The Green Bean
Elan Organic Coffees Newsletter: 
 June 2008
Written by: Kayd Neill 

Coffee Inspires Sensory Garden at the San Diego Zoo
Elan Organic Coffee's booth at the San Diego Zoo's Garden Celebration in 2007, inspired this year's Garden Celebration's theme: "Garden of Senses." 
People were attracted to the distinct aroma of roasting coffee, an unfamiliar aroma for many people and also the many green coffee samples.
This year's event took place May 17th and 18th. Elan Organic attended and again inspired people to learn more about coffee! The event focused on how the five senses are stimulated by gardens and plants. Sensory examples included beautiful foliage and flowers to see, tasty food and beverages, fragrant blossoms to delight the sense of smell, the sound of the breeze rustling through the trees and bamboo, and the feel of the bark and foliage on the skin. Each display offered a unique sensation in the Zoo's garden setting!
It is always fun to get out into the community and share our passion for coffee and how important sensory skills are in the coffee industry. Elan Organic regularly uses "Le Nez du Cafe" to test and explore different aromas in coffee. Thank you to the San Diego Zoo for holding such a wonderful event!
Peace and Prosperity through Trade and Commerce
 Trade and Commerce can be a powerful engine for peace and prosperity worldwide. Elan Organic Coffees President and CEO Karen Cebreros had the opportunity to speak last week at The University of San Diego at the World Trade Peace Conference. She spoke on a panel with Bob Langert, Vice President of Corporate Responsibility for McDonald's Corporation.. The panel was entitled "Business in Action: Towards Social Inclusion and Sustainable Supply Chains."
Karen reflects, "The conference is a very important forum that all businesses should attend. There is no longer any excuse for businesses not concerned with social responsibility. Every company, no matter the size, has a responsibility to trade in an environmental and social manner. Business as usual is marching our planet towards economic, environmental and social decline and eventual collapse. Take action and declare that your company will continue to work towards leaving less of a footprint. Bill Toone, the lead conservationist from the San Diego Zoo said, "We are no longer talking about the birds and the bees ladies and gentlemen, we are talking about the viability of a planet that will be here for our kids." What will it take to wake up and become a conscious business? Will $250.00 for a barrel of oil do it? Will corn be for food or fuel? Cows or humans? I hope that next year the top 100 corporations see fit to send their VP of social responsibility to this conference. Will we need a revolution before the corporate tide begins to turn? As always, we look to the students of America to rock the boats that are sailing down polluted rivers. We must have hope!"
Roaster Road Trip to LA
Yesenia and I drove north to LA yesterday to visit a few clients and see their roasting facilities. Thank you to everyone for taking the time to teach us more about the coffee culture in LA. It was a great trip... where to next?

Upcoming Trip to Ethiopia: 11 spaces left!
The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (SMBC) has just announced its first Bird FriendlyŽ certified shade and organic project in Africa- Anfilo Specialty Coffee Enterprise (SCE), headquartered in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. The production area is west of the capital in the district of Wollega, located in the sub-districts of Anfilo and Gidami and was established by Samson Guma. According to the SMBC, the growers manage between 500 and 600 hectares of "forest coffee" - coffee produced beneath a diverse canopy of native shade trees. it is fitting that the first Bird FriendlyŽ certified coffee in Africa hails from Ethiopia, coffee's birthplace and center of origin.
Elan Organic Coffees will be leading a tour to Ethiopia November 18-30, 2008. This 2 week tour will be the perfect balance between relaxation, beautiful scenery and education about organic coffee production. A highlight of the trip will be interacting with the Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union (OCFCU), including cupping and a briefing on how the Union seeks to improve the lives and livelihoods of its members. Members of OCFCU are growers, processors and suppliers of high quality organic Arabica coffee from different regions of Ethiopia.  The tour will be visiting many of these regions, including Yirga Chefe, Dire Dawa, and Harer... also a few scenic stops for bird watchers around the Ethiopian Rift! The tour will visit many small organic farms, cooperatives and their facilities, where they will cup and learn more about Ethiopian Coffees.
To join us and receive more info: Adventure Associates: 206-932-8352 www.adventureassociates.net
For more information on Bird FriendlyŽ Ethiopia Coffee Click Here!
Featured Coffee Ethiopia
 New Crop Ethiopian coffees are starting to arrive. The first box of Limu will be available this month with a box of Harrar arriving early July!
 Elan will be offering both Sidamo and Yirgacheffe Organic, Rainforest Alliance arriving in July/August on both coasts!

For more information on availability and pricing please contact Elan

 

SHOP ONLINE

Elan Organic Coffees 1205 J Street Suite F, San Diego, CA. 92101 Phone 619.235.0392 Fax 619.235.0394
for more information contact kayd@elanorganic.com
"Every Bean Counts"