A Leicester coffee shop is aiming to help the environment through the production of a new drink.
Cafe Conexion in Belgrave Gate, is planning to launch a ready to drink oat milk cold brew latte, and for every case of six cans that is sold, it will plant a tree where it is needed most in the world, through a partnership with non-profit reforestation organisation One Tree Planted.
In order to do that, though, Cafe Conexion needs to raise funds to put the environmentally-conscious drink into production.
So, the owners of the coffee shop have started a crowdfunding project with Kickstarter.
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Explaining the decision, owner Brandon Walton told LeicestershireLive: “The UK coffee industry is responsible for the deforestation of over a million trees per year and through this we hope to be able to deliver our freshly roasted coffee in a more ethical and environmentally-conscious way.
“It’s the least we can do.”
The drink will be vegan and will be made with Fairtrade coffee and organic oat milk.
The campaign started on Tuesday, September 1, and runs for 30 days.
There are rewards based on how much people can donate, from an early access case of the cans when they are produced to 12 month coffee subscriptions.
Cafe Conexion was launched in late 2018 by three friends who were keen to provide a place where fellow coffee lovers could relax and enjoy a drink made from freshly roasted beans.
Brandon Walton and Ivan Mengual met at Leicester College, where they were studying business and marketing.
With the desire to start a business, and shared interests in coffee and travel, they launched a coffee roasting company in December 2016.
(Image: Leicester Mercury)
Having proved successful, supplying companies across the UK, the duo decided to open their own coffee shop, and friend Oscar Moreno also came on board with the project.
They refurbished the Belgrave Gate unit to create a cosy cafe, with a rustic style and welcoming atmosphere.
Ivan has since left the business, which is now run by Brandon, Oscar and new partner, Daniel Peñalver.
Cafe Conexion serves a variety of blends, based around nature and adventure, all of which are 100 per cent Arabica.
You can be sure you’re getting truly fresh coffee, as the coffee is used within 48 hours of being roasted.
To make a donation to the campaign, click here.
