Though our switch to Alterra Coffee may come as quite out of the blue, it is a decision that we here at the Unicorn have been carefully considering for some time. We wanted to let y’all in on just why we are making this change, and why we are so confident in our decision.
1.) It is a true partnership. In the short time that we have been working with Alterra, they have made their commitment to the Unicorn clear. They helped us in the purchasing of our new, beautiful outdoor furniture. They helped us find roasts and blends that fit our tastes. They helped us experiment with pulling their espresso til we got it just to our liking. They gave us a wonderful tour of the roastery so we had a chance to see just where our coffee is coming from.
2.) They are committed to the environment. In the last few months, the Unicorn has made great efforts to be kinder to our community and our environment. We have stopped buying bottled water, begun composting, and made efforts to buy locally when we could. Alterra is able to make these kinds of choices on a much grander scale. Alterra participates in a program called “Energy for Tomorrow” by We Energies that ensures that all of the energy they consume comes from clean, renewable sources, the primary one being wind! They also deliver all of their grounds to vermicomposting bins (composting bins that use live worms to break down waste into compost). So cool!
3. They are committed to bettering local communities. Alterra makes a concerted effort to make sure that a large portion of their profit is directed back into their local community. They partner with local businesses to put on great events. The purchase of certain blends of their coffee directly benefits hunger relief efforts. And while Alterra is headquartered in Milwaukee, they have clearly communicated to us their willingness to improve our very own community in Evanston. Alterra has offered to sell us discounted coffee so that we are able to donate to local events and organizations at a smaller cost to the Unicorn. How great!
4.) They roast delicious coffee and espresso. After an extensive taste test and espresso training, we are confident in their product. Alterra brews strong, bold coffee that fits our taste. After a trip to their roastery, we know just how committed they are to great coffee. Their staff travels to trade conferences, as well as to farms across the world to find the best beans, and they are constantly tinkering with the roasting process to bring out the subtleties of each blend. While some of the roasts are different than the ones you may be used to, we are confident we can find one you like. Want something earthier and nutty? Try the Blue Heeler! Something brighter and fruity? Perhaps the Ethiopia Yirgacheffe. Check out all their blends here. See one you like? Let us know and we’ll get it for you!
Explore all that they do here.
We know that this is a huge change, and will take some adjusting on all parts. But we believe in our decision, and we are confident that we will still give you the same great Unicorn experience you’ve grown accustomed to.
