We are proud to present an exclusive coffee blend with Lamplighter Roasting Co. as part of our Spring 2012 campaign. It is a blend of two fair trade, estate coffees; the Papua New Guinea Sigri Estate A & Kenya Ruiru Oaklands Estate AA. Enjoy a behind the scenes look at the roasting and cupping process and the lowdown from Jen, Lamplighter’s roaster, about what makes this blend special.
“The Sigri Estate is dedicated to sustainable practices such as water conservation and is shade grown under the forest. We take the opportunity to buy this coffee because it is not blended or processed with beans from anywhere else, and we get the purest varietal taste in the cup. This farm is certified bird and rain forest friendly and has funded schools and educational programs for its employees and community members. The flavor profile is very earthy as island coffee tends to be, bright cherries up front giving way to cocoa and then walnut in the very clean finish.
Ruiru is in central Kenya and the Oaklands Estate is the largest of several plantations. Their beans are meticulously picked and sorted, and are AA graded which means they are dense, large beans. There is a nice citrus brightness and light strawberry undertones, sweet with a smooth mouth feel and chocolatey finish.
We really like to roast estate coffees because of their good quality and purity of origin flavor. When we buy this estate coffee, we are paying a premium because we arent just buying the beans, we are also buying the insurance that it was processed and grown sustainably and with care. When Lamplighter sources coffee, we understand that some of these developing countries are politically unstable, that coffee is the only cash crop for some of these indigenous peoples, and that biodiversity and sustainability are key to keeping the whole cycle alive.
We buy according to our conscience and we reward the incredible efforts it takes to get these coffees to market. The United States is the number one consumer of coffee. We have the power within our reach to stabilize many developing countries politically, agriculturally and economically by choosing certified sustainable and fairly traded coffee.”
Thanks Jen!
Champ Blend will be freshly roasted and delivered to Need Supply every other week.
Drink the Champ Blend here, for the days you want to win.
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