The Latest on our Blog
Posted on April 25 2018
Trees Organic Coffee and Roasting House takes pride in sourcing and serving the freshest coffee from organic, single origin beans produced around the world. One of the main coffee countries that we support is Colombia. Our Colombian coffee is well balanced from start to finish. It offers a delightful flavour profile of chocolatey-truffle and brown sugar richness, with a medium body and acidity. There is a lush maple syrup sweetness to the aroma.
In this, our latest Single Origin Coffee Profile, get to know more about our high quality Colombian coffee beans, the world famous bio-diverse region that they come from, and the dedicated farmers who grow them.
A Country Leading in Biodiversity
Colombia ranks # 2 in the world for biodiversity. Its coffee plantations provide economic benefits to the country, and they are extremely important for environmental conservation and sustainability.
Our organic coffee beans are sourced through a farming group in the Southwestern State of Cauca, Colombia. This is a large 2nd level Fair Trade and organic cooperative of more than 1300 small scale farmers.
These farmers and their families are committed to the production of food for consumption and for the local market. The cultivation of coffee is in fact their main source of income. As such, they take great care, and strive for best practices to meet the high standards of organic production, and for the protection and conservation of the environment.
The cooperative works to improve the lives of their coffee farmers by helping them gain market access, technical assistance to produce high quality crops, support for savings and loans, and many other opportunities.
The Colombian coffee beans sourced from the farmers are grown at altitudes of 1400 to 1900 meters, surrounded by the beautiful biodiversity of the region. The beans are washed and sun-dried on shaded beds. To optimize coffee production most Colombian plantations use shade utilizing over 33 different plant species. So, it’s a great thing the region is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world.
Flora and Fauna
The Cauca region is home to over 1200 species of birds. That is a whopping 14% of the total world’s bird species. Cauca is unique in that it houses most of the bio-climatic diversity and ecosystems of Colombia.
The region’s diverse landscape and ecosystem ranges from coastal systems to the warmer hills of the Pacific. It’s also home to one of the largest extensions of paramo in the world.
Paramo is a unique tropical mountain ecosystem that can only be found in certain places in the world. This particularly famous paramo is the largest in the world and makes up 50% of the world’s total Paramo ecosystems. Paramos are so important they are part of the National System of Protected Areas.
Environmental Stewardship
Living in such an important environment, the coffee producers are passionate about being good environmental stewards. They work together to establish environmentally friendly processing practices, such as implementing filtration systems that can improve the heavily saturated water -‘honey water’, which results from the wash processing.
The organic certification process requires an intensive farming practice for the cooperative’s 500 farmers that have obtained it, and the 150 that are currently in the 3 year process of obtaining it. It’s clear the focus and dedication that is at the heart of the farmers, and their families when growing and harvesting the single origin, organic coffee beans.
Trees Organic Coffee roasts small batches of our organic Colombian coffee beans at the Granville Street cafe. Our Colombia coffee can be enjoyed at any of our 5 cafe locations, and purchased as whole or ground beans for home brewing.
Posted on April 09 2018
You’ve likely heard lots of interesting hearsay and tidbits about your favourite hot brew. To separate fact from fiction, we’ve chosen to uncover the truth and debunk 5 of the most popular myths about coffee.
The Truth In The Cup
Yes, there’s truth in that cup of coffee, but it’s not what you think. When sipping coffee, the connoisseur ponders a myriad of things, including some of the thoughts and behaviours that may have been falsely believed or taught over time.
Have you ever wondered if you’re storing your coffee the right way? Or, if the darker roast actually does have more caffeine? You may have been led astray before, but let’s see if we can get to the bottom of the cup once and for all.
Myth 1: Bold Flavours Mean More Caffeine
It’s often assumed that the bolder the flavour the stronger the caffeine in your cuppa java. When you feel the need for a caffeine jolt, going for the bold dark roast has made sense. However, comparisons have shown that by the cup, dark or light roast will give you the same caffeine content. This is one myth that doesn’t hold up. Light or dark roasts will get you there, but what is more important when making your choice is to choose the flavour you enjoy.
Myth 2: Freeze Your Coffee
This is actually a no-no. Freezing the coffee you use daily diminishes the quality due to the moisture fluctuations. It’s going to make your daily home brew taste awful. Instead, store your coffee in your pantry away from light, moisture, and heat. This is the best method for storing ground coffee or beans. To learn more about how to store your coffee beans and how to brew better coffee at home, check out these tips.
Myth 3: Coffee Halts Your Growth
The story that coffee will stunt your growth has been shared through the ages. However, it’s one story that doesn’t necessarily have any height. It’s something along the lines of folklore, or an ol’ wives tale. We’ve been told this story long enough that it becomes believable. There is no hard and true science behind it, and until there is, this myth is a tall tale.
Myth 4: Coffee Cures a Hangover
Drinking a cup of coffee does not reverse the effects of alcohol consumption. Although caffeine may be warranted (because coffee is awesome), and it may aid in migraine relief; but drinking coffee will not cure your hangover. Time is the one and only proven cure for a hangover, and it could take anywhere from 8-24 hours to feel like yourself again.
Myth 5: Coffee Dehydrates You
Should you worry about your coffee causing dehydration? Beyond caffeine being a diuretic, this myth may come up dry. It’s unlikely you’ll be dehydrated from your cup of coffee, as the liquid used in your cup balances it out. In general, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, and drink your cuppa joe to stay happy!
It turns out there is more to these myths than meets the eye.
And, there’s one more truth worth mentioning: When you want a healthier cup of java, choose organic coffee because it is free of pesticides/fertilizers and provide a positive impact on the environment. We are pleased to provide you with a selection of single origin, fair trade, shade grown and bird-friendly organic coffee at five cafe locations in Vancouver.
Disclaimer: The information provided is for general interest and not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice.
Posted on April 04 2018
The popular Oreo Cheesecake is here, and the excitement can hardly be contained! Our current feature cheesecake is squeal inspiring and jump-up-and down inducing with its Oreo-Yumminess! Made for the pure joy of Oreo cookies, with their crunchy chocolate wafers and filling of sweetly-smooth frosting, this fan favourite dessert will have you smiling ear to ear!
A Cheesecake You’ll Crush Over
You’ll be crushing on this mouthwatering, creamy cookie dessert that has everyone wildly excited. Just when you thought Oreo cookies couldn’t get any better…. cookie meets cheesecake! Our cheesecake with Oreo cookies crumbled and folded into our finest signature cheesecake filling will elate you with every bite. At the base is a chocolate crust, and there’s a crown of Oreo cookie chunks to top it all off. This is Oreo-Mania you’ll be sweet for!
For a fun Oreo-good-time, share the excitement with your family and friends. Enjoy a slice at our cafes or take a whole cake out with 3 sizes to choose from – 6″, 8″ or 10″. The Oreo Cheesecake is made at our in-house bakery and is available at all Trees Organic Coffee & Roasting House locations.
Posted on March 16 2018
At the heart of every great Easter meal is a superb cheesecake! To help you celebrate the holiday when you bring together your nearest and dearest, we’re giving 4 lucky winners a chance to WIN a cheesecake via a contest on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK*! Hop to it everybunny and enter now. (more…)
Posted on March 07 2018
Almond Marzipan Cheesecake has arrived to welcome March in style! Our feature cheesecake elegantly leads us towards Easter celebrations with the dazzling flavour of almonds, in exquisite accompaniment to the sweetness of marzipan. Every bite of this red-carpet worthy dessert will be polished off with delight. (more…)
Posted on March 05 2018
Luck O’ The Irish Contest – March 5 – 18, 2018
Whether you’re Irish or Irish-at-heart around St. Paddy’s day, everyone is welcome to enter our Luck O’ The Irish Contest at any or all of the five Trees Organic Coffee cafe locations in Vancouver! (more…)
Posted on February 25 2018
Our musician spotlight features Kendall Goddard, of the Vancouver-based group The Kendall Goddard Band. The band will be performing on March 2, 2018 as part of our Friday Live Music Nights, along with Sidney Weich and Angie Faith from 8 – 10 pm, at Trees Organic Coffee and Roasting House on Granville Street. (more…)
Posted on February 09 2018
Get ready to receive the auspicious year of the dog with a lucky offer on gift cards from Trees Organic Coffee & Roasting House. Welcome more abundance when you save on the purchase of a $25 Trees Gift Card by paying only $20, from February 9 – 16, 2018 at our participating cafes! (more…)
Posted on February 07 2018
Our current feature – Mint Chocolate Chunk Cheesecake – will have you swooning! This cheesecake lifts the classic combination of refreshing peppermint and luscious chocolate to an irresistible level.
Irresistible Peppermint and Chocolate At It’s Best
It’s a match made in heaven – our velvety cheesecake filling mixed with the much-loved classic duo of peppermint and chocolate. Add in noble chunks of chocolate, a chocolate crumb base, and a topping of chocolate drizzle for a cheesecake of irresistible proportions. The Mint Chocolate Chunk Cheesecake is the cake to swoon over this month. It will satisfy any or all the cravings you may have for the best mint and chocolate dessert. (more…)
Posted on January 19 2018
To all the comfort seekers craving heart-warming flavours for winter, we’re recommending four of our most comforting cheesecakes with the coziest combinations – chocolate and coffee (Mocha), chocolate and cherry (The Sin), dark and milk chocolate (Chocoholic), and maple syrup and crunchy walnuts (Maple Walnut).
Feed Your Craving for Comfy Flavours
Enjoying more comfort is about savouring the simple moments found throughout your day. Reading a book indoors while hugging a mug of coffee when it’s drizzling outside, or cozying up by the fire with a knitted blanket at home. Finding a quiet nook by a café window where you can people watch the day away. These moments are not fleeting when they are intentional. One of the most satisfying ways to fill that inclination for all things that make you go “mmm” is to, well, feed it. Cheesecake is a true comfort food. It’s full of ingredients that satiate any palate, it holds sentimental appeal, and it’s one of the most mouth-watering cozy foods you could devour. (more…)
