SOURCING AMAZING COFFEE

What goes into ethically and sustainably sourcing amazing coffee?

In the world of coffee, we often hear terms like “fair trade,” “direct trade,” and “sustainable.” But what exactly do all of these terms mean?

Fair Trade Coffee

If you’re like billions of people around the world, you start your day with a cup of coffee. Why not make sure that your daily brew is doing good for farmers in Central and South America, Africa or Asia?

By selecting fair trade coffee, you know that your coffee beans are grown using rigorous standards designed to support farmers and their communities and to protect the environment. In fact, every bean can be traced back to the cooperative of small-scale farmers who grew it. Fair trade certified coffee does this by guaranteeing farmers a minimum price, which acts as a safety net when prices drop. This gives coffee farmers the security that they will receive a price that covers their average costs of sustainable production.

Direct Trade Coffee

Direct trade is a term used by coffee roasters who buy straight from the growers, cutting out both the traditional middleman buyers and sellers and also the organizations that control certifications. Direct trade proponents say their model is the best because they build mutually beneficial and respectful relationships with individual producers or cooperatives in the coffee-producing countries.

Some roasters prefer direct trade because they are dissatisfied with the third-party certification programs, while others want to have more control over aspects ranging from the quality of the coffee, to social issues, or environmental concerns.

Sustainable Coffee

Sustainable coffee is coffee that is grown and marketed for its sustainability. This includes coffee certified as organic, fair trade, and Rainforest Alliance. Coffee has a number of classifications used to determine the participation of growers (or the supply chain) in various combinations of social, environmental, and economic standards. Coffees fitting those categories and that are independently certified or verified by an accredited third party have been collectively termed “sustainable” coffees.

So, what about our coffee?

Wandercup Coffee

We’ve partnered with La Terza Coffee, sourcing coffee beans ethically and sustainably through small, authentic farms and estates. We know where every bean comes from, and make sure that each farmer and worker is paid a dignified, fair wage. Our beans come from all over the world, from Indonesia to Africa to Central and South America, and we offer different varieties from each region. Once you find your favorite region, you’ll start noticing how beans taste different based on the country and climate!

In addition to ethical and sustainable sourcing practices, we strive to help restore the planet through reforestation efforts. That’s why we’ve partnered with One Tree Planted, an organization committed to this environmental cause. Check out our blog post on how we give back to learn more!

You can be sure that when you purchase Wandercup coffee, all farmers are being compensated fairly and we’re committed to keeping our planet beautiful!

Cheers!
Sonam & Dan