Fair Trade Coffee - Feel Good About Your Morning Cup

Fair trade coffee is coffee that is bought from coffee farmers at a higher than standard wage. This means that the coffee farmers are being justly compensated for their coffee harvest. It is a market-based system that helps coffee producers in developing countries sell their goods to developed countries.
Coffee farmers join coffee cooperatives with other local farmers who produce coffee. The coops then guarantee that the farmers receive a minimum wage for their product. If market prices surpass the minimum wage, the growers receive a premium per pound price. Little by little, the coffee farmers in developing countries lives have been positively changed by fair trade.
The main purpose of the fair trade coops is to provide farmers and their families with better economic incentives, shelter, food and comfortable working conditions. The communities are able to provide education and health care to the farmers and their families. Each community allocates the funds in a way that they see fit. A way that advances and improves the quality of life in their community. New infrastructure, medical care, education and advancement against poverty in these poor nations has emerged because of the help that has come from the people of developed countries.

In the 1940's, fair trade began when a few socially aware organizations in North America and Europe decided to help some poverty-stricken areas sell their goods. The organization would help them by finding a better and richer market in which to sell their products. In the global market today, when we as consumers purchase this type of coffee, tea, vegetables, fruits and other products, we can continue to move forward trading fairly with initiatives to sustain the environment and alleviate the exploitation of poverty-stricken communities in the world.
Fair Trade USA, a nonprofit organization, certifies products in the United States for fair trade. They provide the farmers with a market-based system that allows healthy working conditions, fair prices and resources for sustainable lives. This organization continues to work to heighten consumer awareness and dismiss exploitation. They strive to give the farmers the tools to become international business people.
Before trading in a fair manner came into existence, coffee farmers around the world battled conditions that put their land and farms in jeopardy, in order to make a living,. They dealt with agricultural procedures that harmed the ecosystem. Many of them lost their land to big coffee companies that were not paying them a fair wage. Then, in turn, the companies would hire them back at a ridiculous wage to farm on what had been their land. Today, fair trade not only ensures a fair minimum wage to the coffee producers, it works with them on reforestation, water conservation, financial incentives and environmental education.

Fair Trade wages allow coffee farmers a way to keep their farms for generations to come. The farmers are educated with new techniques to sustain and grow their farms and their community. The men and women who grow Fair Trade certified items benefit and the buyers of fair trade coffee can rest assured that their purchase is helping farmers across the world.

Cheyl L. Loeffler is dedicated to helping coffee farmers around the world receive fair prices and educating consumers about the benefits of organic fair trade coffee. To obtain more information and to get tips of making a great cup of coffee please visit: http://organicfairtradecoffeewithkc.com/

Gourmet Coffee Clubs - Select Expertly Roasted Coffees Delivered to You Or As a Gift to Enjoy

A Coffee Club membership might be great to explore gourmet coffees, or as a gift idea for the coffee lover on your list.
Some information about coffee clubs
Coffee clubs bring gourmet coffee delivered fresh to you and they have some advantages. There are some great home delivery clubs available when you know what to look for, and I'll tell you bit more about how they work.
First, you will sign up (or sign up your friend or family member as a gift). Most coffee clubs include some sort of bonus when you sign up. Find one that has options you'll enjoy. You will choose the coffees you want, tell them how often to deliver, and get the coffee through an automatic charge on your credit card. Then wait for the coffees to be delivered to your door, for you to brew in your favorite coffee maker.
If you're not sure whether you'll use all of the coffee each month, you should look for a club that allows you to change how often deliveries are made. Not everyone drinks the same amount of coffee, and a monthly delivery might be too frequent for you.
You should also be able to change the coffees you want. Your tastes may change, or you may decide that you're tired of the particular coffees you're to receive and want to try something different next month. Be sure you know how you can cancel your membership, and any minimum length of membership.
Choosing the Right Coffee Club
The right coffee membership club is one that has the coffees you want, and the price should fit your budget. Look for a club that offers a broad selection of quality gourmet coffees. Then look at the terms, to make sure that you understand what you're signing up for, and how you can stop the club if you want to do so.
Here are several home coffee membership clubs that you may want to consider.
The Green Mountain Coffee Cafe EXPRESS Coffee Membership Club
Green Mountain Coffee offers their Cafe Express Club. With Green Mountain, you can be assured of a great selection of coffees (including organic and fair trade) as whole beans, ground coffee or in K-Cups for the Keurig brewers.
Peet's Coffee & Tea Peetniks
Peet's is where gourmet coffee brewing started in the USA. Although more people know about Starbucks than Peet's, Starbucks owes its start in large part to Albert Peet, the immigrant from Amsterdam who decided that coffee in America had a lot of room for improvement and did something about it. Peet's built its reputation on roasting quality coffees, especially darker roasts. The Peetniks Club, which is what they call the Peet's membership club, offers you coffee roasted and shipped on the day of your choosing.
Community Coffee
Rivaling Peet's as the other originator of gourmet coffee in the U.S., Community Coffee has been brewing a rich coffee known as the taste of the south. Community Coffee is now the largest family-owned retail coffee brand in the U.S.
Buying Community Coffee online is the best way to enjoy this distinctively rich coffee unless you live in or visit Louisiana. The Saurage family has been brewing this coffee since 1919, and they apply their generations of roasting experience to produce full-bodied yet smooth flavor.

These are some of my favorite coffee home delivery clubs. You can learn more about coffee clubs at this Coffee Club Comparison Page

DJ Toman is a lawyer and coffee enthusiast living in Greensboro, North Carolina. He is the author of http://www.CoffeeDaydreams.com, a site dedicated to gourmet coffee and choosing the best coffee makers. Even beginners get helpful tips about how to brew and enjoy the coffee of their dreams, for a lifelong adventure exploring specialty coffee. You'll also find great coffee gift ideas, to find just the right gift or to place on your own wish list.

Virus Threatens Coffee Drinkers Worldwide

There is a dangerous virus circulating among the coffee drinking community. The extent of this threat is unquantifiable but the grand masters of the coffee world fear its virulence and impact. Some believe that H1N1, HIV and SARS are kindergarten compared to this virus. It is known as the word "eXpresso".
Don't let this 8 letter word fool you. As harmless as it may appear when shouted across the serving counter in an uptown Starbucks store, it has the potential to damage hundreds of years of civilisation. Just imagine...would we have had the renaissance if 15thCentury Europeans had become the laughing stock of the world by calling out for an "eXpresso" while watching slaves succumb to lions in the arena? I think not!
Then just think about the impact of that subtle "X" sliming its way into the place of the "S's in other words. Would we stand for "aXshole"? I mean try saying that to a driver who has just cut you off in rush hour traffic and not get stopped for suspected "driving under the influence!" What would Hollywood say about an Oscar for "Best ActreXs" and I just don't think CNN reporters would get their tongues around "congreXsman caught with claXsified doXsier on nuclear fiXsion expreXses sadneXs at thoughtleXs action" Ridiculous isn't it?
So why do we accept it down at the coffee shop? It's time we said NO! It is time we made a stand and beat back this evil infection. Parents should be compelled to add the word "espresso" to the ABC's and harsh jail terms without the option of a fine should automatically be handed down to trangreXsors... er...transgressors of the correct pronunciation.
It's up to the healthy and immune in our coffee community to lead the fight...and that means that the barista behind the coffee machine needs to be firm and politely retort "I'm sorry Sir, we don't serve eXpresso here, may I suggest an espresso?" That's the cue for the store manager to call in a containment squad from the Centre for Disease Control... it's the only humane thing to do. One customer less, but a brighter future for our civilisation!
This article is written by http://www.frontiercoffee.co.za and may be freely distributed on condition that the author is acknowledged with the article

Steve Giddings

Improving Coffee Quality Through Coffee Certifications

What is all the talk about Organic, Fairtrade Certified and other Coffee Certifications?
There is much talk about coffee certifications in the news and other consumer communications.What does it all really mean?The Certifications or Verifications are mission statements for specific markets and countries that influence the coffee farming communities and cultures. Some of these Certifications or Verifications date back to 19th century practices while others started in 2003. To understand these certifications, let us review each of them:
1. Organic

• The mission of Organic Coffee production is to create a verified sustainable agriculture system that produces food in harmony with nature, supports biodiversity and enhances soil health.
• "Organic" certification traces back to 19th century practices formulated in England, India and the US.
• Since 1967 it has developed into an internationally recognized system with organic coffee production throughout the world.
• This certification has more than 40 nations supplying the global market with organic coffee, more than any other certification.

2. Fairtrade Certified

• The mission of Fairtrade Certified is to support a better life for farming families in the developing world through fair prices, direct trade, community development and environmental stewardship.
• Fairtrade Certified began as Max Havelaar in the Netherlands in the 1970's.
• Now the German-based Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) collaborates with more than twenty national branches throughout the world. In addition, the coffee is also certified organic.Prices vary by coffee type.
• This certification has participation from countries such as Bolivia, Brazil, Cameroon, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Papua, New Guinea, Peru, Rwanda, Tanzania, Thailand, and Uganda.

3. Rainforest Alliance

• The mission of Rainforest Alliance is to integrate biodiversity conservation, community development, workers' rights and productive agricultural practices.
• The objective is to ensure comprehensive sustainable farm management.
• Rainforest Alliance was started in 1992 by Rainforest Alliance and a coalition of Latin American groups and networks.
• Farmers earn more through gains in efficiency, improved quality and controlling costs.
• This certification has representation from countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Tanzania and Vietnam.

4. Smithsonian's Bird Friendly Label

• The mission of Smithsonian's Bird Friendly labeled certified coffee is to conduct research and education around issues of neotropical migratory bird populations.
• This means promoting certified shade grown coffee as a viable supplemental habitat for birds and other organisms.
• This certification was founded in 1997 with criteria based on scientific fieldwork.
• It involves multiple organic certification agencies for certification management purposes.
• This certification has representation from countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Tanzania, and Vietnam.

5. UTZ Certified "Good Inside"

• The mission of UTZ Certified "Good Inside" is to achieve sustainable agricultural supply chains where producers are professionals implementing good practices in order to enable better businesses, living standards and environments.
• The idea is for consumers to buy products meeting their standard for social and environmental responsibility.
• This certification was started in 1997 from industry and producers in Guatemala.
• This certification has representation from countries such as Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Colombia, Bolivia, Birundi, Brazil, Peru, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, India, Indonesia and Vietnam.

6. 4C Code of Conduct
The mission of 4C Common Code is to achieve global leadership by emphasizing the economic, social and environmental factors in coffee growing.

• This leads to enhanced production, processing and trading conditions for coffee sector members. It was started in 2003.
• This certification has representation from countries such as Brazil, Cameroon, Colombia, Ivory Coast, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, Nicaragua, Papua, New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Vietnam, and Zambia.

The coffee trade is an important sector of the economy worldwide. All these certifications and the focus on quality across all markets are very beneficial to coffee growers, producers and consumers alike. Bottom line, all the efforts lead to providing the best possible coffee for that enjoyable and unforgettable cup of coffee in the morning or afternoon! So, are you now ready to enjoy a cup of specialty coffee?

Timothy ("Tim") S. Collins, the author, is called by those who know him "Gourmet Coffee Guy." He is an expert in article writing who has done extensive research online and offline in his area of expertise, coffee marketing, as well as in other areas of personal and professional interest.