Issue #001

Coffee For A Better World

Welcome to the premiere edition of the Java Jolt Newsletter! Java Jolt is a publication of Sustainable Java which will bring you a carefully curated round-up of the best articles and most interesting news stories we find from around the world of coffee. Our focus is sustainability so we'll point you to lots of resources on that. But we're passionate about the coffee industry as a whole, so anything related is fair game.

Not everyone has the time to sift through all of the great resources out there devoted to coffee culture. Even if you do spend considerable time on them, you're bound to miss some gems. So we'll do it for you!

In addition we'll keep you up to date on what's new at Sustainable Java and I'll give you my pick for Coffee of the Week. Rounding out each issue is "Cafe Conversation". This is where I'll go off topic and chat about whatever is currently on my mind, as if we were sitting in a cafe having coffee together. And I always welcome and encourage your feedback and questions. I'll do my best to give you an informed and thorough answer to whatever is on your mind, about coffee or anything else.

Sorry for the long-winded introduction. That's just because it's the debut issue. In future issues the introduction will be brief and we'll get right to the news! So without further adieu...

On to the news...

This week read about an interesting new series on all things sustainability and coffee: the Biocaf Sustainability Series. A fascinating program to track your coffee beans from farm to cup, a coffee magazine that's also a work of art, and what's this...gourmet robusta coffee? This I've got to try!

It's been a busy couple of weeks at Sustainable Java getting multiple sections off the ground and running a special section for Valentine's Day. Our audience continues to grow and we thank you for your support.

Biocaf is a company that makes all natural products for cleaning coffee equipment in cafes and other commercial settings. They've partnered with some amazing coffee writers to produce a series of articles on sustainability and coffee. I was thrilled to find this project, as it's exactly in line with our ethos here.

Intro to the series here: Introduction to the Biocaf Sustainability Series
And be sure to read this amazingly informative article from Erika Koss on what exactly we mean when we say "sustainable": What Is Sustainability and Why Does It Matter? by Erika Koss

Have you ever thought it would be cool to be able to find out exactly where your coffee beans come from? Not just the region, but the farm itself. I recently discovered Fair Trade Proof, a cooperative of independent coffee roasters committed to full transparency in their buying process. The website has a map which you can click around to find out who is buying what beans from where, and the quantity they buy from them. Cool stuff! Fair Trade Proof

These three specialty coffee companies have teamed up to create a completely B-Corp Certified supply chain. (This certification indicates that a company adheres to rigorous standards of social and environmental accountability and transparency. It also requires that the business have a focus beyond mere financial gain and shareholder satisfaction.) B-Corp certification is becoming more popular in the coffee industry, and it's a trend that I hope we see more of. Teaming Up For B Corp Beans

Nguyen Coffee Supply in Brooklyn, New York is roasting up gourmet arabica and robusta coffee from Vietnam. Yes, you read that right...gourmet robusta! They're getting rave reviews and being featured in industry publications. Check out them out here: Nguyen Coffee Supply

Standart is not only one of the best coffee magazines I've seen, it's one of the most beautifully laid out and produced publications I've ever seen. The issues come out quarterly, and feature in-depth articles you won't find on the web. It's more like getting a book. These are publications you'll want to build a collection of on your shelf. Standart Magazine

Coffee of the Week

This week's coffee pick comes from Portland, Oregon's Stumptown Roasters! Their Homestead blend has been a joy to use for making pour overs with my new gooseneck electric kettle. It's a full-flavored lighter roast with notes of candied fruit sweetness and milk chocolate.

Homestead Blend

What's Happening on Sust. Java?

We've been steadily building our Guide to Valentine's Day for the coffee lover in your life. There's still time to check it out and find a great gift for yourself or someone else. I don't think anyone will mind a late Valentine's gift!

We profiled a fantastic roaster in Traverse City, MI who are doing incredible work with their coffee and in the community. Higher Grounds Trading Co. in Traverse City. Check them out!

We posted our Guide to Great Pour Overs! Very timely since I got a new kettle this week. Wondering how it's done? Valentine's Day Coffee Gifts Higher Grounds Coffee How To Brew A Great Pour Over

Cafe Conversation

I'll have a dark roast, black.

This looks like a nice table. Have a seat!

I've been thoroughly enjoying the Disney Plus streaming service the past few months. It's a fantastic package chock full of great content. From new releases of Disney/Pixar, Lucasfilm, and Marvel, to the classic Disney animated films and shorts that started it all, there is something for every taste.

I was happy to catch U2's "Experience: Live in Berlin" concert through the DirecTV special. Wow! What an amazing performance from top to bottom. The song selection, stage design, giant video screens, and the connection the band has with their fans, were all artistically captured on film. If you have DirecTV check this out! Many of the the videos from this show are most likely floating around on YouTube as well.

What I'm Reading with My Coffee:

* Knowing God by J.I. Packer

* Star Wars Vision of the Future Book 2 by Timothy Zahn

* The Day the Revolution Began by N.T. Wright

* The Fathers of the Church by Mike Aquilina

* Entrepreneurial You by Dorie Clark

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Plant-based diets are gaining in popularity as of late. I dove in head first a couple months ago and haven't looked back. It makes quite a difference in how you feel when you're extra conscious of the foods you put into your body. I'm not full vegan...more around 75%. Some days I'm more vegetarian, having a bit of dairy, and I will eat a little bit of meat occasionally. But I'm finding the more strictly I stick to the vegan end of things the better I feel. Glad coffee is plant-based!

If you're interested in knowing more check out the book "How Not To Die" by Michael Gregor, M.D. Michael Gregor also runs the nonprofit website NutritionFacts.org, which provides free daily videos and articles on the latest research in nutrition. Check it out here: NutritionFacts.org

Until Next Time...

Thank you for reading! See you next time!

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