The Importance Of Organic Coffee

Did you know 50 percent of Millennials and 54 percent of Gen Z prefer to purchase sustainable products and services, such as organic coffee, even at a higher price point?

As more Millennials and Gen Z make their way into the work force and contribute to the economy, the buying power that these groups hold continues to increase. Along with the rising popularity of organic, sustainability, fair trade, and ethically sourced products, more consumers are educating themselves on what their purchases mean from a larger, more global perspective.

At Joffrey’s, we are aware of this trend and we are actively working to continuousy source coffee that fit this mold. We currently offer a line of USDA & Fair Trade Certified organic coffee within our Café Femenino® Collection. Café Femenino® is a coffee brand on a mission to enhance the lives of women coffee growers and farmers to ensure they are valued, supported, and paid premiums for their coffee.

The Café Femenino coffee program is committed to:

ending the cycle of poverty afflicting women coffee farmers across the world.
providing direct compensation to women farmers.
providing resources to enact positive change in their communities.

The programs worldwide make it possible for women farmers to receive legal rights, hold leadership positions and have financial/business decision making power over their coffee.

We offer a variety of options, all sourced from various countries and cooperatives that participate in the program and available in whole bean & fractional packs.

Interested in learning more about our Café Femenino® collection or interested in serving it in your space? Contact your Joffrey’s rep or email us at sales@joffreys.com.

Source.

Try Something New: Cupping Notes vs. Flavored Coffee

When it comes to a cup of coffee, flavors often extend past the coffee itself. However, some of these flavors may not be detectable by the average coffee drinker. This marks the distinction between tasting or “cupping” notes and flavored coffee.

At Joffrey’s, our roastmasters “cup” our coffees daily to ensure quality and uniformity across all of our offerings. Cupping is the process in use by coffee producers and buyers around the world to check the quality of the coffee, and also distinguish the tastes and differences between various beans and countries of origin.

Join Chris and Miguel for a cupping session!

Cupping sessions allow our roastmasters to identify various “notes” within a coffee – such as hints of chocolate, citrus, fruit or nuts. Much like how wine and beer’s tasting notes are based on where the grapes are grown and how the beer is brewed – the same goes for coffee. Coffee’s flavor notes depend on the type of bean, where it is grown and how it is roasted.

However, while these are flavors, for most coffee drinkers it is not a flavor you will experience in the average cup of coffee and should not be confused with flavored coffees. Tasting notes are subtle and don’t often take away from the classic coffee taste, but add to it (such as the nutty flavor and chocolate undertones of our Victoria & Albert’s). On the other side, flavored coffees are beans coated in flavor oils after roasting to give the coffee a flavor that is not already present (such as our Jamaican Me Crazy® flavored coffee).

Looking to try some of our coffees with unique tasting notes? We’ve gathered some of our favorites below, featuring some of our Fair Trade Certified coffees to celebrate Fair Trade Awareness Day!

Looking to learn more about cupping and flavor notes? Drop your questions to us on social media!

Celebrating Earth Day with Joffrey's Peru Alto Mayo

This Earth Day, we’re taking a moment to find comfort in what nature has to offer. So, we’re letting the planet inspire us.

To celebrate Earth Day, we are recognizing one our favorite growing regions: the Alto Mayo in San Martin, Peru. The ecosystem of Alto Mayo plays a critical role in the survival of Peru’s widespread plants and animals. In collaboration with Conservation International and Disney, we support the Alto Mayo Protected Forest project with our Disney Specialty Coffee Collection – Organic Peru Alto Mayo Blend.

Create change while enjoying a delicious & magical cup of coffee, all from the comfort of your home.

This coffee is USDA Organic and Fair Trade Certified, featuring notes of deep chocolate with a fresh vanilla almond aroma and is available for purchase here.

Conservation International is a global nonprofit organization working to build a healthier, more prosperous and more productive planet. The Alto Mayo Protected Forest project gives coffee farmers the tools, education, funding and wages they need to use environmentally friendly practices. With your help, we can help keep this farm healthy and sustainable.

Above all, the project is saving hundreds of thousands of acres of endangered species’ habitats and is curbing greenhouse gas emissions caused by deforestation.

Looking for a way to utilize this special coffee in your at-home recipes? We’ve partnered with Monin® to bring you the perfect Earth Day Mocha:

Ingredients:

12 oz. Joffrey’s Organic Peru Alto Mayo coffee
1/2 oz. Monin® Organic Chocolate Syrup
1/2 oz. Monin® Organic Raspberry Syrup
Steamed Milk

Garnishes (optional):

Raspberry
Cinnamon

Prep:

Combine all ingredients except for milk in a serving cup
Stir and set aside
Steam milk
Pour steamed milk into serving cup, stirring gently
Garnish
Enjoy!

Share your recipes and Earth Day celebration with us by tagging us on social media and using #JoffreysMoments.

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.

What Gives Organic Origin Coffees Their Taste? It's The Attitude of the Latitude & The Flavor of the Land

A trained roastmaster can taste a coffee and tell you what region of the world it comes from, without even looking at the label. Impressed? We are, because a great roastmaster isn’t easy to find…but somehow, we were lucky enough to have found Chris DeMezzo. He has been sourcing and roasting the best coffees for Joffrey’s from all corners of the earth for over 30 years. Our very own Roastmatser Chris shared with us why coffees from different regions of the world taste different, and what flavor experience you will have drinking each of Joffrey’s Organic Origin Coffees.

What is Organic Origin Coffee?

Organic Origin Coffee is organic coffee that comes from a certain area of the world, and the beans have unique flavor commonly found in that region. These coffees are organic, which means that the beans are produced without artificial flavors, or artificial pesticides, and non-organic fertilizers. (Read more about USDA organic standards here.) Also, on top of being organic, many of the coffees below are certified fair trade.

All About the Beans

So, the flavor of our Organic Origin coffee comes from the beans, but where do the beans get their flavor? They get it from the nutrients and minerals in the soil and in the other plants that grow around them. Roastmaster Chris explained in detail what coffees from different parts of the world taste like.

Central and South American Coffees

Coffees from this region are usually medium bodied, and a bit tangy. When you sip the coffee, you can taste hints of citrus and milk chocolate (if the coffee is from Central America), or dark chocolate (if it’s from South America). Both regions grow beans that make beautiful medium bodied coffees (a few examples are coffees like Joffrey’s Brazil Cerrado, Colombia, Costa Rica, or Guatemala). What’s great about coffees from these regions is that they play nicely with coffee flavors, which is why Roastmaster Chris likes to use these beans to make Joffrey’s flavored coffees. Make no mistake though, these beans make delicious coffees on their own. Stay tuned! We’ll describe some of the Central and South American Joffrey’s Organic Origin coffees below.

Southeast Asian Coffees

Coffees from Southeast Asia have quite the personality! If you’ve ever had Joffrey’s Sumatra coffee, you know what we’re talking about. These earthy, heavy bodied, savory gems have notes of dark chocolate and citrus, and a certain smoothness that will put a smile on your face.

African Coffees

In Africa, the coffees are as diverse as the people! Roastmaster Chris says it best, “In Africa, you can find anything and everything! Coffee started in Africa, so every species of coffee grows there. The weather and landscapes are so diverse, and can make many different types of beans.” (If you’re a Joffrey’s coffee drinker, just think of the diversity in our African coffees, like Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, Kenya AA, and Tanzanian Peaberry. The one characteristic many African coffees have in common is that they’re slightly tangy and astringent, like a dry red wine.

Hawaii

Hawaii is the only U.S. state that produces large amounts of commercial coffee, and boy is it good! Hawaiian coffee a medium bodied drink known for its fruit notes and signature buttery, silky, smoothness.

Unique as a Finger Print

Coffees from the same regions can have a lot in common, but, like wines, no two coffees are exactly alike. Joffrey’s Roastmaster has handpicked his favorite organic coffees from all regions of the world, and appreciates them for their unique characteristics. Let’s see which ones he picked.

Organic Sumatra Permata Gayo

This coffee, from a cooperative of small coffee producers, is what Roastmaster Chris calls “an earthy, heavy bodied coffee, with hints of sweetness.” The flavor packs a punch, with notes of dark chocolate and vanilla bean. Chris roasts the beans medium/dark, which fits perfectly with their flavor. Organic Sumatra Swiss Water Decaf is the decaffeinated version of Organic Sumatra Permata Gayo, and Swiss water refers to the process used to decaffeinate the coffee.

Organic Guatemala, Café Femenino

This fully-washed sun dried coffee has a clean snap, and a tangy tartness to it. When you drink this, you’ll taste hints of chocolate and walnut, and you’ll notice a clean smooth finish.

Organic Colombia Cosuraca

This sun dried coffee also has a tanginess to it, with noticeable notes of citrus, apple, coco, and a nice floral aroma. Roastmaster Chris roasts it medium/dark, and this coffee falls right between medium and light flavored.

Costa Rica La Amistad

This fully washed, sun dried coffee will deliver a clean, super tangy taste with notes of cedar, hazelnuts, caramel, and dark chocolate (clean-tangy). Tea drinkers will also notice a hint of black tea taste.

Organic Peru Cajamarca

Cajamarca is another beautifully tangy coffee with notes of citrus, dark chocolate, and maple syrup. The flavor is rich and the aroma is beautiful. It’s roasted medium to maintain the citrus flavor.

A Little Something for Everyone

Many of these coffees are similar to one another in terms of certain flavor characteristics, but not all. Each coffee has its own distinct personality, and each coffee drinker has different preferences. Roastmaster Chris says it best. “Choosing a favorite coffee is a personal decision because everyone’s tastes are different.” So, which coffee should you buy first? Grab one of each, try them out, and find your perfect coffee match!