Q: What is Fairtrade coffee?

A: Fairtrade coffee comes from certified farms or co-operatives that follow strict social, environmental, and economic standards. Farmers are guaranteed a minimum price and an additional premium for community investment.

Q: What’s the difference between Fairtrade and regular coffee?

A: Coffee traded on the commodities market (often referred to simply as "commodity coffee") does not protect producers. This can devastate livelihoods, leaving farmers and workers unpaid or underpaid. Fairtrade coffee guarantees farmers a minimum price plus a premium for community development, offering more stability and fairness.

Q: Is Fairtrade coffee always more expensive?

A:Not necessarily. Various factors impact the price that the customer ends up paying for their coffee, and Fairtrade coffee isn't always the most expensive. In fact, some speciality coffee beans (beans with an SCA score of 80+) are far more expensive than the Fairtrade minimum. Also, the C price for commodity coffee is sometimes higher than the Fairtrade price; when this is the case, the Fairtrade price is the market price plus the Fairtrade premium. 

Q: How do I know your Fairtrade claims are real?

A: We source our Fairtrade coffees from fully certified co-operatives and farms. Their credentials (and often their stories) are in the product descriptions.

Q: Are Fairtrade coffees also organic?

A: Many of them are, but not always. Several coffees in this collection are both Fairtrade and Organic, such as our Honduran Decaf and the Sumatran Mandheling. Look for dual certification in the product details.

Q: Is Fairtrade coffee better tasting?

A: Not necessarily. Fairtrade means that the Fairtrade minimum price plus the Fairtrade premium has been paid. Coffee's taste is down to how they're selected and roasted, and all of our coffees taste great, or they wouldn't make the cut!