In the winter of 2003, two managers with O’Henry’s Coffees approached the owners about coming up with a new coffee blend that would celebrate key growing regions of the world. In particular, they wanted to highlight coffees grown on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro in Kenya. After much research and numerous cuppings (tastings), Kilimanjaro Sunrise was born. It was released in July of 2003 and has been roasted for one month in July of each year ever since.

Kilimanjaro Sunrise is a medium roasted coffee. Numerous flavor components come together in this unique blend. See if notes of citrus, blackberry and fresh-cut apple don’t come to mind. This one-of-a-kind coffee is elegant in the cup and crisp in the finish.

It is now available at all Birmingham O’Henry’s locations. The sun sets on Kilimanjaro Sunrise July 31st. A 12 ounce black foil gift bag is $9.99. This coffee arrives at O’Henry’s one day out of the roaster!

In March of 2008 our Roastmaster, Mike, was able to take a trip to Costa Rica and visit many coffee farms in the region.

Costa Rica is a beautiful country where coffee grows almost anywhere you go. It is a land of many microclimates and regions, but none stand out quite like the Tarrazu region. Coffee trees can be seen everywhere you look in this beautiful and mountainous hillside country; simply a vast sea of green plantations. The aroma of coffee can be smelled as you drive down the road, it is an amazingly pulpy and sweet aroma. My favorite part of was being able to sample the wide variety of ranges in complexity and aroma that Costa Rican coffee regions have to offer. I hope that you will be able to envision the amazing quality and beauty of this country as you soon have the chance to taste the wonderful coffee that we have selected from this recent trip!

Mike

The Big Yellow Bus

June 2007 - This article appeared in the summer of 2007. The total amount needed was raised! The bus was purchased and put in service in early 2008.

Last month (June), I traveled to the small country of Honduras in Central America. It was part mission trip and part coffee trip. Honduras is between Guatemala and Nicaragua.

I traveled with a small group that was put together by an organization called Heart To Honduras which is headquartered in Ohio. It is a non-denominational, missions oriented group that started in 1989. They have a permanent "settlement" in Canchias, Honduras which is pretty much out in the middle of nowhere. They adhere to the philosophy, Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and feed him for a lifetime. The people living in the area are extremely poor, but their lives have been improved immeasurably by Heart To Honduras projects. These projects have included fresh water for washing and drinking, a small herd of dairy cows for milk, a chicken farm for eggs and tilapia ponds for raising fish to eat and sell.

Heart To Honduras has planted numerous small churches in Honduras over the years. Cinder block walls, dirt floors and plastic chairs are the norm. I visited several churches, but one stood out; La Concepcion in the village of Las Lomitas. It is led by Pastor Fredy Hernandez, an energetic man with a clear vision and a heart for his people. Fredy spoke no English, but through an interpreter I asked him what one thing he needed for his church if he could have "anything". He answered quickly, "A yellow bus". After asking him a few more questions, the reason for his answer became clear. Virtually all of his members walk to church. This is typical since no one has a car. During the rainy season, which lasts for about 5 months, his members will not walk 4 or 5 miles on the steep dirt road to get to church. "With a used yellow school bus", he said, "I'll go get them".

La Concepcion, Las Lomitas , Pastor Fredy and the yellow school bus stayed with me for the rest of my time in Honduras and followed me back to Birmingham. After speaking with my wife (Mary) and the leadership of Heart To Honduras, a plan emerged.

A used, re-conditioned yellow school bus can be purchased in Honduras for about $10,000. Our goal is to raise $5000 through contributions at O'Henry's and O'Henry's will donate the other $5000. Not everyone is called to go on a mission trip or can go on one. However, we can all help in our own way. Every penny we raise will go to Fredy's church for the bus. Donations are tax deductible.

Instructions for donating are on the box. Our goal is to send the entire amount to Fredy in August. Let's get our Honduran brothers & sisters on the bus. We can make a difference.*

Randy Adamy/Owner

Date:      November 14, 2006
Contact: Randy Adamy (randy@ohenryscoffee.com)
             205-945-8970
Subject: O'Henry's Coffees opens at Samford University

The newest O'Henry's Coffees in Birmingham has just opened on the campus of Samford University.  It is located on the ground floor of the Student Activities Center next to the food court.

The university approached O'Henry's owners, Randy & Mary Adamy, in early 2006 about the idea.  Students very much wanted a coffeehouse on campus and having a local name was important to the university. 

The new O'Henry's offers most of the signature items O'Henry's is known for including specialty brewed coffees, espresso drinks, frozen drinks, fresh baked morning pastries and delicious desserts. 

This location is operated by Campus Dining.  Campus Dining does all food services on the Samford Campus.  Like all O'Henry's locations, the coffee is roasted in west Homewood at Red Mountain Coffee Roasters. 

O'Henry's Samford is open Monday through Saturday.  There is a large seating area for dining, studying and socializing.