Eating local’s great — except when you need a caffeine kick or chocolate fix. That’s where fair trade treats come in! Here’s a short holiday gift list of newish decadent fair trade and organic edibles that’ll make you drool:
For the vegan chocoholic: nicobella vegan organic chocolate truffles. Looking for chocolates with health benefits and antioxidant powers? nicobella truffles are packed with good-for-you ingredients like blueberries, green tea, and flax seeds — all covered in delicious 70% dark chocolate and slightly sweetened with agave nectar and brown rice syrup.
The decadent truffles come in a set of six — Walnut Flaxseed Crunch, Blueberry Almond, Ginger Green Tea, Pure Cocoa Bliss, Sunflower Banana, and Pumpkin Chai — in a recyclable paper box made from FSC-certified paper. Get a box at fair trade, organic chocolatier Theo for $13.20.
For the cookie monster from New England: Taste of New England Gift Basket. Miss home? Comfort yourself with a cookie fix from Dancing Deer, a women-led natural baking company that’s teamed up with fair trade company Equal Exchange to create yummy gift baskets featuring fair trade goodies alongside local treats.
I haven’t tried Dancing Deer’s cookies myself, but the molasses clove cookies, shortbread cookies, and brownies look delicious. The basket also comes with fair trade Equal Exchange Rooibos Tea, which I have tried, plus raw local honey from Boston Honey Co. and trail mix from local nut shop Fastachi — all delivered in a seagrass basket for $59.95. A large basket — which adds on more baked goods plus fair trade coffee and chocolate — costs $99.95.
For the treehugging caffeine addict: Arbor Day Specialty Coffee. You won’t be sacrificing taste for eco-altruism with the Arbor Day Blend; Coffee Review gave this brew a 92 rating! Enjoy a cuppa with the happy knowledge that the proceeds from this triple certified coffee — organic , fair trade, and Smithsonian Bird-Friendly — goes directly to the Arbor Day Foundation’s Rain Forest Rescue Program to preserve rain forests.
Addicted? Join the Coffee Club, which will send you a 10-ounce bag plus an Arbor Day mug for $6.95 — with two more bags sent every four weeks at $8.95 per bag. Earlier: 3 Tasty, triple-certified coffees — all with an extra 4th cause with a kick.
Photos via Thoe, Dancing Deer, Arbor Day
You should really try Barkeater Chocolates truffles – they have vegan and soy and mostly organic. They are incredible and guilt free!
Comment by Linda — December 15, 2009 @ 2:53 pm
Thanks for the recommendation — They sound v. yummy :)
Comment by Siel — January 6, 2010 @ 11:14 am