Coffee is Rwanda’s leading export crop and contributes, on average, 24 percent of total agricultural exports over the last decade. Coffee for this landlocked nation supports the livelihoods of 400,000 farmers and their families.

Our Rwandan has been provided by the Kopakaki cooperative. Kopakaki means “cooperative of farmers of Kibuye”. The cooperative was established in 2005 with 90 farmers which has grown to 1,184 small holder farmers with over 2,114,800 coffee trees. The cooperative has boasted rapid growth and adopts a continuous improvement ethos to its work. The cooperative aims to support coffee producers within the region through capacity building, coffee processing and access to market.

Despite the positive, accelerated growth, the Rwandan coffee industry has endured several challenges and issues over the last century. The potato defect, world coffee price crisis, the devastating genocide and the struggle for independence. The resilience has paid dividend, Rwanda has seen a 23% increase in investments and circa 35,000 jobs created with a target of 10% increase each year. Rwanda has one of the fastest growing economies in the world but does not reflect the issues within the myriad of the coffee industry.

The growth is paradoxically accompanied with mass youth under and unemployment. A significant percentage of youths’ work without pay on family farms or as waged farmhands for independent farmers. With opportunity of this nature, many are disregarding a future with coffee and moving to the city to seek an alternative.

Prices, market complexity and high risk/low reward are the dominant factors deterring the future coffee farmers of Rwanda. Potential farmers are attracted to the ‘Iron Sky’ of the city, creating a void of uncertainty with the nations age old industry.

A lack of motivation within the industry aims to be remedied with fairness, communication of adequate knowledge and equal opportunity. There are several organisations working to reconnect workers with the industry, providing incentive and adequate support for growth. In addition to third party organisations, responsibility lies with the supply chain in its entirety. All organsations has a role to safeguard the sustainability of the industry and promote fairness.

The void is far from being rectified. With that said, identifying a deficiency is the first stepping stone as a solution to an issue is derived. The current coffee population will be required to work closely and diligently with their successors. Adapting to change will be paramount to restoring youths’ purpose within the industry.

The intent to establish change is never redundant providing its executed with purpose.

Drink to a positive future.

BDC.

Papua New Guinea - ‘Dexter McCabe’

Specialty coffee; its different. Its unique. It is a beacon amongst the ubiquitous commercial coffee industry.

The coffee is of the highest quality, often fully traceable and processed very meticulously post-harvest. The green beans are nurtured in specific climates and at high elevation, promoting a hospitable environment for growth.

Specialty coffee should not be confused with gourmet or commodity coffee. Commodity coffee does not meet specific quality standards required of specialty coffee. The expense for specialty is undoubtedly justified by the quality, the process, and the story behind the coffee.

One noteworthy story comes from an ‘underdog’ within the specialty coffee industry – Papua New Guinea.

Our first encounter with coffee from PNG was completely serendipitous which has led us to investigate this understated nation further.

Coffee Production in PNG

Coffee production in PNG is dominated by village-based smallholder farmers, growing coffee in gardens up to two hectares in size. Smallholder farmers are responsible for over 85% of PNG’s annual harvest, making coffee a crucial source of income for more than 2.5 million inhabitants.

Despite the vital role coffee plays within the economy, production and export has been on a decline since the 1990s. Researchers have been working to derive methods which will facilitate the growth of the industry. Strengthening collective action and establishing strong partnerships between farmers, processors and buyers has been identified as paramount.

Farmers that grow together, prosper together.

Opportunities exist for smallholder farmers to collectively produce and market their coffee through grower cooperatives.

Through collective action, farmers can double productivity, negotiate improved prices, overcome information deficiencies among their peers, reduce transaction costs and become mediums for sourcing other services from chain leaders.

Social cohesion and social capital are vital in collective action, it facilitates networks, builds trust among members, and promotes shared vision. Values and norms become the shared common purpose amongst farmers and facilitates drive.

The PNG coffee market is thriving once again. With improved income smallholder farmers receive from specialty and high value coffee, they can access health services, pay school fees for their children, and increase their overall quality of life.

It is the story of perseverance, collaboration and cohesion which makes this coffee specialty.

Evidently, greatness is never achieved alone.

A communal purpose facilitates growth, communication, and quality of life. PNG is a small nation packed with grit, drive, and determination.

It is unanimously apt that it is our - ‘Deter McCabe’.

Happy Easter!

BDC.

Now that the end of lockdown is in sight; the evenings draw longer and the thought of summer gets more inviting, the Big Dog collaboration with Platfform will begin. Working with Platfform has been an exciting prospect for Big Dog; our brands’ ethos aligns unequivocally with the strategy and values of Platfform. There is a unified mission for connection, transformation, and social change.

Big Dog live into our values through the power of coffee. Platfform facilitate and deliver their mission through numerous projects within the community. One specific project close to our hearts is the Tarragan Gardens. Tarragan is a community organic gardening project based in Bargoed. The gardens are meticulously cared for by volunteers, platform staff and two community stalwarts: John & Ron. During these strange, uncertain times, the Taraggan community gardens have provided a safe, welcoming space. Throughout lockdown, volunteers and Platfform staff have met weekly to distribute wellbeing, fresh fruit & vegetable packs throughout the community. In such a disconcerting time, Platfform have maintained a connection with individuals through the wonderful produce of Tarragan.

Big Dog felt immediately connected to the gardens, it is nothing short of an oasis within the community. John and Ron are gentlemen of true grit, personality and are wholeheartedly connected to our community. The Tarragan will be the hub for the Big Dog walks and a fitting space to enjoy coffee & conversation.

Please keep your eye out for the start date and we hope for you to join us.

Enjoy the weekend. Come on Wales!

BDC.

Female empowerment - promoting a women’s sense of self-worth, the freedom of choice and the right to influence personal and social change. The month of March celebrates the emancipation of the female race and allows us to provide gratitude to all women within our lives.

The coffee industry has traditionally been dominated by males and provided little attribution to the efforts and struggles of females within the industry. This notion began to change in 2003; The Café Femenino Coffee began. The movement was born to permit female coffee farmers with the credit and voice they required to build an improved future for themselves, their families, and their communities.

The movement started in Peru where an innovative idea was conceived by Isabel Uriarte Latorre and her husband Victor Rojas Diaz, both members of small farming families from the Cajamarca region. The idea - pay women directly for the coffee they produced, in turn, facilitating economic and social equality.

Coffee that empowers women.

Not only is Café Femenino Coffee produced by women farmers, but women also play an integral role in all aspects of supply. The importer, Organic Products Trading Company, was co-founded by a woman. The roasting team is led by a woman, and women drive the sales and marketing for Café Femenino Coffee.

The movement within the coffee industry is revolutionary. It has aimed to significantly impact society with the hope to change human endeavour for the better.

Big Dog want to express our gratitude to women, from all walks of life. As we drink our coffee to begin our week, we will provide appreciation to the women that have helped shape our lives. To the women who have aided us to see the good, persevere with tough and create purpose.

BDC.

Transforming green beans into complex, flavoursome brown beans, is entirely dependent upon the act of roasting.

The most traditional and highly prevalent method for roasting coffee is with a drum roaster. In simplistic terms, it’s a rotating metal drum that has heat applied to the outside, usually from below, and with air flowing through the drum to remove unwanted roasting fumes.

The person responsible for roasting manipulates many elements of the process – Air Speed, heat application and drum speed, all influence the final characteristics of the coffee.

The roasting process is critical, it unlocks the complex flavor and aroma profile of the green beans. The flavor components within coffee are vast, meticulous care and diligence are required to maintain consistent, flavorful coffee.

Taking control of the roasting process was our primary goal of 2021. Diversifying into a local, independent roaster, increases our focus on quality, identity, and brand authenticity.

Big Dog has chosen to work with Besca Roasters. Over the coming months they will be manufacturing and delivering our exquisite drum roaster.

The growth of Big Dog will be facilitated by our new roaster and we will keep you informed as an empty space gets transformed into the Big Dog roastery.

We hope you continue sharing our journey and enjoy a cup of Big Dog along the way.

BDC.

It’s simple, quality coffee delivered straight to your door

Big Dog are not your K9 companion, but we’ll be your loyal coffee bean supplier

Never run out of coffee again and trust Big Dog to deliver your beans … with purpose.

Why Subscribe?

Subscriptions are a great way to get your consistent coffee fix without the hassle of repeat ordering.

No catches … cancel or pause whenever you like. That Simple.

How does it work?

The Coffee

Our beans are accurately selected, from direct trade and roasted with absolute care. If you are looking for consistency with your brew or an exploration of flavor, Big Dog will bring it to life.

Fresh Roasted

Freshness is essential. All our coffees are roasted, packed and on their way to you within 5 days of signing up.

Delivery

Simple. Hassle free. Delivery included – all orders are sent via 2nd class post

Coffee is the most consumed beverage worldwide and it’s essential for the coffee industry to meet consumer demands. There is a major growth within the coffee market which has had a significant influence on society.

As the industry grows, it’ becoming increasingly vital to understand who exactly drinks coffee and why. Generational differences in consumer behavior often results in stronger preference towards certain brands and products.

The Generation groups are as follows:

· The Silent Generation 1928-1945 (75-92)
· Baby Boomers 1946-1964 (56-74)
· Generation X 1965-1980 (40-55)
· Millennials 1981-1996 (24-39)
· Generation Z 1997-Present (0-23)

All generations have varying preferences where the food and beverage industry is concerned, coffee more than most. Millennials have reshaped the coffee industry with their desire for specific requirements that revolve around sustainability and adventurous flavors. However, it has been found that the older generations drink more coffee than the younger. The age group which consumes the most coffee is the silent generation (60+), with the millennials coming in a close second. Contrastingly, the lowest consumers of coffee are generation Z.

Millennials are very adventurous when it comes to coffee, they tend to lean towards trends; ready to drink coffee options, nitro & cold-brew coffee. There is an increased desire for premium products and millennials are consuming increasing amounts of coffee. There is a dominant emphasis on premiumization within the generation. However, it has been stated that older generations are investing in their coffee consumption with an increase in preference for specialty coffee.

Sustainability is a fundamental trend that many consumers consider as they commit to their coffee purchases. Sustainability has had a significant impact on the consumption habits of the younger generations, specifically millennials. Millennials are questioning the origin of their coffee with increased depth and intent (Organic, Fair & direct trade etc.). This generation predominantly look for sustainability strategies and initiatives which improve our local and global societies & environment. However, sustainability extends itself cross generationally and positively influences their coffee purchases.

With the coffee industry continuing to grow, it’s more vital than ever for businesses to diversify and differentiate to capture the demands of their specific market. The demand for quality, sustainable coffee is unified across generations. Consumers aim to connect with brand authenticity and practices, in turn, positively impacting their purchases. The ‘triple bottom line’ for Big Dog Coffee will be paramount as we continue to move through uncertain times. We hope the authenticity and values, on which Big Dog was created, extend to all our current and future generations. Big Dog aim to provide the coffee and purpose for all.

BDC.

For us at Big Dog, 2020 was testing and nothing short of difficult, I’m sure many of you would relate.

A lesson learned – it’s what you have, not what you do not.

An investment of the world’s most precious commodity – time – into the closest of people, has seen the creation of a brand we love. Big Dog is our purpose.

In a year riddled with adversity, challenge, and emotion, it has been our beacon of strength and resolve. Big Dog isn’t only immense coffee, it’s resilience, connection and our motivation.

As opposed to wondering what the year will bring, we are manifesting our intent to deliver our goals during the year ahead.

Subscriptions – during the first quarter of 2021 Big Dog will be rolling out our new subscription service. We want to ensure all current and prospective customers are provided with a service which meets all of their coffee demands.

A New Year = New Quality Coffee

To all our K9’s, please standby as we will be calling upon you to take up the name of our new, carefully selected origins with pride.

New merchandise lines are in the pipeline and please keep your eyes peeled for our visits to The Dog Rescue Hotel over the course of the year.

Our eagerly anticipated communal dog walks with Platfform are currently on hold. However, as soon as it’s safe to do so, our collaboration with Platfform will officially begin.

It’s a dream which has materialised into a reality. We hope the future brings steady, sustainable growth; enduring customer relationships and authenticity through a brand everyone relates to.

Here’s to 2021 & Big Dog Coffee.

BDC.

Coffee is a commodity. Its traded on the stock exchange and is subject to major instability. It's one of the most frequently traded products and the UK alone drinks 100 million cups of coffee a day.

Like oil and gold, the price per lb increases and decreases all too frequently. Weather conditions, labor rates, quality of crop and traders short selling all affect the worth of our much-loved beverage.

To Big dog, coffee is more than a commodity; it’s the catalyst to our purpose. Along with our dogs, coffee has been one of the simple things we have entrusted with our faith. Coffee to us is not just a caffeine fix or a warming drink, it facilitates communication and assists in building community.

Like the developing countries around the world, Big Dog has felt it vital to support social change and the mental well-being of the people within our communities close to home. A triple bottom is paramount to the core of our business and Big Dog are privileged to move into 2021 with Platfform.

Platfform. For Mental Health & Social Change.

Platfform work with people who are experiencing challenges with their mental health, and with communities who want to create a greater sense of connection, ownership, and well-being in the places that they live.

Platfform are connected, compassionate, brave, and curious. Their vision is sustainable well-being for all. A sense of connection is fundamental for well-being. It includes feeling connected with people, places, communication, nature, supportive organisations, and the wider world.

Big Dog will commence working alongside Platfform in January 2021. The collaboration will initially deliver regular scheduled dogs walks, where anyone will be welcome to join, converse and walk with other people from the community.

Big Dog hope this is just the beginning, and as we grow, we will aim to create opportunities for people in need within our communities through Platfform.

We want to thank Platfform for such an incredible opportunity and cannot wait to share our Big Dog community.

Here’s to Community, Coffee & Dogs.

BDC.

Coffee is the catalyst for our Big Dog community and from the beginning of our journey, we've had an overwhelming reception to the essence behind Big Dog.

Over the past month we have been working to collaborate with businesses sharing the same ethos and intent as Big Dog.

Ceffyl Môr is a small welsh business inspired by the seaside and rural life, producing gorgeous care packages suited to the rural and farming community supporting other local small businesses and raising awareness for mental health in the farming industry.

Ceffyl Môr was dreamt up during lockdown 2020, which for some people has been extremely lonely and isolating especially inside the farming community where our local farmers have continued to work tirelessly even in the most isolated times where perhaps family and friend visits have been very few and far between!

This is where Ceffyl Môr care packages come in, the boxes are a luxury treat to put a smile on someone's face when they need it, all the boxes are filled with local welsh goodies ready to be enjoyed in the tractor or just at home!

Whether you are a full time farmer or just a countryside lover these boxes are for everyone.

Big Dog are privileged to be part of such an inspiring idea and hope the care packages bring hope and purpose to a community who are predominantly isolated during these times.

We cannot wait to see the care packages and continue assisting Ceffyl Mor in the delivery of their message.

BDC.

Throughout my life I’ve always had the cliché lines – “A Dog is for life, not just for Christmas”, “Are you sure you want that responsibility?”, “you don’t have the time for a dog!”.

A dog has always been in my life, but not to the end where I could call him or her my own. Over the past 10 years, I have persistently toyed with having a dog but always seemed to fall short of making the commitment.

The year 2020 has been an abysmal one and as lockdown loomed a half-hearted idea was to be history. It was more than a perfect time to bring a furry companion into my life.

My father once said, you simply cannot describe the feeling of meeting your pup for the first time – he was not wrong. It is a feeling every dog owner relates to but remains so personal, so it’s impossible to generalise.

The name Clyde did not have a mention before collecting him, but his name had to have meaning. Clyde has been translated in Welsh as warm & powerful, so the name could not be any more fitting.

He was a bold, confident pup but enjoyed a sneaky cuddle now and again. As time has gone on, the remote has been punctured, loo roll has been dragged around the house and I am always finding the odd shoe out the back yard. However, I would not have it any other way.

Something so simple as taking Clyde for walks and letting him off the lead has brought me so much happiness. I can always rely on him to pick me up, no matter how the day has gone.

I believe that most things in life happen for a reason. Clyde was meant to come into my life. He depends on me, just as much as I depend on him. He’s not man’s best friend; he’s my best friend. He gives me purpose.

BDC.

What exactly is the difference between filter and espresso?

Some of us get into our comfort zones with our coffee consumption, Big dog has certainly been there all too often. However, exploring new means of exercising your beans is always necessary for the coffee fiend.

To get you guys started, we've put together a small guide outlining exactly what the differences are. It's then up to you guys to decide how best to put our beans to use.

What is Espresso?

An espresso is small in size, pungent in flavor and strong in stature.

Espresso is brewed by pushing hot water through the ground beans at an extremely high pressure and speed. Hence why a specific machine is required to produce an espresso.

An espresso machine uses roughly 9 bars of pressure to push water through ground coffee for 20-30 seconds. Espresso machines these days are automatic so baristas do not need to understand all the finer details of their tool. Perfecting their brew is paramount.

Pour-over you say?

This is a much simpler method of brewing coffee. All you need is water and good ground coffee (preferably Big Dog .. ) to make the magic happen. A V60, Chemex or Aeropress are some of the most common weapons of choice.

Some people regard espresso as the "purest" coffee, while others drink pour-overs for their more mellow and silky-drinking quality.

However, it boils down to skill - a good barista will be able to maximise the potential of any brewing method.

We hope this clears things up for you guys!

BDC.

Big Dog Coffee are extremely excited to announce a collaboration with The Rescue Hotel.

The Rescue Hotel was formed in 2019 by a small group of volunteer dog walkers from Cardiff Dogs Home.

The Rescue Hotel believe the best breed is rescue, there is no need to buy a dog when there are thousands, all different shapes and sizes looking for their forever home at shelters.

The purpose is to raise funds to support the hundreds of beautiful dogs who find themselves at Cardiff Dogs Home each year.

The funds raised will be used to provide food, toys, veterinary care, training classes and any required building improvements.

Unfortunately, not all dogs are as lucky as Clyde and the Big Dog ambassadors. Therefore, Big Dog feels the need to support the charity by any means possible.

Our upcoming Christmas collection will be devoted entirely to The Rescue Hotel. We've selected a new specialty Indonesian Sumatra which will take the name 'The Rescue'.

This is a small step to begin our amazing collaboration with The Rescue Hotel and we intend to continue to give back as we grow.

All for the love of Coffee & Dogs.

BDC.

Does your coffee taste like coffee?

Have you ever looked at the tasting notes on a bag of coffee and thought only a coffee enthusiast could detect such flavours?

Identifying tasting notes takes time but if attention is provided to the taste and smell of your brew, you will soon be able to detect the deeper culture in your cup.

1. Shake and Smell

Once the beans are ground, give the coffee a shake and smell the aroma that gets released. Ignore the smell of coffee and attempt to focus on the other aromas you can pick up on. Fruit? Sweetness? Maybe even nutty aromas? The majority of flavours in coffee originate from aromatic compounds present in the coffee. The connection between our taste and smell will help us pick up more than just 'coffee'.

2. Give the brew a slurrrrp

Brew it up and let it cool. Trust us - grab a spoon. Preferably a soup spoon (No, its not a joke!). Take a spoonful and give it a good slurp. To avoid any unwanted questions, Big Dog suggest doing this alone or maybe with your pooch, if they're not judgmental. If you do have a fellow slurper, all the better. Start with a few spoonful's and we hope the next time you're drinking the brew you'll begin to pick up the flavors. If not - rest assured Big Dog aren't trying to make a fool out of you. Trust the process.

3. Compare your Brews

if you have more than one type of our coffee beans, brew two or more, slurp and compare. Detecting and identifying the differences may be difficult. At first, think sweetness, bitterness and maybe how floral the brew is. You'll soon be an expert slurper and enjoying your brew to the max.

BDC.

Purpose; “the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists. A person’s sense of resolve or determination”.

BDC believe one of the fundamental reasons why this time has been so distressing, is that it has impacted vital parts of “life as we know it”.

What was once perceived as making life meaningful, has been challenged and unsettled for an unforeseeable amount of time.

Our Coherence, significance and purpose was dismantled.

Comprehending our lives, understanding, finding coherence, has proven difficult. Our significance has been distorted; our values as people, questioned; do we actually matter.

Purpose could be viewed as the aspirations, dreams and missions we have for our future. Purpose fuels our motivation. However, life, at times, has felt purposeless.

Our sense of coherence had to be reconstructed; reinvesting in our purpose has become paramount.

Its sometimes the smallest of things that spark your reconnection, replenish your motivation, and provide clear purpose.

Ironically, a small fable named “The Coffee Bean” by Jon Gordon and Damon West, supplied perspective during a testing time.

“Life is often difficult. It can be harsh, stressful, and feel like a pot of boiling hot water. The environments we find ourselves in can change, weaken, or harden us, and test who we truly are. We can be like the carrot that weakens in the pot or like the egg that hardens. Or, we can be like the coffee bean and discover the power inside us to transform our environment. Realise that we do not create our own world from the outside in. We create and transform from the inside out”.

Big Dog has put its faith in the smallest of things to create our renewed purpose; Our passion for Coffee & The love of Dogs.

Coffee has a significant, symbolic underpinning within our lives. It facilitates our motivation, harbours communication and is the catalyst behind our brand and ethos.

To us, the coffee bean represents, strength, perseverance, resilience, and community. Like many of the coffee producers around the world, coffee is the catalyst to our purpose.

Big Dog Coffee. Beans with Purpose.

BDC.

As you may have noticed, we're only retailing whole beans. As coffee is ground, the longevity of it's characteristics begin to diminish and BDC want to ensure our coffee's enjoyed to it's full potential.

We've completed market research on hand-held and electronic grinders, we'll leave you to decide which would meet your grinding needs.

There are two types of grinder - Burr & Blade

Burr - Manual or Electric. The burr grinders have been found to provide a more precise and consistent grind.

Blade - The Blade grinder utilises a spinning blade - much like a blender. The coffee beans are sliced and chopped resulting in a more inconsistent grind.

Grinders

De'Longhi KG49 Electric Coffee Grinder - https://www.delonghi.com/en-gb/products/coffee/coffee-makers/grinders/kg49-0177111023

Krups F20342 Coffee Grinder - https://www.krups.co.uk/COFFEE-GRINDERS-AND-FROTHERS/COFFEE-GRINDERS/Everyday-Coffee-and-Spice-Mill-F20342-Coffee-Grinder-Black-/p/1500813234

Dualit Burr Coffee Grinder - https://www.dualit.com/products/coffee-grinder

Hario Medium Glass Hand Coffee Grinder - https://www.hario.co.uk/products/skerton-hand-coffee-grinder

Oliver James Henry Charles Manual Coffee Grinder - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Charles-Grinder-Stainless-Adjustable-Travelling/dp/B0778WD88W/ref=sr_1_7?adgrpid=51237154537&dchild=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2or8BRCNARIsAC_ppybEvb0MIt__TXC4Iqmyf1lhbNPhd1urpQFbs-Zz7iA7eCg0QwzXhWMaArJUEALw_wcB&hvadid=259143926134&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1007415&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=3450731832543617870&hvtargid=kwd-317331075343&hydadcr=19138_1810879&keywords=hunt+brothers+coffee+grinder&qid=1602428109&sr=8-7&tag=googhydr-21

Cooko Manual Coffee Grinder - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cooko-Grinder-Premium-Adjustable-Portable/dp/B01HZCORY0

Aigostar Electric Coffee Grinder - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Aigostar-Breath-30KYI-Stainless-Exclusively/dp/B07BVLT74H

Shardor Electric Coffee Grinder - https://www.amazon.co.uk/SHARDOR-Grinder-Electric-Removable-Stainless/dp/B07K8257LQ

Please get in touch with us via e-mail or our social platforms if you need any further assistance!

Thank you

BDC