Welcome to the Jungle - In The Green Room with Kindred Forest

What if you didn't have to clear rainforests to grow crops?

What if you could grow crops under the canopy of the forest whilst preserving biodiversity? aka Agroforestry.

How about also paying the indigenous human population a decent wage which improves the quality of their lives and future-protects the forest.

What if you develop a brand and launch ranges on the above notions?

As a regular visitor to various food shows, we visited the Specialty Food Show in London recently and came across Kindred Forest - A company which excels at being vertically eco-conscious and applying the above principles.

Kindred Forest supply Cacao, Chocolate, Coffee and Arenga Sugar. So let's look at their sugar and coffee.

We'd never heard of Arenga Sugar - but it comes from the sap of an Asian tropical  feather palm called Arenga Pinnata. The sap is boiled until it reduces to a thick syrup which is then dried into a brown sugar. The palm tree is also used in construction. 

In comparison to white cane sugar, arenga has a low glycemic index (GI 48-52) and 50 times the mineral content. Arenga is also rich in potassium, calcium, zinc, iron and vitamins C and B12.

Originating from The forests of Tomohon, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, 20% of the profits from Kindred Forest Arenga forest sugar are reinvested into Tasikoki Wildlife Rescue centre in North Sulawesi, which rescues hundreds of trafficked animals every year

Being Ateliers Verts we had to ask about the packaging! It's made from LDPE4 plastic which can be recycled in most major UK supermarkets like Tesco, Sainsbury and Waitrose.

£11 is a lot for a 250g pack if coffee but not it you really appreciate good coffee and looking at Starbucks which is $13 for around 340g - it's not too bad!

Kindred Forest's mission is " To be the foremost brand in rainforest preservation and regeneration, actively pursuing biodiversity through close collaboration with local and Indigenous communities." 

We at Ateliers Verts wholeheartedly support this and delighted our shared values align.