Traveling to Sumatra - The Cafe Femenino Foundation

One of the most influential moments while we were in Sumatra was our visit to Lake Toba, specifically, Kokowagayo. We arrived at the mill where the women greeted us with large smiles. Soon after being introduced to some of the women of the mill we were taken over to sit down in front of a rather large stage. Along the stage were eight young men dressed in what appeared to be a traditional ceremonial outfit. They began singing and dancing, which was translated in English to a “thank you” for coming to see them and try their coffee.

I was stunned. In that moment, I realized how important it is to these farmers that individuals like us come and see them. They rely on roasters to buy their coffee and, in turn, like a section of their song for us stated, “allows us to send their children to universities.” These farmers put so much effort into what they do, day in and day out; yet, are so humble and appreciative for the roasters that come and buy their coffee.

The number of women working at the mill was incredible as well. Many were hand-sorting beans, moving the heavy burlap bags, and also taking care of the mill itself. I was able to sit down with three women from the mill and ask them questions about their work and lifestyle in the community. One of the most notable moments in our conversation was when Indah (one of the workers at the mill) mentioned to me how they have taken initiative as an organization to hire as many women as they can. She stated “women are typically stuck to a household role here in our community, but now with our help, are allowed to work outside of that role at the mill and earn wages.” She explained how their new role at the mill has empowered them in the community and allowed them to take on new responsibility within the community, all while earning wages.

This, precisely, is why Joffrey’s is a proud supporter of Café Feminino®- a gender-focused program to support social justice and empowerment for women coffee producers worldwide.1 Joffrey’s line of Café Femenino includes coffee from all around that supports women all around the globe: Mexico, Sumatra, Colombia, Guatemala and Peru.

Remote areas and communities such as some of those in Sumatra, Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala and Peru pose many challenges to women. The women of these areas are isolated, sometimes living in a male-dominated society where they are not allowed to make many decisions or have any financial control. Café Femenino sets out to change these circumstances for the better.

The women in Café Femenino communities have noted many changes such as, recognition for the work they do in the home and on the farm, reduction in physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, increase in family incomes, increase in men participating in childcare and domestic responsibilities, and increase in school attendance among girls.  Café Feminino makes sure that the women on the farms obtain legal rights to the land on which they farm, leadership positions within the cooperatives, and financial and business decision-making power. The amount of positive impact that Café Feminino has on women in supported communities is outstanding, and it is why Joffrey’s is a proud partner supporter. We hope that you will join us in supporting these amazing women.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next Stop: Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday is finally here and we can’t wait to share the coffee love with you! Visit our website to receive 30% off select coffees and teas. This sale is today only, so be sure to stock up on your favorite beverages just in time for the holidays!

Don’t forget that coffees and teas make magnificent holiday gifts for your family, friends and co-workers. We can assure you our stockings will be stuffed with flavors like Jamaican Me Crazy, Banana’s Foster and Jazzy Java Coffee. And of course, there’s always our Disney Parks and Resorts Specialty Coffee Collection for the Disney lover in your life.

Well, what are you waiting for? Let the shopping festivities begin!

Buy Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea online here.

Trick or Treat, Joffrey’s Coffee is Sweet

We all remember running around our neighborhoods as kids in funny Halloween costumes and filling our pillowcases with candy.  And who could forget about the quintessential candy trade at the end of the night? “I’ll give you a pack of licorice for a king-sized chocolate bar.” Ah, the memories! Who says the Halloween fun can’t continue into adulthood? When you buy our coffee online,  you’ll find treats to satisfy the kid in you and your adult palate.  There are so many yummy flavors of Joffrey’s coffee for you to choose from! Let the adventures begin!

 

Chocolate Lovers, This is for You!

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Loyalty to chocolate runs deep! If you love it now, you probably loved it back in your trick-or-treating days too. We’re right there with you. Chocolate is irresistible. Now you can overcome your chocolate cravings when you buy coffee online. Our Roastmasters have created an impressive assortment of tempting Joffrey’s coffee chocolate flavors just for you!

Whether you like a chocolate-nut combo, or you’re just nuts for chocolate, you’re in for a serious treat! Our Chocolate Turtle and Chocolate Macadamia Nut coffees are a tasty blend of caramel and nuts that will keep you smiling with every sip! Another nutty coffee mixed with a European flair is our Swiss Chocolate Almond, the perfect coffee to curl up with on a crisp October morning.

Then, jumping to another European country, we have our Dutch Chocolate. This is for all of you chocolate purists, who prefer chocolate to be the star flavor in your cup of Joe. When it comes to chocolate, the Dutch know how it’s done! Last, but not least, for our chocolate covered fruit lovers, there’s our Chocolate Raspberry coffee. It’s smooth and sweet with hints of flavor that will remind you of fruit-dipped chocolate. Joffrey’s coffee satisfies all guilty pleasures. It’s all about finding your favorite…but wait…there’s more!

 

Dessert Delights

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Every neighborhood has that one family that hands out baked goods on Halloween, and it’s always a fun surprise. Now you can take your baked-goods experience on Halloween to the next level with Joffrey’s Coffee dessert flavors.. What better way to celebrate Halloween than with our Pumpkin Crème Brûlée? Imagine pumpkin pie with a hint of vanilla custard. Tempted yet? Not so fast… our Bananas Foster is also sure to please, with banana, brown sugar, butter and rum conspiring with specialty grade Arabica beans to create a dessert coffee that you can’t resist! We also can’t forget our Coconut Cream, flavored after one of America’s favorite pies…with a hint of graham cracker to seal the deal. Can’t choose one? Try all three!

For the cookie lovers,  you can’t go wrong with our Biscoffee Cookie Crumble, flavored after Belgium’s most popular cookie. Another crunchy cookie-inspired delight is Joffrey’s Butter Crunch coffee.. This coffee is flavored with hints of this yummy butter cookie to make it the perfect caffeinated pick-me-up with your sweet afternoon snack. Last and oh so loved is the Pecan Praline. Imagine a mix of pecan, caramelized sugar, and specialty grade Arabica coffee to finish it off with a richness fit for royalty! Yes, the world is a magical place for dessert lovers who buy coffee online.

 

An Ode to Sinful Cinnamon…and Joffrey’s Coffee

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What would the fall season be without its most beloved spice, cinnamon? Our cinnamon coffees embody fall in all its glory…and the sinfully sweet desserts that come with it. Joffrey’s Cinnamon Twist tastes like a snicker doodle hopped into your cup of coffee and melted…gifting your mouth with the flavor of a warm cinnamon sugar cookie and a pinch of spice. Our Cinnamon Vanilla Nut coffee is the perfect blend of creamy and nutty with a kick of spice, leaving hints of vanilla bean, almonds, and of course, cinnamon.

 

Hungry Yet?

After hearing about all of Joffrey’s sweet coffee flavors, there’s no doubt that you’ll be daydreaming of sugar, spice, and everything nice, and reminiscing about your Halloween days as a kid.  If your tummy’s rumbling, grab some dessert, brew a cup of your favorite Joffrey’s coffee and enjoy the moment! If you don’t have Joffrey’s coffee, now is the perfect time of year to buy coffee online and try some of our fall-friendly flavors. You know where to find us! Oh, and Happy Halloween!

 

 

Coffee rust devastation

Around the Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Co. office, there is no doubt we like to stay up to date on all that is happening in the countries of origin from which we source our coffees.  Sadly, the news from most of Central America has been nothing short of devastating as roya or rust continues to plague farms.  We sat down with our Head Roastmaster, Chris de Mezzo, recently to discuss roya and the toll it takes on coffee plants and the farmers.

What exactly is roya or rust?

Chris: Roya is a fungus caused by extremely dry conditions. It is very hard to contain and spreads easily throughout a farm as the spores of this fungus become airborne and pass from one tree to another. PIC # 1.

 

How can farmers treat their coffee plants once roya has broken out?  

Chris: There are only two ways to deal with this problem and both are bad news for farmers. Farmers can do a very severe pruning which effectively puts them out of production for at least 2 years. Or, if they have the money and can afford the chemicals, they can apply a very costly fungicide to the trees.  However, if farmers are organic coffee producers, they are not allowed to use fungicides. Using fungicides may limit loss of production to one year rather than 2 years lost from severe pruning. Pics #2 & #3

 

What happens if coffee trees aren’t treated?

Chris: If not treated the trees will defoliate and any fruit it produces will not fully develop and will be unusable. Pic # 4

 

What does this mean for Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Co. and our customers?

Chris: The rust problem has been going on for a few years now; it is getting better in some areas, and worse in others.  What it means to us roasters is that we have to work harder to source the best beans we can find with each new crop harvested. At the same time we try to do everything we can to support the farms we have dealt with in past years and help them get back on their feet.  If they have had to replace their trees they have effectively cut off their income for at least 3 years, we take up collections and try to help them as best we can.  Very sad to see a whole farm wiped out by something like this. But this is all part of coffee farming, you always have perils mother nature deals you: drought, frost, earth quakes, volcanos, floods, insects, just to name a few.  Sure glad we are on the roasting side of the business rather than the producing side, but we will help the producers any way we can.

If you would like to learn more about coffee rust and its effects, reach out to us and comment below.