Together We End ALS

One of our three core values at Black & White is community. Our community extends from our producing partners all over the world to our own cafés here at home—and everywhere in between. This blend is a tribute to an integral member of that interwoven community, a dear friend we lost far too soon: Jeanne Luther, co-owner of Sola Coffee (Raleigh, NC).

For every bag sold, we are donating $1 toward the fight against ALS. 

MEET JEANNE | On April 12, 2022, at age 57, our friend Jeanne passed away after a lengthy battle with ALS. Jeanne was a core part of the Raleigh community through her and her husband’s local café, Sola Coffee, and she was also a great friend and mentor to several of our own B&W employees whose coffee journey began at Sola. The Luther family is a special part of our community here at Black & White, and that is why come alongside them for a few months each year in their fight to help raise money to #EndALS.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that destroys the cells in the brain and spinal cord that are needed to keep muscles moving, eventually leading to muscle weakness, loss of speech, and paralysis. The average life expectancy after diagnosis is between two and five years. Currently, there is no effective cure or treatment to stop the disease progression of ALS. But we believe that ALS is not an incurable disease—it is a severely underresearched one.

TAKE A SIP | Jeanne was a huge fan of big, fruity, naturally processed coffees from Ethiopia—a flavor profile which is increasingly difficult to find, as the big Ethiopian blueberry bombs don’t really exist in the same way they once did. This blend, however, is our attempt at recreating that profile which was so dear to Jeanne’s palate. It combines one honey-processed coffee from Ethiopia with a fruit-forward blend from Colombia, resulting in a smooth, chocolatey berry bomb, which would be sure to delight our old friend. Flavor notes of blueberries, strawberry candy, and milk chocolate connect us back to what Jeanne always loved about coffee, and, by extension, her community. 

Thank you for helping us support ALS research! And, if you feel motivated to donate further, you can do so at SolaHotMini5K.com.

Origin | Tulise, Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia, and Antioquia, Colombia

Producers | Tulise Washing Station, Unblended Young Producers

Process | Various

Variety | Various

Elevation | 1400–2000 MASL

The "Together We End ALS" release from Black & White Coffee Roasters represents a focused selection grown between 1400 and 2000 masl. In the broader landscape of specialty coffee, lots sourced from these elevations often benefit from the slower maturation cycles typical of high-altitude environments, which can contribute to a more concentrated development of sugars and organic acids within the cherry.

When evaluating the profile of this coffee, which features notes of blueberries, strawberry candy, and milk chocolate, it is helpful to consider how these descriptors align with the flavor wheel. While individual perceptions of sweetness and acidity vary, identifying these specific fruit and confectionary characteristics can provide a useful framework for understanding the cup's complexity. By engaging with these distinct sensory markers, drinkers can better appreciate the nuances inherent in this particular lot while supporting the roaster's commitment to this charitable initiative.