Coffee produced in small batches without chemicals is far superior in taste to the sawdust that is served up by most commercial coffee brands and coffee chains. Organic and Fair Trade Coffee is now widely available enough that you can take the next step with it – make sure it is organically produced AND fair trade.
Why would you bother to do both? For one, larger coffee growers are starting to establish organic plantations, which in and of itself is not a bad thing. However, as with their sawdust varieties, their organic coffees just don’t measure up to the small-batch companies. I will single out Nabob here not just because they are the only ones to do it, but because they have the unlucky distinction of being the only brand-name organic coffee that I have tried. I bought a large can of it because I was so excited about the concept, and immediately regretted it when I had my first cup.
You know that coffee that has been strained through poop or whatever to taste awesome? This was like that, only it didn’t taste awesome. Yech. Not to mention the major fact that these organic plantations are still not paying their workers fair-trade wages, which is the real reason you should be looking for both “organic” and “fair trade”.
Which companies offer both of these marvelous designations? Quite a few, if you frequent health food stores or gourmet shops you are likely to find one you like. Here are a few I’ve tried, for a marvie cuppa every time:
Kicking Horse
This coffee is the absolute bomb-shizzle. The only one I’ve tried so far is the Kick-Ass, which I loved since I love me a fine dark roast, but I plan on drinking my way through their entire lineup. You can order it from their website if you don’t live in a major urban centre, and I’d pay the shipping gladly if I had to.
Birds & Beans
Not a brand, but a store, with all the brands. We’ve mentioned them on here before, but they bear repeating. If you are in the Lakeshore area of Mississauga, their store is a can’t-miss, and you may order through them online.
Café Sati
This delicious French coffee is luxuriously full-bodied, and makes the perfect cup of coffee. Just open the bag to get a whiff of perfection.
Do you have a favourite brand or store that sells organic, fair-trade coffee? Share in our comments section.
