There is nothing more enjoyable than having two of my greatest passions, T.V. and Fuddhism, aligned. I flew to New York to film for TV Land and happily found myself in a Fuddhist territory. My shoot took place at COFFEED. It’s a locally sourced, charity-driven coffee shop in Long Island City. I hadn’t met the owner, the staff, or even tasted their revered cup of joe yet, but I was already a fan! They roast their own coffee, bake their own pastries, and even compost their own used coffee grounds. Indeed, a socially conscious coffee shop grounded in philanthropy. They have a one-acre working farm on its rooftop and an owner who’s named after my favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle!
This is most definitely 100% Fuddhist approved!
My shoot day began with a delicious cup of their famous dark chocolate mocha. Our crew invaded the owner, Frank “Turtle” Raffaele’s office, and I was worried that he wouldn’t be thrilled about us hijacking his workspace. Then, in walks this super friendly, engaging, energetic guy sporting a Superman hat, red apron, and a huge smile. He hurriedly worked to tidy up. He cleaned in warped speed, coffee clearly coursing through his veins. Politely working around us, he constantly asked us if there was anything we needed. It wasn’t until later that afternoon that I would interview the founder and CEO of COFFEED, and come to realize that it was the same humble guy who greeted us earlier that day.
The real profit in helping and caring for others ultimately has no price.
I learned so much about coffee in those ten hours that I felt like I was ready to put on an apron and start roasting! It was a long shoot day and the employees made the crew and I feel at home. They ran that coffee shop like one big familia! In addition to that, Frank Raffaele has donated more than $200,000 to local charities. He is even currently incorporating a loyalty program where customers can donate to a nonprofit organization of their choice with every cup of joe they purchase. In working closely with The Foundling, a nonprofit which provides foster care and adoption services, COFFEED employs developmentally disabled adults and teenaged foster children. COFFEED has proven that a successful business rooted in philanthropy is possible.
Here are a few fun and interesting facts about coffee:
- A coffee plant can live up to 200 years.
- Second to oil, coffee is the most valuable legally traded goods in the world.
- New Yorkers drink seven times more coffee than in any other US city (N.Y. HUSTLE).
- Drinking 100 cups of coffee is considered to be a lethal dose.
- Coffee beans pooped out by cats are a thing. The Asian palm civet cat is known to eat coffee cherries in the wild, which are then fermented in their digestive tract and pooped out whole.
- Coffee loses 70% of its flavor within two minutes.
- There are more flavors of coffee than there are in wine.
- The U.S. consumes more coffee than any other country in the world.
- The average American consumes about 200 mg of caffeine a day.
My Fuddhie Favorite Fact: For a healthier pick-me-up, give that Cold Brew a GO!
Cold brew coffee is 60% less acidic than regular hot brewed coffee! It also keeps fresh in the fridge for two weeks!
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