Many times people ask what Ethiopian culture is like and I often have found that I cannot simply put it into words. The culture here is so unique that it is better to be experienced rather than explained. However, in hopes of being able to share my love for this country with people that are not able to be here with me right now, I will attempt to share a small glimpse into the beauty of this place and its people. I have come to personally believe that nothing better symbolizes Ethiopian culture than the coffee ceremony.
Most people, even those from the US, have heard about Ethiopia’s reputation for good coffee but few know the full extent it’s importance. Ethiopians claim that coffee, or in Amharic buna, was first discovered in Ethiopia by a goatherd named Kaldi in the province of Kafa in southwest Ethiopia-this region of Kafa is where the Western name “coffee” comes from.
As you visit Ethiopia as a foreigner or guest you quickly realize the importance of buna. It is shared with friends, after meals, and always with guests. While the local coffee shop’s macchiatos are some of my favorite, nothing replaces being invited to an Ethiopian’s home for the full coffee ceremony. The whole process can take hours and it is something to be slowly enjoyed. It is a far beat away from our American idea of coffee, which involves driving through the closest Starbucks drive-through and having your grande soy hazelnut latte (my drink of choice) ready in minutes. The coffee ceremony begins with the raw coffee beans that are green to start with. The beans are roasted on an open fire in the home, giving off a wonderful smell.
After the beans are finished and roasted, they are ground my hand in a mortar and then scooped carefully into the traditional clay coffee pot called a jebena. The coffee is mixed with water and cooks in the jebena over the fire until it starts to steam signaling that it is ready for drinking. It is then poured into 12 small cups, representing the 12 apostles. While for most Americans one cup of this unfiltered coffee is enough, guests must receive three rounds of the coffee as each round has its own significance. The third and final cup of coffee is the one that symbolizes blessing and is know as bereka.
As a guest when you visit people’s houses, it is amazing how little they might have and yet they will still have all the necessary supplies to put on an impromptu coffee ceremony at a moment’s notice. I have had people who are living in extreme poverty send their kids out to buy sugar, a delicacy here, so that we maybe be able to enjoy it with out coffee at their home. The process is slow and unhurried. I think that at it’s core it represents the hospitality of Ethiopian culture as well as the heightened importance of relationships as compared to the importance of time.
Over the process of the coffee ceremony, time is spent together just enjoying each other’s company and presence. The first time that I ever went to one of these during my first trip to Ethiopia, I have to admit that it felt a little uncomfortable as the hours passed by. It is sadly no longer in our DNA as Americans to be able to just simply enjoy time spent together without any purpose other than building community and relationships. We are so task driven that the slowing down and enjoying the moment is not always comfortable. I think it is easy to walk away from an afternoon at someone’s house here and feel like you have accomplished absolutely nothing—and that is the beautiful part-nothing needed to be accomplished in the first place.
I had to get up early four mornings in a row a few weeks ago to attend a conference on Foster Care here in Addis. Due to the need to wake up so early, I didn’t have the normal time for my two cups of coffee from my French press. One morning, I decided to take my coffee with me in a travel mug and as I walked through the streets to the taxis holding my mug it dawned on me—the cultural differences and implications of coffee was clear. In the US coffee is something that we use merely as a way to help us get through the day—though sometimes, it is rarely a sign of community. While the unhurried nature of the Ethiopian coffee ceremony can be uncomfortable at first, it is something that I hope to gain a stronger appreciation for. I think we all can benefit from learning the lesson that we do not always need to produce or accomplish a task—sometimes the best way we can spend our time is to enjoy one another in sweet relationships. So slow down today with me and take the time to sip your coffee slowly with friends and family and enjoy.
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I agree wholeheartedly, Father. I was a Starbucks drinker (darker the better) until I discovered Mystic Monk. I do enjoy their coffee VERY much. Also – if I could make a suggestion: given the role I was in at our parish, I inquired about coffee sales as parish fundraiser. The Monks have a great deal if you want to do this – and it is win, win, win. Good coffee. Helps the Monks. Helps the parish. Since we are just in the back-to-school and back-to-religious-ed mode, if you need to do fundraisers this year folks, check them out. You won’t be disappointed by the quality – and as I said, I love good coffee.
Comment by avecrux — 28 August 2010 @ 11:13 am
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Father, do you have any comments on the issues raised in the last combox re new Carmelite branches? Or, do you know a source where we can read up on this? [You can read about their coffee here!]
Comment by Agnes of Prague — 28 August 2010 @ 11:15 am
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If I were a coffee drinker, I’d jump on the bandwagon, but my body doesn’t handle coffee well. Do you know any monks or nuns who sell herbal tea?
Comment by Fr Matthew — 28 August 2010 @ 11:25 am
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Agnes, the Wyoming Carmelites are M-Carms, and are an offshoot from the O-Carms (the original order). These monks are reviving the hermit-monk tradition in the order, and needed to set up a new sub-group of the O-Carms because there was no longer a specific part of the Order devoted to this form. They also pray the older form of Divine Office and pray the Mass in the Extraordinary form. Hope this helps.
Comment by Jaybirdnbham — 28 August 2010 @ 11:28 am
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I gave out sample bags last Christmas to family and friends.
Was also just at this monestary as I was driving through Wyoming earlier this week and go to speak to a couple of the brothers.
I also understand that there is some hope to start a traditional Order of Carmelite sisters as well.
Comment by JosephMary — 28 August 2010 @ 11:35 am
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I’ve been wanting to order espresso beans from the monks, but am curious how fresh they are? Do they roast to order?
Comment by Katharine B. — 28 August 2010 @ 11:59 am
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Bought some Mystic Monk grounds. I didn’t notice the 4 bag sampler with free shipping till I read the whole post . . . might have to go back and get more.
Comment by Thomas G. — 28 August 2010 @ 12:26 pm
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Mystic Monk Coffee is just about one of the best. There is a brand from Canada which some friends drink, and I believe it’s as good or better. It’s called Tim Horton’s.
Please don’t support Starbucks if possible since they do advocate and support the gay/lesbian agenda.
Comment by lucy — 28 August 2010 @ 12:45 pm
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Buy from the Monks. Starbucks also supports Planned Parenthood.
Comment by wanda — 28 August 2010 @ 1:28 pm
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Starbucks sounds awful. (I mean what they support. Ugh.) Glad to have the monks for good coffee and so much more. It so exciting to watch this order flourish! It encourages me when I see what is happening to our country in other areas. A nice, young man from our church joined this summer.
Comment by Liz F — 28 August 2010 @ 1:29 pm
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For those who like a lighter roast coffee, the Mystic Monk Guatemalan blend is excellent!
Comment by Patikins — 28 August 2010 @ 1:33 pm
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Just purchased a sampler package to try more flavors.
Comment by lucy — 28 August 2010 @ 1:37 pm
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As far as coffee goes, sounds like this is good coffee. As far as a religious order goes, people should see the other post which was more informative on that issue.
Comment by catholicmidwest — 28 August 2010 @ 1:45 pm
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Done.
Comment by UncleBlobb — 28 August 2010 @ 2:01 pm
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I’m thinking the Sumatran would be ideal for espresso. (YES, even more than the espresso.)
Comment by jmgarciajr — 28 August 2010 @ 2:24 pm
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if I knew you were in town I would have made some bread for you and your hosts (I think I need to chat with my Confirmation sponsor)
Comment by Craig — 28 August 2010 @ 2:53 pm
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Father, when I saw your post on the Wyoming Carmelites the other day I ordered a bag of their “Chocolate Cherry” flavored coffee- it is amazing! After I tried it, I ordered one of the value packs with three more bags (Chocolate Cherry, Rum Pecan, & Choclate Mint)along with a travel mug…between Carmelite Coffee and Trappist Beer, who would want to buy anywhere else!
Comment by Dan — 28 August 2010 @ 3:53 pm
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oh, and I forgot to ask- have you ever posted on Trappist Beer before Father? I am a big fan…and there’s also a formula in the older, traditional Rituale Romanum for blessing beer. I had my trappist beer blessed by my priest in the sacristy after Mass once…he was trying not to laugh too hard as he read the latin!
But all joking aside, its a high quality product that is the heir of a centuries-long monastic brewing tradition. No watered down American beer there…its even bottle conditioned and re-fermented so it ages like fine wine! And, should anyone be concerned about alcohol abuse, drinking too much is very cost prohibitive…its expensive, but well worth it! The seven Trappist brewries are Rochefort, Chimay, Orval, Westvleteren, Westmalle, Koningshoeven, and Achel. I think this calls for a combined “What does the prayer [beer blessing] really say” and “Sunday supper” post!
Comment by Dan — 28 August 2010 @ 4:02 pm
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Starbucks is the only employer I know of that gives part-time employees health insurance. Just sayin…
Comment by susanna — 28 August 2010 @ 4:43 pm
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susanna – that’s all fine and good, but where is the health assurance for the babies ? Just sayin’… It’s so hard to follow our well-formed consciences. Hard for me, too, since now Trader Joe’s is on the no-list to patronize. Geez.
Comment by lucy — 28 August 2010 @ 5:01 pm
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To those of you who are dragging this into a negative discussion about Starbucks, may I add that if you buy the very good Mystic Monk Coffee you are helping Carmelites?
I’m just askin’
Comment by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf — 28 August 2010 @ 5:28 pm
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sorry for the dragging, Fr. I bought some today! : )
Comment by lucy — 28 August 2010 @ 5:36 pm
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Katharine B.: I was impressed with the freshness of the monks’ coffee, and I usually roast my own, so I’m pretty particular about freshness.
Fr. Z: Any chance of a post with links to the fine monasteries you’re aware of out there and what they offer for sale?
Comment by greg the beachcomber — 28 August 2010 @ 8:13 pm
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I’ve been considering getting one of their samplers. Alas that they don’t have a replacement for Frappucino, since it now appears I must give that up! (Sorry, Father!)
Comment by TonyLayne — 28 August 2010 @ 9:03 pm
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I sob live in sob Australia and so will have to do without this coffee. sob
Comment by Norah — 29 August 2010 @ 12:17 am
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My family and I have been buying their coffee ever since they started selling it. It is excellent, and well worth the price. I personally prefer the darker, stronger blends and my wife likes all the various flavored coffees.
We know the prior pretty well, you can be confident that you’re supporting a very good thing with your money. There were no legitimate “issues” raised in the other post. They have a long line of guys wanting to join, and will be ordaining 2 more priests in October. This foundation is going to accomplish a lot.
Comment by NeoCarlist — 29 August 2010 @ 12:08 pm
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What a coincidence, this topic. We were given a bag of the MM Midnight Vigils. We find it very tasty but alas, we do not know the varying degrees of good coffee, we just drink what is set before us.
With Fr. Z I agree; if given a choice to support a Catholic community, go ahead and buy the MM coffee rather than purchasing from a commercial concern.
[And when you get it through my link, you help the monks and me at the same time, and you get your good coffee! How is that not a good thing?]
Comment by Plain Catholic — 29 August 2010 @ 3:30 pm
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In re: frappuccino substitutes, here’s a recipe from the Web that folks say tastes close:
- 1/2 cups (cold) strong coffee
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4-1/3 cup sugar
- 1-1/2 cups ice
Mix in blender till you like the consistency.
If you don’t want to do the blender, just having iced coffee with these sorts of ingredients is pretty good also.
Comment by Suburbanbanshee — 29 August 2010 @ 5:33 pm
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Nice to see the goodly monks get more airtime and kudos. See their web site. Commit their plans to prayer, penance and donations, especially at the moment with their development plan problems that they have.
As for Norah’s comment, I live in Australia also, but I “offer up” the extra shipping cost, in order to still support these wonderful men! I can personally vouch for this coffee.
Yes, it is also true that I too boycott Starbacks both in Australia and the U.S. for the aforementioned reasons (and yes, that means literally going without if there’s no alternative, or settling for dubious recycled dishwater if really necessary).
Its time for some more of us to become a little more militant, and vote with our wallets and curbed preferences, and not just our often empty words (myself included). We have to get more serious and realistic about where the money trails often lead.
So a blessed evil-free day to all, replete with good coffee from some wonderful hard working men of God, worldwide!
Comment by IntroiboAdAltareDei — 29 August 2010 @ 5:39 pm
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I’ve been considering getting one of their samplers. Alas that they don’t have a replacement for Frappucino, since it now appears I must give that up! (Sorry, Father!)
Comment by TonyLayne
If you live near an ALDI, those stores sell something akin to a bottled frappacino. And German friends have told me that the Albrecht bros, the founders of ALDI, are very, very Catholic. One of them just died in the past few weeks.
Comment by robtbrown — 29 August 2010 @ 6:15 pm
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Someone asked about things other monasteries sell: Mine (soon to be, I hope hope hope!) sells soap, lip balm, lotions, and good Dominican books! http://www.nunsopsummit.org
We’re cloistered nuns, with LOTS of vocations—two postulants have entered this summer, and more are coming
Comment by capchoirgirl — 29 August 2010 @ 6:53 pm
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I’m entirely with you about avoiding Starbucks, which I find to be over-priced and over-rated. My favorite monastic coffee is “Benevolent Blends” from the Cistercians in Wisconsin, at http://www.benevolentblends.com The coffee is good, the prices are reasonable, and the proceeds support the monks—but also a number of worthy programs outside the monastery.
@Lucy—Tim Horton’s is a Dunkin Donuts-like chain in Canada (now with a few stores in the US as well), and their coffee is pretty good! (For that matter, the Dunkin Donuts house blend is pretty good, too.)
Comment by stpetric — 29 August 2010 @ 7:40 pm
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I’d like to try it, so I wrote to them to find out about getting the coffee in single-cup format for a Keurig machine. They sent a terse response back that they had no plan to do so. Seemed a bit narrow as many people are switching to this format rather than taking the time to brew a whole pot every time. Hopefully they will become more progressive. (one this issue only).
Comment by restoration — 29 August 2010 @ 8:07 pm
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restoration: Or, perhaps, you could get more progressive and get a simple, single serving filter cone. They take the standard #4 filter, so you can make whatever size cup you want, and are available from Amazon.com for less than $10. No flashy lights, but they make great coffee and clean up is easy. And you can buy coffee a pound at a time instead of in expensive little disks.
So not only do you get to support the monks, you save a ton of money in the process.
Comment by greg the beachcomber — 29 August 2010 @ 8:54 pm
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I have bought some for siblings as Christmas gifts. I don’t know, but it feels like I’m evangelizing.
Comment by xgenerationcatholic — 29 August 2010 @ 9:46 pm
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i’ve bought from them before, but am glad I now have a way to support Fr. Z without using paypal [which is also on the LDI list].
so now i’m deciding which free shipping pack i want. can anyone vouch for the quality of the chant cd?
Comment by lux_perpetua — 29 August 2010 @ 10:18 pm
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@restoration – listen, I love my Gevalia coffee, too, but the Keurig doesn’t offer it. So, I got the single serve metal cup thingy that you put your own coffee into and instead of using the ridiculous contraption they provide, I just cover the top with foil and it works perfectly!
As soon as my Mystic Monk arrives, I’m going to switch to them permanently….or til the next great best thing comes along.
Comment by lucy — 29 August 2010 @ 11:13 pm
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lucy writes, “…So, I got the single serve metal cup thingy that you put your own coffee into…”
Found it here in the “Accessories” tab: http://www.keurig.com/accessories.asp?cat%5Fid=13&mscsid=6G0X8L51X06E9NK4ABFPPE70RPPQ3GUC
Cost: $17.95 + shipping. I’m gonna buy one when I send my next order and try some of this Mystic Monk “Cuppa Joe” [or, would that be “vassa Iose”?]
—Guy
Comment by ghp95134 — 30 August 2010 @ 12:22 am
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Starbucks corporate responsibility: http://www.starbucks.com/responsibility Nowhere will you find Starbucks supporting abortion rights, Planned Parenthood or “advocate and support the gay/lesbian agenda”. If you have evidence to the contrary, I’d be curious to see it.
Comment by PostCatholic — 30 August 2010 @ 12:26 am
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I note they have Carmel Coffee (reg. or decaf.)
….so—- why don’t they have Carmel Lite …? It would be a nice pun on their Order’s name.
Or … has some other wag already made the suggestion and I missed it?
Comment by ghp95134 — 30 August 2010 @ 1:01 am
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PostCatholic,
Under the “ClimateChange” section of the website:
We’re also committed to championing progressive climate change policy in partnership with other businesses and organizations.
If that doesn’t give you pause, nothing will. Certainly there are no direct references to your aforementioned groups, but parsed properly, I see reason for concern. I would trust them more if they directly stated “We are staunchly pro-life” rather than the double-speak listed on the website.
Comment by eyeclinic — 30 August 2010 @ 7:27 am
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I don’t get how “progressive climate change policy” equates with reproductive rights or the “gay/lesbian agenda”. I also don’t know why it should give me pause that an agriculture-dependent business is interested in climate stability.
Comment by PostCatholic — 30 August 2010 @ 7:44 am
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I don’t get how “progressive climate change policy” equates with reproductive rights
Referring to abortion on demand as “reproductive rights” is like referring to slavery as economic rights.
or the “gay/lesbian agenda”. I also don’t know why it should give me pause that an agriculture-dependent business is interested in climate stability.
Comment by PostCatholic
The Climate Change crowd considers the problem to be man made. Fewer people mean less pollution. Gay/Lesbian relationships do not naturally produce offspring.
Comment by robtbrown — 30 August 2010 @ 8:11 am
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I ordered a sampler pack and brought the Midnight Vigils Blend into work last night. Since I work the night shift, I thought it would be a fun choice. Everyone enjoyed it, and I had a chance to talk about the monks to people who otherwise would not know about them.
Comment by poohbear — 30 August 2010 @ 8:48 am
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I ordered the 3 bag plus CD plus free shipping package over the weekend through your website, Father. Thanks for switching me over to this “Heavenly” brand… I’ll be introducing it to our pastor as soon as I get the order.
Comment by MarkJ — 30 August 2010 @ 9:23 am
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I’ve been giving MM coffee to family at Christmas & birthdays for a few years now and finally ordered some for me this Easter. It is wonderful! I can’t wait for Jingle Bell java to be available. It is my favorite! I hope the monks have some cabins in their plans for people to visit or maybe offer retreats. Wouldn’t that be great?!
Comment by bonniebob — 30 August 2010 @ 10:15 am
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RobtBrown, I think you may be guilty of hasty generalization there, but thanks for the insight into how such conclusions are derived.
Comment by PostCatholic — 30 August 2010 @ 11:14 am
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RobtBrown, I think you may be guilty of hasty generalization there, but thanks for the insight into how such conclusions are derived.
Comment by PostCatholic
Inept comments. You accuse me of hasty generalization, which you demonstrate by a hasty generalization.
I assume that you are not capable of refuting what I said.
Comment by robtbrown — 30 August 2010 @ 11:33 am
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From their website (http://www.starbucks.com/career-center/career-diversity):
Starbucks Pride Alliance provides an equitable, dynamic and supportive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) partners.
I don’t know about the Planned Parenthood connection; supposedly PP is one of the organizations Starbucks will match employee contributions to, but I can’t find documentation for that.
Bottom line: It’s a slam dunk, support the monks.
Comment by greg the beachcomber — 30 August 2010 @ 12:04 pm
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No, I’ll concede the point, robtbrown. I’m not honestly not interested in being contrary for the sake of it.
greg the beachcomber, thanks for the factual information.
Comment by PostCatholic — 30 August 2010 @ 12:37 pm
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I am not a coffee drinker, but my colleague is. I will have to get him some. Is there an Order of Chinese Monks who make tea? Some Benedictines or some Dominicans perhaps?
Comment by Dr. Eric — 30 August 2010 @ 12:43 pm
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I love Mystic Monk Coffee! My younger brother is a monk there (we’re from Australia). Including shipping, the coffee works out to ~ $15 AUD a bag.
Comment by Mary — 30 August 2010 @ 7:01 pm
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Buy this stuff.
Comment by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf — 30 August 2010 @ 7:13 pm
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“And German friends have told me that the Albrecht bros, the founders of ALDI, are very, very Catholic. One of them just died in the past few weeks.”
That’s good to know because Aldi is my hands down favorite place to shop. I have yet to find a grocery chain anywhere in central/northern Illinois that beats their prices. Not to mention they have great wines, beers, chocolates, pastries, and, at Christmas, real German stollen.
But for the holidays I am going to have to splurge on Mystic Monk and maybe even a bourbon fruitcake from the Trappist monks in Gethsemani, Ky. I had one of them years ago and loved it, even though I can’t stand fruitcake most of the time.
Comment by bookworm — 30 August 2010 @ 7:36 pm
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Mary, thanks for the info re shipping to Australia. I’ll go to the blog and have a browse. I like a fairly strong coffee; do you have any recommendations?
Comment by Norah — 31 August 2010 @ 12:04 am
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@ Norah – I love strong coffee too! I would recommend the ‘Midnight Vigils’ blend – it’s lovely.
Comment by Mary — 31 August 2010 @ 12:13 am
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They used one of my comments back to them for a couple years in their advertising, it trul is some of the best coffee I have experienced. For those reading in Kansas City, a former member of Old St. Pat’s is now a novice in the community (we both attended the Bishop Helmsing Institute, thank you Bishop Finn).
As for Starbucks or any other national chain, you often will not find a corporate statement concerning charitable givings as many companies, Whole Foods for instance, allow their local outlets to determine what groups they support. Our local Starbucks run the gamut from full out LGBT and PP support, to even nursing home programs.
With any “boycott”, you should always check with your local outlets before attacking the company, who’s headquarters may have no idea what is happening.
So, but the monk’s coffee, its great bean, a great community, and fullfills a precept of the Church; You shall help provide for the needs of the Church (and what better need do we have than holy men and women to pray for us obsitinate sinners?).
Comment by Craig — 31 August 2010 @ 6:05 am
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