Coff-E-Break - Earth Friendly Steps for Coffee Lovers

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Earth Friendly Steps for Coffee Lovers

1. Make the world greener with left-over coffee grounds.

Coffee grounds are high in nitrogen and great for plants that like acidic soil. Plants like blueberries, hydrangeas or azaleas will appreciate a sprinkling of coffee grounds on the surrounding soil. For other plants, try adding coffee grounds to your compost bin (up to 25%). You can even compost the filters – they should easily break down.

2. Try an eco-certified coffee.

Eco-certified coffees are commonly available in the United States and many coffees are double or triple certified. Common examples of eco-certified coffee include:
Organic - Coffee that is labeled as organic should be produced in accordance with U.S. Standards for organic production. It is then certified by an agency accredited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. According to the U. S. Department of Agriculture, requirements include farming without synthetic pesticides or other prohibited substances for three years and establishing a sustainable crop rotation plan to prevent erosion, the depletion of soil nutrients, and control for pests. North America is the largest importer of organic coffee.
RA - The Rainforest Alliance (RA) certifies coffee that grows where forests are protected, rivers, soils and wildlife conserved; workers are treated with respect, paid decent wages, properly equipped and given access to education and medical care. According to their website, thousands of farms have been certified in 19 countries.
Bird Friendly - Bird-Friendly is the shade grown (under the tree canopy) certification of the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (SMBC). This designation is intended to help preserve the habitat of migratory birds. Certified coffee should be organic, shade grown, sustainable and environmentally friendly.

3. Bring your own Cup.

Americans throw away millions of disposable cups every day. Bring your own mug or tumbler to the office or your favorite coffee shop. Some coffee shops even offer a discount if you bring your own cup. If you forget your cup, try requesting a bio-degradable cup.

4. Learn about improving the lives of coffee farmers.

A number of organizations are dedicated to improving the lives of coffee farmers. Why not learn about the people who are instrumental in producing your great cup of coffee? Fair Trade Associations are an excellent place to start. They advocate fair price, fair labor practices, direct trade, transparency, community development and organizational sustainability.

Resources:
• Fair Trade Certification
• Rainforest Alliance
• Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center
• Organic Trade Association

Iced Coffee: A Cool Treat

Making delicious iced coffee at home is easy with your BUNN brewer. Below are a few tips and ideas to help you enjoy a refreshing treat.

Brewing
As a general rule, you want to make your iced coffee brew double the strength of your normal coffee. We recommend using the same quantity of coffee you normally use and reduce the amount of water in half. Increasing the amount of coffee over one tablespoon per cup or about 1½ inches of coffee in a flat-bottomed filter is not recommended because the coffee may overflow. Please remember that BUNN home brewers require a minimum of 20 ounces of water (or four 5 oz. cups of water).

The coffee you select for iced coffee is a matter of personal preference. Some people prefer using dark-roasted coffee as it typically has a sweeter taste.

Cooling
We recommend transferring the hot coffee to a carafe or pitcher before cooling the coffee in the refrigerator for 1½ to 3 hours. Remember to never put a hot glass decanter directly in the refrigerator. The rapid temperature change can cause the glass to crack.

Serving
Fill a tall glass with ice cubes and pour the chilled coffee over the ice cubes. If you prefer stronger coffee, you can use ice cubes made from coffee. Add sweetener, milk or your favorite flavored syrup to make a decadent treat.

Variations
Experiment with different coffee beans and additions to customize your iced coffee. Spices such as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg can be added to the basket for a fragrant treat. If you have a sweet tooth, try adding caramel or chocolate syrup when the coffee is warm. Your favorite liquors or ice cream can also used to create a great iced coffee creation. Below are a few recipes for inspiration. Enjoy!

Mocha Coffee Shake
¼ cup chilled coffee (double strength)
¼ cup half & half
1 cup vanilla ice cream (or your favorite flavor)
2 tbsp chocolate syrup

Puree all ingredients in a blender (no more than 90 seconds) and serve in a chilled glass. For an elegant touch, garnish with roasted coffee beans or shaved chocolate.

Vietnamese Iced Coffee
1 cup chilled coffee (double strength)
2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk

Add sweetened condensed milk to your chilled coffee and serve over ice.

Coffee Frappe
2/3 cup chilled coffee (double strength)
1/3 cup milk
1 cup cubed ice
Sweetener, as desired
2 tbsp vanilla ice cream

Place coffee, milk, sweetener and ½ cup ice in a blender and pulse until blended. Add vanilla ice cream and blend. Add remaining ice and blend until desired consistency (for a thicker frappe, add more ice).

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