Being an ethical coffee consumer has become ever easier within speciality coffee in recent years, but present times have suddenly reversed the situation for eco-conscious caffeine fiends, what with hygiene now at the forefront of everyone’s mind. With independent coffee shops focusing more-so on direct trade you knew coffee farmers were getting a better deal from your espresso purchasing habits. With the advent of the keep cup becoming both a popular and useful accessory, the waste from your daily takeaway was significantly reduced and the environmental impact of many morning pick-me-ups was dramatically lessened. Then Covid-19 hit… Coffee shops stopped accepting reusable cups for fear of cross contamination and when they had to close, it was farmers who were dealing with big importers, who were now better off as they had that security behind them. As restrictions now start to ease off and coffee shops are once again opening up, if only for takeaways in many cases, the environmental issues remain. As summer closes in and the warmer weather is now upon us, people are shifting their caffeine fix to cooler options with the lattes starting to become iced. However, with a plastic straw ban now in place across England, and disposable paper ones still causing a lot of waste (and hardly being the most sustainable option out there given how many trees have to be cut down) how does the average eco-warrior sip their drink? The obvious answer is reusable straws but this in itself presents a quandary as to what type to use. Glass is prone to shattering and metal is harsh on teeth and gums and can feel strange in the mouth, but it would seem one London based company has come up with the perfect solution. My Little Panda are a company that deals in bamboo, making reusable, sustainable and biodegradable products from the natural super grass. One area where they have particularly excelled is their bamboo straws. Ethically sourcing their materials, they make sure they have a minimal environmental impact with the production of each of their items, so they use no chemicals or fertilisers in the growth or manufacturing of anything they make. Organic and biodegradable, bamboo is also surprisingly durable as it is naturally heat and water resistant, making it perfect for straws as it can be used for both hot and cold drinks. My Little Panda offer their straws in a range of sets, including a full complement of bamboo cutlery, that is great for eating out, or a collection of different sized straws in a reusable hemp bag meaning that you are always equipped for whatever drink you want, when on the go. This includes a wider straw for thick drinks like milkshakes, smoothies or even boba tea and all sets come with a sisal cleaning brush to make washing up easier. That’s if you don’t just throw them in the dishwasher, since they are perfectly safe to do so. Personally, I keep the bamboo lunch set in my bag at all times as it is perfect for everything from lunch out to late night drinks, and means I need never pick up single-use plastic or those tacky paper straws ever again. The lightweight nature of bamboo also means that it is no trouble to carry around with you, fitting into a pocket or backpack and making no irritating clanking noises either. There are also more compact options for the space conscious traveller or children's choices, great for lunchboxes. Keeping a straw in a pocket or its own reusable pouch is really no trouble at all and, especially during present times, offers a greater sense of hygiene knowing no one else has handled your cutlery or drinking implements. It's not just bamboo straws they sell which might appeal to the coffee enthusiast. The selection of sisal brushes they also have are marketed as a great way of keeping reusable water bottles clean, but those of us who are fortunate enough to have an espresso machine in our kitchens may also find that these natural, plastic and chemical free, brushes are ideal for cleaning out those more awkward area of your coffee apparatus. For example, the interior of a steam wand can easily be got at to clean any unpleasant milk residue away, something that previously was a bit of a nightmare. You can find My Little Panda’s reusable straws, as well as a range of other bamboo products, over at their online shop at www.mylittlepanda.co.uk. *If you visit My Little Panda's website via any of the links included in this review, you can use the discount code 'VWW' at the checkout for 10% off your order.*
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AuthorThe Mean Bean Machine (Vincent Wood) Archives
October 2023
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