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Hot-hot coffee
Who: Raul A. Raudales and Richard Trubey
Claim to fame: Raul Raudales and Richard Trubey do not like conventional coffee bean dryers because the massive machines are fueled by wood, which has led to the deforestation of Central America's remaining forests. Searching for an alternative, the pair turned to the sun (no, not Lowell's Great Newspaper!).
Solar Trade builds solar thermal collectors, which use the sun's energy to dry coffee beans. The devices, built in Lowell, are shipped down to Central American countries where they have actually improved the taste and quality of coffee beans.
Solar Trade buys a portion of the beans and sells them here locally under the brand name Cafe Solar. "We only buy the best quality beans," says Trubey, Solar Trade vice president of operations.
www.lowellsun.com
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