Sourcing the beans

Coffee roasters source beans through several main channels, focusing on quality, consistency, and ethical practices. Here’s a clear breakdown:

Direct Trade

  • Roasters buy straight from farmers or cooperatives.

  • They may visit farms, taste the coffee (cupping), and negotiate prices.

  • Builds long-term relationships and often ensures higher-quality beans.

Importers and Brokers

  • Middlemen who purchase coffee from multiple countries and sell it to roasters.

  • Useful for roasters who can’t source internationally themselves.

  • Roasters usually request samples to check quality before buying.

Cooperatives

  • Groups of farmers who sell their coffee collectively.

  • Provides larger, consistent lots and supports small-scale farmers.

Auctions

  • Some regions (like Ethiopia) hold specialty coffee auctions.

  • Roasters bid on lots after tasting samples.

  • Good for rare or high-quality beans.

Certifications & Sustainability

  • Ensures ethical sourcing and may affect pricing.

  • Many roasters prioritize Fair Trade, Organic, Rainforrest, Alliance, or Direct Trade beans.

Quality Assessment (Cupping)

  • Roasters taste-test beans for flavor, acidity, body, and defects.

  • Only the best beans are purchased for roasting.

Shipping & Import

  • Green (unroasted) beans are shipped to the roaster.

  • Roasters manage shipping method, storage, and customs.