Win-Win This Holiday: Gift Fair-trade Caffeine and Chocolate

Eating local's the goal of every eco-foodie -- except when it comes to addictive yummies like coffee and chocolate that just can't be grown locally. That's where fair trade treats come in! Here's a short holiday gift list of newish decadent fair trade and organic edibles that'll make you drool:

For the vegan chocoholic: nicobella vegan organic chocolate truffles. Looking for chocolates with health benefits and antioxidant powers? nicobella truffles are packed with good-for-you ingredients like blueberries, green tea, and flax seeds -- all covered in delicious 70% dark chocolate and slightly sweetened with agave nectar and brown rice syrup.

The decadent truffles come in a set of six -- Walnut Flaxseed Crunch, Blueberry Almond, Ginger Green Tea, Pure Cocoa Bliss, Sunflower Banana, and Pumpkin Chai -- in a recyclable paper box made from FSC-certified paper. Get a box at fair trade, organic chocolatier Theo for $13.20.

For the local cookie monster: Taste of New England Gift Basket. If you live in the New England area, get your cookie fix from Dancing Deer, a women-led natural baking company that's teamed up with fair trade company Equal Exchange to create yummy gift baskets featuring fair trade goodies alongside local treats.

A medium basket gets you molasses clove cookies, shortbread cookies, and brownies made by Dancing Deer -- plus fair trade Equal Exchange Rooibos Tea, raw local honey from Boston Honey Co. and trail mix from local nut shop Fastachi -- all delivered in a seagrass basket for $59.95. A large basket -- which adds on more baked goods plus fair trade coffee and chocolate -- costs $99.95.

For the treehugging caffeine addict: Arbor Day Specialty Coffee. You won't be sacrificing taste for eco-altruism with the Arbor Day Blend; Coffee Review gave this brew a 92 rating! Enjoy a cuppa with the happy knowledge that the proceeds from this triple certified coffee -- organic , fair trade, and Smithsonian Bird-Friendly — goes directly to the Arbor Day Foundation’s Rain Forest Rescue Program to preserve rain forests.

Addicted? Join the Coffee Club, which will send you a 10-ounce bag plus an Arbor Day mug for $6.95 — with two more bags sent every four weeks at $8.95 per bag.

Related links:

>> More of a tea drinker? Phyllis Robinson at Equal Exchange put together a photo journal post featuring tea pluckers in Darjeeling. See how Equal Exchange's organic, fair trade tea gets picked.

>> Barbara Feiner at Organic Authority says The Republic of Tea’s new Blood Orange Green Tea makes for a good holiday brew. The limited edition item's made with "organic/Fair Trade full-leaf green tea, organic orange peel, natural flavors and orange fruit."

>> Robin Shreeves at MNN recommends the Equal Exchange Fair Trade Mixer basket: "If you have friends or family who are skeptical about the quality of organic or fair trade foods, the products in this basket would be a fabulous way to introduce them to the fact that organic and fair trade aren’t as good as conventional products – they are much better."
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BlogHer Contributing Editor Siel also blogs at greenLAgirl.com.

Photos via Theo, Dancing Deer, Arbor Day