UC Davis Library Receives Significant Coffee Collection From Industry Leaders – CoffeeTalk

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) has acquired three significant collections related to specialty coffee, enhancing both historical scholarship and teaching resources. The donations come from prominent individuals in the coffee industry: Gerald “Jerry” Baldwin, co-founder of Starbucks; Russ Kramer, president of Hacienda La Minita; and the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). These collections consist of rare books, photographs, business records, and archival materials, chronicling the transformation of coffee from an agricultural commodity to a global consumer product.

The UC Davis Coffee Center, the first academic facility in the U.S. dedicated entirely to coffee research and education, will leverage these collections to bolster its mission. Audrey Russek, who manages distinctive collections at the library, noted that the donations will strengthen the library’s already extensive resources on food and drink.

Baldwin’s collection features archival materials documenting Starbucks’ early years and the rise of specialty coffee, including a handwritten manifesto, the original guest book, early photographs, financial records, and tasting score sheets. He emphasized the importance of these primary sources, which provide insights into the foundational practices of the specialty coffee movement.

Kramer’s contribution reflects his expertise in coffee production and sourcing, containing writings and documents that address coffee’s agricultural and economic aspects. Notable items include rare texts, such as a 1687 book by French physician Nicolas de Bleìgny, which is one of the oldest in the library’s collection.

The SCA’s donation consists of over 100 boxes of organizational records and early publications outlining the development of industry standards and shared terminology, which were pivotal in shaping the modern specialty coffee sector. Ted Lingle, co-founder of the SCA, highlighted the collaborative spirit within the SCA that differentiates it from other trade organizations.

The integration of these collections will promote interdisciplinary research at the UC Davis Coffee Center and support the university’s overarching mission in agriculture, food science, and community-building through coffee. William Garrity, a university librarian, expressed the importance of coffee in fostering connections and how these collections will serve as a definitive resource for future research.

Kramer also encouraged individuals globally to contribute their knowledge and materials to the collection, envisioning the UC Davis Library as the premier center for coffee research. He expressed confidence that it will become a vital hub for the knowledge and history surrounding coffee, fostering a community dedicated to its study and appreciation.

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