Coffee and You!

In the modern day, we have a tendency to view coffee as a commodity - it's something we buy, something we use to boost our productivity.

But coffee is clearly more than a plant and a drink -- it's influenced human connections, spirituality, and culture across hundreds of years, and continues to be important to the daily lives of many today.

So how can we drink coffee in a meaningful way?

Sustainable Choices

Consider these steps before buying your next cup:

Try asking your local barista if they know where they source their coffee (look for small farms!)

Check the bag for any certifications

Bring in a reusable cup/travel mug to your next coffee shop visit (you can normally get a price discount too!)

Certifications to get familiar with:

Bird Friendly: the coffee is grown in a farm with enough biodiversity and tree coverage to support the local wildlife.

Fair Trade: the company buying the coffee is committing to provide coffee farmers with fairer working hours, conditions, wages, and eliminates forced labor.

Organic: the coffee is grown without the use of harmful pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers.

Rainforest Alliance: supports a set of conditions that aim for better soil, worker conditions, fewer chemicals, and more recycling of materials.

Our Daily Lives

Consider these steps while drinking your next cup of coffee:

Enjoy your morning coffee with family, friends, neighbors, or acquaintances

Take this opportunity to call a loved one, and to catch up with them.

Take a moment to reflect on the day behind or ahead - this can be as simple as recollecting the previous day, or creating a todo list for the upcoming day

Take this time to better yourself - dedicate this time to learning something new, practicing a new habit, or reading

Simply reflect on the flavor profile of your coffee, no matter how you make it, and save this little moment for yourself