Ethical decisions that don't mean spending more money

66Mustang

I read on a packet of juice that concentrated orange juice is better for the planet because it uses much less fuel. Removing the water in the source country means only transporting the concentrate overseas, then they just add the water (which, unlike oranges, you can find everywhere) back in when it arrives at its destination.

I was thinking it seemed a rare case where taking the moral high ground doesn't cost more money. Usually being "ethical" means spending more … i.e. electric car, organic food, sustainable packaging … and those who can't afford to are wrongly seen as unethical.

I thought it would be a good idea for a thread where people can share others 😊

michael57

Organic milk and meat is not totally free of the same drugs as none organic they just have to withdraw the milk for a longer period of time and if a cow is treated more than twice I believe they lose the organic status and the premium price

Chris75_

That's how we ended up with brandy. Remove the water (by distillation) from wine, as it could be more economically transported to the French empire.

They discovered that the oak barrelled storage actually improved the spirit, and refrained from re-adding the water! Those very wise 16th Century Frenchman (I am a brandy afficionado, but don't like wine).

Chris75_

That's very interesting, Mustang. I try to always buy the big bottle refill Method cleaners. I used to use soap nuts, but they got too expensive once they became a thing.

66Mustang

@Ranald

I like brandy too 👍 it was my first love, well cognac mostly, … I've now defected to whisky but still have the odd brandy

What kinds of brandy do you like? I recommend Chateau de Montifaud, it's not well known but that's why it's not priced like Remy Martin or Hennessy. I was chatting with someone on here recently about buying from small whisky distilleries instead of the big corporate ones, I don't remember if it was you?

Have you ever tried Pineau de Charentes?? It might be worth a try as a wine substitute if you have never tried it… it's brandy with grape juice added to the barrel then left to mature, apparently it was invented by accident when someone poured fresh grape juice into a barrel without realising there was brandy in it already 😊

Chris75_

I have to say that Hennessey VS is my Christmas bottle of choice. Richard Hennessy was an Irish Jacobite in exile, when he founded his Cognac house in 1765. Not that long ago really.

66Mustang

I didn't know that @Ranald 👍

I also recommend a brand called ABK6. It's a very modern brand, but they're modern in a pioneering way rather than rebellious. They try to shake off the "stuffy" image that cognac sometimes struggles with but like I say they're modern in positive/respectful ways - not just being rebellious for the sake of it