BREW GUIDES
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Espresso
It's the foundation of your favorite drinksβor it's your favorite drink itself.
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Drink RECIPES
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Watermelon Cold Brew
This viral combination from Sprudge is a lovely sweet treat to cool off with.
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Spa Bean Water
Have a couple of extra cucumbers in your kitchen? Check out this easy-to-make drink thatβs as refreshing as it is unique.
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Espresso Sunrise
Whether you follow internet drink trends or are just looking for something fun and new to try in the morning, this drink is definitely both!
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Drinks With Du Nord
Our spirited pals at Du Nord Craft Spirits concoct incredible liquids! We share a few favorite recipes with Cafe Frieda, a coffee liqueur.
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Iced EinspΓ€nner
Despite the trendiness of some drink creations seen online, this one is so good that it's here to stay.
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Rainbow Connection Iced Coffee
Our super colorful recipe for magical times, think Strawberry Nesquik but with Coffee and a whole lot better!
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Lavender Honey Syrup
A springy syrup that's full of floral sweetness, it's perfect for iced tea, cold brew coffee, or a delicious citrus cocktail!
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Johnny Weir Mint Mocha
The Johnny Weir is a make-at-home version of the holiday mint mocha. Fresh mint and cocoa make the flavors sparkle, and it's easy to make!
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Fireside Chat
Fireside Chat, our most popular winter drink from our coffee shops is an easy concoction to make at home sip by your own fire!
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Chocolate Hazelnut Latte
Our take on a popular coffee shop latte that has a familiar flavor akin to a certain spreadable chocolate hazelnut treat!
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Personal Best Smoothie
Like a pantry pasta or a refrigerator omelet, this cold brew smoothie is as versatile as what you have on hand!
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Cafe Fresa
One of our signature spring drinks in 2018, this refreshing beverage plays perfectly between rich and light.
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Loony Manhattan
A toasting cocktail for the chilly season, full of warmth and coffee goodness fit for a festive feast!
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Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte
Our favorite fall drink has become an autumn staple in our new home offices, and it's super easy to make the base syrup with fresh or canned pumpkin!
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Amaretti Syrup
Our new fall seasonal beverage with almond and butterscotch that tastes like Italian cookies
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Black Lemonade BrΓ»lΓ©e
A recurring hit on our former shop's summer drink menu, the BLB is the definition of caffeinated refreshment.
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Scratch Eggnog
Arriving just in time for the festivities of December, it's easy to make your own eggnog!
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Turmeric Rosemary Syrup
Customers have been clamoring for the turmeric rosemary syrup recipe used in our Rosebud Latte
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Cafe Milano
This is a beauty of a drink made with Campariβ the signature taste of Milan, Italy
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Sasquatch Derby
Our former coffee shop's summer drink of choice for its minty-sweet refreshment and caffeine zing!
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Mixed Up Yeti
For nights that you just want to go on forever, start shaking this luscious, nutty beverage
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Roman Holiday
Inspired by the classic movie, this is the sort of drink Audrey Hepburn, or any other princess on an incognito adventure might enjoy.
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Pumpkin Spice Latte Protein Brownies
With each brownie packed with 9 grams of protein, this eggless treat is the perfect dessert to kick off fall! Recipe by Mimi from Mimi's Organic Eats
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Rainbow Sprinkle Cake
Whether itβs cake for breakfast or for a virtual birthday party, weβre in love with this sparkly, sweet cake thatβs easy to make and as wonderful as you!
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Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
A beautiful harmony of late-spring Rhubarb and early-summer strawberries, this pie is a perfect complement to a picnic at the park!
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Fudgy Cocoa Brownie
One of the best brownie recipes we've come across. They shine when paired with a bold, sturdy dark roast and a blazing campfire!
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Lemon Sweet Rolls With Cream Cheese Icing
For Sunday Brunch or if you feel the need for a midweek treat, we recommend these insanely delicious Lemon Sweet Rolls. The dough is made the night before and comes together quickly in the morning, yum!
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Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake
Once you've had your fill of rhubarb crisp and want a challenge, bust out your springform pan to try this rhubarb upside-down cake!
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Popovers
A simple way to get warm bread on the table and fill your kitchen with amazing scents. Enjoy with spreads of all types!
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Cream Puffs
Delicious, elegant, and good any time of day, cream puffs are one of lifeβs greatest simple pleasures!
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Honey Cake
An ultra-moist snack cake that features two of our favorite thingsβcoffee and local honey!
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Simple Scones
A quick, infinitely-customizable recipe for delicious scones that complement a morning mug of coffee and are excellent vessels for creme fraiche and peach preserves or lemon curd!
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Crunchy Granola
Pack a container or fill your bowl with this delicious, hearty granola! Pairs perfectly with a travel mug of Tree Hugger Signature Blend.
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Trail Mix Cookies
A perfect snack on the go or a nutritious breakfast treat, these trail mix cookies are ready for adventure! Fill a thermos and pack a few for a hike and enjoy fuel for the journey!
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Holiday M&Mβ’ Cookies
A crowd-pleasing recipe that's sure to have a short stay on your kitchen counter, these adaptable M&Mβ’ sugar cookies are some of our favorites after a holiday meal!
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Peanut Butter Blossoms
Does the perfect cookie exist? If it did, this one would be in the running near the top of the list. Soft and moist on the inside with just enough crunch, it's a salty sweet song of delight!
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Pumpkin Muffins
A delightfully simple and indulgent treat that's perfect with coffee, these pumpkin muffins are moist and perfectly spiced!
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Apple Pie
There's simply something special about apple season in Minnesota and this recipe takes us back to those magical baking moments of our youth.
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No-Knead Bread
Few things are more enticing and comforting as a fresh loaf of homemade bread. This no-knead recipe is simple and the results speak for themselves; pass the jam!
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Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls
The scent of warm cinnamon and sugary dough rising in the oven is topped only by the aroma of a fresh pot of coffee brewing away.
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Banana Pancakes
French toast meets bananas foster in these fluffy, perfectly-sweet pancakes fit for a morning feast.
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Blueberry, Lemon & Almond Cake
A ripe blueberry harvest collides with lemony brightness and almond richness in this cake that is just waiting for you to pour another mug of coffee!
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Salty Tahini Rice Crispy Bars
A twist on the classic scotcharoo, a Midwestern potluck staple, these bars are sweet and salty with a bit of spice!
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Brunch Coffee Cake
Our favorite streusel-style coffee cake is perfect for weekend mornings or after a leisurely dinner with decaf.
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Chocolate Molasses Cookies
Perfect for an afternoon cookie break, these delights are full of flavor!!
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Best-Ever Banana Bread
Make a loaf or two (they keep well when frozen) and sing the praises of the Grandmas who taught us well that no food should ever go to waste!
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Panna Cotta with Berries and Honey
This is a simple restaurant worthy dessert recipe. Just be sure to plan ahead so it has time to chill and set properly.
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Sparkle Cookies
A simple sugar cookie recipe that is sure to bring the sparkle to your Saturday morning or night!
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Egg in A Hole
This deliciously easy recipe is a timeless tradition in many homes, so fire up the stove and get crackin'!
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Chocolate Chip Cookies
While there are many contenders for best chocolate chip cookie recipe, we are just obsessed with this one...especially with coffee!
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Baked Steel Cut Oats
For a simple, filling breakfast, baked steel-cut oatmeal, enriched with almond butter and cinnamon, is a go-to recipe.
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Dutch Dutch Baby
This large, fluffy pancake is excellent for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dessert any time of year. Plus, it comes together in about five blessed minutes.
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Spritz Cookies
Balanced and unfussy, spritz cookies are coffee's best friend. Full of tradition and easy to customize, we're always up for a batch of these treats!
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Birchwood Cafe Savory Waffle Recipe
The spring version of Birchwood Cafe's cult-favorite Savory Waffle pairs asparagus and cheddar. It's a perfect morning pairing with a mug of coffee!
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Caficauca - Colombia
The Cooperative of Coffee Farmers of Cauca (Caficauca) is a cooperative in the department of Cauca that supports its members in building a better future through coffee insteadΒ of coca. Caficauca started in 1961 when 297 farmers met in the central park of PopayΓ‘n, Caucaβs capital. They wanted to find a better price for their coffee and believed they would be stronger if they worked together. Today, the co-op has over 3,200 members and buys coffee from more than 44,000 small-scale producers across 24 towns in the region.Β Β Caficauca supports its members to replace coca plants with coffee.Β Coca can be a common way to earn a living, it also can bring violence and fear to communities. The coop also supports women and young producers in the region. Nearly one-third of the members are women, and many are involved in leadership roles. Caficauca is also working to keep young people in coffee by showing it can offer a real future. Through training in quality control, cupping, entrepreneurship, and more, theyβre helping the next generation find new opportunities in the industry.Β
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Kokowagayo - Indonesia
Kokowagayo is the first all female coffee cooperative in Sumatra. Established in 2014, they are located in the Gayo Mountain region in the Aceh Province. The role of women in coffee production has always been very important as they are involved in each step - from farm maintenance to processing coffee for export. After acquiring this expertise, a group of women decided to create a βwomen onlyβ cooperative of coffee farmers. Their goals are to increase the income and quality of life for members and their families through agriculture and the coffee trade, and to improve member's financial management skills. Each member of the womenβs cooperative is the acknowledged manager of her familyβs coffee farm.
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Palmas del Paramo - Peru
This cooperative is located in northern Peru in Cajamarca, a region where spectacular coffees are grown at high elevation in a range of microclimates. In the past, growers would sell their coffee to middle-men at unfair prices or in exchange for groceries. In response, a group of producers decided to organize so that they could sell their coffee in a way that would allow them to receive a higher income. Palmas del Paramo is a small organization full of energy and dynamism.Β
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SCFCU - Ethiopia
Founded in 2001, the Sidama Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union (SCFCU) represents 53 cooperatives and over 70,000 small-scale farmer families in southern Ethiopia. SCFCU provides financial, technical, and marketing support to its members, producing approximately 10,000 tons of organic arabica coffee annually. Shade-grown under indigenous trees and enset, their washed coffee is known for bright acidity, fruity flavors, and balanced body, while natural process coffee offers rich, full-bodied profiles with candied fruit notes. Learn more
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COMUCAP - Honduras
COMUCAP, or the Coordinadora de Mujeres Campesinas de La Paz, is a cooperative located in La Paz, Honduras. Before COMUCAP was founded in 2002, men owned the land and made most of the business and production decisions for the region, though women did much of the work. The women got tired of depending on their fathers and husbands for economic survival, and struggled for equal opportunities to succeed. With the encouragement of a German NGO, one of COMUCAP's founder began a radio program for women called "Siempre Vivas." In her words, the problem at that time was that, as women, "We were worthless. We only existed to take orders. We were trapped within four walls." Her audience consisted of many women who didn't own land and who were sometimes victims of domestic violence in addition to grinding poverty. The women realized that their problem was economic, and began to look for ways to earn their own money for themselves and their families. Since most of the women had worked on coffee farms as laborers, they decided to start a coffee farm. Their initialΒ farming venture proved unsuccessful in growing coffee, but fortuitousΒ in producing aloe vera, wine, and honey. With the savings from the sale of these products the women purchased land better suited for coffee production. The association is now well organized and exports high-quality coffee. They own one hundred hectares, as well as a wet mill, drying patios, and a compost production plant. Thanks to the success of the association, many of the women have been able to purchase their own land, perpetuating economic stability, freedom, and breaking a cycle of abuse. Sustainable Harvest Info Source
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COSURCA - Colombia
COSURCA is a secondary-level cooperative currently comprised of eleven producer associations, one cooperative, and three territorial entities or municipalities from the Southern Colombian Macizo mountains in the center and south of the region of Cauca. Since its inception, COSURCA has followed seven core values: Solidarity, Cooperation, Responsibility, Honesty, Hard work, Social Engagement, and Respect for individuals and Nature. Currently, COSURCA is providing accompaniment and support in the technical, organizational, commercial, political, and judicial development of 1500 small farmer families, with an emphasis on organic and fair trade coffee production, food security, and self-sufficiency for communities through the production of staple crops, as well as the production and commercialization of tropical fruits for pulp and juices. COSURCA exports fair trade coffee to small and medium wholesale coffee roasters but also manages its own line of wholesale roasted coffee for the domestic market. As a fundamental tenet of its philosophy of economic development, COSURCA strives to be as inclusive as possible by engaging ethnic minority groups and women in the different projects it implements in its communities. Learn more
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Triunfo Verde - Mexico
Triunfo Verde, S.C. is a cooperative organization comprised of over 500 organized small farmers dedicated to organic farm practices in the buffer zone surrounding the El Triunfo biological reserve. Through ecologically friendly practices, they seek to foment conservation, offset land and resource degradation in the area, and promote the recovery of natural resources and local biodiversity. Its mission is to improve member livelihoods by selling high-quality organic coffee in markets that value and reward the effort behind growing an ecologically friendly product at a fair price. As environmental stewards, Triunfo Verde seeks that its members remain actively engaged in environmental education. Through their technical and agronomic accompaniment, farmers receive the necessary training and education to develop their households into productive campesino enterprises capable of generating sustainable economic development in communities. All business operations, from the collection and commercialization of coffee to technical assistance, financial and productive assistance, community development, and product diversification, are managed inclusively and democratically. They advocate for gender and racial equality and religious freedom as founding principles of this cooperative. Ultimately, the organizationβs mission is to develop and demonstrate that agriculture can be compatible with rational resource use, promoting the social and economic development of underserved communities. They aim to improve humankindβs relationship with nature through feasible and ecologically sound means, with social justice at its core. Learn more
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ANEI β Colombia
The Association of Indigenous and Campesino Agroecological Producers of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the SerranΓa del PerijΓ‘ ANEI was founded in 1995 by Aurora Izquierdo, the first indigenous woman of the Arhuaco tribe of the Yewrwa community to obtain a university degree. She studied in the capital of Colombia, BogotΓ‘, with the objective of organizing the local economies of our indigenous and campesino communities. Aurora Izquierdo utilized coffee as a tool to secure the cultural permanence of those indigenous communities in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the SerranΓa del PerijΓ‘, in the north of Colombia, through the implementation of eco-sustainable programs and projects that fortify organizational processes. These processes reclaim the social, economic, and cultural rights of members, and promote food safety all at the same time contributing to the world with an excellent natural product, organic coffee grown in harmony with nature. The production and commercialization of ANEIβs organic coffee is implemented in a context of harmony and respect for Mother Earth. Learn more
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Sol Y Cafe - Peru
Located in the province of Jaen, in the rural department of Cajamarca, Peru, Sol & CafΓ© was founded in 2005 with support from Caritas Jaen, a Catholic social service and humanitarian organization, member of the Caritas Internationalis. This cooperative moved quickly to acquire the necessary organic and fair trade certificates in order to sell directly into North American and European coffee markets. Its initial 27 producer base groups have grown to more than 60 producer associations, bringing together some 1,000 farmer families. Sol & CafΓ© continues to share an office space in the Caritas complex in Jaen, where it maintains a warehouse and quality control lab. Cooperative Coffees began working with Sol & CafΓ© in 2012, importing their membersβ coffee with unique characteristics of jasmine floral fragrances, sweet tropical fruit, honey vanilla, and caramel flavors, balanced with crisp acidity and a creamy, full body. Sol & CafΓ© has quickly become a solid and integral member of the Coop Coffeesβ producer partner network, with its excellent communication, coffee quality, and services to its members.Β Learn More
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Fero Cooperative - Ethiopia
Located in Wonsho Woreda in Southern Ethiopia, the Fero Coop joined the Sidama Cooperative Farmers Coffee Union (SCFCU) in 2005. They are their largest and most productive member and act as leader in the region in water conservation and composting. They have also won many awards for the cup quality of their coffee. In 2014 filmmakers from The Perennial Plate accompanied us on a trip to meet with members of SCFCU. The result is this short film that takes you through the heart of the coffee lands in Sidama. Listen closely to hear the Amharic word for coffee, buna, repeated over and over in a beautiful tribute to the role of coffee and cooperatives in the farmersβ lives. Learn More
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COMSA - Honduras
Founded with a vision to innovate and improve coffee-growing for the farmers of the region, the cooperative COMSA (CafΓ© OrgΓ‘nico Marcala) has done just that. In the Southern mountains of the country, they are continually finding new ways to grow coffee through sustainable and organic means. Their farms thrive as community leaders explore the use of innovative practices like applying fermented solutions of micro-organisms to boost the plantsβ health; some even drink it themselves! COMSA dedicates many resources to strengthening its organization through educational programs for its members. For example, a womenβs group raises animals and tends a rich cornucopia of vegetable crops to diversify their familiesβ incomes and supply the local community with healthy, organic produce. Learn More
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Permata Gayo - Indonesia
Far on the northern end of Sumatra, high in the Gayo Mountains, several producers cultivate a coffee that is utterly unique. Years of civil war plagued this region, causing many farmers to abandon their land and flee to the neighboring city of Medan. However, after a powerful tsunami hit the coastal region of northern Sumatra in 2014, the most devastating of its kind in modern times, and the peace accords were signed, ending a generation of violence, farmers began returning to their land to grow these exceptionally delicious beans. Learn More
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CENFROCAFE - Peru
Located in the high jungle of northern Peru, CENFROCAFE farmers take pride in their organic practices with a strong emphasis on the preparation of compost with coffee pulp, best use of other organic waste and reproduction of microorganism mixtures. From technical assistance and quality control workshops for their farmers, to economic and leadership training for the young people in their rural communities, CENFROCAFE works not only to support the commercial endeavors of its members β but also to facilitate the development of their communities as a whole. Learn More
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Pangoa - Peru
Tucked away in the central Amazon region, just east of the Andean mountain range, youβll find the Cooperativa Agraria Cafetalera Pangoa headquarters. Pangoa has experienced a long and colorful history underscored with both good and hard times. Founded 40 years ago by a group of 50 farmers, they once had membership above 1,700 farmers. That number declined dramatically during the late 1980s as strife in the region led many farmers to leave their land to escape violence. With peace on the horizon, more farmers are coming back and Pangoaβs membership has evened out with nearly 700 farmers. Pangoa represents our second longest trading relationship and stands as an example of the benefits that well-managed cooperatives can give their members. Learn More
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PROCOCER - Nicaragua
PROCOCER is located in northern Nicaragua, very close to the Honduras border. They have spent the past few years renovating many of their farms affected by age of trees and climate change. They are also working hard to diversify products and economic activities, in order to improve the well-being of their member families while conserving the ecological balance and natural beauty of their region. Learn More
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Manos Campesinas - Guatemala
Located in the western highlands of Guatemala, near the southern border of Mexico and about 70 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The volcanic soil, altitude, and tropical climate provide ideal conditions for growing delicious coffee in harmony with the land.
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A 30th Year Note From Our CEO Lee
January 16th, 2026Β With Gratitude, From the Beginning to What Comes Next Thirty years ago, Peace Coffee began as a hopeful and very intentional idea. We believed coffee could be a catalyst for change. That it was possible to pay farmers a fair price for their work, to build honest and long-term relationships, and to create a business rooted in values without sacrificing sustainability. At the time, that idea was far from mainstream. We set out to prove that ethical business was not only the right thing to do, but something that could truly work. If you have been with us since the beginning, you helped turn that belief into reality. If you are new to Peace Coffee, we are grateful you have found your way here. Looking back, I am struck not by how much we have grown, but by how steady our values have remained. We continue to believe in putting people first, in pursuing quality without cutting corners, and in fairness throughout the supply chain. We believe in telling a richer, more honest story about where coffee comes from and who makes it possible. From Farm Communities to Home Communities We have had the privilege of working alongside farming communities who continue to show resilience and creativity in the face of climate change, political instability, and economic systems that too often work against them. Their work, their knowledge, and their perseverance are the backbone of Peace Coffee. Long-term relationships, measured not in seasons but in decades, have shown us what trust, mutual respect, and shared commitment look like in practice. Those relationships influence not only how we source coffee, but how we show up in every community we serve. In our hometown of Minneapolis, where we roast all of our coffee, we are proud to be part of a vibrant community of businesses and neighbors from many cultures. Our roots run deep here, and we invest in and partner with local organizations and nonprofits working toward positive social and environmental change. Because real change is brewed together. As we mark this milestone, here is what you can count on from us: We will keep treating each other well.We will keep building relationships that last.We will keep believing that business can, and should, contribute to a more just, sustainable, and connected world. So what does this mean for our 30th year? Throughout this anniversary year, we will take time to celebrate the people behind Peace Coffee and share stories from farmers, roasters, partners, and community members who have helped shape us. We would also love to hear from you. What has Peace Coffee meant to you? What keeps you coming back? What do you hope to see in the years ahead? Let us know. Again, thank you for walking alongside us, whether for 30 years or 30 days. We are honored to be part of your daily rituals, your conversations, and your communities. We are excited to see what the next chapter brings together. With deep gratitude, Lee WallaceOwner and CEO, Peace Coffee
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Coffee Label Coloring Sheets
Breakout the crayons, folksβit's coloring time! How well do you think you can draw our labels? Download a template and put your art skills to the test! Don't forget to tag us on social media when sharing your creation with the world! French Roast Tree Hugger Peru Colombia Guatemala Yeti Pollinator Black Squirrel Ethiopia Morning Glory Birchwood Twin Cities Nocturnal Blue Ox Feeling Creative? Design Your Own!
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How Grow Ahead Makes a Difference
At Peace Coffee, our dedication to uplifting both our local community and farming communities around the world is deeply rooted in our core values, which is why we donate 1% of purchases made online to one of four organizations of your choice at no extra cost to you. And for Earth Month, we're doubling that commitment to 2%! One of those organizations is Grow Ahead, which was founded to address the critical challenges faced by small-scale coffee farmers as they confront climate change and food insecurity. These farmers, whose hands cultivate the coffee we enjoy every day, are on the frontlines of climate resilience yet often lack the resources needed to adapt to changing conditions. Rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall patterns, and increasing pest pressures threaten both their livelihoods and the future of coffee production worldwide. How Grow Ahead Makes a Difference Grow Ahead combats climate challenges through community-led agroforestry programs that build sustainable farming systems, enhance biodiversity, and create more resilient landscapes. Their approach includes: Trust in Indigenous Knowledge and Practices: Placing trust in local knowledge and expertise is a radical shift in community development. That's why all Grow Ahead projects are planned, implemented,and maintained by local cooperatives and organizations; to ensure proper land usage and long-term success. Farmer-to-Farmer Training: Facilitating knowledge exchange between farmers to spread sustainable practices and traditional wisdom. These trainings empower farmers to implement agroforestry techniques effectively, creating a multiplier effect as knowledge spreads throughout communities. At COMSA specifically, along with planting shade trees, they also aim to train over 1,200 farmers on these techniques. Climate Resilience Funding: Connecting small-scale farmer organizations with the resources they need to implement large-scale agroforestry projects. By crowdfunding these initiatives, Grow Ahead ensures that farmers can take climate action into their own hands. Peace Coffee and COMSA Baby coffee plants at COMSA's Experimental Farm Our relationship with COMSA (CafΓ© OrgΓ‘nico Marcala, S.A.) in Honduras represents the perfect intersection of our values and Grow Ahead's mission. As a cooperative of over 1,500 small-scale coffee farmers in the Marcala region, COMSA has been a Peace Coffee partner for years, providing us with exceptional organic coffee while pioneering innovative organic farming methods. When we visited COMSA recently, we witnessed firsthand how their commitment to agroforestry and organic practices has transformed the landscape. Farms that once grew coffee in full sun now flourish under a diverse canopy of native shade trees, creating microclimates that protect coffee plants from extreme temperatures and drought. These shade trees don't just benefit the coffeeβthey restore biodiversity, sequester carbon, and provide additional food and income sources for farming families. Grow Ahead's new project with COMSA will expand these successful practices to more farmers in the cooperative, focusing on enhancing shade-grown coffee production through the planting of 160,000 trees and supporting plants. The project will also include farmer trainings on agroforestry implementation, ensuring that these practices continue to spread throughout the region. To learn more about COMSA, check out this page on our site, and to learn more about Amirβs trip to visit COMSA where we got to see firsthand all the amazing work theyβre up to, check out this blog post! Do Your Part This Earth Month All month long, weβve doubled the amount weβre contributing to our partners from 1% of all purchases to 2%, at no extra cost to you. If you want to support Grow Aheadβs mission, be sure to select them before checkout to help fund their new agroforestry project with our friends at COMSA! When you look at your morning cup of Peace Coffee, consider the many hands that brought it to you: the farmers who planted and harvested the beans, the cooperative members who processed them, and the roasters who carefully developed the flavors you enjoy. These same hands are now planting trees, building resilience, and creating a more sustainable future for coffee. By supporting Grow Ahead, you're joining hands with these farmers in their vital work. To learn more about them, head to their website and be sure to give them a follow on Instagram and check out their website! Join hands with farmers and help build climate resilience and a more sustainable future for coffee!
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Cultivating Change with Food 4 Farmers
At Peace Coffee, our dedication to uplifting both our local community and farming communities around the world is deeply rooted in our core values, which is why we donate 1% of purchases made online to one of four organizations of your choice at no extra cost to you. And for Earth Month, weβre doubling that commitment to 2%! One of those organizations is Food 4 Farmers, which was founded in 2011 to address food insecurity in coffee farming communities during what are called βthin months,β which is a period lasting 5-8 months each year when their coffee income runs out before the next harvest. Volatile coffee prices, rising costs of sustainable farming, climate change, and limited access to nutritious food contribute to persistent food insecurity, making it difficult for these families to consistently put healthy meals on the table. Their mission is clear: ensure coffee-farming families can access nutritious food year-round, transforming seasonal vulnerability into long-term resilience. How Food 4 Farmers Makes a Difference The Villa Linda community of women sell their homegrown produce at ACODIHUE's Community Food Exchange Food 4 Farmers combats food insecurity through community-driven programs that build sustainable local food systems, diversify income streams, and encourage environmentally friendly farming practices. Their approach includes: Home Gardens: Enabling families to grow their own nutritious produce, decreasing food insecurity. Currently, 620 active home gardens that provide year-round access to healthy food are being managed by coffee-farming families. Beekeeping: Generating additional income through honey sales while enhancing pollination and biodiversity. Bees play a crucial role in pollinating coffee plants, resulting in higher yields and improved quality of coffee cropsβand honey also is a great substitute for processed sugar, which helps nutrition! Agroforestry: Integrating beneficial trees into coffee farms, improving soil health, protecting against climate variability, and providing new sources of income through fruits and timber. So far, Food 4 Farmers has helped distribute and plant nearly 38,000 trees in coffee-farming communities, substantially contributing to both food security and ecological health! A Story of Change: Alcides Hurtado at Campo Bello Alcides Hurtado, 70, coffee farmer At 70 years old, Alcides Hurtado embodies a lifelong commitment to his family, community, and farm in the remote village of San Jose Piendamo, Cauca, Colombia. For 13 years, he and his wife, Maria Mercedes, have been members of the COMEPCAFE cooperative, which supports over 1,400 predominantly Indigenous and Afro-Colombian families. Their 9-hectare farm, βCampo Belloβ, has not only been a source of coffee but also a platform for transformation.Β When Food 4 Farmers partnered with COMEPCAFE to rebuild local food systems, Alcidesβ eagerness to learn and share made him a natural leader. Already practicing agroecological methods, he embraced new training and turned Campo Bello into a demonstration farm for sustainable practices and traditional crops. Alcides built a thriving home garden that now produces bananas, avocados, citrus, tubers, and moreβproviding food security for his family of seven and enough surplus to sell. In 2023, when COMEPCAFE launched the Solidarity Market to connect member farms with local buyers, Alcides was one of the first to join, earning an average of $267 per month in extra income, which helps cover household essentials and fuels continued investment in his farm. Alcides now shares what heβs learned with other farmers, strengthening food sovereignty and income diversification across the region. Campo Bello serves as an inspiring example, encouraging neighboring farms to embrace similar sustainable practices. Do Your Part This Earth Month We invite you to be part of this positive change. From now until April 22 (Earth Day), every purchase on our website can directly help Food 4 Farmers with their goal of funding a season of vegetables for 70 coffee farmers! To learn more about them, head to their website and be sure to give them a follow on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date with their initiatives! Together, we can end hunger in communities around the world. Join us in growing a healthier future for coffee farmers!
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A World-Class Coffee Farm Visit
Hey, everyone! Itβs Amir, Peace Coffeeβs Social Media and Marketing Specialist! Earlier this month, I had the absolute pleasure of visiting our friends at the COMSA Cooperative in Honduras, along with several others representing roasteries all over Canada and the United States, and Iβm really excited to share more about it! The first thing you have to know about COMSA is that they are a world-class coffee cooperative. Being that this was my first visit to a coffee-growing community, I kept hearing throughout my trip that they set the bar incredibly high. Theyβre a dedicated group of farmers, ecologists, and other experts who tirelessly experiment to push boundaries in order to grow more efficiently while ensuring their practices are what is best for their farms. How They Do What They Do Ripe and unripe coffee cherries on Karla Portillo's farm. At the core of everything they do is a philosophy they call the β5 Mβs,β which aims to not only remind farmers about how to be stewards of their land but also inspire them to develop themselves into better community members. Here are the 5 Mβs: 1. Matter Organic matter like compost and plant residue that enriches the soil with nutrients and structure. 2. Minerals Naturally occurring elements like volcanic soil or rock dust that boosts plant health without the use of chemical fertilization. 3. Microbiology Beneficial fungi, bacteria, and other microorganisms that break down organic matter and protest crops. 4. Molecules The formation of complex organic compounds like amino acids and proteins that arise when soil biology is thriving with help from the previous three Mβs. 5. Grey Matter The farmerβs instinct, creativity, and commitment, underscoring the human element in the process. I learned very quickly that these pillars of their philosophy are not just buzzwords but theyβre truly a way of life. And for me, the inclusion of grey matter as the 5th M highlights that their commitment is not only to developing and shaping farming techniques, but also to developing the farmers, their families, and the community. I got the chance to see so much incredible innovation, from their new state-of-the-art anaerobic fermentation tanks and their experimental lab where they were cultivating fungi as an organic pest control measure, the international school where kids are taught in languages like French and Japanese, their recycling facility where they turn plastic waste and litter into fence posts, and so much more. And all of it showed plainly that COMSA means business. Coffee Is A Family BusinessΒ Third-generation coffee farmer, Karla Portillo. To understand how the 5 Mβs truly come to life, you need not look any further than one of the many farmers we got to meet and whose coffee we personally enjoy at Peace CoffeeβKarla Portillo! Her farm originally belonged to her grandparents, and sheβs currently in the process of renovating her home. Also, according to her, sheβs able to reinvest in her farm thanks to customers buying her incredible coffees year after year. Her mentalityβone where sheβs always looking to improve the quality of her coffee and yield on her farmβis one shared by another farmer we visited, Oscar Alonzo. His journey to where he is now was, of course, different than Karlaβs, but the common throughline between the two, in my opinion, is that they both are continually looking for personal growth alongside their farmβs growth. Pedaling Through Difficult Times Oscar Alonzo on his farm sharing his story. Oscarβs story is one with deep valleysβhe says at one point he even felt suicidalβ but then we found a piece of paper on his farm with a bike drawn on it. It stood out to him as a sign that he needed to pedal on, and then we carried it with him to the US for the Specialty Coffee Association Expo. There, he realized he was not just a coffee farmer but a business person too. When he returned from that trip, he chose to call his farm "Cual Bicicleta" after the metaphor he uses to keep himself movingβthe bicycle. He told us that he sees life a lot like riding a bike. If you donβt continually pedal, you canβt stay upright and will fall over. He felt himself struggling to keep himself upright, but after shifting his mindset and making use of innovative composting techniques, he has been able to increase yields and find great business opportunities for himself.Both he and Karla are just two of the many examples of the hard-working and passionate farmers of COMSA who embody the 5 Mβs to the fullest. And the cooperativesβs vision extends far beyond any individual farms as well! Turning Waste into Fence Posts Our tour group learning about COMSA's "plastic wood" production at their recycling plant. Central and South America have big problems with plastic waste and litter, so to manage this non-biodegrable material, improve soil quality by eliminating microplastics, and creating an alternate revenue stream where there would otherwise not be one, the folks at COMSA have invested heavily into a recycling plant where many tons of plastic litter like bottles are sorted, shredded, and turned into something they call βplastic woodβ, mainly in the form of fence posts, which they sell. Along with selling the fence posts, when sorting the plastic, they separate out the plastics that is most desirable by other recycling plants for them to sell, allowing them to focus on recycling the plastics that other places would often not bother with recycling because itβs not as profitable. Again, itβs clear that their commitment to the health of their land is a huge priority, and achieving that while also making a useful and profitable product just adds to idea that COMSA is truely second to none when it comes to making things happen. Educating The Next Generation COMSA International School. Another big example showing the care they have for things beyond just the coffee is the COMSA International School. When I got the chance to visit, I was amazed by how nurturing the environment was for students. The youngest among them were learning in languages like French, German, and Japanese, and that was a huge surprise to me. I learned that these places are all markets in which COMSA is looking to grow in the future, which means their next generation of farmers will need to be fluent in those languages to do business. In fact, on the day I was visiting, I saw a teacher from Japan who was teaching little kids words in Japanese. And some of the older kids also maintained small plots on the schoolgrounds where they grew various vegetables as well, teaching them the importance of good farming practices. The wholistic approach they took to their education really impressed me, and I could tell the kids, including the youngest ones I saw, were also incredibly inspired and motivated by it as well. COMSA For The Win Baby coffee trees which will be used inΒ the renovation of the farms of COMSA members. I feel like thereβs so much more I could share about COMSA. From their incredible technological investments like their laser sorter at the dry mill which sorts individual coffee cherries ensuring only the best are processed, to their ambitious project aiming to plant 400,000 trees across all of their farms to improve yields based on research they conduct on their experimental farm, and so much more, COMSA is truely in a league of its own. If you want to see a highlight reel of some of my favorite moments from the trip, we posted a montage on our Instagram, which you can check out here, and definitely be sure to keep an eye on our social media profiles in the coming weeks and months for tons more content from the trip! Thank you to our friends at Cooperative Coffees for putting this trip together, and extra special thank you to the staff at COMSA for hosting us!
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Jackson's Brewing Protips
Q: How much coffee should I use per cup of coffee?Β This is a tough one to answer quickly, because no two coffee brewer manufacturers can agree on what a "cup" means, and none of them are a standard US "cup" (aka 8 fluid oz or half a pint), and all of them are substantially smaller than what most coffee drinkers today consider to be a "cup of coffee." What most coffee drinkers can agree on is that when we talk about "a cup of coffee" it's something that looks like this:Β And most mugs of this shape are around 10 fluid oz, or 300 mL if you're a metric-lover like me.Β We recommend using 18g of coffee for each of this type of mug, which translates to about 2 heaping tablespoons of whole bean coffee.Β Q: What's the best way to brew coffee? The best way to brew coffee is the way that you like to and makes enough coffee for you and your household. Coffee extraction can be done in dozens of different ways, but all it amounts to is steeping coffee grounds in hot water and removing those grounds after a certain amount of time. You can brew a delicious cup of coffee using a saucepan, a sock, and a hammer. I don't recommend it because it's incredibly inconvenient, but it is possible!Β Finding a way that produces delicious coffee might not be worth it if it's too finicky or fussy for you, or alternately, a convenient way of brewing coffee might not be worth it if it produces a drink you don't like drinking. No one solution's right for everyone. Β If there were, we'd all just be using that all the time instead of having dozens of different brew methods out there. There's a big exciting world of coffee brewers out there, so if your current setup isn't cutting it, it's always fun to explore! Check out our brew guides for inspiration.Β Q: Is it true that lighter roasts have more caffeine?Β Maybe? But probably not.Β This belief that light roasted coffee contains more caffeine comes from a notion that at high temperatures inside a roasting drum when coffee is roasted to a darker color caffeine can evaporate inside the drum. Β While it's true that the roasting drum gets hotter than the evaporation point of caffeine, not a lot of caffeine will evaporate inside of a roaster. It'll remain plenty caffeinated after roasting. Consider water, which evaporates at 212Β°F. If you put a gallon of water into a 450Β° oven for half an hour, does the water completely evaporate? Of course not. Some does, but not even remotely all of it will. The most significant impact on caffeine content in coffee is the biology of the plant: what species it is and how it was grown, not how it was roasted.Β What is very true is that lighter roasted coffee is denser than darker roasted coffee, so if you're using the same scoop for your light roast and your dark roast brews, you'll end up using more coffee in your light roast brew. Β This will have more of everything (caffeine included) in your final beverage. Β This is part of why we recommend brewing by weight whenever possible because using the same amount (by weight) of coffee every time will give you a much more consistent final beverage.Β Q: Are burr grinders really that much better? Imagine two people following a recipe for roasted potatoes. Β Ms. Burr cuts her potatoes into even-sized chunks before putting them into the oven. Β Mr. Blade haphazardly hacks away at his potatoes, resulting in some pieces that are the size of a pea and some that are barely smaller than a whole potato. Β They both roast the potatoes at the same temperature for the same amount of time. Β Ms. Burr's potatoes all come out with perfect crispy exteriors and pillowy interiors. Β Mr. Blade's potatoes are a mess, with the smaller pieces burning to a crisp and the bigger pieces still being raw inside. Β Whose potatoes would you rather eat?Β This is exactly what goes on inside burr grinders and blade grinders. Β Blade grinders smash into coffee beans repeatedly, shattering them into all kinds of different sizes. Β Burr grinders precision cut them into very specific-sized pieces in a narrow size range.Β Just as potatoes can over or undercook, coffee grounds can over or under-extract, either not getting enough flavor in your brew or getting some bitter and acrid or otherwise undesirable flavors in.Β If you're gonna splurge on something in your coffee setup, get yourself a nice grinder. Your tastebuds will thank you. Check out our fave burr grinder! Q: I only really like dark roasts / light roasts / decaf / cold brew / coffee with lots of cream and sugar / PSLs. Am I a bad person? Yes, Iβm sorry, you are. Β For absolution, say ten Hail Melittas and five Our French Presses Iβm kidding. Β Of course, youβre not a bad person! Thereβs far too much shaming in the coffee world about how drinking incredibly strong black coffee thatβs been roasted and brewed a certain way is the only βproperβ way to drink it. Β How you drink coffee is not the same way I might, but thatβs okay. Iβm not trying to shame you.Β I want you to live a fun and delicious life, and if thatβs drinking PSLs year-round, then you do you, friend! Just maybe consider making them with Peace Coffee :)Β
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Ride the Peace Wave
Introducing a microwavable bean roasting system! Β I noticed a bag of beans sitting on my microwave and thought, why not offer Peace Coffeeβbut freshly roasted in a jiffy We think our customers will have a great time trying to achieve the perfect roast at home. It doesnβt get fresher than Peace Wave! - Lee Wallace
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New B Corp Score
The process towards becoming a B Corporation starts with a comprehensive impact assessment in which a corporation must score at least 80. Here's the breakdown of our new score!
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Espresso Many Ways
Developed as a means of making small amounts of coffee quickly and repeatedly so Italian bars could serve shots of freshly brewed coffee as quickly as they poured grappa, espresso is a complex drink built around large scales and repeatability. So why would anyone attempt to make it at home?Β To be honest, thereβs nothing quite like an espresso or an espresso drink from your favorite cafΓ©. No amount of finagling will turn something that comes out of a drip brewer into the same rich and syrupy experience as an espresso shot. While there are many great places to get a Peace Coffee espresso drink out there, we, as Minnesotans, understand that whether it be due to a Polar Vortex or just not wanting to put on pants, sometimes leaving the house is a Herculean effort. So hereβs what to know when youβre pondering a home espresso set-up, from the budget-friendly options to the elaborate set-up of your dreams. The Original Bialetti Moka Pot β Under $50 The classic βstovetop espresso machineβ that lets you brew the European way is the Bialetti Moka pot. This uses the pressure of evaporating water vapor to press the water through the puck of coffee in the center of the pot. When used well and dialed in properly, it will make a delightful stronger-than-drip kinda-sorta-espresso-like drink that works beautifully to make a cafΓ© lattΓ© in oneβs home, and creates a fun and nostalgic atmosphere along the way. Travels Well AeroPress and Bellman Stovetop Steamer β $150 The AeroPress canβt technically make βrealβ espresso, but it does make a potent concentrated coffee drink that can be mixed with hot steamed milk from the Bellman Stovetop Steamer. This creates something that might not be a cappuccino in a snobβs eye, but itβll look like one, smell like one, and most importantly, taste like one. Just Getting Your Feet Wet Breville Infuser β $30 The Bambino does a lot of things well for not a lot of money or counter space. It might not rival your favorite espresso drink at your local cafΓ©, but it will get you the better part of the way without a lot of deep espresso knowledge or financial investment. The Intense Hobbyist Gaggia Classic Pro β $450 At first glance, the Gaggia Classic Pro can seem a little clunky and difficult to use, but with time, patience, and effort to learn some barista skills, youβll be dropping perfect shots and steaming gorgeous milk to wow your householdβand yourself!βwith some delicious espresso drinks. Breville Barista Pro β $850 The Barista Pro grinds coffee beautifully, extracts it beautifully, and steams milk pretty dang well too. It has all the bells and whistles one might want from a home espresso machine including an incorporated grinder, included tamp, volumetric controls and a digital shot timer, making it a cinch to make a beautiful espresso drink even while still pretty sleepy and/or lacking in barista skills and knowledge. Never Want to Spend Money in a Coffee Shop Ever Again Itβs a tie β Rocket Appartamento OR Breville Dual Boiler $1600-$1700 These machines will crank out beverages beautifully and quickly, can steam milk and extract espresso at the same time, and are built sturdily enough to keep running for years after purchase. The Breville Dual Boiler has more features like volumetric shot controls and a built-in shot timer but the Rocket Appartamento is built with sturdier parts and is easier to fix. You really canβt go too wrong with either. For Those Whose Dream is to Open Their Own Coffee Shop La Marzocco Linea Micro β $4500 Built like a tank with professional replaceable parts with a giant and powerful boiler and excellently engineered temperature and pressure controls, this machine can make 40 drinks a day that taste spectacular and keep on ticking for decades down the line. If youβre a serious βmoney-is-no-objectβ shopper, this is the βbuy it for not just my lifetimeβ machine.
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Holiday Cookie Pairing
Spritz Cookies These sweet, buttery cookies are coffeeβs best friend! While we would never try to beat grandmaβs recipe, this NYT recipe comes in clutch if you need a refresher. Gather the fam, break out your press, and brew a big pot of coffee to keep the cookie cheer going all day long. Spritzes pair well with our new Limited Edition Peace and Love Holiday Blend! This light roast has a wonderful buttery flavor that pairs well with your favorite pastryβ¦or Spirtz cookie, if you know what we mean. πΒ Chocolate Molasses Cookies We recommend this NYT recipe β These cookies give off a grown-up taste with the bitterness of the cocoa and molasses play off of the spiciness of the ginger. These cookies pair well with our βgrown upβ coffees, the robust and smoky French roast or comforting decaf Morning Glory. Peanut Butter Blossoms Letβs be real, you probably have your own recipe but if youβve misplaced it, we use this one! β This is the cookie no one is ever going to be disappointed to see in your holiday exchanges. A well-loved absolute classic, weβve been known to go a little rouge and incorporate hazelnut spread into our batches from time to time. The roast flavor from the peanut butter pairs well with nutty coffees like our smooth Twin Cities blend, carmelley Black Squirrel Espresso, or signature dark roast Tree Hugger. Holiday M&M Cookies A tried and true crowd-pleaser, we love this recipe! The red and green M&Ms add a festive touch to your cookie plattersβ¦so weβll pair one festive addition with anotherβ¦ try it with our seasonal Snowshoe Brew.
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Move Over Mint
Introducing Mouth Peace!Β Our latest line of caffeinated goods is here just in time for April ;-)
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How To Clean Your Coffee Gear
There are few things as disappointing as doing everything right for your cup of coffeeβcarefully selecting the beans, measuring them properly, measuring the exact amount of water, grinding them to the perfect size, and carefully managing their extraction into waterβand still getting a cup that tastesβ¦uninspiring. If you feel you did everything right but thereβs an ashy, burnt, or medicinal taste; oftentimes the culprit is dirty coffee equipment and it might be time to learn how to clean your coffee gear. Coffee equipment cleaning easily goes by the wayside, as it doesnβt have the kind of urgency as a dirty plate or skillet does. Even still, your coffee brewing equipment is worth cleaning. The difference it will make in your morning mug should be enough to help you remember to do it on the regular. Do you want to learn how to clean coffee equipment the right way? Hereβs how we keep our precious tools clean! Make Your Mug Happy In a few simple steps, easily learn how to clean coffee gear so that your coffee tastes as good as it should every time. Clean Your Coffee Brewer When deciding if you need to learn how to clean your coffee gear, our advice can be broken down into one single phrase: If brewed coffee touches it, it should be cleaned with soap and water at least once a week. The exact same kind of soap you use on your dishes is adequate for the task of cleaning your coffee brewing materials. Be it your Auto-Drip brewer, Chemex, French Press, Moka Pot, or your Bripe; a little soap, water, and scrubbing will go a long way. The only issue with using dish soap to clean your coffee gear is that it also requires scrubbing, and sometimes that poses a problem with brewing devices that have hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. In times like this, coffee machine cleaner is the solution. Coffee machine cleaning powder has additional surfactants that dissolve coffee oils with a good long soak. Make a solution of 1 tsp cleaning powder to 1 liter of hot water and soak your gear for 15 minutes. This generally does the trick perfectly, even for the most caked-on gunk. Anything in your brewing arsenal that can be removed or taken apart should be removed or taken apart to scrub or soak, and if youβre fortunate enough to have a home espresso machine, it should be backflushed. Clean Your Coffee Grinder Grinders are likely that itβs easiest to forget to clean. In burr-style grinders, the actual grinding action happens in a chamber that is not easily seen unless you take the grinder apart, and blade-style grinders commonly do not come apart easily to be washed. However, dirty grinders will introduce off-flavors into your coffee, so if you donβt remember the last time you cleaned your grinder, nowβs a good time to learn how to clean your coffee gear. The rule of thumb for coffee grinder cleaning is that if itβs made of plastic and is removable, it should be cleaned with soap and water and allowed to completely air dry before reassembling. If itβs made of metal, it should only be cleaned with dry materials. The Baratza grinders that we sell have removable hoppers, hopper lids, and grinds drawers, as well as a gasket that feeds beans into the grinding chamber. Each of these would be considered βremovable plasticβ. Once these are removed, the upper burr carrier can easily be lifted out so that it can be cleaned, and the lower burr and grind chamber are exposed allowing them to be cleaned. Baratza includes a grinding brush thatβs designed to clean these, but if that has been lost, a stiff nylon bristle brush, a wooden skewer, or even a toothbrush will work great. Just make sure to keep everything dry and wipe it out with a clean dry towel or rag once youβre done. If you find that cleaning your burrs or blades with a nylon brush and a skewer is tedious, good news! Coffee professionals agree, and as a result, have developed a far easier way. You may have heard about the hack of grinding rice through your grinder to clean it. This is technically trueβit totally worksβbut dry rice is also very hard and will dull the edges of your burrs or blades if done regularly. You can also use a breakfast cereal well known for how it snaps, crackles, and pops to clean it, but it can also leave behind a residue that will leave the flavor of that cereal in your coffee for the next few brews. The best option is grinder cleaner tablets. These are made specifically to clean grinders and do so easily with minimal effect on the burrs while leaving behind no residue. If you havenβt cleaned your gear recently, it can be amazing how much better your coffee will taste the next time through. If this inspired you to learn how to clean your coffee gear, the next time you taste your morning coffee try and hold onto how nice it tastes. Let that exceptional brightness, sweetness, and complexity without any ashy or muddy flavors be your guiding light to remind you to keep cleaning regularly, and to let your coffee be all that it can be. Worth Cleaning Fav! Chemex 6 Cup Rated 5.00 out of 5 $47 Add to Cart Baratza Encore Conical Burr Grinder Rated 5.00 out of 5 $150 Add to Cart French Press β 34 oz $40 Add to Cart
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2021: On Down The Road
Looking back at 2021 with a mix of happiness and a sober reminder of the difficulties of this time.
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2020: Can You Hear Me Now?
A recap of the year that no one asked for, but ended up being kind of like a half-caff cup of coffee.
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We love you MPLS
Our city and many others across the nation are experiencing mountains of hardship, loss, and hurt right now. This past weekend was filled with grieving, unrest, protest, and also a call for justice and peace to be restored. We are fortunate that all our locations are unharmed, but the immediate areas around us have been severely damaged and will take much time to rebuild. Along with the businesses still standing in our area, our roastery is going into its fifth day with no power due to the inability to safely dispatch the city electricians. Until electricity is restored and we can assure the safety of the roastery for our staff, delivery team, and shipping partners, we are unable to fulfill orders. We know that you plan to have your coffee order within a certain window of time, especially our coffee subscriptions, but we hope you can be patient and understanding as we navigate a difficult situation full of heartache unlike anything most of us have seen in our lifetime. On Friday of last week our CEO, alongside, a team of amazing staff, former employees, and vendor partners worked together to move all of our inventory off-site, and also rerouted a delivery of green coffee from our farmer partners to offsite warehouses. Both the trucks and the space to store this product were kindly offered by other local coffee and beverage companies. We are immensely thankful for the show of support from these fellow business owners. This reflects the general acts of goodness that were not shown on local and national news this past weekend. Our community is full of kind and beautiful people that came out to sweep our streets, put out fires, move debris, and provide essential supplies like food, masks, diapers, and medicine to those in need. Weβve also been witness to continuous peaceful protests demanding justice for George Floyd. We love our city and have faith that together we can repair, heal, and make changes for the better. Sweeping Our Streets As we wait for our power to be restored, we are taking a moment to reflect, check in with our loved ones, march and call for justice, and look for ways to give back by delivering food and essential supplies to community hubs. If you live nearby, grab a winter shovel, a push broom, garbage bags, masks, and gloves and find a local group to assist in organized and much appreciated sweeping up of our streets. Join in a Clean Up Handing Out Supplies There are many folks who are in serious need of essential supplies due to damage and closure of grocery stores, big-box retailers, pharmacies, and further difficulty while public transit is paused. If you can help, here is a list of places you can donate supplies and/or money to in our immediate area. Groups That Need Resources We sincerely hope and ask you to please continue to support our business and those of so many others in our city that are working to rebuild, ensure safety, and provide their goods and services again as soon as they possibly can. We need healthy, vibrant, diverse, equitable communities to survive and thrive and it comes down to all of us doing the work together to make this world a better place. Heads Up, Seeking Justice We know the hardships for our business, the physical structures and streets, and many of our residents will pass. Things will get better. But what we know now, more than ever, is justice, equality, and peace must be our collective aim. The marginalized parts of our community, and communities across America, are crying out and being heard. To answer those cries, justice for George Floyd must be served. Justice For George
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Our City Is Hurting
For almost 25 years, Peace Coffee has been roasting coffee with love in the heart of Minneapolis. Our roastery and our flagship coffee shop are both two blocks from the main artery of our community, Lake Street. It connects our residents from Bde Maka Ska to the Mississippi River and is a treasure. This stretch of the city has innumerable small, independent businesses as well as big-box retailers that provide essential items and services to the area. Itβs where countless nonprofit and community organizations hold space to listen to, gain insight on, and provide for our community. Itβs also the location of the third precinct police station, where the officers involved in the killing of George Floyd report. Since Tuesday night, emotions and actions have overflowed, and spilled over into the businesses and properties along Lake Street and beyond. With multiple fires, irreparable damage to property, theft, and also injuries incited by rubber bullets, tear gas, and physical violence, we are simply at a loss. But Still Love Remains Despite the hardships and time it will take to repair businesses throughout the area, many shop owners have stressed that they can replace things, but not human lives. Ingebretsenβs, a 99-year-old business located on Lake Street, is a welcome example of how compassion and love usurp hate and injustice, as they boarded up their broken windows and painted MLK Quotes and hearts on their exterior. Also, community members are assisting with the cleanup efforts. Spread the love or help businesses along Lake Street clean up. Act For Lake Street Gone But Not Forgotten There have been many peaceful acts of demonstrations on our streets calling for justice. People are marching together, building memorials and painting murals to honor George Floyd, and donating to organizations working to dismantle racism and to support Floydβs family and loved ones. First and foremost, use your voice to help seek justice for George. If you are able, consider giving to organizations on the ground that need our help. A Call For Justice We ask you to keep our city, its businesses, and its people in your thoughts as we try to navigate a situation that is part of a systematic issue around relations to power, race, and inequality. All things which matter deeply to Peace Coffee because the heart of the fair trade coffee we sell is a hope that we can do things differently and change the narrative when it comes to equality and justice for all. More Ways To Help Take Action MN Loaves & Fishes MN Reclaim The Block
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A Word From Lee: Adapting To Uncertainty
When new challenges come, we've always adapted and worked for our community, even more so now.Β
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2019: A Decade Gone By
Looking back at the amazing things that came our way, and the amazing coffees we sent your way, in 2019 fills us with gratitude for our place in the coffee universe.
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Peace Coffee Is In Great Hands
By now you know we have some pretty incredible things in store for 2018, but strap in because this caffeinated journey of ours is forging a new path. As you may know, Peace Coffee has been owned by theΒ Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) since the beginning. Itβs been a great ride, but recent discussions have led to IATP and Peace Coffee agreeing that it would be mutually beneficial to both parties if they were to sell the company to a new ownership group. The priority for everyone throughout this decision-making process was to find a like-minded buyer that could continue our mission and culture without fail. Who better to do that than one of our own? Thatβs right, our own Queen Bean and leader for the last 11 years, Lee Wallace, loves this company, its mission, and its culture so much that she decided to buy the whole operation in partnership with her friend and new business partner, Kent Pilakowski. A New Era for Peace Coffee Youβre probably sitting there thinking, who is this Kent Pilakowski character? I havenβt heard of him beforeβ¦ Well, heβs a successful Minneapolis based entrepreneur and management executive with over 20 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods industry. Heβs passionate about our mission and sees this as an opportunity to make a difference in the world, and set the foundation for his children to grow up around a socially-minded business that they can be proud to be a part of for years to come. As the new owners, Lee and Kent will work diligently to build upon the success Peace Coffee has experienced to date as an innovative social enterprise. While this change means that Peace Coffee will no longer be owned by a non-profit, it doesnβt mean weβre changing our focus from being a mission-based social enterprise that aims to have a lasting positive impact on the world. Staying True to Our Roots The foundation of Peace Coffee is our great coffee, along with our unique and innovative culture, and our mission to support the livelihoods of everyone in the chain from farm to cup while protecting and enhancing the environment in which the coffee is produced. It will continue to be our number one priority to have an active involvement in our supply chain, and look for ways to deepen our impact on coffee-growing communities. Along with improving the lives of coffee growing families through our industry-leading ethical purchasing practices, we will continue to demonstrate our leadership in the industry through transparency, sharing information on best practices, and collaborating on projects with other like-minded organizations. Overall, this change will help ensure we continue to lead the way and inspire others to follow in our footsteps. Peace Coffee has set the tone for innovation in organic, fair trade coffee for 20 years now and we fully expect this to continue to for the next 20 and beyond! Focused and Ready to Lead Under our new ownership, we will work even harder to stay ahead of the pack and maintain a focus on sustainable operations, while looking for ways to continuously build upon what weβve been doing for years. One way we are doing this is through our recent B Corp certification. Thatβs right, we are now a certified B Corporation! This certification not only demonstrates our leadership in sustainability but provides the framework for improvements, enabling us to further enhance our farmer and environment-first mission. Over time, our enduring commitment to building upon our mission will further our ability to buy and sell in other regions, expand our retail presence, and initiate other major changes that will help grow our impact. Weβre excited to have you help us usher in this new era of Peace Coffee. Our continued growth and success will mean better livelihoods for more farmers, partners, and staff. Thanks for your support over the last 20 years and we look forward to an even better 20 years ahead! Media Coverage of Our Announcement: Star Tribune Minnesota Business Minneapolis St. Paul Biz Journal WCCO β Channel 4 Daily Coffee News City Pages Twin Cities Business Magazine Southwest Journal
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The Art of Turkish Coffee
If you're looking to discover the art of Turkish coffee, look no further! In this blog post we break down more than you thought you wanted to know about this magical brew method. Just looking for a quick brew guide without all the fun facts?Β Click here to check that out!
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A 40,000 Pound Milestone
Yesterday, with much fanfare and hard work, we received a 40,000 pound cargo container of Guatemalan coffee beans. While we receive deliveries as large as this every few weeks, this container was shipped directly from Apecaform Coffee Cooperative in Guatemala right to our roastery door, bypassing other stops along the way. The coffee was harvested in late spring, put into 275 bags, each weighing over 150 pounds, and packed into a shipping container. The container went by truck to Puerto Barrios, where it was loaded onto a ship for a journey to New York. In New York, it cleared customs and was transferred onto a train to Minneapolis, where it was delivered to our roastery doors by truck. Unloading was an all-hands-on deck situation and took most of the morning. This container is significant to us not only because it came from our longest standing trading partner, but it is also our first direct whole container purchase since the first shipment from Mexico that got us started in 1996. That initial similar-sized purchase, took over 9 months to sell. Now 40,000 pounds represents a small fraction of what we will buy in 2016. We couldnβt imagine a better way kick off our 20th year year in business then by honoring our mission to continually buy more coffee from small scale farmers at fair prices. Having already traveled thousands of miles from Guatemala, these beans will soon be will be roasted and sent out, some by bicycle, to stores and coffee shops in the Twin Cities and beyond. Share in this milestone with us, pick up a bag of Guatemalan Dark Roast completing the coffeeβs journey from farm to mug.
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