Fair-trade Grinds | Austin Woman Magazine

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For local coffee shops, it?s all about being green / By Nicole Carbon

In honor of Earth Day on April 22, and in my ever-increasing effort to be more ?green,? I took a deeper look at where I choose to get my coffee, my second drink of choice after cocktails. I learned that fair-trade coffee not only promotes superlative labor standards, but it is also good for the environment. Any product labeled ?fair trade? must meet a set of standards determined by the Fair-trade Labeling Organizations International. This organization ensures that pesticides are banned, minimal water is used for irrigation and organic waste is disposed of sustainably. Here?s a list of some of my favorite fair-trade Austin coffee houses.

CAFF? MEDICI

Caff? Medici may just be serving the very best coffee in Austin. It was started in 2006 by Michael Vaclav and his wife, Alison. The original location is on West Lynn Street in the quaint Clarksville neighborhood. Two years later, they opened a second location across from campus on Guadalupe. Their third and newest location opened last year at the base of the posh Austonian condominium tower. Caff? Medici?s mission is to provide exceptional customer service (which they do) and to continue to learn and educate about the highest-quality coffee-making practices possible. The quaint coffeehouse in Clarksville is one of my favorite escapes, and I have also had some great dates there, sitting outside watching the neighborhood dwellers pass by. The newer location has more of a loft-like feel and provides the perfect perch for a quick shot of espresso to keep up with the hustle and bustle of downtown. Caff? Medici is committed to practicing a sustainable business model and their coffee selections include single-origin, sustainable, direct-trade coffees. They ?strive for the highest quality in every cup,? and it shows in each sip. 1101 W. Lynn St., 512.609.9899; 2222 Guadalupe St., 512.474.5730; 200 Congress Ave., suite 2B, 512.827.2770; caffemedici.com.

RUTA MAYA

I have known about Ruta Maya for years and have wanted to go there for the complimentary yoga classes offered Monday through Saturday. For some reason, I hadn?t made the trek far enough down South Congress Avenue to stop in for a class and some coffee. It was when I visited the Hops & Grain Brewery and learned about their newest brew, Ruta Maya Dark, made with cold-brewed Ruta Maya Coffee, that I knew I had to taste the coffee on its own. We walked into the vast space with tables and chairs scattered about. In all honesty, the interior looked more like a dance hall than a coffeehouse, but I wasn?t complaining, especially once the double espresso hit my lips. One sip and I was hooked. We decided on a pound of the dark roast to go. The burlap sack it is packaged in now replaces my beloved PLU 323, aka extra dark French roast from Whole Foods Market. Needless to say, this is my new favorite drink, next to cocktails, of course. 3601 S. Congress Ave., 512.707.9637, rutamaya.net.

HOUNDSTOOTH

Houndstooth Coffee is located in the ultramodern building that also houses famed Uchiko in North Central Austin. It was started by the brother duo of Sean and Paul Henry, and serves up some serious java alongside a healthy helping of superb service. They are committed to hiring only the best in the biz, those dedicated to serving as long-haul coffee professionals. ?Being a Barista [Yes, he spells that with a capital ?B?] is a title to be earned,? Paul Henry explains. ?This is not a part-time job.? Indulge in one-of-a-kind coffee drinks such as the Twofer?two double-shot espressos served side by side. Paul Henry is also an advocate of the Coffee Beer Repeat?two servings of coffee and two beers. Now that?s surely a method to getting your buzz and brew on. 4200 N. Lamar Blvd., suite 120, 512.531.9417, houndstoothcoffee.com.

BENNU

When you walk into Bennu, you feel as though you are walking into a lounge or someone?s living room, and the design was purposeful. This 24-hour coffeehouse serves only fair-trade coffees, and the barista will ask you if want it ?high caffeine,? aka Bennu house blend or bold in flavor, the Bolivian dark roast. They serve only small and large sizes, and the large is served in a clear glass beer mug. Plentiful and thoughtfully placed power outlets are suspended from the ceiling. Here, you?re sure to be comfortable and you?ll want to stay awhile. If you get hungry, there are copious menu options available, including tempting pastries, sandwiches, wraps, pizza and healthy salads. The scene here is as varied and unique as the ambiance. Even though it?s located on the edge of campus, you?ll find executives, families and coffee lovers both young and old. Bennu provides just the right atmosphere and food and drink items to get the fix you need. 2001 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 512.478.4700, bennucoffee.com.

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