Best Fair Trade Coffee Brands In Africa

What are the best fair trade coffee brands in Africa? Fairtrade is a worldwide campaign that seeks to provide better trade conditions between a developed and developing country. 

In particular, it seeks to improve working conditions for farmers, workers on farms, communities, and higher payment for exporters. This campaign also often includes conditions for sustainable farming and protecting the environment. 

It is all about giving the developing countries a ‘fair go’, so that they are not bullied or taken advantage of by companies from developed countries. Fair trade allows farmers, workers, communities, and exporters in developing countries, to have more control over their crops and their future.   

Fair trade involves many different crops such as handicrafts, coffee, cocoa, gold, wine, sugar, and fruit. Obviously, the crop we are concerned with is coffee! 

Many African coffee farmers are involved in the Fair Trade Coffee Campaign and in this post we will look at some of the best fair trade coffee brands in Africa.

Helping Coffee Farmers

Throughout these years, coffee producers, retailers, and specialty coffee shops are working diligently to improve the workflow amongst farmers. These practices help the coffee farmers for a competitive approach for the exportation of fair trade coffee beans.

Fair-trade coffee beans might be a little costly, but it adheres to “value for money” thought. This extra cost will directly benefit coffee producers and the fair trade coffee industry. Fruitful coffee production is beneficial for coffee farmers, their farms, and their families.

African Coffee Beans

Africa is the second-largest continent in the world, covering approx 12 million sq miles and out of it, 9600 sq miles are used by coffee farmers for coffee cultivation.

Eastern Africa is known to grow excellent coffee because of its geography, climate, altitude, and abundant genus of coffee. The four basic taste sensations are reached or surpassed by African coffee beans of the high quality: sweet, bitter, savory, and sour. Africa’s top and fine grade coffee beans are – Sidamo natural organic coffee, Kenya AA, Tanzanian Peaberry, and Ethiopia.

African coffee beans are grown at high altitudes, and they are 100% Arabica. It has a high percentage of caffeine, full-bodied, and bold flavor.

The flavor profiles of African coffees stretch over a wide range. The coffee-growing regions across Africa vary according to several factors like

1. Altitude
2. Soil fertility
3. Climate
4. Processing method

There are distinctive combinations of these factors in each particular growing region. This results in the development of multiple unique and delicious coffee profiles.

Although African Beans has the following characteristics:

1. African coffee beans have notes of wine, citrus fruits, berries, nuts, chocolate, and spices.
2. Full body smooth flavor
3. Flora and Fruity aroma
4. Honey toned sweetness
5. Wined toned acidity

Major Regions of African Coffee

Let’s look over the different regions where African coffee grows in abundance.

Ethiopia

Being a country of mythology, Ethiopia is a coffee producer that stirs our imagination. Ethiopia also has the most intense coffee genetic environment as the birthplace of coffee in Africa. And, you guessed it, a major producer of some of the best fair trade coffee brands.

Ethiopia is also known as the birthplace of coffee, and the seventh-largest coffee producer in the world. As this place cultivates approximately 50 percent of the crop at altitudes above 1,500 meters.

The taste of Ethiopian coffees might taste unique due to the blend of different flavors of blueberries, strawberries, floral aromas, and a winey-tang.

In Ethiopia, there are numerous coffee regions with an exceptional climate and therefore their taste.

• Harrar is one of the oldest and most well-grown.

• Babeka and Limu sell Djimmah, where coffee is wild at 1200 meters above sea level.

• Other coffees are Sidamo and Lekempti, usually traded as Yirgacheffe.

Kenya

A reasonably transparent auction system has historically sold Kenya’s production. This system pays high-quality numbers at higher prices, a different but efficient platform for the African industry.

Kenya, a country that likes tea, only started to develop coffee commercially in the 1900s. Kenyan coffees have a fruity aroma, a vibrant floral flavor, and a deep, dark fruit or sugar-like sweetness.

In Kenya, the grading of coffee is typically by size; more giant coffee beans have more quality as compared to the small coffee beans.

Kenya Coffee beans are as follows:

• E (for Elephant), the giant coffee bean 

• AA (screen size 18), the most famous coffee specialty attracting the best price 

• AB (screen size 15/16) is the most common type of PB coffee (for Peaberry). Because of its rareness, it is especially sought after.

• C is a specialty coffee’s lowest grade.

Characteristics

Natural Washed. Low Acid. Heavy body. Spice, earth, and chocolate flavors.

Rwanda

Early on, Rwandan coffee was robusta which meant high yield but low quality. But Rwandan specialty coffees often have a rich earthy flavor, with subtle tones of Fruits, Flora, and Spices.

Characteristics

Natural washed. Crisp. Medium body. Earth, spice, fruity, and flora flavors.

Burundi

Burundi grows coffees are exotic. A lot of people describe Burundi coffees with sweet aromas of dark fruit, crisp floral flavors, and acidic tang.

Characteristics

Natural washed. Light acid. Complex body. Spice, fruity, and flora flavors.

Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast is located on the western coast of Africa. It has a very large coffee industry, but you are not likely to find beans from here in specialty coffee shops, Ivory Coast’s taste profile contains darker notes of chocolate, nuts, dirt, and spice.

Characteristics

Natural washed. Low acid. Medium body. Chocolate, spice, and earth flavors.

Uganda

Ugandan farmers also have a deep earthy flavor, citrus tang, fruity sweetness, and a whole body to specific specialty grades of beans.

Characteristics

Natural washed. Crisp. Heavy body. Chocolate, spice, and earth flavors.

Effects of Altitude on Coffee Flavor

• High altitudes of coffee beans are strong, dense, and have a superior aroma of coffee. As the altitude increase, the flavor profile of a coffee becomes more distinctive.

• An average temperature range from 15-21 degrees C (or about 60-70 degrees F), combined with regular rainy seasons and lots of sunshine all year round provides ideal growing conditions for coffee trees.

• The colder climates in the mountains usually slow down the growth cycle of the coffee trees and increase bean production. This climate change results in a coffee bean with darker, bold flavors and more complex sugars.

• High altitude has a better drainage system with less water in the fruit results in highly flavored beans.

Effects of Processing on Coffee Flavor

• Sundried (natural) coffee beans result in fruity,  heavy and sweet berry, wine flavor.

• Washed coffee beans usually have citrus, jasmine characteristics and tend to have a floral aroma. 

Why Try African Coffee Beans?

1. You might find your favorite coffee taste.

2. Cherish different African coffee flavors and experiments. 

3. Coffee helps in improving emotions and mood. 

4. It eases workout pain and makes you feel refreshed.

How Acidic is Eastern African Coffee?

The amount of humidity in the coffee bean determines the acidity of the bean. Roasting can improve the issue of acidity. Coffee beans originating from some areas of East-Africa appear to be slightly higher in acidity than coffee from elsewhere in the world.

The Best Fair Trade Coffee Brands in Africa

Bean There Fair Trade Coffee

Fresh Roasted Fair Trade Coffee

Cooper’s Coffee Kenya AA Fair Trade Coffee

Maddat Fair Trade Ethiopian Coffee

Grand Parade Gichunge Fair Trade Coffee

Burundi Kavugangoma Mojave Fair Trade Coffee

Hazz Coffee Fresh Medium Dark Roast Coffee

Bean There Fair Trade Coffee 

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Overview

Established in 2005, Bean There is the first Fair Trade certified Roaster in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Bean There works with African farmers to have some of the best coffee beans on the continent while at the same time improving the lives of the people who grow them. The result is a selection of delicious, ethical, sustainably-grown African coffees.

Fair Trade Coffee

Bean There Kenya Beans are grown with a Fair Trade partnership with Rutuma Farmers Cooperative Society that represents 800 to 4600 farmers. The foothills of Kenya mountain grows the Bean There Kenya Beans. This place can be found 65 km south of the equator and altitude 1650-1700 meter above sea level.

Coffee Flavor

This Kenya Nyeri coffee reveals a dark fruit-caramel fragrance with a rich body and vivid acidity.

Fresh Roasted Fair Trade Coffee

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Overview

Fresh Roasted Coffee, founded in 2009, has a primary focus on quality, flavor profile, and origin of coffee. They roast their coffee beans by using the most eco-friendly machine, Loring smart roasters. It eliminates carbon emission and enhances the flavor of the coffee beans.

Fair Trade Coffee

Single-origin Ethiopian Sidamo coffee is naturally processed and dried on raised beds. Vital premiums reward the grower and farmers of Fresh Roasted Coffee. USDA Organic and half-caff coffee certification certify Fresh Roasted Coffee. It ensures that the grown coffee with this tag is 100% free from harmful chemicals.

Coffee Flavor

Ethiopian Sidamo grows in the Kaffa region of Ethiopia and manages balanced acidity and a medium body. It exhibits the subtle shades of almonds and sweet wine aroma.

Cooper’s Coffee Kenya AA Fair Trade Coffee

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Overview

Cooper’s Cask Coffee Company was started in 2005 by Johan and Jason. The company selects the Kenya AA grade coffee beans. These beans show a healthy combination of smooth and dark notes of fruit.

Each lot of Kenya AA grade coffee beans are cupped at different roasting levels across the entire range to maximize all the magical flavors.

Fair Trade Coffee

Kenya AA grade coffee beans are quality sourced beans. Kenya Medium Roast Coffee ( SWP), 100% single origin organic Swiss Water Processed, Fair Trade. Cooper’s Cask Coffee ages its coffee in old whiskey and wine bottles, which gives coffee beans new colors and tastes.

Coffee Flavor

The flavors of Copper’s Kenya AA Coffee beans have the aromas of sweet tea biscuits. It is roasted to make bittersweet chocolate in a somewhat darker, medium roast. Kenya AA comes with additional flavor notes of new scent and fresh alyssum flowers from Raspberry, cranberry, redwood. With a savory rim structure, sweet and effortlessly smooth.

Maddat Fair Trade Ethiopian Coffee

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Overview

The word Maddat means Community, Help, Positivity, Spirituality. Maddat coffee donates some profit share to disaster management and Cancer foundation on purchasing a coffee bag.

Maddat commits organic, healthy, and skillful roasted coffee beans. Bohemian beans come from small family enterprises that use sustainable development methods.

Fair Trade Coffee

Maddat Fair Trade coffee beans are grown equally from around the world. Farmers do not use pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers. The coffee workers invest their time and Maddat ensures that their workers get a happy life and respectable earnings.

Coffee Flavor

The mindfulness blend is a medium roast and delicate light coffee. Their coffee leaves are fruity and rich in taste.  

Grand Parade Burundi Gatukuza Fair Trade Coffee

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Burundi Kavugangoma Mojave Fair Trade Coffee

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Overview

Burundi ‘s coffee is famous. All the profit share of Burundi goes to the Father International Heart Foundation. This charity aims to help poor African children.

The mountains of Burundi are in high altitude, and their beans are rising. Coffee from Burundi is also of great importance among all other popular African countries.

Fair Trade Coffee

Burundi coffee is a must-try when you explore Africa’s coffee. Burundian coffee shares some aspects with Rwandan coffee. This connection occurs with a shared boundary between these two places. The blend of both the flavor gels well.

Coffee Flavor

For drips, French press, and variations, Burundi is a great alternative. It includes Tamarind, Black Tea, Brown Sugar, Satiny Body, Warm, acidity, lightness, fruity flavor. 

Hazz Coffee Fresh Medium Dark Roast Coffee

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Overview

Hazz coffee is a tasty, smooth, truly modern blend of South American and African origins. Clean trade Made – best farmers and supplies effectively grow coffee with fair trade gourmet coffee beans. It has an intense aroma and a bold yet smooth body. It is vibrant.

Fair Trade Coffee

Hazz coffee beans are sourced from top farmers and growers and give special benefits to them under Fair Trade standards. The Hazz Coffee beans undergo wet treatment, fermented for 12 to 24 hours, each package is washed in fresh water, and then sun-dried. 

Coffee Flavor

The taste of Hazz Coffee is rich and slightly acidic in taste, ensuring unrivaled freshness in the tongue.

Conclusion

The fertile volcanic soil is responsible for the growth of the most excellent coffee in Africa. The vibrant climate, cultivation style, and environment are essential for the fruitful production of coffee. These favorable factors are perfect for the healthy cultivation of coffee. 

There has been increased growth in large domestic consumer markets and an increasing culture of coffee in the urban areas of Africa. The region’s emerging needs for coffee is driving up the consumption of coffee.

You should go with Kenyan Bean There Coffee beans if you love the flavor of spices and aromatic characteristics. This flavor blends beautifully and offers a delicious taste.

For rich aroma and full vibrant flavor, you can go with Ethiopean Fresh Roasted Coffee beans.

If you are a lover of single-origin as well as you want to taste Whisky, Rum, Wine Barrel coffee you can go with Kenyan Copper’s Coffee.

References

1. https://afca.coffee/
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_trade_coffee
3. https://www.fairtrade.net/product/coffee
4. https://eastofafrica.com.au/product-category/coffee-and-tea/

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