Hand Crafted Coffee
The Kaffeeklatsch is a true “hand crafted” roaster of coffees. Coffee roasting is an art as well as a science and requires years of experience. We do not rely on automation to determine optimum roast spectrum. Our master roaster, Grant Heath, has been roasting specialty coffee for over 47 years. Grant has passed on his craft to two current apprentices, Joanna and Katie, both at a journeyman level. These days Grant roasts once a week, while Joanna and Katie do the rest of the roasting. Roast profiles and problem solving are a group effort. Coffee is a volatile, natural food product. Each variety of coffee has its ideal roasting time and temperature. However, different batches can be unpredictable with external temperature, relative humidity and many other factors contributing to how a particular roast behaves. Only a master roaster can make the subtle adjustments required during the roasting process. Roasting small batches of coffee on the premises allows The Kaffeeklatsch absolute control over bean quality and freshness.
Fair Trade Coffee
“Fair Trade Certified” coffee is coffee that was made according to rigorous fair trade standards that promote sustainable livelihoods, safe working conditions, protection of the environment, and strong, transparent supply chains. Fair trade certified coffee directly supports a better life for farming families in the developing world through fair prices, community development and environmental stewardship. Fair trade coffee farmers market their own harvests through direct, long-term contracts with international buyers, learning how to manage their businesses and compete in the global marketplace. Receiving a fair price for their harvest allows these farmers to invest in their families’ health care and education, reinvest in quality and protect the environment. These farmers can avoid cost-cutting practices that compromise quality.
Availability of Fair Trade Certified coffees varies. Generally we have at least a few Fair Trade Certified coffees, currently that includes our offerings from Ethiopia Sidama and Honduras. We find that more producers are working within fair trade practices even without necessarily aiming for certification.
Certified Organic Coffee
“Certified organic” coffee is coffee that is produced without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or other agrochemicals. Certified organic coffees are reviewed by an independent certifying agency that inspects the coffee farm and monitors all the stages of production for adherence to sustainable agricultural techniques and ecologically sound practices. All coffee farm resources must test chemical-free for three consecutive years before they can be certified as organic. After certification the farm is re-tested for organic qualification every year. When coffee from an organic farm is harvested and processed, it is isolated from all coffee coming from other vendors. The sacks are clearly marked “organic” to prevent them from being confused with the non-organic beans. It is important to note that the certification process must be paid for by the farm each time, and can be more expensive than a smaller, independent or subsistence farm may be able to afford. Because of this, many farms are following all the rules for being organic without being able to hold an official certification.
Organic coffee helps preserve the local ecosystem as well as the health of farmers and their families. Organic farming methods help the environment in many ways. Coffee by-products such as the leftover pulp from coffee cherries can be reused in composting. Clearing undergrowth by hand rather than using herbicides prevents soil erosion. The support of wildlife, particularly over 150 different species of migratory birds, is encouraged by the probation of pesticides. Often bananas, citrus fruit or other food crops are inter-planted with the coffee, which creates “shade- grown” coffee. Most certified organic coffee beans are also shade grown. Shade growing is not a requirement for organic certification but with the absence of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, organic growers rely on the shade to provide a proper habitat to grow coffee.
At The Kaffeeklatsch we purchase Certified Organic coffees when they are premium quality beans that meet our standards. Availability can vary from time to time but we generally offer at least a few Certified Organic coffees as well as some that follow the practices but do not have the certification. Our current Certified Organic coffees include offerings from Ethiopia Sidama, Honduras, Papua New Guinea, Peru, and Timor.
Differences Between Fair Trade and Organic
One of the main differences between organic and fair trade coffee lies in their focus. Organic certification primarily focuses on environmental impact, ensuring that coffee is grown without synthetic chemicals and in a way that supports the health of the soil and surrounding ecosystems. Producers are also encouraged to work towards organic production through price incentives. On the other hand, fair trade certification emphasizes social impact, aiming to
improve the livelihoods of coffee farmers and their communities through fair prices and community development projects. Organic and fair trade certifications also have different processes and requirements. While both involve third-party inspections and strict standards, organic certification focuses on the use of chemical-free farming methods and the health of the environment. Fair trade certification, however, concentrates on ensuring that farmers receive fair prices and have access to resources for community development. There is often some overlap between organic and fair trade practices. Many fair trade coffee farmers also practice organic farming methods, and some organic coffee farms may meet fair trade standards. In fact, we frequently come across coffee that is both organic and fair trade certified, which benefits not only the farms but the coffee itself as well.
When it comes to choosing between organic and fair trade coffee, it ultimately depends on your personal priorities. If you’re more concerned about the environmental impact of your coffee, organic might be the choice for you. If you’re passionate about supporting farmers and their communities, fair trade could be the way to go. Or, you can always look for coffee that is both organic and fair trade certified, so you can enjoy the best of both worlds!
Shade Grown Coffee
“Shade-grown” coffee is coffee cultivated under a canopy of sun filtering shade trees, a production system that is widely regarded as environmentally sustainable, enabling biodiversity conservation, enhancing pest-control services from birds, and contributing to climate change adaptation. Shaded coffee farms are more ecologically sound with the shade trees providing natural fertilizer, mulch and a source of wood used for cooking, fuel and lumber. The shade trees provide a sanctuary for many different species of bird and animal life. The extent, type and utility of shade trees employed vary from farm to farm and country to country. Often the trees used for shading coffee offer another income producing crop such as citrus fruit and hardwood. The slower ripening of shaded coffee produces a more flavorful coffee bean. Frequently used shade crops can include bananas, citrus fruit trees, mango, and avocados.
Unlike organic coffee, there is still no established set of standards or an accepted or recognized certification body for shade-grown coffees. Fortunately, in most coffee growing countries the majority of coffee is still cultivated under shade trees. Furthermore, most (but certainly not all) certified organic coffees are shade-grown and many coffee estates, while not organic, do cultivate under a shade canopy.
Shade-grown coffees available currently include our offerings from Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, and Peru. Meanwhile, coffees from Papua New Guinea, and Sumatra are virtually shade grown as well.