I did quite nicely at the resale shop today.

[Critters2]

Bought a coffeemaker for $6. New, in the box, with the owner's manual. $6. Proctor Silex, so a new one wouldn't have broken the bank. But still...$6. And I got it at the store that benefits the hospital auxiliary. So, it's win-win.

I'm not a coffee drinker, but my dad is. I'd been buying "coffee singles" for when he visits. But some friends of mine have opened this really cool coffee sho, where they sell "direct trade" coffee--they meet the growers in Africa and Central America and monitor agreements for environmental and labor standards. They sell only drip grind or whole beans, and I've committed to only buying from them. The church is buying from them, too, and they've given the church a deal for buying bulk. They're good folks, and I want to support them. So, no more Folger's coffee singles in my house. Here's their website, btw:
http://www.lasallestreetcoffee.com/coffee101.cfm

I just wish they sold tea! Maybe in time.

A parishioner recently told me she makes hot tea in her coffeemaker, putting the tea bags in the coffee basket, or putting loose tea in a filter, just like coffee. So, I'll be getting use out of the coffee maker myself.

So, long story short--I bought a $6 coffeemaker. I love resale shops!

[MajorChode]

1. I'm not sure how close to Chicago you are, but...

Intelligentsia has a store there. They are very socially responsible, as are many of the high end roasters these days. They also sell tea, although I have never bought tea from them. They are my favorite coffee roaster. I have to mail order their coffee as I live nowhere near any of their outlets.
http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com /

[Critters2]

2. For coffee, I'm going to stick with LaSalle Coffee Roasting Co.

I'm 90 miles from Chicago, and never go to the city. (Honest. I've lived here for 4 years, and haven't been to Chicago once in that time).


As for LaSalle Street Coffee Roasting, I know the owners, and I know they're socially responsible. I first met them when they were selling coffee at our Farmers Market, and then they came and did a presentation to my Green Committee, when we were looking for a responsible provider of coffee for the church. I've seen the list of things they require of their growers, and it's about as good as one can get, social responsibility-wise. And they meet my preferences for businesses--like being locally-owned.

My friends who drink coffee say theirs is as good as any. In fact, I gave my dad their "holiday blend" for Christmas, and he's asked me to get more for him.

So, thanks for the url, but I'll stick with a local business.

[MajorChode]

3. I sent the link because you mentioned you wished the other had tea

If you've found someone locally you like, there's nothing wrong with that.

Coffee is a lot like wine in that it is very subjective. It's not really a matter of who is the best, it's more a matter of who you like the best.

There's lots of really good coffee roasters these days that are very environmentally and socially responsible. Unfortunately in my area they are not so easy to find. Still the choices out there today are light years away from where they were just 10 years ago. Lots of people are discovering that there's more to coffee than Folgers and a Mr. Coffee maker.

[Critters2]

4. Just looked at the Intelligentsia site. I may order some tea from them.

Thanks!

[MajorChode]

5. Don't forget to use a coupon code

I think JAN2009 will get you 10% off for the rest of this month. BGA worked for 10% off last month when I ordered from them.

[Critters2]

6. Good to know! Thanks!

[hippywife]

7. We buy from

a producer in our coop who imports the beans from Cafe Feminino and roasts them here.

http://www.cafefemeninofoundation.org /

Our producer takes no profits at all on it and gives the splits the between the Cafe Fem coop, Grounds for Health, and to a local women's charity.

http://www.groundsforhealth.org /

[harmonicon]

8. you can make tea in a coffee maker, BUT

once you've made coffee in it, it is very very hard to completely get that coffee taste out of it, so the tea will probably taste funny. If you're only using it for coffee every once in awhile, maybe you could pull it off - you can clean the coffee maker by running vinegar through it, and then a few cycles of just water.