relationships,” he says on the company website. “We want to educate others in the best processes which create the best results and create satisfaction for those interested in something better than the norm.” 

If Denyer’s focus was on people and relationships, he’s doing an excellent job in Liana Nolan’s opinion. 

“It’s been over 10 years … We like coming here, sort of part of our daily routine, at least a few times a week.” Nolan says, talking about her experience with EcoCafe, EcoCoffee’s storefront where customers can purchase specialty coffee and pastries. “The staff are wonderful. They know our orders by heart.”