February 2011

• Huddersfield and Kirklees Gains Fairtrade Status

  Mon 28 February, 2011
  Fairtrade Organic Sumatra

  We are pleased to announce that Huddersfield (the largest town down the road from Grumpy Mule HQ), as well as the whole Kirklees Borough has been awarded Fairtrade status, and joins more than 500 towns across the UK who already have Fairtrade status. Grumpy Mule have always supported Fairtrade products, and have supported the campaign for Huddersfield to get Fairtrade status since 2009 when it began, and will continue to raise awareness in the future.

   To read more, click here.

• UKBC - Northern Heat

  Mon 21 February, 2011
  UKBC

  On Friday, Damian and Vanessa of the Grumpy Mule team headed up to Lancaster to watch the Northern heat of the UKBC. After a smooth journey up to Lancaster, the heat started shortly after our arrival. Each contestant had 15 minutes to make four of each of the following; an espresso, a milk based drink (cappuccino or latte) , and an espresso based signature drink of their choice. There were some truly amazing drinks made, and all contestants did extremely well considering the amount of pressure they must have been under. A huge well done to Dale Harris, who came first in the heat and also claimed best espresso.

• Coffee in Fairtrade Fortnight

  Wed 16 February, 2011
  Fairtrade Coffee

  Fairtrade Fortnight 2011 is fast approaching, and this year’s theme is “show off your label.” This shouldn’t be a problem with most Grumpy Mule products, as many of our best sellers are indeed Fairtrade-certified! Classics such as the Organic Sumatra Gayo Highlands in 227g packs, our Organic Peru Titicaca in the traditional gift tin and our brand new mini tins are all both Fairtrade and organic coffees and a great choice of brew between the 28th February and 13th March.

  See our Fairtrade-certified coffees in the online shop.

  Another fine place to look for excellent Fairtrade-certified and fairly / ethically traded goods over Fairtrade Fortnight is our local Fair Traders Co-operative, based in the centre of Holmfirth. You can visit their site for information of events and see their full range of products at http://www.thefairtraderscooperative.co.uk/

  For more in depth details about Fairtrade Fortnight and the Fairtrade Foundation in the UK, please visit www.fairtrade.org.uk/fortnight

• New Harvest Bolivian Coffee: Damian Huanca, Finca Chòjña Pampa

  Wed 16 February, 2011
  Bolivia

  As huge fans of Bolivian coffee - particularly after Damian’s two recent trips to origin around the coffee growing region of Caranavi - we’re delighted to announce that we’ve bought the majority of an especially tasty micro-lot.

  
  The coffee from Finca Chòjña Pampa is around 50% Typica, 50% Caturra Arabica and grown at an altitiude of 1520m. It’s fully washed then sun-dried on raised tables. Owned by the Familia Huanca, the coffee is produced by Damian Huanca and his brother Luciano near to the town of Colonia Chojñapampa, Caranavi. Originally born high on Bolivia’s altiplano, the brothers originally came to the area 20 years ago to pick coffee on an uncle’s farm, before finally buying their own plot of land and settling here.

  
  We loved the coffee for its big, creamy body, complex caramel aromatics and balanced cups. It could work well as both single origin filter and espresso.

  
  And for those good at Spanish pronunciation, yes this does make a very amusing choice of coffee for our own Damian (thank you, José at Mercanta!!)

• New Grumpy Mule Van!

  Tue 15 February, 2011
  

  Grumpy Mule have a shiny, bright orange, brand new van! Keep your eyes peeled (not that it's hard to miss) for the what we affectionately call the "Mulemobile", that will be delivering Grumpy Mule coffee to our more localised retailer cusrtomers around the Holmfirth and Yorkshire area.