Transparency
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Our Packaging
Coffee Bags:
We package our coffee in Tricorbraun Biotrē™ 1.0 coffee bags.
Tricorbraun explains: "Biotre Film is an earth-friendly, heat sealable, barrier material. Biotre Film is made from 60% (by weight) renewable wood pulp. The wood pulp portion is biodegradable. Third party testing per ASTM tests D-6868 and D-6400 confirmed that nearly all of the wood pulp portion will disintegrate into healthy compost over 84 days in a backyard, home composting environment. The remaining 40% (by weight) of the bag is Polyethylene (PE) with an additive that is designed to make it disintegrate significantly faster than standard plastic."
Our goal is to work towards their Biotre 3.0 bags, which are currently only available in quantities larger than we can afford as a small business.
You can learn more about Biotrē & Tricorbraun's sustainability claims here.
Coffee Boxes:
Our coffee boxes are made of standard 24pt SBS card material in collaboration with Glenmore Custom Print & Packaging. Glenmore is a Vancouver based company, which was important for us in supporting local and reducing the distance our packaging has to travel to us.
You can learn more about Glenmore's sustainability claims here.
2024 Sourcing Reports
The purpose of this transparency report is to show the FOB prices that were paid for the coffee we source. This allows us to stay accountable and aim for a better future in coffee.
2024:
Apex Coffee Importers
Haji Betro Station · Ethiopia · Dega, Wolisho - FOB: $11.88/kg USD
Amparo Botina · Colombia · Caturra - FOB: $11.77/kg USD
Tekangu Tegu · Kenya · SL28, 34, Ruiru 11, Batian - FOB: $12.76/kg USD
Showroom Coffee (Crop to Cup Importers)
Musa Abulelessa · Ethiopia · (JARC) 74110, 74165 - FOB: $8.60/kg USD
Nguisse Nare · Ethiopia · (JARC) 74158 - FOB: $10.47/kg USD
Red de San Miguel Eloxochitlan · Mexico · Gesha, Marsellesa, Obata - FOB: $7.94/kg USD
Ibonia Estate · Kenya · SL-28, Ruiru 11 - FOB: $8.77/kg USD
Muburi Washing Station · Kenya · SL-28, SL-34, Ruiru 11 - FOB: $7.87/kg USD
2023 Sourcing Reports
The purpose of this transparency report is to show the FOB prices that were paid for the coffee we source. This allows us to stay accountable and aim for a better future in coffee.
2023:
Apex Coffee Importers
Sonora · Costa Rica · SL-28 · FOB: $18.26/kg USD
Volcan Azul · Costa Rica · San Isidro · FOB: $11.83/kg USD
La Indonesia · Frank Torres · Colombia · Maracaturra · FOB: $11.66/kg USD
El Encinal · Amparo Botina · Colombia · Caturra · FOB: $12.43/kg USD
Sonora · Costa Rica · Marsellesa · FOB: $14.56/kg USD
El Aguacate · Gabriel Narvaez · Colombia · Caturra · FOB: $12.60/kg USD
Biniyam Aklilu · Ethiopia · Dega, Kerume, Wolisho · FOB: $9.24/kg USD
Forward Coffee Importers
Inmaculada · Colombia · Castillo FOB: $17.6/KG USD
La Papaya · Ecuador · Typica · FOB: $19.80/KG USD
Daterra · Brazil · Aramosa · FOB: $35.42/KG USD
Gesha Village · Ethiopia · Estate Blend · FOB: $8.36/KG USD
La Papaya · Ecuador · Typica Majorado · FOB: $25.30/KG USD
Sourcing Practices
Our process begins with requesting samples from our importing partner. We select coffees that interest us, or are from a producer (or group of producers) that we've previously enjoyed. It's interesting to both experience coffees from new places, or with new sensory attributes, and also see how coffees from a specific producer might change year to year.
Then we begin our QC process, which involves roasting the samples, tasting them (cupping & brewing) over multiple weeks while keeping detailed notes of what we're experiencing.
We compare notes and discuss which coffees we feel confident in offering before we decide to bring them in.
Once the coffee arrives, we begin another round of QC — this time based on our roasting approach — before making the coffee available to purchase.
We always share how the coffee was sourced, either directly or through the importers we work with.
Note about importers: Importers can be seen in a negative light, as being a middle stage in the transaction for the purpose of profit. While this can sometimes be true, it's not usually the case. Importers are capable of doing amazing work in origin countries. Often investing directly in producers, increasing their capacity to grow higher quality coffee, which raises the value of their crops and land. Without the dedication of our importing partners, we wouldn't be able to source some of the truly beautiful coffees that we feel so grateful to offer. While it's beneficial to buy direct when possible — importers play a vital role in the overall coffee industry.