Intelligentsia's blends are home-brewed here in Chicago. We love their El Diablo Dark Roast, but we also dig their commitment to Direct Trade Coffee purchased from individual farmers.
From their website: We adhere to the philosophy that the compassionate treatment of people and the environment inevitably yields higher quality.
As we search for ways to be green in the windy city, buying locally roasted Direct Trade coffee seems like a good option to have.
It's true that the coffee industry has done some major harm to the environment, and in response to the "greenwashing" that sometimes happens in the trade, Intelligentsia Purchaser Geoff Watts has written several articles about Direct Trade, including pieces on Shade Grown coffee and Organic certification.
Check out Intelligentsia online or in person at any of their downtown retail stores.
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Ya know what? I don't buy any of this anymore. I mean when BP Amoco advertises using green themes....well....I am highly suspicious.
There is a coffee shop on the ground floor of our office building. Claims to use free trade or "whatever" (it is posted in Spanish) and is brewed with wind energy. Last I checked our local electric co. uses coal, nuclear and hydroelectric. The owner drives a Yukon. Enough said.
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Er...sorry..."direct trade" Freudian slip.
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Awhile ago, I had the opportunity to meet one of the direct-trade growers who sells his coffee to Intelligentsia. He talked for awhile about his good experiences with the company, and I've been buying the stuff ever since.
To be completely honest, I'm generally not the sort to do something green when it costs more money--I recycle, reuse, and purchase used--but the poor college student in me usually balks at the idea of paying more money for a commodity just because it's the eco thing to do. Intelligentsia coffee is my one exception. I tried it because they're good folk, but I buy it for the taste.
And their new packaging compliments my kitchen curtains nicely. That doesn't hurt. :)
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