CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL COFFEE DAY: FROM BEAN TO CUP
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE CUP
Looking down at your cup of coffee, whether that be an americano, skinny flat white or oat mocha; it's hard to visualise all of the people that it took to get that cup to where it is right now, in front of you. The coffee in your cup was planted, picked, processed, dried, exported, roasted and grinded before you entered the equation! Essentially, what we're trying to say is that coffee is inherently rooted in people. This international coffee day, we wanted to shine a light on the underdogs in the world of coffee. This, of course, isn't an exhaustive list of everyone behind the cup, if it was, this post would be the length of a phonebook! There is a myriad of people who contribute to make the coffee in your cup possible once it reaches Ireland; from the warehouse operatives who pack every order, the delivery drivers who drop each bag to their new home, the quality consultants who ensures that every bean is of the highest quality and so on.
FARMERS
Unlike other farms like pastural or arable, approximately 95% of coffee farms are less than 12 acres (about 7 soccer fields!) in size yet, make up for three quarters of the world's coffee. Coffee farmers around the world are responsible for ensuring that the 1+ billion people who drink coffee every day, are looked after. But who's looking after them? As Irish coffee roasters with over 25 years' experience, we have made it our mission to provide coffee lovers in Ireland and abroad coffee with a conscience.
Each year as the effects of climate change, market volatility and geopolitical uncertainty impact coffee farmers and their productions outputs, it's more important than ever to forge strong relationships and support coffee farmers at origin. What does this support look like? For the team at Java Republic, this means working with green coffee traders, like DRWakefield, who specialise in speciality, Fairtrade and Organic coffee. Ensuring that farmers are receiving a fair price for their labour and supports when needed. Also, making origin trips to pioneering farms and meeting the incredible people behind them.
IMPORTERS
The forgotten heroes in the world of coffee! It's a long, long way to get your coffee beans to Ireland from their origin, whether that be from Brazil or Sumatra. Our green coffee importers, ethically source and transport the green coffee beans for us to hand-roast here at our carbon-neutral roastery in Ballycoolin, Co. Dublin. Our partnerships with well-established and progressive green coffee importers allow us to confidently provide you with delicious, ethically sourced cups of coffee with market leader level traceability. This strategic partnership gives us an opportunity to provide smaller coffee farmers with a living wage whilst ensuring that the coffee produced does not come from land previously effected by deforestation.
ROASTERS
Each bag of the Irish premium coffee we produce is a labour of love. Our roasters take great pride in hand-roasting our coffee. Roasting is an art and a science, both of which our roasters have mastered. It takes years of experience and expertise to be able to roast the beans by-hand and by-eye. The meticulous process our roasters follow ensures that every blend meets our exacting standards. Looking to get a close-up of all the behind-the-scenes action at the roastery? Our unique roastery has floor-to-ceiling glass walls so every stage of our process is visible. Come and visit our café in Ballycoolin, grab a coffee or some lunch and watch the magic unfold!
BARISTAS
By the time the barista grinds the beans and pulls the espresso, what they're holding in their cup is a year-long process from harvesting to processing, transporting, roasting, packaging and finally, being sold! They are the final link in the arduous journey that brings the coffee to you. And they make it look so easy while they're at it!
Next time you find a cup of coffee in your hand, take a moment to think of the people who made that cup possible! As purveyors of Irish premium coffee, we raise our cups this international coffee day to those who came before us in the journey!
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