The UK coffee industry is booming. Literally. Sound systems pumping, baristas battling, roasters roasting as the coolest coffee shops and brands converge in London’s trendy Shoreditch to show off their most exotic blends. At least, that’s how it felt when I visited this year’s London Coffee Festival at the cavernous Truman Brewery last weekend. The UK’s cafe culture and appreciation of coffee has grown exponentially over the last few decades and with around 35,000 people visiting the event this year, consumers’ thirst for the best flat whites, espressos and cold brews shows no sign of being quenched.
In the world of speciality coffee, businesses and brands of all sizes are in constant pursuit of innovation; taking these precious beans to dizzying new caffeine highs. And over four days 100+ exhibitors, including Fairtrade, come together to showcase all of coffees’ finest offerings. Shiny machines, a mixology master class, coffee stout on tap – it was all there. And amongst the flat caps and artisan offerings floats terminology evoking thoughts of quality; “speciality coffee … single origin … limited edition … bourbon notes...” These are conversations we’re familiar with, and ones we’ve been increasingly having with businesses and farmers too, as part of Fairtrade’s commitment to quality. And at the event, we encouraged visitors to judge for themselves, to smell and taste the Arabica beans we had on display; coffee produced by four award-winning co-operatives from Rwanda, Peru, Nicaragua and Indonesia. Meanwhile there were also lots of businesses selling delicious Fairtrade products for traders and coffee aficionados alike to sample.
Fairtrade has transformed the quality of these key ingredients through investment in farms and businesses. As well as ensuring farmers continue to benefit from Fairtrade’s Minimum Price, coffee co-operatives also receive an additional Fairtrade Premium investment, and for the coffee sector exclusively, at least 25% percent of this must be spent on improving the productivity and quality of coffee. This equates to around €10m per year. And it is being invested wisely on whatever Fairtrade-certified farmers decide they need the most.
On a recent visit to Brazil, I met 45 year-old farmer Valdir Donato and sampled some of his award-winning coffee, with its delicious chocolate notes, which he has been able to achieve thanks to agricultural training and drying patios. While Ivania Calderón Peralta, who runs a family farm in Nicaragua, told me that thanks to Premium investments into machinery and a new tasting laboratory she has been able to process coffee beans faster and better.
Our coffees have also continued to win industry accolades globally. In the UK for example, 28 Fairtrade coffees have won Great Taste Awards over the last few years. Achieving a good quality product is something Fairtrade farmers are incredibly proud of, such as Luis Augusto Blandón, from Colombia who says: “I don’t know who will drink my coffee but I guarantee that whoever does will be consuming a great product.”
Fairtrade’s journey over the years to satisfy the coffee sector’s ever-changing needs, includes our work to find new coffee origins and ways of working with farmers to create a sustainable and long-term supply of coffee. Dealing with the effects of plant diseases and climate change, and improving the environment are also key priorities for Fairtrade. And that’s also true of Fairtrade brands, for example, Eco Roast has created two tantalising new blends which not only taste great but are also among the most environmentally friendly coffees. But without investment in the people who grow the beans; there can be no products.
Fairtrade currently works with over 800,000 small scale coffee farmers; and in and amongst all of the coffee they produce, you will find that speciality coffee we all seek, the single origins, those limited editions, organic coffees, and notes of flavours, including chocolate and bourbon. Therein lies the beauty; the diversity of qualities of Fairtrade certified coffees which is not just one style. And whilst the choice of trendy brands and businesses can be overwhelming, Fairtrade’s MARK is there to remind us all of the people behind the beans. So this UK Coffee Week we invite you to “Taste the good in your coffee” and know that by choosing Fairtrade, you’re showing that you care about both the people and the quality of the product.
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