So, what is the 4-1-1 on coffee?
On average in the US, we spent $270 per person on coffee in 2022.
62% of American's drink coffee daily.
53% of consumers want to buy ethical coffee.
Arabica and Robusta beans make up 99% of the world's coffee.
Worldwide, we drink over 500 billion cups of coffee per year!
Coffee grows best in areas outside of the US and often in third world countries where farming practices, labor laws, and other conditions can be poorly regulated. That's why good farming practices is such a large part of the sustainability of coffee.
Today, I am going to share with you some of my favorite coffee brands, shops, and delivery companies.
I love supporting companies that are direct trade, ethically sourced, and focus on sustainability.
Favorite Delivery companies:
Lifeboost offers a low- acid coffee in light, medium, dark, and espresso roasts. They also offer various different flavors. They offer whole bean, ground coffee, and K-cups. The coffee is single origin, and shade grown in Nicaragua. It is mycotoxin-free, GMO-free, and pesticide-free. They source the top 2% of coffee in the world from small farms. It is roasted fresh in small batches when you order. They 3rd party test their beans for toxins, molds, bacteria, heavy metals, and pesticides. It is delivered directly to you.
Lifeboost supports the farmers, their families, and communities. They also support sustainable farming methods, wildlife protection, and first responders. You also have the capability of making your order carbon neutral for an additional fee.
Lifeboost though does come down on a higher price point. You will spend about $35 for a 12 oz bag of coffee. However, they do have a subscription program, a rewards program, and the more you buy the more you save. They also provide discount deals frequently. Their subscription service will save you up to 48%.
I was introduced to this coffee by a friend, and at the time I struggled with some issues with the acidity of coffee. It really helped me, and it tasted really good. As the economy has changed, I don't always get this coffee due to the cost and convenience, but it is well worth it if you are looking for a low acid coffee that is sustainable.
Not going to lie...one of the draws to trying this coffee was the name. This is actually a coffee shop with multiple locations around NYC. However, they also have a website where you can order their coffee and have it sent to you. This is a small business owner that focuses on relationships in their shop. Their slogan is even "Birch Loves You" which I love!
This company also believes strongly in giving back. They work with the NY Brewery mission by providing high quality coffee for their morning service and regularly provide a crew to serve those in need. They also created a coffee blend called Bully Blend where all the profits go towards pitbull rescue. They work with Animal Care Centers of NY by sending monthly donations and hosting adoption events.
They source their green coffee from all over the world. They are always on the hunt for the best product available. They roast their own coffee twice a week to make sure you get the freshest coffee.
Birch coffee offers many blends including my favorite Birch blend. They offer whole bean and ground options, and they have a subscription option. For a one time purchase a 12 oz bag of coffe is $16.00. Each bag tells you were the coffee comes from the tasting notes, and gives you tips on the best way to brew it.
Favorite local coffee:
Smart owl coffee is a local supplement infused organic coffee designed by doctors and backed by science. It is a company that is woman owned and family run. The blends of their coffee uses ethically sourced USDA organic coffee beans. The supplements that they use are proven to safely counter the anxiety and jitters that commonly accompany caffeine consumption. This is a newer company that began in 2020.
Smart owl is very selective about the farms that they work with to ensure that the practices are not only ethical but will result in the best coffees. Their beans are USDA organic, ethically sourced, roasted in small batches, and available in several roast varieties, caffeine levels, and package sizes. This coffee is direct trade, meaning that the roaster works directly with the farmer and establishes a mutually beneficial relationship in regard to wages and pricing and quality. Cutting out the 'middleman' improves both traceability and transparency.
Smart owl coffee is third party tested after coming into the US. They perform multiple tests to confirm the best quality from purity tests to contamination tests, heavy metals test, etc.
Smart owl offers a number of blends like a digestive blend, a clean bean blend (only available in whole bean), immune blend, recharge blend, cognition blend, balance blend, and my favorite seasonal Spiced Mocha Rose blend. Their coffee also is available in a sample pack if you would like to try the different blends. They have a subscription, and you can get discounts online. This brand is also available in local coffee shops like Pease's Bunn Gourmet, Harvest Market, and The Talisman at Broadgauge (a full list of the brick-and-mortar stores in online).
The new seasonal blend is the Essential blend which will support the Treehouse Wildlife Center by donating $2 of every bag sold. This blend will have tasking notes of cinnamon and vanilla. It is an Italian medium roast with medium caffeine. It is single origin, shade grown, from Nicaragua. It is also low acid. I personally can't wait to try this new summer blend once I finish my last bag of the Spiced Mocha Rose.
Favorite coffee shops:
This coffee is the brand sold at the local Harvest Market coffee shop. It is my favorite sit-down coffee shop in town, and I go weekly it seems. Kaldi's coffee focuses on relationship coffee. This means they offer the consumers the opportunity to take a proactive and global approach to coffee purchasing. Relationship coffee provides even greater transparency than fair trade. Kaldi's is committed to helping farmers by buying direct trade quality coffee. The coffee they purchase is always 'green' and they purchase for at least 15% above the fair-trade minimum price. They also seek relationships with farmers that focus on sustainability- preserve the soil, and protecting insects, birds, and wildlife.
You can buy their coffee online, but you can also buy it buy the cup at local coffee shops around the Midwest. Online they offer blends by the bag or as pods (Kcups). A bag of coffee will cost around $14-20, while a 10pack of pods is $10.
My favorite thing about the coffee shop at Harvest Market is the sugar free options. I can get a sugar free raspberry white chocolate latte and its good! The coffee shop hours are limited so keep that in mind. Weekdays they close at 3pm and weekends at 5:30pm.
Since the coffee shop at Harvest Market closes early, I found another option for a coffee shop that I love as well. Scooters coffee is locally owned, farm to cup, and focus on relationship coffee as well.
Scooters has strong ties with their farmers, employees, and suppliers. Scooters was created in 1998. They only roast from the top 10% of specialty coffee beans in the world. They realize that relationships are the foundations of their success. They personally visit the farms, and they purchase through direct trade from family farms all over the world. Scooters always pays the farmers above the market price. This allows the farmers to reinvest into their own communities, their farms, and their environment. This is the true meaning of sustainability.
Not only does Scooter's have a great mission but their coffee is delicious. They have an app you can download for rewards and specials deals. If you download the app your first drink is $2 off. A large at Scooters is comparable to a large (Venti) at Starbucks, but they have better taste and more sugar free options. Scooters is a drive thru coffee shop so keep that in mind. There are two locations in Springfield IL and I would highly suggest checking them out if you haven't already. I know I plan on going on Sunday! The hours for the coffee shop are 530am to 8pm
*Some honorable mentions I like for various reasons are:
The Talisman at Broadgauge located in Petersburg IL is another favorite sit in shop. They serve both Custom Cup and Smart Owl coffee. In my opinion other than the historical aspect of the location itself the shining star of this location is the food. They have the best quiche and is almost always a stop for me on Saturday mornings. They also have amazing pastries and cookies. The staff is super friendly as well.
Grab A Java is another local coffee shop that I like. This is another drive through coffee shop I would go to a lot and still go on occasion depending on where I am at. They have great sugar free options and quite a lot of them if that is something you are interested in. They also have a punch card for discounts. They provide some food options- the pumpkin chocolate chip bread is pretty good and gluten free.
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