April, 2010Last year I heard a report from Haiti talking about a population so hungry they were eating mud cakes. Chris from Paradiso who roasts some of our coffees and I decided to investigate importing Haitian coffee. A country in such severe melt down could do with some trade and we could donate some of the profits to a small organization that could hopefully do a lot with a little.

Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. It has been almost totally deforested due to the use of charcoal as a primary source of fuel. It has faced four hurricanes in the last 2 years. Now an earthquake in a country that was already a disaster area.

There is no social safety net and nobody with any money invests.

We will donate $2 from each kilo sold to Partners in Health, an organization who have been working in Haiti for 25 years. They are well placed to provide immediate aid and care. Not such a small organization as we originally envisaged but appropriate for the circumstances of the moment.  

November, 2009 We have finally sourced some good Fairtrade branded tea.  It has taken years.  We found a really strong ctc Assam as well as the more traditional leafy variety.  Also a 2nd flush Darjeeling and a green Darjeeling.  They are not particularly cheap but they are good drinking.

We have also added an organic Pu-erh to our list.  According to studies Pu-erh lowers cholesterol and aids digestion.  We like it's earthy musky taste.  Re steep it as many times as you like.  It is perfect for the bottomless pot.

For more information on Pu-erh you should go to http://www.teatips.tv/products/episode-08-pu-erh/
This is my new favourite tv show…

And finally, the annual Cuban coffee drought is off for this year.  Each year we run out. Cuba is a small island and the competition for supply is fierce.  Miraculously this year we got our hands on an extra shipment.  Joy.