By Diego Castro, Director of Wholesale
All photos were taken on a Canon Sure Shot Max with Lomography 800 film stock
COFFEE DRIVEN. Those words are our theme for 2024 here at CCC. They are giving shape to everything from our day-to-day interactions, product launches, and events. This mantra has been around for years at CCC. It’s often informed how we think and approach our work. This year, these words led us to an incredible trip and collaboration. A chance encounter and casual conversation in our Durham training center grew into our newest limited coffee release with Fritz Coffee Company.
Our team embarked on an unforgettable journey to Korea to celebrate this milestone collaboration with Fritz. Driven by shared values and a mutual admiration for each other's work, this partnership was a meeting of minds and hearts dedicated to incredible coffee experiences. Gemini, our collaboration blend with Fritz is ultimately a product of shared values and a dedication to creating incredible coffee experiences.
From the moment we landed in Seoul, we were embraced by the vibrant energy of the city and the warm hospitality of the Fritz team. What struck us the most, however, was the supreme thoughtfulness, focus on customer experience, and unparalleled hospitality that defined every interaction with Fritz and the Korean coffee community. The following 10 days were packed with popup cafes, our first international Tasting at Ten, cafe crawls, and a trip to the coastal city of Busan for the World of Coffee Expo.
Through this photo essay, we invite you to join us on our journey, capturing the essence of our collaboration and the beautiful spirit of Korea's coffee culture. Each image tells a story of passion, dedication, and the inspiring exchange of ideas that made this trip truly memorable.
Jesse Gordon, Durham educator, taste-tested the CCC Cream Soda recipe he prepared for the popup event. He will take all the caffeine he can get after a 13 hour flight.
Fritz baristas in action. The team of Fritz baristas were dialed in. Workflow, communication, and customer care never waivered for a second. This museum location attracts an international crowd so they would even note when an order number needed to be called in English vs Korean.
Fritz cofounder BK Washere takes it all from his post next to the merch stand. The team at Fritz produced a matching game. Anyone who could beat the game would walk away with a free box of Gemini and a round of applause.
BK looks over the popup bar with a Korean translation of our Counter Culture Coffee flavor wheel in hand. The Korean translation was done by our friends @liike_Coffee.
¾ of team CCC with Fritz cofounders. From left to right- Diego Castro, Sungman Song, Jesse Gordon, Geunha Park, Corey Reid, and BK Washere. Our talented graphic designer and translator Yejung Park was taking the photo!
Sungman Song and Jay Kim posing. Little did I know they were about to subject the CCC team to an all-we-could-drink coffee crawl through Seoul.
Shots from our cafe crawl including Fritz Yangjae, Mesh Coffee, Brewing Ceremony, and Center Coffee.
Pictured here are the incredible crew that made this trip possible. We are just outside of Momos Coffee in Busan. From right - Jesse Gordon, Corey Reid, Jay Kim, and Yejung Park.
