Organic Fair Trade Coffee Recipes Food Cooking International Guide

Organic Fair Trade Coffee Is Helping Farmers Receive A Fair Price

By John Cranby

Organic fair trade coffee is now available in some specialty coffee shops and in selected food stores. As many people know, most of our coffee originates from poor countries in Africa where farmers are struggling to make a living, even after they sell their coffee beans to large corporations at very low prices.

A relatively new concept has now been developed where people can choose to buy fair trade coffee beans and even fair trade cocoa, to support farmers develop their farming business and receive fair prices for their produce.

To label a product fair trade, it will have to be independently certified, to confirm the farmers received a fair price for the product.

The Best Whole Coffee Beans Are Found In Specialty Coffee Shops

Lately organic has been all the rage when it comes to all sorts of products, from food to beauty products and gardening. For most, “organic” is basically synonymous with “natural.” Normal products are supposed to have all sorts of chemicals in them, while organic stuff is chemical free and comes from uncaged chickens and cows that eat real grass.

Following this kind of logic, organic fair trade coffee must be made from real, natural coffee beans. But what’s the “fair trade” part?

Supporting Local Farmers With Fair Trade Principles

If something’s fair trade, it means that it’s fair trade certified. Fair trade certified means that the farmers from whom the products are purchased are receiving a fair price for their wares.

Fair trade supports local farmers who are able to take charge of their own harvests by having direct contracts with international buyers. By receiving a fair price, these farmers can get the money they need to get education and health care for their families and to sustain their environment.

Farmers Selling Coffee Beans For Fair Prices

By trading with farmers instead of simply aiding them, they can maintain autonomy and develop their businesses on their own. Some of these farmers develop businesses that deal with coffee beans and sell them to companies for fair prices, resulting in organic fair trade coffee for us to drink.

Intuitively it’s better to purchase organic fair trade coffee than coffee made from coffee beans purchased unfairly from exploited farmers. But sometimes it’s hard to be involved with the issues of organic products and fair labor practices when we’re so far removed from them.

Organic Certification Of Food

It’s admirable to make the switch to organic products, but it’s almost like organic is becoming another fad, and the cause doesn’t go far beyond buying things just because they have the word “organic” on them.

You might buy products from stores or eat from restaurants advertising their food as organic, but if you ask them for specific details about the origins of their products, they don’t always have an answer. So how do we really know what’s going on during the delivery process of the products we consume?

Price Of Organic Food Products

Stepping away from the soap box, a practical concern regarding organic products is price. Some customers are reluctant to buy organic products because they’re more expensive. But it’s interesting to consider why non-organic products are so cheap—it probably says something about the quality that’s easier to not think about.

In the end, if a cup of organic fair trade coffee has a better chance of promoting human and environmental causes, it seems like a good idea to choose it over a normal cup. Wagering organic coffee beans for that likelihood, that’s probably what Pascal would say.

Shopping For Organic Coffee

There are not many places selling organic fair trade coffee. I have seen organic fair trade chocolate being sold at some supermarkets, quite often on the top shelf, and you have to search for it.

Some specialty coffee shops sell organic fair trade coffee beans, but most often you have to place a special request for it. My specialty coffee shop always has some for me, cause they know I will buy it at least once a month.

Buying Quality Organic Food

As I always buy organic food from the health food store around the corner, I am not fazed by the slightly higher price for organic food, as I know I will be getting quality food. The health food store is rather large, has a number of cashiers and has plenty of organic food, including fresh fruit and vegetables.

When making my coffee in the morning, I know I am helping farmers in poor countries, by purchasing organic fair trade coffee.

About The Author:
John Cranby is a popular author on cooking. His other articles include Books for Cooks, Cake Decorating Supplies, Anniversary Gift Baskets, Virginia Peanuts, Herbal Teas, Coffee Houses, Peanuts, Salt Water Taffy, Pumpkin Seeds, Casserole Recipes, Milk Chocolate Candy, Make Chocolate Truffles.
Keep a lookout for more of his articles on this site.

Did You Know?

What are the kitchen basics I need?
Kitchen basics that every kitchen should have are pots and pans (in a variety of sizes), measuring cups, measuring spoons, mixing bowls and an assortment of kitchen gadgets that make life easier.

One of these gadgets is a can opener. Being forced to saw off the bottom of a can could take a little of the fervor away from cooking. Also consider keeping whisks, spatulas and tongs as part of your cooking basics.

Another item basic that is used often is a drainer/strainer. These can come in the form of bowls or be part of a boiling pan set. It is used to drain spaghetti water from the pasta or can be used for anything similar.