A Different Type of Coffee: +Kfe Magazine Debuts
Among exotic aromas and luscious flavors of Latin American coffees, +Kfe launched in March in Costa Rica.

+Kfe is the first magazine dedicated exclusively to Latin America's differentiated coffee sector.

Costa Rican governmental organizations, cooperating agencies, certification institutions and representatives from the embassies of coffee-producing and coffee-consuming countries witnessed the event.

+Kfe is a bimonthly publication whose objective is to improve the competitiveness of the Latin American coffee sector specialized in the differentiated coffee market (specialty and certified). The magazine delivers high-quality market intelligence through updated and relevant information that analyzes supply, certifications, markets, prices, standards, legislation and more.

"Other coffee magazines talk about the sector as a whole. This is the first specific publication for differentiated coffee and the first for Latin American regional distribution. The lack of information in the coffee-producing sector results in more of the same without any progress," said Andres Villalobos, coordinator of the coffee office at CIMS and editor of the magazine.

A Cultural Event

After presenting the magazine, CIMS invited guests to browse the stands of the embassies in Costa Rica representing producer countries that offered samples of native coffee and showed off their countries' coffee cultures.

One Costa Rican coffee shop, Los Santos Coffee, offered a variety of cold coffee beverages, as well as organic blackberries and honey produced in the same coffee-privileged area of Costa Rica, Los Santos.

+Kfe was presented to the international coffee sector at the SCAA's 18th Annual Conference and Exhibition in Charlotte, North Carolina, April 7 to April 10, 2006.

What is the meaning of differentiated coffee?

This refers to coffee that has a special characteristic that differentiates it. CIMS divides it into two groups: coffee that has an environmental or social certification and high-quality coffee (either gourmet or specialty). Differentiated coffee can bring higher prices.

For more information on +Kfe or to subscribe, visit http://www.cims-la.com.