3 Questions a Coffee Roaster Should Ask About Traceability When Buying Green Coffee

As a coffee roaster, it's important to ensure that the coffee you are buying  is high quality and grown sustainably and ethically. One way to ensure this is through traceability, which allows you to track the coffee's journey from the farm to your roastery. By asking the right questions about traceability, you can make informed decisions and promote transparency in the coffee supply chain. 

Here are 3 questions to ask when sourcing green coffee:

1. Who grew the coffee & where was it grown?

Knowing where and by whom coffee was grown is an essential aspect of traceability. This goes beyond the country of origin. By knowing the region, township/village, farm, and farmer who grew the coffee, you can better understand the unique perspective, environment, and social climate the coffee was grown in.

This is just the first step to establishing direct relationships with the coffee farmers and cooperatives in the region, which can ensure fair prices and support sustainable practices.

2. How was the coffee harvested and processed?

The way coffee is harvested and processed can affect its flavor and quality. Understanding how the coffee was harvested and processed can also provide insights into the sustainability and ethics of the farming practices used.

Tracing the coffee is part of the equation. Once it’s been traced, it’s important to understand the farming practices behind the coffee. 

3. What certifications or third-party verifications does the coffee have?

Certifications such as Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, Organic, and/or Bird Friendly can provide additional assurances of ethical and sustainable practices. However, no certification is perfect. It's important to note that these certifications don't always guarantee traceability. Who owns the certifications? Is it the producer, co-op, or exporter? How do certifications positively and sometimes negatively impact producers?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions about traceability or direct trade relationships and look for opportunities where you can actually go and visit the farms. 

Traceability is an essential aspect of transparency in the coffee industry. As a coffee roaster, asking the right questions about traceability can ensure that you're buying coffee that was grown sustainably and ethically, and that you're promoting transparency in the coffee supply chain. 

By establishing direct relationships with coffee farmers and cooperatives and seeking out third-party verifications of traceability, you can create a more personalized and responsible coffee experience for your customers while supporting sustainable and ethical practices in the coffee industry.