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Java Cabana

by Michael Allen Smith

This site review was from October 2000. The site reviewed no longer exists.

Name: Cafe Pilon's Java Cabana
URL: www.cafepilon.com
Coffee Genre: Coffee Retailer specializing in Cuban espresso

First-Class Web Design for Miami Coffee Operation

Cafe Pilon has created a web site called Java Cabana. When it comes to designing coffee related web sites, it doesn't get much better than this. The Java Cabana highlights Cafe Pilon's Cuban-style espresso. The site makes excellent use of color, fonts, and music. The introduction is a Flash presentation that delivers the look and feel of South Florida. It really sets a mood.

JAVA CABANA home page

The Cafe Pilon - Java Cabana Experience

After the Java Cabana introduction completes, the user has the option of viewing the site in English or Spanish. While this is an essential step for businesses in Miami/Dade County, it may also be beneficial for other coffee businesses to implement. At the bottom of each screen is a record player icon which the user can cycle through 5 Latin style songs by Tito Puente. The user can also choose to turn off the music at any time.

The Java Cabana web site provides a shopping cart for many popular Cuban style coffees, including the Cafe Bustelo Blends. In addition to coffee, there is also a section where one can buy gift baskets and tee shirts. It is called Lola's Gift Shop. Another highlight ot the site is a facility tour that shows photographs of the packaging of Cafe Pilon Espresso cans.

Tour a coffee packaging facility.

One Negative

The only thing wrong with the site is that it reinforces a common misconception by advising people to store coffee in the refrigerator. Storing coffee in the refrigerator as a way of preserving freshness is a myth that needs to go away. In an INeedCoffee.com article on coffee storage, Ryan Jacobs states:

If you are wondering about the refrigerator, it is a no-no for coffee. Since the temperature is generally around 37 degrees, the water that is inside doesn't freeze. It is a cold mist that lingers on the coffee and there are even more scents and flavor molecules floating around. Liquid water is coffee's worst enemy during storage. Under no circumstance would I ever recommend using the refrigerator for storing coffee.

Summary

The Java Cabana is an unbelievable site that combines the look and feel of Miami's Cuban coffee culture in a web site. The colors and use of music complement a solid shopping cart design. INeedCoffee is proud to award Cafe Pilon's Java Cabana with the October 2000 Site Of The Month Award.

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