Our coffees
There are 4 major coffee regions in the world:
In Africa, where coffee originated, you will find more heirloom coffee beans that are “naturally processed”.
In South East Asia, specifically Sumatra, they use what is called the “wet hulled” process which reduces the coffees natural flavors and acidity while building the body of the coffee and imbuing it with earthy flavors.
Central America has a big focus on high acid coffees. This focus creates some of the cleanest tasting coffees with fine citrus flavors.
South America has the biggest focus on mass production of any region. Brazil is the number one producer of coffee in the world followed by Colombia. Peru is the number one organic fair trade coffee producer in the world. Because of this emphasis on mass production, it is hard to find really high quality coffees from these regions.
Honduras
Organic, Fair Trade
Location: La Paz, Marcala
CO-OP: COMSA Marcala
Altitude: 1295-1699 meters above sea level
Varietals: Bourbon Typica, Catuai, Caturra
Process: Washed
Drying: Sun and Mechanical
Description: In the year 2000, 62 Honduran coffee farmers joined together with a common goal to transform their farms from conventional to organic production and formed COMSA (Cafe Organico Marcala, S.A). In 2001, fostered by a foundation called Funder, COMSA earned their organic certification from Bio Latina which has enabled them to market their coffee to more international buyers and realize better selling prices for their coffee. In February 2006, COMSA then applied for and was granted Fairtrade certification status. COMSA uses the Fairtrade price premium to fund many social projects including paying teachers’ salaries and purchasing school supplies.
Peru
Organic, Fair Trade
Location: Jaen, San Ignasio
CO-OP: Aprocassi
Altitude: 1,200-1,800 meters above sea level
Varietals: Catimor, Caturra, Typica and Pache
Process: Fully Washed
Drying: Sun Dried
Description: Founded by the priest Umberto Topia in 2005, the Aprocassi coop slowly grew until 2009 when, to avoid high priced financing, they started a financing arm called Aprocredi. The fund started by collecting an entire crop’s worth of Fairtrade social premium as well as 1 quintal (100lbs) of coffee as a donation from each member. With this money, the fund was created and has grown to boast over $2 million dollars in financing and aid for the coop members. Currently the money is being used for solar dryers for each producer, nurseries for new plants, pre-harvest nancing, health services and education for children.
Colombia
Organic, Fair Trade
Location: Planadas, Tolima
CO-OP: Tolima Del Rio
Altitude: 1,400-2,100 meters above sea level
Varietals: Caturra, Castillo, and Colombia
Process: Fully Washed
Drying: Sun Dried
Description: This coffee is sourced from family-owned farms organized around ASOTBILBAO, a producer association with 50 members who live in Bilbao within the municipality of Planadas. Members of the association are graduates of Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje SENA. SENA is a non-governmental educational institution that provides social and technical education to its participants. ASOTBILBAO strives to improve the quality of coffee by initiating technical support to guide coffee farmers on the best agricultural practices for quality coffee production.
Sumatra
Organic, Fair Trade
Location: Central Aceh, North Sumatra
CO-OP: Koperasi Pedagang Kopi Ketiara
Altitude: 1,200-1,500 meters above sea level
Varietals: Catimor, Bourbon, Typica and Caturra
Process: Wet Hulled
Drying: Sun Dried
Description: The Koperasi Pedagang Kopi Ketiara is a women-run cooperative that has over 890 grower-members. The Ketiara Cooperative was started in 2008 by Ibu Rahmah, the current chairwoman, who had operated and managed her family’s coffee business for 20 years, purchasing cherries, processing the green, and selling to local traders. The passionate commitment of the women managers to have all members working together in support of coffee production has enabled Ketiara to expand and become an important supplier to larger coffee traders in Medan, the capital of North Sumatra. The cooperative members voted to become organic and Fairtrade certified in 2012, making a commitment to use these proceeds to create programs for health, education, and public infrastructure projects that will benefit all co-op members.
Ethiopia
Organic, Fair Trade
Location: Southwestern Sidamo, Ethiopia
CO-OP: Oromia
Altitude: 1,500-2,000 meters above sea level
Varietal: Indigenious heirloom
Process: Natural
Drying: Dried on raised beds
Description: Established in 1999, the Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union has quickly become the largest Fair Trade coffee producer in Ethiopia. The OCFCU was formed when 23,691 members of 35 small cooperatives came together with the goal of exporting their coffee directly to the specialty market. All six of their Oromia Highland Coffee varieties (Yirgacheffe, Sidamo, Limu, Lekemptl, Jima, & Harrar) are grown by indigenous farmers in the southwestern rainforests of Ethiopia. Oromia’s coffee is heirloom, forest-grown, & organic. In 2005, the cooperative was awarded first place for their unwashed coffee in the East African Fine Coffee Association cupping competition. Of the top ten qualifiers in the competition, three were Oromia members. Focusing on 100% organic production, Oromia produces approximately 70 containers annually and has over 7,000 members who are Fairtrade certified. Given the proud history of Ethiopian coffee, and the unique flavors and aromas of this cup, this Organic Ethiopian is sure to please even the most critical palate.