The world of coffee is constantly evolving, and it can be understandably overwhelming for customers to differentiate numerous coffee shops from others in the industry. What exactly makes our café so special? In this blog post, we’ll highlight two extraordinary ways in which Café 477 is set apart from the rest of the crowd.
Volcán de Fuego Coffee Beans
Part of what characterizes Café 477 is that 100% of our coffee beverages are prepared with the unique Volcán de Fuego 1895™ Organic Single Estate Coffee, making our offerings more than your average “cup of joe.” Volcán de Fuego’s distinguishable “Arabica Typica Antiquus” coffee beans are grown at a 7,000 foot elevation, atop an active stratovolcano located in Guatemala. Originally planted in 1855, they stand out today as one of only several unaltered coffee beans in the world!
Volcán de Fuego also maintains a very close relationship with the producers, who employ sustainable farming methods and abstain from the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The crisp mountain air and abundance of minerals from volcanic ash harmonize to create an ideal environment that nourishes the soil and produces these pure and delicious beans. The result: a remarkable medium roast with heavy chocolate, citrus, herbal, and sugar cane notes, promoting a beautifully rich flavor…perfect for a smooth caffé Americano or creamy iced latte!
In addition to their distinctive backstory, Volcán de Fuego also has a symbiotic relationship with their producers and the Guatemalan community. Adopting a “farmer-first” philosophy, some of their most notable practices include:
- Supporting and working besides producers on a daily basis, rather than simply observing from afar
- Providing farmers with a portion of the revenue to boost their financial stability and help care for their families
- Reinvesting shares of their profits into the village, specifically in areas of health and education
- Augmenting their producers’ profit by completely integrating the supply chain and utilizing a local processing facility
JavaSweaters
We are very proud to offer JavaSweaters for purchase at Café 477. Founded in 2009, JavaSweater was brought to life with a young girl’s revolutionary idea to support the environment and help end poverty. Every day, countless coffee cups are slipped into cardboard sleeves, just to be disposed of shortly after. JavaSweater provides an outstanding solution: a reusable coffee sleeve handmade with cotton strands and backstrap looms by Guatemalan villagers. The outcome: decreased waste in the environment and a generous wage to villagers that is “roughly 1.5 times higher than that of a fully qualified tradesperson in Guatemala.” JavaSweater is committed to uplifting the Guatemalan communities with three key steps:
- Clean Water → Establishing BioSand filters in the villages
- Sustainable Income → Providing steady wages through this innovative program
- Long-Term Infrastructure → Collaborating with the community to streamline new infrastructure in the villages
Helping the Community, One Cup at a Time
At Café 477, we believe that even the smallest of actions can have great influence. Volcán de Fuego’s passion for the coffee industry and drive to contribute to local Guatemalan villages can be tasted in every sip. Slip a JavaSweater on your next cup of coffee at Café 477 and find pleasure in knowing that you’re supporting the community and our planet. To learn more, you can visit our website, as well as check out Volcán de Fuego and JavaSweater!
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