One thing that has certainly helped me through this pandemic is coffee.
Forced to make our own coffee at home and released from the spell and call of Starbucks and other coffee shops, we have since learned to appreciate more local beans and the art of the home brew.
I started buying from Chit Juan of Echostore. Chit’s Blend remains a favorite to this day.
But in a desire to help small entrepreneurs, I also started purchasing from different brands.
Aside from my vegetables and honey, I also get my ground coffee from the Cordillera region via Cordillera Landing On You. They have a Benguet Blend, Sagada Dark and Kalinga Dark. I am presently drinking the Kalinga Dark, which I absolutely love.
Aside from the aroma that Cordillera beans give, it keeps you awake without making you feel like you were hit by a truck. (Order from Cordillera Landing On You at 0917-8675188).
I also purchased from SGD Coffee Roastery, located in Maginhawa and Greenhills. They offer international award-winning Sagada coffee. (Message SGD Coffee Roastery on Facebook.)
Drip to Go
In support of people in theater, who have had to put performances on pause due to the pandemic, I have also purchased from Drip to Go, which I heard about first from Jenny Jamora, who was supporting Aktor Tindahan, which carries the brand.
I love this brand because it is so easy to order (go to Instagram @driptogo.mnl) and the best part is, you know it’s someone who could be your friend responding to you. The first time I ordered, I asked if they also sold coffee filters because I had run out. They did not but a couple of hours later, I got a message saying, “I’m at the grocery store. Want me to buy filters for you?”
I was just so grateful this artist—Jenny tells me Anthony Falcon is behind Drip to Go—broke the fourth wall to help me get my coffee fix.
Coffee & Pine
A friend who sells luxury bags has pivoted to selling coffee and founded Coffee & Pine. She grew up in Baguio and has found the perfect excuse to visit the City of Pines more often.
“I thought to myself, what can I bring down from Baguio that can serve as ‘feel good’ … and coffee came to mind,” she recalls.
She lived in Baguio for a couple of months last year so had time to personally explore bean varieties. She now sells five variants: Sagada, which is 100-percent Arabica, medium roast; Kalinga, which is 100-percent Robusta, dark roast; Benguet, which is a blend of Excelsa and Robusta, dark roast; and Barako, which is Excelsa Liberica, dark roast. She also has flavored ones: hazelnut, caramel and macadamia.
She dreams of someday having her own coffee shop. In the meantime, she is open to resellers. Drop her a message on Instagram if you are interested in reselling or if you just simply need Cordillera coffee. Order via Instagram @coffeeandpineph
Kape ProbinsYana
I learned recently that a faith influencer, Leahna Villajos, also sells coffee. I call her a faith influencer because I met her through social media projects of the Roman Catholic Church: she was a reporter of Radio Veritas and is now in charge of the communications department (for livestreaming masses, webinars, media production, etc.) of the Diocese of Cubao.
While in quarantine, she discovered her entrepreneurial spirit and created Kape ProbinsYana, a play on her nickname Yana. She sells coffee from Northern Luzon and Cavite. She personally and lovingly puts the coffee she sources into drip bags.
She chose to sell in drip bags because “it allows us to have authentic brewed coffee in an instant. Most especially in the office where schedules are tight and we don’t always have coffee maker, drip coffee is the best.”
She’s right. You will no longer need to buy coffee filters or need a machine. Just open the bag and pour hot water.
Kape ProbinsYana also offers Sagada, Kalinga, Barako as well as flavored drips like hazelnut, butterscotch and French vanilla. Order via Instagram @kape_probinsyana
Laudato Si
Another thing I love about drinking drip coffee is that it is more environmentally friendly. The ultimate faith influencer, Pope Francis, campaigned for all of us to care more for the earth in his encyclical Laudato Si.
I love the convenience of capsule espresso, but can you imagine all the waste from those capsules? And even if you return the used pods to the brand you bought it from, it’s still waste. This, as opposed to buying grounds or even grounds in Japanese-style paper drip bags (made of paper), which are more environmentally friendly.
Best of all, I love that there is now a greater appreciation for local brews.