The NY Times has a profile of America's pioneers in "direct trade" coffee -- including, of course, Duane Sorenson, the owner of Stumptown Coffee Roasters. Just how dedicated is he to finding the world's best beans?

Mr. Sorenson recently spent more than $100,000 for a batch of coffee beans that took top honors at this year’s Nicaraguan Cup of Excellence competition. The coffee, from Las Golondrinas, Marcio Benjamín Peralta Paguaga's farm in Nicaragua, sold for $47.06 a pound, just shy of $40 more than the winner earned last year. But for Mr. Sorenson, who said the unusual "mango, peach, cantaloupe and jasmine flower" flavors made it the finest Nicaraguan coffee he had ever tasted, it was worth it. (Link)