Sustainability

Historically coffee producers have received a pretty raw deal from large multi-national food corporations. This has meant producers have received inadequate remuneration, been forced to decimate rainforest to increase production and use chemicals such as DEET to control pests. The knock on effects of these practices include increased rates of illness amongst workers, the removal of animal and bird habitats resulting in ever decreasing numbers and the dumping of billions of tons of waste product into river systems. All this is to provide cheap instant coffee, of which the UK is one of the largest consumers!

The growth of the speciality coffee market has led to a much different approach. Specialist green bean buyers now deal directly with the farmers ensuring higher payments in return for higher quality and safer working practices. Traditional growing methods, such as under the leaf cover of native trees, are being encouraged. Waste mulch is being used as fertiliser and pests are being controlled by natural predators.

These methods are producing some of the most splendid coffee beans available. Natural environmental factors are being allowed to influence the flavour profile of the coffee beans. Yes they are a little more expensive but they are also sustainable existing symbiotically within an ecosystem rather than dominating it.

We understand that these factors may not be of such importance to everybody, however they are important to us. Therefore you need not worry since we and our green bean suppliers are taking care of this end, leaving you to enjoy the benefits of some of the world’s finest ethically produced and sourced coffee beans.