A Good Cup.

I am an on-again, off-again coffee drinker, and right now I am on! Whether it is at the local coffee shop or making it at home there a few factors that weigh in to my buying decisions.

Is it Fair Trade? For me, this is the most important. Fair trade is the practice to secure higher wages for the workers and also ensure an equality in international trade, emphasizing on sustainable practices. Fair trade coffee has been purchased from farmers under fair conditions.

To become Fair Trade certified, an importer must meet stringent international criteria; paying a minimum price per pound of $1.26, providing much needed credit to farmers, and providing technical assistance such as help transitioning to organic farming. http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/coffee/

Is it Organic? I like knowing that my coffee is organic. There are all kinds of horrible pesticides and insecticides that are sprayed on coffee crops in every country. Also heavy petroleum based fertilizers are often used. I feel a little better knowing that the farmer that I am buying coffee from is being responsible for our environment and our health. Is it also as important to buy coffee that is shade grown. Shade grown coffee can flourish under the canopies of the rain forest, resulting in a prevention of deforestation.

How do you like to brew your coffee? I currently am brewing espresso's using my Bialetti. A Bialetti is a percolator device that you store water on the bottom and coffee grounds in the middle. Then place it on the burner until the water finishes bubbling. The water percolates through the grounds and leaves a strong coffee in the reservoir.

I also use a French press. The French press is a pot that allows the grounds to steep in with the hot water and then a plunger-like device is used to strain the grounds, leaving a nice cup of coffee.

Whichever method you use to brew your next cup of Joe, remember that the best cup is a cup that is organic, fair trade, and shade grown.

Enjoy.

Vegan Chef Period.

We need help please! We are over 30 percent funded on our Kickstarter Campaign for Sanctuary, a new plant-based bistro to open this Fall in East Bay. Please check it out and consider backing and sharing with your friends. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/473325024/sanctuary-bistro-a-plant-based-bistro-in-the-eastThank you!