Sustainable sipping: Ultimo reviewed

I'll be the first to admit that I don't always live a sustainable lifestyle. I know I don't need that plastic lid on my coffee. I know I should probably be foraging at farmers' markets and composting eggshells. But, sometimes I succumb to bodega bananas and 7-Eleven eggs. They're called convenience stores for a reason.

Luckily, there is only one arena in which I never need to sacrifice quality for convenience: coffee. Not because I am a coffee connoisseur, but because there are so many lovely and distinctive neighborhood cafes in Philly. Ultimo is one such cafe.

I'd been dropping in at Ultimo for years without knowing about its sustainability stats. While my genmaicha brewed I'd ogle a donut or lemon square. Or, I'd cast sedated stares out the floor to ceiling windows, waiting for a skim latte to burn off my morning fog.

The sunny space is at once polished and woodsy, a sharp blend of materials and light fixtures. There's a quiet hum and I always wish I could spend a little more time than I can spare. I can tell the baristas know way more about coffee than I do, and I like that.

Last month I stopped in for an iced tea on a freakishly summery February afternoon. There I saw it; a small plaque, cheerful and proud, highlighting Maplehoffe Dairy. Maplehoffe is Ultimo's local source (by way of Lancaster Farm Fresh Co-op) for cream, skim and whole milk. A quick search on My MilkCrate confirmed that Ultimo is Fair Food approved, and for good reason.

When owners Elizabeth and Aaron Ultimo decided to apply their sustainable sensibilities to their business, they reached out to Fair Food. With a little guidance, they were introduced to a wealth of local co-ops and farms, which now provide their customers with what Aaron calls "real" food and drink.

Common Market Co-op provides local goat cheese and honey, Green Meadow Farms churns out cultured butter, and like-minded Four Worlds Bakery contributes fresh pastries. I am delighted to learn that the fruit they receive is from these same trusted sources.

When businesses like Ultimo do the foraging for me I feel less guilty about all the gas station bananas I've consumed. Not to mention gas station coffee.

Aaron speaks most passionately about their chosen coffee brand, Counter Culture Coffee. Their ethical practices cover everything from farmers to carbon output, and they happen to create a delicious product in the process. The espresso in my lattes, dark and rich beneath pillowy steamed milk, tastes as good as any I've had. And after the beans have been ground and brewed they are whisked away by Bennett Compost to be reincarnated.

These Ultimo guys know their stuff, which is especially valuable for clueless consumers like me. Their mix of quality, convenience, and conscience is a damper to my daily consumer guilt.

Will I still put a lid of my coffee? Yes. Every time. But,… baby steps.

To find Ultimo in My MilkCrate, click here.

To explore other local sustainable businesses, visit mymilkcrate.co. Have your own green living tips you want to share? E-mail us.