Sustainable Saturday - You are Invited to The Barn

Written By Holly Blackman

Peruvian coffee caught Leslie Dwyer's eye outside of Healthy Home Market, taking her back to when she studied in Peru, so she decided to stop and talk to Tony. Once she learned more about Enderly's efforts in West Charlotte and found out Enderly Coffee could provide whole bean decaf coffee that is processed without chemicals, needless to say, the partnership was in the bag! She knew she wanted Enderly to be a part of the Sustainable Saturdays she was planning in The Barn, a 1700 square foot building serving as a grassroots version of a community center (a desperate need in Plaza Midwood!)

Pure Pizza owner Juli Ghazi, who earlier this year made national news when a picture of her letter to customers regarding unisex bathrooms went viral, had the vision for Sustainable Saturdays to include local vendors committed to sustainable practices. In steps Leslie, whose background is public finance and small business development, and she's making it happen every Saturday from 9 am - Noon. Sustainability is thrown around as a buzz word, much like organic, but Juli outlines what a comprehensive Sustainable business looks like in her philosophy on the website. Like Pure Pizza, Enderly Coffee is intentional about our business model, aspects from employee treatment, waste, to the types of coffee we import, etc., so it was a natural fit to be a part of the Sustainable Saturday movement with the other following friends. Here's a brief intro:

  • Central Food Hub - Importer of fresh, local produce and honey from all local farms whose practices are sustainable. Did I say local?! Pat Farrell has wonderful relationships with local farmers as she assures organic, sustainable practices are being used on each farm sending delicious strawberries, greens, you name it, to the barn. 

  • The Gateau Baking Company - Check out their Facebook page to see their beautiful, mouthwatering creations! 

  • VivaRaw- Juicer whose website calls them, "The New Milkman”. 

  • Joe's Doughs - They will be making appearances throughout the summer, stay tuned to their social media for their popup schedule.

  • Live Music will be there to entertain.  Leslie is always looking for local musicians who want to break in on the Farmer's Market Music Scene.

  • The Underground Truffle - The neighborhood's favorite chocolatier who handcrafts dark chocolate bars and truffles, infusing some with dried fruits and nuts, and after you check them out, no need to keep them a secret.  They're willing to go "above ground" with it like the Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt!

  • Kids activities are planned every weekend that so far includes Kids yoga - by Kim Bogert of Grow Kids Yoga, Kids Gardening by Bobbie Mabe of Growth Through Gardening and teen entrepreneur training by Janaya Jenkins. Follow Pure Pizza's Facebook page to what's planned for each weekend! (The sack race that broke out in a pile of coffee bean bags donated by Enderly for art and gardening projects wasn't on the calendar.)

...the best part is all of our new friends are even cooler in person, so come meet 'em! Start a new Saturday morning routine, and instead of cartoons and commercialized coffee, head to the barn for a fun way for your kids (fur babies included) to start the day, a sweet treat and produce for the week AND a real cup of coffee from Enderly Coffee because as Juli states on Facebook, "Coffee makes [people] feel like [they] have [their] life together." See ya Saturday!

 

Love at First Slurp, Freal...

Hey y'all, we sample so many coffees here at the shop.  It's sort of like Christmas... You receive a sample (likely in the mail), heat your water, grind it into the cupping bowl, sniff sniff sniff, pour in the water, wait, sniff, wait, eventually you get to break through the "crust" with your spoon, clean off the grounds and foam, and finally slurp on this coffee with great anticipation.  The amazing thing is that this coffee was likely touched by a number of hands at origin: picked, processed, packaged, shipped, etc. and has traveled halfway around the world to your cup (or bowl in this case).  

I've never been halfway around the world, but daily I get to experience the fruit of the labor done on a different continent than mine.  Mind Blown!  This process described is called "cupping" and is a formal "tasting" procedure us coffee nerds use to see what is in this bean.  

To be honest, 95% of the time when "cupping" I take that long awaited first slurp only to be let down.  Either it tastes just like many other coffees I've tried or there is just nothing that stands out in the slurp.  Well in the case of this Brazil Daterra Villa Borghesi, the first slurp was interrupted (a welcomed interruption) with a unique sweetness followed with an aftertaste of cocoa, sort of like drinking a hot cocoa made with authentic chocolate.  

 I worked on this profile to help pull out a balance of flavors here and am so excited for you to try this in your cup.  Take a taste and let us know what you think.  When you love it, tell your peeps about it.   We always appreciate a good referral.  Share your coffee rituals on our Social Media and as always, #loveyourbeans!

We love you and appreciate everyone of you.  

Tony Santoro

Head Roaster

2015 Highlights, in the books...

#LoveYourBeans #DrinkWithaMission

Grateful for the year we had.  This is just the beginning.  We dreamed of the impact we could make.  We dreamed of our first hire.  We dreamed of having our own space, maybe even our own coffee shop...  

WE COULD NOT DO THIS WITHOUT YOU!

From Tony, Becky, and Marquell...  THANK YOU!


2015 Highlights

  • Provided 194 hrs of employment within from the Enderly Park Neighborhood
  • In partnership with Kinfolk Coffee, helped to provide another 250 hrs of employment with coffee kiosk
  • Distributed just shy of 10,000 lbs of fresh, locally roasted coffee
  • Increased production/revenue over 3x from 2014
  • Added 24 new clients who proudly carry or serve Enderly Coffee
  • Continue to support Project 658 Feeding Project’s efforts​
  • Moved into our own roasting facility
  • Tony transitioned to full time

Partner Spotlight: Green with Envy - #PlazaMidwood Gift Stop

At Enderly Coffee we get to work with businesses all across Charlotte. We think our partners are great, so it feels selfish not to introduce them to you, too! Our very first Partner Spotlight is on Green With Envy, a Plaza Midwood boutique where local is the name of the game and “necessary luxuries” aren’t hard to find. 

If you’ve ever driven down Central Avenue, you’ve probably noticed Green With Envy.

Located in the Shoppes at Eleven-Eleven (1111 Central Ave., Suite #200), Green With Envy opened its doors to the Plaza Midwood neighborhood in 2003. Co-Owner Tina Nardoci said she knew from the beginning that the site would be a great fit for the business. 

“It was just an old burned out building at the time, but it was fabulous,” she remarked. “You could see the potential!”

In the 12 years since, Green With Envy, which Nardoci owns alongside her sister, Barbara, has become a neighborhood staple. Today Nardoci’s knack for spotting potential still comes in handy: she helps curate the boutique’s unique selection of merchandise.

Green With Envy carries a wide array of products, from clothing and accessories to home goods and greeting cards. Don’t miss the section for kids in the back! Throughout the store there is an unmistakable Queen City flair - green tags signify which products were created locally.

Thanks for supporting Enderly Coffee, Green With Envy. We’re honored to be a part of the shop!


Get to know Green With Envy Co-Owner Tina Nardoci:

What motivates you to run this business?

It’s the art of it! [Running this business] replaced what I was doing before, which was sculpture. Figuring out where to put stuff, it’s fun. This store is art!

(Nardoci built all of the store’s product displays herself, and the sculptures near the front door of the shop are her work. We laughed about how important it is to lay out merchandise in an organized and aesthetically pleasing way. Her words: “If you can’t see what’s available, you can’t buy it!”)

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If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice before starting Green With Envy, what would it be?

Take a class! Instead of learning everything the hard way, take a class in it. There is so much to learn, and it’s so much easier when you’ve got somebody who can tell you what to do.

 

What do you love most about Charlotte?

 I love the way it grows. In the mid-80’s Charlotte was a very gray place. Now it’s very colorful – the buildings, everything. It just exploded. It turned into a great place to live!

 

If you were given $1,000,000 today, what would you do with it?

 Well, I don’t need a million dollars. You can’t take a million dollars and not help people with it. I’d give it to Hospice and WFAE.

 

How do you take your coffee?

With cream and sugar, and I like my cream a little shaken. I use cream from a carton, but if you shake it up really hard it’s like whipping it a little bit!

 

Written By: Ashley Sullivan

 

 

"Gifts That Give" Guide - QC Edition

A Local, Generous Holiday Gift Guide

If you’re a supporter of Enderly Coffee’s mission we’re willing to bet that you already place a high value on socially conscious shopping. We think picking gifts with purpose is a terrific way to honor the spirit of the season, so we’d like to shout out a few fellow Queen City businesses committed to turning your dollars into hope for others!


Fashion & Compassion

Fashion & Compassion is a jewelry and craft shop committed to employing women who have escaped trafficking, prostitution, addiction, and other horrific abuses. In addition to offering hope to the women they employ, F&C donates the proceeds of your purchases to 18 other worthy ministries. Do yourself a favor and grab a tissue before watching the short video on F&C’s homepage.

Address: 1717 Cleveland Avenue


Upcycle Life

Upcycle Life is committed to two main ideas: being a powerful force for change in the region’s environmental sustainability and helping those in our local community who are most in need. An interesting bag from Upcycle is sure to start a conversation wherever the owner carries it!

Address: 3646 Central Ave. inside Project 658 Building


Give Fifty One

Give Fifty One began when founder Alexander Greer realized the 10-year-old Charlotte child he was mentoring was homeless and helping to care for his younger siblings. Locally, Give Fifty One partners with organizations already working to help children in need. Globally, they sponsor the costs of education for students who require financial assistance. Check out the unique wristwatches they sell to make these initiatives possible!


King’s Kitchen

The King’s Kitchen restaurant in Uptown donates 100% of its profits to feed the poor in the Charlotte region. Additionally, TKK partners with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Dream Center and other area ministries to provide life-skills training and employment assistance to Charlotteans in search of a new beginning. As if that wasn’t enough, TKK’s grits are the best this Southern-raised writer has ever tasted. For your foodie friends, a gift card to TKK is an absolute no-brainer.

We recently did this quick promo for kings kitchen. score by: Daniel Schweizer

Address: 129 W Trade Street


Polka Dot Bake Shop

For your family members or friends who love delicious baked goods, look no further than Polka Dot Bake Shop. In addition to partnering with several local charitable organizations and schools, from now until December 1 Polka Dot will donate 10% of proceeds to the #GIVINGTUESDAYCLT general fund benefiting 108 Charlotte nonprofits. Just print the certificate below and head over to purchase a “sweet” gift card for your loved one!

Address: 1730 E Woodlawn Road


Enderly Coffee Co, of course!

Finally, here at Enderly Coffee we are always proud to offer meaningful gift options to our customers. Bags of coffee make great stocking stuffers, and Enderly mugs help keep chilly winter hands warm. Ohhhh and Tshirts, we have Tshirts, too!  Check out our favorite holiday selections below:

Cheers to a merry and generous holiday season!

 

Written By: Ashley Sullivan

Saying Thank You...

I saw an advertisement the other day that read, “Only EIGHT Fridays until Christmas!” Talk about effective marketing! I hadn’t even started thinking about the holiday season yet, but now I’m convinced that I absolutely must get my Christmas shopping done before Halloween or prepare to surrender my sanity. That may be a tad dramatic, but eight weeks will probably pass faster than you can text “TGIF” to your co-workers, and I like to be prepared.

Speaking of co-workers and holiday shopping and being prepared, Enderly might be able to take some of the pressure of the upcoming season off your shoulders. If you’re a boss or a manager, we know you don’t want to forget your employees this holiday season.  If you have client relationships you'd like to say "Thank You" to, we know you don't want to forget about them either.  What better way to say “thank you” to the people who work hardest for you all year long than giving them something thoughtful for the holidays?

Enderly is happy to offer corporate gift options that we think your personnel will love. We’ll also work with you to create a holiday coffee label with your company’s logo on it to give the gift a more personalized touch. Who knows, the extra Enderly buzz might even make for a more productive 2016! Win-win.

Don’t get caught surfing the ‘net for last-minute gift options two or three Fridays before Christmas. Give the gift of coffee, and the gift of your sanity, to your employees this year. 

Written by: Ashley Sullivan

Back to The Grind? You Should Be...

The great philosopher Jerry Seinfeld once said, “coffee solves all our problems in one delightful little cup.” Expecting one mug of coffee to solve all of humanity’s problems may be a stretch, but here at Enderly we do believe there is significant power in a good cup of jo. For those who are truly after the most “delightful little cup” imaginable, we we’d like to introduce you to one simple trick for brewing better coffee: at-home grinding.

Buying pre-ground coffee might be efficient, but did you know that coffee beans start losing some of their essential goodness almost immediately after they’re crushed? Within 20-30 minutes of grinding, the delicious magic stored within each bean begins to disappear. If a stale cup of coffee in the morning sounds like something that would really grind your nerves (pun intended), then you may want to consider investing in a simple coffee grinder.

 

The Chopper

Chop grinders (or blade grinders, as you’ll also find them called) are the most basic grinders and are certainly a step up from pre-ground coffee options. As the blades move, these grinders chop coffee beans up. One downfall: chop grinders can be inconsistent. Your grind probably won’t be uniform and you may even find a whole bean or two in each batch. However, chop grinders are the most inexpensive home-grind option and may be a good choice if you’re a novice.

 

 

 

The Burr

If you’re interested in something more sophisticated than the chop grinder, the burr grinder might be a better choice. A step up from chop grinders, burr grinders crush coffee beans instead of chopping them, so you won’t end up with chunks or full beans in your batch. Burrs also offer different grind settings, giving you the ability to select the grind appropriate for the type of drink you’re planning to make (i.e. – a finer grind for espresso or a courser grind for the French Press). 

If you’re ready to dip your toe into the coffee-grinding world, here are some of our picks for at-home grinders:

Chop Grinder: KRUPS F203 Electric Spice and Coffee Grinder

Burr Grinder: Capresso 560.01 Infinity Burr Grinder

And if you’re not convinced, no judgment (well not much judgement). We know that a pre-ground cup of coffee is better than no coffee at all!

Cheers!

 

Written by: Ashley Sullivan

Perfect Holiday Gift - Mmmmm Peppermint...

Give The Gift of Local for The Holiday

What is better than receiving the perfect gift for the holiday?  Giving the perfect gift! Our Peppermint Vanilla Bean Sugar, French Press, and Coffee Gift Pack is not only delicious and unique, but is produced locally and is guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of whoever receives it. 

Order Here

We have partnered our coffee perfectly with Peppermint Vanilla Bean Sugar from the Savory Spice Shop.  Add a little holiday to your cup! 

Here is what they say...

"Like our other sugars, we make our peppermint vanilla bean sugar in-house. After infusing granulated white sugar with pure vanilla extract and vanilla beans, we add pure peppermint extract to the vanilla bean sugar and allow it to dry." -Savory Spice Shop

The other perk... This is your chance to give a friend, family member, colleague, boss, employee, mailman, etc. the opportunity to enjoy one of the best coffee brewing methods around, the French Press.  What I like about the French Press most is that it turns your cup into an experience.  There is nothing like plunging right before your fill your cup. 

Order Here

Sweet, Creamy Caramel, Milk Chocolate from 4,101 Feet

Brazil “Samambaia”

We are really excited to offer our newest bean, with creamy, caramel, and chocolate notes taking you through each sip.  If you are a fan of Medium roast, you must grab a bag of the Brazil.

Want to know a little about where it comes from? It starts on a small farm of 74 acres located in a mountainous region called Quatis where farmer Jose Pereira and his family farm and live. This bean and this process are very unique, the Catuai variety which is processed naturally and dried in the sun, just like our Natural Processed Ethiopian.

Jose believes this climate is the key to such a great bean, "Here, the breeze is always  present, and this is our secret; cherries are always dancing in mild temperatures and never exposed to the intense heat."   

You can welcome our newest offering here at http://bit.ly/1xyoqjI

Natural Processed Ethiopian Beans are in...

To Our Ethiopian Coffee

This coffee has a very distinct note of strawberry that we have not offered before.  
This coffee comes to us from the Sidamo region of Southern Ethiopia.  It is fairly close to the part of Ethiopia believed to be the birthplace of coffee and these are heirloom varietals.  

No matter your preference of coffees, this is a coffee you want to try.  The Dry Process is what gives it the bright strawberry note. 

In the cup you can expect to find a bright coffee with a beautiful round note of strawberry. The finish is refreshing and the mouthfeel nice and silky. 

Buy yours now...

http://enderlycoffee.com/large-jar-12-oz/1mb7g23z2sy4wshxgqhqhjr1esggnw

 

Natural Process (AKA Dry Process) - What is the big deal?

The natural process is the original manner in which coffee was processed. The cherries are dried with the beans inside, like drying a grape into a raisin. The beans are dried with all of their layers intact, including the coffee cherry and mucilage.

The fruit of the coffee plant, known as the cherry, is picked once it ripens on the branch. Mature coffee cherries can manifest themselves in red, yellow and orange pigmentation.  In some coffee regions, such as southern Ethiopia, coffee cherries are picked at the same point of maturation as washed and semi-washed/honey/pulped natural coffees and brought to dry on patios or raised drying beds.  Coffee beans are dried intact with all of their layers in this process including the coffee cherry and mucilage.  The coffee cherry and mucilage are composed of sugars and alcohols, which play a role in the sweetness, acidity and overall flavor profile of the coffee.  The fruit is a closed environment, which encourages natural fermentation (and sometimes rot) – helping create the final flavor profile.  The fruit dries onto the parchment that surrounds the seeds. The coffee beans are left to rest inside the cherry pods before being peeled (hulled) and prepared for shipment. At this stage the cherry is the texture of fruit leather. The result is the dense heavy body and exotic, wild berry flavors that have become synonymous with natural processed coffees.  However, the cup profiles of natural processed coffees can be inconsistent, so an intense analysis on the cupping table and in the lab is integral during the selection process.

The word pasa refers to another technique to create natural processed coffee. In this method, the farmer leaves the coffee cherry to ripen and then dry on the branch, rather than picking and then drying the cherry on raised beds.

Naturally processed coffees typically have heavier mouthfeel, lower acidity levels and intense, exotic flavor profiles.

credit: StumptownCoffee.com

 

Who Do We Help?

Greg and Helms Jarrell have lived in Enderly Park since 2005.  They are leaders in the Hyaets Community, a neighborhood ministry whose main goal is to be "good neighbors" to our neighbors.  These fine folks, along with perhaps a hundred volunteers throughout the year, meet many needs of the people of our community.  In particular, the Hyaets Community takes a special interest in pouring into the youth.  They know that making a change in children's lives will have great impact on not only their lives and the lives of their parents, but for generations to come.   

How to be a "Good Neighbor" 

-Community Meals on the first and third Fridays (All are invited, even YOU) 

-Weekly Youth Groups in the Hyaets Clubhouse

-Enderly Park Youth Retreats

-Freedom School over the summer (to educate kids and keep them occupied) 

-Pouring into Ashley Park School and other neighborhood schools (Tutoring, mentoring, teacher appreciation)

-Enderly Park Adult Empowerment Team, helping with food scarcity in Enderly Park

 

Feel good knowing that with every purchase of Enderly Coffee, a portion is given directly back to our neighbors through the Hyaets Community. 

Great Coffee helping Great People to do Great Things...
Sounds Great to me!

Tony

Enderly Coffee Co. is Born...

We love coffee and we love West Charlotte.  That is where our story begins.  My wife and I moved to Enderly Park in 2007, understanding the challenges and benefits of moving to an area such as this.  We quickly fell in love with our neighborhood and neighbors, confirming that we made the right choice.  

We soon found out about a wonderful ministry that was located 2 blocks from home, where a few couples choose to live here in Enderly Park ministering to their neighbors. Check them out at www.hyaets.org.  They truly do amazing things, focusing on personal development, the youth, and educational support.

My wife and I are both teachers full time in CMS.  We go to Watershed Church.  We met, dated, and fell in love over coffee.  Naturally, we have dreamed of owning a community focused coffee shop/center right here in Enderly Park.  Being teachers, money is not abundant and I soon realized that the financial challenges would be great and the risk of starting a coffee shop would far outweigh the short term reward.

This is around the time I began roasting coffee.  It began as a hobby of sort, learning as I went, and grew quickly into a passion.  My friends and family loved the coffee.  I felt led to startup a company that joins my coffee passion and my heart for my neighbors, and there Enderly Coffee was born.  We buy our coffee Direct-Trade (which is better than Fair-Trade in many people’s opinion) from a farmer in Guatemala who we have connected with through our church’s international missions. 

I hope you are able to support what we are doing here in Charlotte.  I would ask for you to share our story with friends and family as you feel inclined.  Buy some coffee and share it with some friends.  We know that we are making a difference and invite all who are interested into this journey.  Once again, thanks for your interest and support. 

Tony & Becky

 

Credit Arising Images and Proof I did have hair

Credit Arising Images and Proof I did have hair

Hot Summer: Iced Coffee

Meet our fellow-Michigan friend, Jill, For those who don't know her, she is a pretty cool person.  She's an artist, an elementary school art teacher, a Spartan, a tea lover (but appreciates coffee), a biker (currently riding her bike like across the country), she is from Traverse City, MI (most beautiful city in America), and she's the kindest person you'll ever meet. You can check out her blog at jilldrokos.blogspot.com

Sorry about the winter picture in the post about the summer, the editors didn't catch that...

Last summer Jill shared how she used our beans to cool down in the summer time. Now that our summer weather is finally here in Charlotte, I wanted to share her mix and let you try it for yourself.

Here it is:

Iced Coffee, makes about 2-3 servings

Needed:

1 quarts water to 2 ounces ground coffee

Pinches of any combination of spices (Jill recommends nutmeg & cinnamon).

Milks and sweeteners as you like

How to: 

In a large Mason Jar combine the water (cool or lukewarm), spices, and ground coffee. 

Give the mixture a stir and let it sit for about 8 hours.

After it's set, strain the coffee through cheesecloth.

Fill a glass with ice and pour in your chilled iced coffee.

Cream and sugar it to taste...  Drink

Try it and let us know what you think.  If you try something different let us know.  Post photos, comments, etc. to our Twitter @enderlycoffeeco or on our Facebook.

Enjoy and stay cool... Oh Yeah, and Love Your Beans!!!

Why Enderly Coffee? It Does More Than Taste Good...

Every purchase, every sip of Enderly Coffee does more than just taste good.  Every bean is our attempt at a solution to a problem. Every bean sold is our attempt to help our farmers to make a difference in their own community.  We are not Fair Trade, we are DIRECT TRADE.  Through our personal relationship with our farmer we are able to DIRECTLY change these statistics.

path-of-coffee-bean.jpg

Enderly Coffee is empowering our farmer to serve their community, helping families get out of poverty, helping families to get clothes, medical supplies, schooling, basic necessities for life, etc.  Not only are we able to help our farmer and their community, but we are helping YOU enjoy a unique and amazing cup of coffee that is straight from the farm.

Be a part of the movement!