Equal Exchange...what a gem!

I just wanted to link a page that tells more about Equal Exchange, the company we're going with to supply our coffee and hot chocolates.  They have been super to work with and have sent samples quickly for us to try.  Here are some of the fast facts about the company.  Their Fair Trade track record is impressive!

http://www.equalexchange.coop/fast-facts

Coffee Tasting Party

A week has gone by since our coffee tasting party.....what fun!  We set up the art studio in the front of the house and had 6 coffee pots brew 6 coffees from the Fair Trade coffee provider, Equal Exchange.  We sampled the likes of "Love Buzz", "Ethiopian Full City", "Rabble Rouser", "Black Silk Espresso", "Breakfast Blend Decaf", and "Mind Body and Soul".  We didn't do the proper cupping as small town Haviland doesn't really demand the technical tasting that it brings.  Still we had fun sampling, sniffing, and describing the flavors we experienced. Our tasters were all ages, college on up to retired.  Besides helping us to choose our blends they gave us many ideas for a name.  "7 to 10 Coffee" most likely will not be our final name, but we're getting closer.  Some of the names were hilarious and some pretty good. We'll let you all know soon...what a relief that will be! 


As far as the "winning blend"  it was a toss up between "Love Buzz" and "Mind, Body, and Soul". The web-site describes these as:


Organic Love Buzz

Roast: post-roast blend, Full City and French
Aroma: toffee, molasses, pipe tobacco, cocoa, cinnamon, brown sugar
Flavor: complex, chocolate, brownies, chocolate covered strawberries, vanilla, winey
Mouthfeel: velvety, fudgy, ganache
Acidity: pronounced
Aftertaste: chocolate, bitter 
and


Organic Mind, Body & Soul

Roast: post-roast blend, Medium and Vienna
Aroma: butterscotch, vanilla custard, pecans, milk chocolate
Flavor: balanced, cocoa, caramelized sugar, malt
Mouthfeel: weighty and thick
Acidity: light sparkle
Aftertaste: dark chocolate, walnut, brown sugar

Ryan and I recently went into a "10,000 Villages" (a Fair Trade gift shop) in Hutch and the coffee they carried was from none other that Equal Exchange!  I think we're on the right track! The Lord continues to lead and guide and confirm what it is we're doing. 


In addition to deciding on a coffee and name, we are beginning to collect our furniture.  We had some recent success on Craig's list for 2 barstools and there was a warehouse clearance on pub table sets and we're picking up 2 this week.  We're fine with eclectic but know what we're looking for.


More to come soon!  In the meantime, a very Merry Christmas to all, and may the gift of our Savior Jesus come to your hearts in a new way this year!  All our love!
-Hannah & Ryan