When you buy your products at your local supermarket, have you ever thought about the process of producing them from the very start until the final stage that you are holding in your hand?
In order to make sure that all contributors from each stage get the fair benefits from it, especially the farmers, you need to check if the products fall under the fairtrade standard. It is also known as the most impartial and trustworthy business practice.
There are a number of fair trade products out there in the market, however, coffee is known as the most common fairtrade product. Products under fair trade are known to be in high-quality display under such reasonable price ranges.
Here are the best fair trade coffee in 2024 that you should explore if you are looking for getting quality goods.
Contents
List of The Best Fair Trade Coffee in 2024
12. Mount Hagen Organic Fair Trade
- Mount Hagen
- Instant
- Caffeinated
- Medium roast
- 3.53 Ounces
With the flavor traced back to Papua New Guinea, Mount Hagen coffee is a fairtrade coffee that you might need to fulfill your need in rich and flavorful cups of coffee.
The texture is freeze-dried that contains and captures all the original taste of fresh coffee beans to refine and refresh your mind in the morning.
The jar has up to 50 servings, enough to last you for months until the next purchase. It is, in fact, single-origin coffee that wins its reputation as the most trusted organic instant coffee under fair trade production.
What we like:
- Trustworthy company under fairtrade
- Single origin
- Large serving
What we don’t like:
- Might be a bit mild for some
11. Mayorga Organics Café Cubano Roast
- Mayorga
- Whole Bean
- Vanilla
- Dark roast
- Caffeinated
Mayorga provides a quality taste for their coffee beans. This particular model packs a hint of vanilla that will bring the best flavor out of each and every bean.
These Cuban-style dark roast whole beans have been slow-roasted so that all the natural oil from the beans and the flavor can be well reserved.
It is USDA Organic, Non-GMO Verified and contributes to environmental sustainability. Under the fair trade standard and great flavor, now you can enjoy your delicious cups of coffee knowing that you made a great impact on the planet and the farmers.
What we like:
- Non-GMO, good for health
- Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee, people are able to try without risk
- Organic and 100% arabica
What we don’t like:
- Not budget friendly
10. FRESH ROASTED COFFEE
- Freshly roasted
- Whole Bean
- Organic Drago
- Caffeinated
- Medium roast
Fresh Roasted is one among other fair trade coffee brands that are USDA and Kosher certified. Made with 100% arabica beans. The flavor possesses the scent and mild taste of lemon zest and rum that will fill every sip with deliciousness and aroma.
The medium roast is the best for those who are long for espresso and other coffee drinks as well. This single-origin, you are going to have refreshed mornings knowing that it is very healthy under fair trade certifications.
What we like:
- USDA organic
- No synthetic fertilizers that might cause health issues
- Reliable sourcing and trustworthy coffee company
What we don’t like:
- The scent might be too strong for some
BLK & Bold is a fair trade certified coffee that will simply brighten up your day with the approachable flavor that most people can have while having little effect on the environment and promoting sustainability. The flavor packs a punch of lemon, sweet caramel, smooth and nutty.
The medium roast is perfect for all types of brews, especially espresso. BLK & Bold is one of the fair trade coffee options that are reliable and stay true to their claims. The company itself also gives back to the community.
What we like:
- Fall under fair trade standards and trustworthy
- Budget friendly and organic coffee
- The packaging design is eye catching yet simple
What we don’t like:
- The flavor can be mild
8. Tiny Footprint Coffee
- Tiny Footprint Coffee
- Ground
- Dark Roast
- Chocolate
- Caffeinated
Made from 100% Organic Shade-Grown Arabica Coffee from Nicaragua and under the fair trade certification, Tiny Footprint Coffee will bring you one of the best dark roasts that you can easily get your hands on.
Under fair trade and single origin, all the members under the establishment will be able to gain the medical and living standard-improving benefits while also participating in the sustainability to protect the planet.
Tiny Footprint Coffee is also the first carbon-negative coffee, which makes it more environmentally friendly and protective. The flavor is such a nice bonus with a note of chocolate and spices.
What we like:
- Carbon negative, help reduce carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
- Sustainable packaging and organic coffee
- Gives back to the community under fair trade
What we don’t like
- A Little bit on the pricier side
7. AmazonFresh Organic Fair Trade
- AmazonFresh
- Ground
- Fair Trade Peru flavor
- Medium roast
- Caffeinated
AmazonFresh is a sustainable coffee brand under fair trade certification that promises to deliver the best flavor and quality of coffee. It is USDA Organic certified so that you can rest assured that your coffee is organic and healthy.
It is a roasted Peruvian coffee packed in the U.S. the medium roast is perfect for any type of brew, especially cold brew with a smooth finish. It also has a Satisfaction Guarantee so do not hesitate to try.
What we like:
- Reliable brand with sustainable production
- USDA Organic and fairtrade certified
- Approachable taste with just enough capacity
What we don’t like:
- Plastic packaging that is not so much environmental friendly
6. Kicking Horse Coffee
- Lavazza
- Ground
- Three Sisters flavor
- Medium Roast
- Caffeinated
Originating in Indonesia, Central and South America, Lavazza will bring you one of the best flavors that you need for a medium roast. With a hint of stone fruits and cacao, finishing off with a note of sweet tobacco, it is perfect for various brewing methods such as pour-over, dripping, cold brew and more.
Among many other fair trade coffee brands, Lavazza has its beans originating from the best places known for growing coffee so that drinkers will get to enjoy the best cups of coffee with the best quality under fairtrade.
What we like:
- Organic certification, Fairtrade, Kosher and shade grown coffee
- Approachable taste for everyone
- Sustainable and give back to the community with dependable coffee company
What we don’t like :
- Not single source and not budget friendly
5. Equal Exchange Organic Ground Coffee
- Equal Exchange
- Ground
- Breakfast Blend flavor
- Medium roast
- Caffeinated
Equal Exchange is one of the best fair trade coffee brands that had their coffee beans grown by small farmers. This also contributes to improving their lifestyles, funds and the community as a whole.
This classic medium-roast coffee spikes with a hint of sweet caramel and chocolate brownie that will instantly bless your soul in the morning with aroma and amazing taste.
The level of roast is perfect for any type of brews such as french press, cold brew, pour-over and more. It is Kosher and USDA organic certified which is not only good for your health but also pays off as a sustainable element under the fair trade movement.
What we like:
- Quality coffee under organic certifications
- Obtain sustainable relationships with small farmers
- Cooperative coffees
What we don’t like:
- Not sustainable packaging
4. Koffee Kult Coffee Beans
- Koffee Kult
- Whole Bean
- Gluten-Free
- Caramel Chocolate flavor
- Caffeinated
Koffee Kult is one of the fair trade coffee brands that has the origin of the most well-known coffee growing regions in the world which are Columbia, Guatemala and Sumatra. This dark roast coffee will hit you with a smooth, silky and rich flavor with a hint of cinnamon aroma.
The bitterness helps drinkers freshen up in the morning before starting their days for school or work. With the fair trade source and standard, all parties cooperating will be able to receive fair wages and benefits.
What we like:
- Sustainable packaging
- Fair trade certified
- Trustworthy coffee company
What we don’t like:
- The flavor might not be approachable
3. Join Top Shelf Grind Store
- Join Top Shelf Grind
- Whole Bean
- Liquid Gold flavor
- Light Roast
- Medium-High Caffeine
If you are looking for high-quality coffee under the status of sustainable coffee brands and fair trade coffee standards, Top Shelf Grind is exactly the one for you. With the 100% high-quality Arabica coffee beans from Peru, you can now brew the best cups of coffee at home before stepping to chaotic days at work or school.
It is USDA organic certified as well, which will assure you that every sip is healthy and full of flavor.
It is full of antioxidants that will allow you to enjoy the delicious taste while also absorbing all the health benefits that your body needs. Being a fair trade certified coffee, all the farmers are able to receive equal exchange and at the same time contribute to sustainability.
What we like:
- Fair trade certified
- Contains antioxidants which is so beneficial for drinkers
- Equal exchange, fair pay and sustainable
What we don’t like:
- The packaging is not sustainable
Coming at number two on the list, Jo Coffee is one of the best fair trade coffee that you can easily get your hands on. It is Kosher, USDA organic and fair trade certified, so now you can enjoy delicious cups of organic coffee while contributing to protecting the planet through sustainable and organic practices.
With a hint of sweet blueberry and milk chocolate aroma and flavor, you are dealing with the most refreshing taste of coffee among other fair trade coffee. With the satisfaction guarantee, you are now able to try this delicious coffee without risk.
What we like:
- Budget friendly
- Organic and sustainable
- Save money with the large capacity for large serving in such reasonable price range
What we don’t like:
- Panicking not sustainable and the decaf may not fuel enough energy
1. Wicked Joe Coffee Breakfast Blend Ground
- Wicked Joe Coffee
- Ground
- Breakfast Blend
- Medium roast
- 12 Ounces
Wicked Joe produces the best fair trade coffee beans and ground that deliver excellence in quality while being a certified fair trade. Wicked Joe can be known as one of the sustainable coffee brands that promote organic practices and fair wages under fair trade standards.
It lays under the certified B corporation. In the process of the coffee plantations, there was no GMO involved, making it healthy and organic. Using ethical methods, every coffee plant is grown on sustainable soil.
Buying guide for the Best Fair Trade Coffee in 2024
Sustainability
Sustainability is undeniably the most important key element behind fair trade. Since most people are more aware of climate change and what we can do to help reduce and prevent it in order to protect our planet with sustainable practices, fair trade coffee has become so appealing for coffee drinkers all over the world.
Most of the coffee plantations under fair trade standards are using sustainable practices without any issues or affecting the quality of the coffee. In fact, most of the coffee products associated with sustainable practices are organic and contain the most health benefits for drinkers.
It is important to associate sustainability with the products that are in high demand such as coffee that surely will make a great impact on the climate change issue and encourage both the users and suppliers to turn to the green path. Therefore, fair trade is the best way to keep sustainable coffee brands in check.
Organic certification
Organic certified coffee under fair trade is by far the most desirable product that most coffee drinkers are looking for. It provides the best health benefit in coffee for coffee lovers who are looking forward to enjoying tasty brew while also being able to absorb all the health benefits and contributing to sustainability and fair trade.
In order to make sure that coffee producers deliver true organic coffee to customers, there are certifications such as the USDA that require all coffee companies to operate under the clear and precise standard that have been put out to be followed.
By doing this, it creates a reliable platform for all customers to keep in check while the farmers on the other end can also enjoy the benefit from it under the fair trade regulations.
Affordability
There is a reason why coffee companies are reluctant to turn green or sustainable. Of course, mass production usually does not care about the worst-case scenario that can collectively create a huge impact on both the planet and the communities. Mass production is more affordable from the producer’s point of view.
That is the main reason why non-sustainable coffees are way cheaper than clean, sustainable and fair trade ones. However, please understand that you get what you pay for. Do not expect a great quality on cheaper and the one that has non-reliable sources.
Choosing fair trade coffee does not only bring you benefits but also maintain fair exchange for the small farmers on the other end. Choosing fair trade helps enhance life quality for the small farmers and family-owned coffee companies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is fair trade important?
Fairtrade provides fair prices for the farmers and small underrated family-owned companies. All parties involved, especially farmers, will receive the fair prices that they should deserve directly from the importers. Therefore, no inequality will be overlooked.
Moreover, with fair trade, when the importers are able to buy from the farmers directly without the distribution from the middlemen, they are able to receive the fairest price for their products. More importantly, under fair trade, the products will be organic without the use of harmful fertilizers and GMOs that are capable of causing serious health hazards.
Another amazing point is that, under fair trade, the labor forces are being treated fairly from the working condition to the wages. Illegal practices will be rigorously unacceptable in any type of form. This is such a generous way for hard labor workers to perform their works with the best quality possible.
Why is fair trade coffee more expensive?
Producing under fair trade is undeniably costly. Keep in mind that all parties are being paid reasonably and fairly, therefore coffee companies are required to spend more on productions than operating under the mass production ethic that will cost less but cost serious harm to farmers and smaller parties involved.
Furthermore, most of the fair trade coffee is organic top-tier products that demand extra attention in the cultivating process that is also in the form of sustainable agriculture. Being organic can also be viewed as the best beans that undergo the most ethical and reliable coffee production, thus it is the most looked up to product when it comes to coffee.
Conclusion
For the most part, fair trade coffee is the best coffee that we all should consider switching to for collective goods. Not only does it value the well-being of the small producers that usually get overlooked and discredited, it also makes sure that the quality of the coffee that we get is the best from a reliable and trustworthy source.
Moreover, it also keeps all the operations in check whether it can cause more damage to the environment or not. It promotes healthy sustainable plantations that will heavily contribute to protecting the environment and at the same time provide a healthy environment for the community.
Lastly, the customers are getting the best quality products knowing that the coffee they consume did not cause unnecessary harm to the party involved while also collectively partaking in the environmental preservation movement.
References
- Our Guide to Buying Ethical Coffee | Modern Farmer | Dan Nosowitz
- Fair Trade Coffee | Ground for Change
Check out this video on The perfect coffee – fair trade and sustainable by DW Documentary: