Summer can feel very busy as we all try to squeeze in as much fun and outdoor activity as possible! Sometimes this can leave us feeling overwhelmed and with not nearly enough time in our days. To help with this, we always try to add a little slowness into our morning routine.
To us, that means sneaking a quiet moment before the world wakes up to sit and reflect on what this time is teaching us, and how much we truly have to be grateful for. Taking the time to watch the sun wake up, to brew a cup of coffee, and be thankful for all the beauty each season of life offers us.
This week we wanted to feature a Canadian Coffee company – Balzac’s Coffee. They are a boutique coffee company known for their artisan beans and 14 coffee shop locations across Ontario.
As the legendary story goes, Honoré de Balzac, French novelist and playwright, enjoyed copious amounts of black coffee to fuel his many sleepless nights composing notable literature. His shrewd declaration “the café is the people’s parliament,” is what defines the spirit of Balzac’s Coffee Roasters.
President and founder Diana Olsen earned a university degree in French literature and discovered a kindred spirit in Monsieur Balzac and his genuine passion for coffee. Diana spent time in France to gather inspiration for coffee shop experiences and offerings. Her next stop was San Francisco where she learnt the craft of coffee roasting and bean selection at the West Coast Specialty Coffee Training Institute.
In 2011, Diana Olsen appeared on CBC Television’s popular show The Dragon’s Den to seek strategic investors to generate capital for the Reference Library and Ryerson cafe locations as well as to help generate future growth. The successful pitch resulted in both Arelene Dickinson and Bruce Croxon investing in the company.
A legendary, female-founded business story we LOVE! Check out our Whole Bean Balzac’s Coffee Bean Selection Available at Anna’s:
Balzac’s Blend: Bold & Balanced | Marble Roast (Beans & Capsules)
Origin: Sumatra, Costa Rica, Guatemala)
- Based on Honoré de Balzac’s own blend. Bold, rounded and generous — a gutsy cup. Careful: You might end up writing about it.
Farmer’s Blend: Bright & Complex | Marble Roast (Beans)
Origin: Peru, Mexico, Colombia
- Hearty, country morning brisk, with a clean acidity — a Stratford favourite!
Swiss Water Decaf: Dark & Daring | Stout Roast (Beans & Ground)
Origin: Colombia, Sumatra
- Swiss Water Decaf is a blend of Colombian and Sumatran beans, processed in the 100% chemical free method of Swiss Water.
Espresso: Velvety Smooth | Amber Roast (Beans)
Origin: Mexico, Peru
- Adhering to European traditions, Balzac’s version of this premium blend yields a deep, rich crema.
A Dark Affair: Smokey & Spicy | Stout Roast (Capsules)
Origin: Colombia, Honduras
- This full-bodied blend boasts a rich and vibrant taste to satisfy your darkest pleasures.
