The term "ethical" is increasingly used to describe not only individual and corporate behavior but also raw materials and end products, particularly in the coffee industry. While this concept is not new, consumers are becoming more conscious of environmental concerns, sustainability, and fairness throughout the supply chain, making ethical sourcing a significant topic in the coffee world.
Ethical coffee is defined as coffee that has been grown and produced sustainably and environmentally responsibly, with fair treatment and payment for farmers and all individuals involved in the supply chain. Although the definition is straightforward, measuring, monitoring, and maintaining an ethical status is more challenging. There are several certifications available for coffee that help consumers identify ethical products, including Fairtrade, UTZ, Rainforest Alliance, and Organic Certified, among others. However, each of these certifications has its limitations, such as inadequate monitoring and costly certification processes. Therefore, they should not be the only consideration when determining whether coffee is ethical.
As consumers, we can contribute by asking roasters about the origin of their green beans, the prices they pay for these beans, the farming practices used by growers, and the roasters' investments in supporting coffee farmers. By making these inquiries, we can make informed decisions and express our preferences through our purchases. It is essential to ensure that the ethical coffee we buy is genuinely ethical and not just a marketing ploy.
At Acuratore, our goal is to sell ethical coffee in a way that positively impacts not only our taste buds but also the farmers, workers, and the environment. This focus is central to our selection of roasters. Acknowledging the imperfections in current certification processes, we conduct our own enquiries and are satisfied that our specialty coffee roasters share our commitment to making a positive impact on coffee farmers and adhere to this ethos in their sourcing decisions.