Go into any coffee shop today and you will be
typically be faced with a large menu board of different speciality
coffee drinks to suit your taste and pocket. Do you go for a
regular latte or a strong and bracing ristretto? A standard
cappuccino or an Americano? Perhaps some of the options you have
not yet experienced.
Many coffee houses and restaurants today offer coffees that have
been sourced from ethical sources, where care has been taken to
ensure the third world farmers and their families have not been
exploited, and that their basic human requirements including,
healthcare, accommodation and schooling has been provided for. In
addition many such ‘ethical’ coffees are produced in a way that
does not harm the environment and is farmed from sustainable
sources, including water and wildlife conservation.
Each of these organisations have a slightly different slant on
the subject and have their emphasis on different aspects of ethical
drinks. This might be the livelihood of the farm-workers, care of
the environment, traceability of supply, commitment to the future
etc.
There now appears to be an ever growing number of organisations
emerging promoting ethical sourced beverage products that it can be
difficult to keep up with them.
How do you know which to use? Fairtrade certified, Rainforest
Alliance, UTZ, Ethical Tea Partnership, The Cocoa Partnership, Max
Havelaar or even bird friendly coffee!
In general you pay slightly more for a genuinely ethically
sourced beverage, than the house coffee from ‘standard’ sources and
the degree of premium varies.
It is not just coffee of course, but tea, hot chocolate and many
cold drinks are now promoting themselves as ‘ethically sourced’
Look out for the official logo of these organisations promoting
ethical and sustainably sourced hot beverages and do your own due
diligence.
Perhaps take the time to Google the various organisations and
decide which best suits your own views.
Another thing to take into account is what criteria is used for
a given beverage ingredient to be approved. Fairtrade for example
insist that 100% of the ingredients are sourced from Fairtrade
approved official sources, but the Rainforest Alliance logo is
allowed to be placed on packaging of products where only a minimum
of 50% has been ethically sourced.
It can be a bit of a jungle out there, but all of the reputable
organisations do a fine job of promoting the awareness and support
of third would producers and care of the environment.
Make sure you always insist on ethically and sustainably
produced coffee and other hot beverages and enjoy your drink with a
clear conscience.
Written by Fenton Wayne - (Fenton Wayne is an independent advisor
in the coffee and vending trade where he has over 25 years
experience. This article has been submitted to and distributed
by www.submityourarticle.com)