|
Home
>
Feature Columns
>
Coffee Chat News
> Top 'O the Mornin' To Ye in a Green Kitchen
Top 'O the Mornin' To Ye in a Green Kitchen
Published on: February 29, 2008
 You don't have to be Irish to be green, especially when green means being sensitive to the environment in your home or office kitchen. Here are a dozen new and classic ways to eliminate waste, add beauty, make coffee preparation easy and enjoyable, and be generously green.
GO VINTAGE
Before you buy anything new for coffee preparation, check out thrift and antique shops for vintage cups, unique spoons and measuring utensils, coffee serving pots, and especially, demitasse cups for espresso. You'll be delighted at the variety, and in many cases, the superior craftsmanship. You might even find some pretty nifty vintage coffee advertising art to decorate your walls. 1950s percolator anyone?
GO GOLD
Filters are a necessary part of coffee preparation, but paper doesn't have to be the only way. You're probably aware that unbleached brown paper filters are better than bleached white ones, but the most attractive, and most economical, filter for automatic drip machines or individual servings is the gold filter. It lasts decades, cleans easily, and you never, never, never, never have to buy another paper filter again. Trees saved!
FILTER THE WATER
Eliminate the need for water delivery and hoisting heavy bottles atop the dispenser. Install a permanent water filter on the tap of the sink in the kitchen. Better water for drinking, for cooking, and infinitely better for making a wonderful cup of coffee. If landlord or boss nixes the permanent filter, buy a water filter pitcher and keep it filled in the fridge. Your taste buds will thank you.
BUY ORGANIC OR FAIR TRADE
To support the farmer and sustain the earth, nothing is as powerful as using your purchasing dollar to buy coffee that is grown in a sustainable way, organically and/or under Fair Trade parameters. When you have the opportunity to try organic, give it a try.
THE WINNING CUP
Whether you're drinking coffee in the office or at home, use your own cup or cups. Have fun with this and buy several mugs to reflect holidays or your favorite sports team or just 'cause you like 'em. Yeah, you do have to wash them, but they definitely keep your coffee hot, they're healthier to drink from than Styrofoam or paper, and, yes, trees are saved!
DUMP THE PACKETS
Each packet of artificial sweetener or sugar requires that you throw away its paper covering. Get some new or vintage creamers and sugar bowls, and stop the waste! Also, remember that a teaspoon only has 18 calories, so judicious use of raw sugars is a lot more healthful than artificial anything. Also consider organic honeys to sweeten your java.
USE REAL MILK OR CREAM
Whether it's low fat or full-blown cream or half-and-half, use the real thing. It tastes fresher, makes the coffee taste wonderful, and eliminates unnecessary corn syrups, sugars, hydrogenated fats, and chemicals, which are the main ingredients in packaged creamers. If you need more reasons, read the label of your creamer container.
SPOONING IS FUN
Bring your own stainless steel or silver utensils for measuring out scoops for brewing, serving sugar or honey, or stirring sweetener or milk in your cup. Anything you can do to eliminate those plastic stirrers means they'll no longer remain in landfills for decades or longer.
WASH FRIENDLY PRODUCTS
Whether you have a dishwasher or wash your coffee paraphernalia by hand, consider environmentally-friendly hand soaps, dish liquids, dishwasher soaps, and cleaning cloths and sponges to wipe down the countertops and appliances. The products are greatly improved, work well, and smell well or don't smell at all. Look for such brands as 7th Generation, Method, and Mrs. Meyers, and others, now available at your supermarket.
THINK COMPOST
Whether you're in the office or at home, countertop compost bins hold a lot of garbage, including spent coffee grounds. The foodstuff breaks down easily, has no smell, and you can scoop out a bunch for the office plants, inside or out. You can also put spent grounds in mulches for acid-loving indoor and outdoor plants. Trips to the garbage bin: zero.
LEFTOVER COFFEE
More coffee in the pot than people to drink it? Don't throw it away, instead pour cooled coffee into empty ice cube trays to use for iced coffee drinks. They keep the drinks chilled but do not dilute like water ice cubes can. Refrigerate, and use the same day as possible, in blender drinks, in sauces, chilies, stews or in your favorite coffee-flavored desserts.
BUY A COFFEE PLANT
Coffee plants produce beautiful white flowers that will brighten up any kitchen. Check online or at your neighborhood nursery for feeding and caring of this unusual but decorative indoor plant. Talk about your conversation starter, your mid-day coffee break will never be the same!
|
