September 2009

• Roasting Esmeralda Special

  Wed 30 September, 2009
  

  JP roasted the first batch of Esmeralda Special San Jose today for Grumpy Mule and he was more than happy with the outcome! Cue the singing and whistling associated with his happier moods when he gets a coffee spot on. 
  
  There was a really fragrant, fruity aroma coming from the freshly opened green coffee before we’d even roasted it – that’s the magic of vacuum packing for shipping. We did an initial cupping of the coffee and are more than happy with the way the coffee came out – vibrant, sweetly scented and a lovely fizz to the flavour.

• Panama Esmeralda Limited Edition Gift Box

  Tue 29 September, 2009
  Limited Edition Grumpy Mule

  Sorry for the delay in this, but the limited edition Panama Esmeralda Special “San Jose” is now very much available for order in the Grumpy Mule online shop. There are only 500 packs available in total, each one individually numbered and hand packed into a Grumpy Mule limited edition gift box.
  
  The price reflects the rarity and the price paid at auction for these Geisha Arabica beans, and this 2009 San Jose micro-lot is only available from Grumpy Mule in the UK.
  
  Choose from beans or ground (ideal for cafetiere and filter). The citrus – orangey acidity of the coffee means that it’s not ideal for espresso and works much better with gentler brewing methods. That way you’ll coax out all of the natural sweetness and complex aromatics. 

  Hope you enjoy this coffee as much as we have!
  
  You can buy the Panama Esmeralda Special in the online shop (please click here)

• Eid Fairtrade Party: Project Kenya

  Mon 28 September, 2009
  Fundraising for Project Kenya

  I spent Sunday afternoon with a group of young ethical entrepreneurs in Huddersfield at an Eid Fair Trade Party, organised by Mumtaz Ali of the local Pakistani Youth Forum with the strong support of the local Lockwood and Thornton Lodge community. In addition to raising awareness on the issues of fair trading, it was also to raise funds for “Project Kenya”, an ethical and direct social enterprise to be formed between young people in Huddersfield and in Kenya.

  It proved a really fantastic afternoon, with stalls (including Fairtrade coffee and some rather impressive cakes), raffles, music, activities and talks from Bruce Crowther of the Fairtrade Foundation and local Council leader Mehboob Khan amongst others. It all served to raise awareness, forge new friendships and raise some much deserved funding.

  As always, a big part was played by Christina from the Lorna Young Foundation in bringing together the community players, local businesses and the our local Kirklees Council.

• Grumpy Mule Espresso No 1

  Mon 28 September, 2009
  500g Espresso No.1

  Grumpy Mule Espresso No. 1 – our signature and very first espresso blend for the Mule – will now be available in 500g packs of beans rather than the traditional 227g. Fans of this coffee will not notice any other differences though, as whilst we make some seasonal adjustments to the recipe throughout the year, it’s still the same chocolaty, bittersweet and smooth coffee that it always was.
  
  If you haven't yet tried it, this might be a good excuse to give it a go.

• Holmfirth Food & Drink Festival 2009

  Sun 27 September, 2009
  Holme Valley Fairtrade Group

  The weekend saw the Holmfirth Food & Drink Festival 2009, so I helped the local Holme Valley Fairtrade Group with setting up a Fairtrade stall to assist in raising local awareness. With Grumpy Mule coffee and Oromo Coffee Company available alongside Fairtrade chocolates, nuts and drinks, it provided plenty of opportunity to sample, taste and discuss the issues at hand.
  
  The Food & Drink Festival itself proved very popular, helped by the autumn sunshine, a buzzing atmosphere and some tasty artisan products… and the fine coffee, of course.