Home | WebMail |

      Calgary | Regions | Local Traffic Report | Advertise on Action News | Contact

Posted: 2024-03-05T10:45:18Z | Updated: 2024-03-05T10:45:18Z These Fair Trade Coffees Will Make You Feel Better About Your Caffeine Fix | HuffPost Life

These Fair Trade Coffees Will Make You Feel Better About Your Caffeine Fix

It's easier than you think to get more responsibly sourced coffee -- it's on Amazon.
Open Image Modal
Amazon
Bones Coffee Company single origin coffee and Death Wish Coffee Co. in medium roast.

If you saw the recent news about a major coffee chain being sued by a consumer advocacy group for alleged false advertising about their sourcing practices, you may find yourself on the hunt for more transparently-sourced coffee beans. 

Luckily, there are plenty of coffee companies and roasters out there making an effort to be socially responsible with their brews several of which you can find on Amazon , a place youre probably already frequenting for just about all of your consumer needs.  

If youre wondering exactly what sets these beans apart, know that they are certified by organizations like Fairtrade International , Fair Trade USA or the Rainforest Alliance  that uphold a strict set of standards and guidelines for doing business. These rules are designed to protect the environment, create transparency within supply chains and promote livable and fair wages and working conditions for vulnerable working communities.

Feel more confident about your morning cup of java by shopping the selection of highly rated fair trade coffee in the list ahead. Each one bears the certification from one of the above mentioned organizations and are all conveniently available on Amazon. 

HuffPost and its publishing partners may receive a commission from some purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently curated by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.

1
A popular roast with four ethical certifications
Founded in 2012, Death Wish Coffee offers a variety of bold-flavors from their rich dark roast featuring hints of chocolate and cherry to their blueberry and vanilla flavored coffee. Death Wish's beans are certified USDA organic and have been Fair Trade certified for sustainable farming practices, worker well-being and for using materials harvested from responsibly managed forests. These are pre-ground beans ready to be used in your standard brewers or pour-over coffee makers, however Death Wish has a selection of whole beans and K-Cups as well.
2
Traceable and seasonably sourced coffee
Ethical Bean Coffee prides itself on using beans that are not only Fairtrade International-certified, but are seasonally sourced to help preserve biodiversity of the environment and can be fully traced from harvest to cup using the QR code on the back of each package. These organic whole beans come in six different roasts, including an option for espresso, and have a total of five different sustainability features including worker well-being and responsible farming.
3
A carbon-negative coffee
Available in roasts from both Nicaragua and Peru, as well as brew specifically for cold press coffee preparation, the Tiny Footprint Coffee company plants 54 pounds worth of carbon-sucking trees for every four pounds of carbon it takes them to grow coffee. This carbon-negative and organic brand is also Fair Trade certified and works closely with reforestation efforts along the Northwestern Andes of Ecuador.
4
A single-origin coffee in tons of fun flavors
What you can expect from the Bones Coffee Company is a never-ending selection of flavor profiles that range from fruity cereal to maple bacon. But for the less adventurous coffee drinkers among us, their line of single-origin beans hail from regions like Ethiopia, Sumatra and Costa Rica in classic roasts boasting bold delicious taste. The company sources all their beans from farms that have been certified by the Rainforest Alliance , an international organization dedicated to protect the environment and farming communities.
5
A gut-healthy coffee
Four Sigmatic harnesses the supposed benefits of probiotics and mushrooms to craft an organic coffee that promises to support gut health. Their blends include various mushrooms like turkey tail, chaga and lion's mane, but don't worry, the company claims you won't taste them at all. Their organic beans are all Fair Trade certified and manufactured on responsibly managed farms that protect the rights and interest of their workers.
6
A certified specialty coffee
Certified by Fair Trade USA, Jo Coffee sources only speciality Arabica coffee beans that also happen to be Kosher and organic. Roasts like their popular Wild Jo offer an intense flavor with notes of dark cocoa and dark brown sugar, though they offer lighter and medium flavors as well. Grab their coffee in whole beans, grounds and pods compatible with your Nespresso or Keurig.
7
An instant coffee with four sustainable features
Mount Hagen specializes in instant coffee that's been freeze-dried to seal in freshness, aroma and rich coffee taste. This organic coffee is certified by Fairtrade International on four different qualifications including worker well-being, biodiversity and for sourcing materials using sustainable practices both for forestry and farming.
8
A Black-owned coffee brand
Co-founded by friends Pernell Cezar and Rod Johnson, Blk&Bold coffee is a Black-owned coffee brand that is certified by Fair Trade USA and is also Certified B Corporation , meaning it's a business that's been proven to demonstrate high social and environmental performance. Blk&Bold offers a few different roasts and blends on Amazon, like their popular Rise & Grnd which is a medium roast bursting with nutty, caramel flavor.
9
An antioxidant-loaded coffee
This organic, single-origin and Fair Trade USA-certified coffee is grown in the Guatemalan Highlands. According to the company, this higher elevation grows a bean that's higher in antioxidants and better quality. These 100% Arabica beans are available in both dark and medium roasts as well as decaf.
10
An organic Kosher coffee
Shop Kicking Horse Coffee's selection of blends like this medium roast with notes of stone fruit and cocaor their sweet and smoky dark roast. No matter what you choose, rest assured that this organic and Kosher coffee brand uses Fairtrade International-certified beans that meet four of the organization's standards like worker well-being and material harvesting that supports biodiversity and a healthy ecosystem.
11
A familiar fair trade coffee
You may have seen the caffeinated offerings of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters at your local grocery store or major retailer but as it turns out, this company bears a Fair Trade USA certification for the brand's efforts to promote worker well-being and sustainable farming and forestry practices. Available in whole and ground beans as well as K-Cups, you can choose from several classic and flavored blends and roasts.

Before You Go

According To Baristas And Coffee Snobs, These At-Home Coffee Tools Are Worth It
Twelve mineral packets for ideal brewing water(01 of11)
Open Image Modal
Drew Frohn, a wholesale manager and coffee educator for Coava Coffee Roasters , told HuffPost that a good cup of coffee starts with the quality of water you use. After all, a cup of coffee is 98% water, and if it doesn't taste right, your brew won't either.

"Factors such as hardness level (ideally not too soft or hard) and levels of solubles (such as minerals like calcium and magnesium) also affect the way your coffee extracts and ultimately tastes," Frohn said.

If you don't have access to a water filtering system, he suggests these pre-dosed packets of minerals by Third Wave Water that can be dissolved into distilled water to create the ideal brewing water. Available in three different roast profiles as well as an option just for espresso, these pre-brewing water-additives can help you achieve a consistent and optimum flavor extraction from your beans and also protect your coffee maker from limescale buildup.
(credit:Third Wave Water)
An entry-level grinder recommended by every single one of our experts(02 of11)
Open Image Modal
Frohn, along with Jordan G.L. Hardin, director of food and beverage at Alfred Coffee , and Sumi Ali, co-founder of Yes Plz Coffee , all agree that when it comes to coffee grinders, the Baratza Encore burr-style coffee grinder is simply the best.

According to Frohn, who has used his own Baratza Encore for over eight years, it has remained a popular entry-level grinder for years due to its simplicity, durability and quality all in one relatively affordable package.

"They are built well and do a great job at creating even-sized grounds," Ali said, while Hardin added that burr grinders like the Baratza are the best time-tested choice, especially if you want the ease of an electronic grinder. This commercial grade grinder allows you to create grounds that fit an extensive range of brewing options, whether you're making coffee with a French press, an espresso machine or a classic pour-over.
(credit:Amazon)
A digital coffee scale(03 of11)
Open Image Modal
If you ask Frohn, tablespoons and scoops don't cut it anymore. To achieve a better, more consistent brew, measuring your coffee dose and brewing water is key.

"While any accurate digital kitchen scale that measures in grams will do the job, higher-end models like the Timemore coffee scale and Acaia Pearl are specifically engineered for coffee brewing and include built-in timers and other useful functions," he said.

Constructed from a durable acrylic material and outfitted with high-precision sensors that accurately measure both liquids and solids, this ultra compact kitchen scale is suitable for all of your coffee-measuring (and food-making) needs.
(credit:Amazon)
A classic pour-over brewer(04 of11)
Open Image Modal
Hardin said that pour-over coffee making was his go-to coffee preparation for years a method that involves pouring hot water over coffee grounds using simply designed manual brewers such as the Chemex pour-over coffee maker.

A "perennial" choice of both Hardin and Ali, the Chemex is made from a non-porous borosilicate glass that won't absorb odors or residues, is dishwasher-safe and can be refrigerated for reheating without losing flavor.

Hardin reminded us that there is some technique involved when it comes to pour-over coffee making, particularly how long you "bloom" the coffee (release the gases), what pouring pattern you're using, how quickly you pour and how much water you use. "You can find hundreds of videos to help with this," he said.
(credit:Amazon)
A universally-adored pour-over kit(05 of11)
Open Image Modal
Another option for pour-over coffee is the Kalita Wave brewing system, which was suggested by both Hardin and Frohn.

"The Kalita Wave 185 brewer is a classic, flat-bottomed brewer that is forgiving and beginner-friendly and favored by top-level cafes worldwide," Frohn said, adding that the brand offers handy brew kits like these to make starting off your at-home java journey a little more convenient.

Using a patented wave filter and a glass dripper featuring three small extraction holes, the Kalita Wave pulls rich, evenly extracted coffee, two to four cups at a time. The kit also comes with a coffee journal so you can log the ratios and measurements that make your favorite brew.
(credit:Amazon)
An electric gooseneck kettle(06 of11)
Open Image Modal
As mentioned earlier, pour-over coffee making requires hot water, and both Hardin and Frohn suggested this electric gooseneck kettle by Fellow for achieving the perfect temperature and pour technique.

"The ever-popular Fellow Stagg EKG offers excellent temperature control, amongst other features, and looks great on your counter to boot," Frohn said of this sleek kettle that's made with a quick-heating element and comes in seven colors and hardware finishes.

The LCD screen allows you to easily set your desired water temperature to the exact degree, and it has a built-in brew stopwatch to time your extraction while your coffee is brewing.
(credit:Amazon)
A precision thermal brewer(07 of11)
Open Image Modal
When it comes to the automatic thermal coffee making that you're probably most familiar with, the Precision Brewer from Breville, a trusted brand favored by all of the coffee experts we spoke to, was recommended by both Ali and Hardin.

"[It] does a great job of brewing at hot enough temperatures to make a balanced cup while not brewing too fast or too slow a flaw I find in most other automatic machines, which can lead to inconsistent results," Ali said.

According to Hardin, this "bells-and-whistles" machine provides him with all sorts of options for dialing in his brew, from different strength settings to cone or basket filter brewing options, over-ice and even slow drip settings, an auto-start feature and even the ability to calibrate his own cup with bloom time, drip timing and more.
(credit:Amazon)
A trusted Breville espresso machine(08 of11)
Open Image Modal
"I would warn anyone in the market for a home-espresso maker to be cautious and to understand that it will take some patience and dedication (and a pretty penny) to really get great espresso and espresso-drinks out of a home system. But for my money, the Breville series of home espresso machines are really the most bang for your buck," Hardin said.

One of the models he suggested is the Breville Barista Pro, one of the more affordable full-service options on his list that possesses valuable integrated elements such as a grinder, tamper, boiler and temperature control, and a steam wand for creating frothy milks. This brushed stainless steel machine promises a barista-level performance and perfectly extracted flavor in each brew.
(credit:Amazon)
A timeless thermal brewer(09 of11)
Open Image Modal
Another thermal drip brewer suggested by both Hardin and Frohn is the Technivorm Moccamaster, a timeless and incredibly good-looking machine that Hardin referred to as "a showstopper."

"This Dutch classic, pioneered in the '60s, comes in a range of colors, carafes, and sizes," Hardin said of the Moccamaster, which features a manual-adjust brew basket that allows you to customize your coffee along with a system that's been engineered to extract the maximum amount of flavor from your grounds.
(credit:Amazon)
A reliable French press(10 of11)
Open Image Modal
Ali considers the Bodum Chambord coffee maker to be a reliable French press, a coffee brewing device with origins dating back to 1852 that uses pressure to capture concentrated coffee flavors.

Available in four sizes and three finishes, this Danish-crafted press features stainless steel pieces and a borosilicate glass beaker that can withstand high temperatures.
(credit:Amazon)
An affordable three-in-one coffee press(11 of11)
Open Image Modal
As a bonus option, Frohn said to consider the Aeropress , a hybrid filter, immersion and press brewer that travels well and offers seemingly endless options for recipe customization. This affordable system combines the pressure elements of a French press with agitation and micro-filtration to create quickly aerated and perfectly smooth coffee, without bitterness and acidity or any pesky grinds floating in your cup. (credit:Amazon)

HuffPost Shoppings Best Finds

MORE IN SHOPPING