5 Fair Trade Espresso Picks for Cozy Mornings
There’s nothing quite like a fresh, hot cup of joe in the morning. But if you’re like many conscious coffee lovers, you might wonder where your espresso beans came from before they ended up in your mug.
What is Fair Trade Espresso? Why Does it Matter?
Unfortunately, the coffee bean industry is known to be one of the largest sites of forced labor across the globe. Child labor in coffee production has routinely been identified in multiple countries, including Uganda, Honduras, as well as Mexico, to name a few. In regions where coffee is produced, forced labor rates are higher and also school enrollment rates are lower.
It’s a harrowing reality that has landed major coffee retailers like Starbucks in hot water, as investigations have revealed that many major supply chains rely on labor from children under 13 years of age. Many of these workers face exposure to dangerous pesticides and chemicals, which can contribute to lifelong health concerns.
So, by choosing to buy fair trade espresso – particularly from brands that are Fair Trade Certified – you can show your support for manufacturers that treat laborers ethically. We’ve chosen fair trade espresso picks from brands that employ fair trade practices and are committed to changing the industry for the better.
Top 5 Fair Trade Espresso Finds: How We Chose
As we hunted for the best fair trade espresso options on the market, we wanted to ensure we only selected products we believed in. To achieve that, we made sure each of our finds ticks the right boxes:
- Is it espresso? This one goes without saying. While we were happy to see many fair trade coffee grounds and beans available, we specifically searched for espresso-based products.
- Is it Fair Trade Certified? While not all of our finds come from companies that are Fair Trade Certified, they are all produced using ethical (and fair) labor practices.
- Is it sustainably grown and manufactured? We gave extra consideration to products produced using sustainable practices and brands that dedicate resources to environmental protection or preservation.
Our Picks
All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the author and DGHQ editors. However, Do Good HQ may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.
1. Cafédirect Familia Espresso
| Certifications | Certified B Corp, Fairtrade (UK), certified organic |
| Size | 200g |
| Price at Publishing | £4.50 for 1 pack, or approx. $6.00 |
It’s hard to get better than these fair trade whole espresso beans from Cafédirect, a leader in the ethical coffee space. For over 30 years, the people at Cafédirect have built long-term partnerships with local farmers and growers, earning itself a reputation as a company that truly improves the lives it touches.
Highlights
The Familia Espresso roast is warm, sweet, and oh-so-smooth, with hints of caramel and vanilla. As its name implies, this espresso is grown by families, for families – all beans are grown by smallholder family farms and blended with 100% specialty Arabic beans to give them a full-bodied, rich flavor.
Things to Consider
Cafédirect is a UK-based brand, which means shoppers outside the UK will need to stick to online purchases to get their fix. Nonetheless, there are several retailers that carry Cafédirect’s products.
2. Equal Exchange Organic Espresso Coffee
| Certifications | USDA Certified Organic |
| Size | 5lb bag |
| Price at Publishing | $58.00 |
Equal Exchange has been practicing all things fair and honest for decades. As a worker-owned business, they exemplify how trading food and goods can empower everyone involved. The brand’s organic fair trade espresso brings those values to life.
Highlights
Worker-owner teams in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, roast each batch of espresso from Equal Exchange slowly and carefully. This brew is a standout with its unique notes of plum, butter, apple as well as mixed berries.
Things to Consider
When you invest in these espresso beans, you’ll be getting a lot of bang for your buck – literally. These beans only come in 5 lb bags, which means the price tag is on the higher side.
3. Equator Coffees Jaguar Fair Trade Organic Espresso
| Certifications | Fair Trade, USDA Certified Organic, Certified B Corp |
| Size | 12 oz (2lb and 5lb bags available) |
| Price at Publishing | $18.00 |
Equator Coffees has a simple mission: create good coffee while building a better planet. The brand achieves just that with its organic espresso options. As a matter of fact, it’s the small-scale farms that work directly with Equator that grow them producing innovative brews.
Highlights
The Jaguar blend combines coffee from Latin America, Indonesia, as well as East Africa to create a new-world approach to traditional espresso. This blend, in particular, is the darkest espresso that Equator offers. Bright flavors like apricot and warm notes of chocolate as well as hazelnut balances things out.
Things to Consider
Found a brew that you’ve fallen in love with? Join Equator Coffees’ subscribe and save program to get your favorite espresso shipped right to your door on a regular basis. You’ll save some money on each order, too!
4. Grounds for Change Classic Espresso
| Certifications | Fair Trade, USDA Certified Organic, Certf=ified B Corp |
| Size | 12 oz (2lb and 5lb bags available) |
| Price at Publishing | $15.75 |
Grounds for Change has kept it simple with its classic fair trade coffee blends. This family-owned and operated business works hard to source bird-friendly as well as ethically-produced beans for each of its batches.
Highlights
This espresso blend is the perfect base for a latte or cappuccino, with hints of toasted almonds, cocoa, butterscotch, and fruit. Additionally, they roast each batch to order and ship it fresh daily.
Things to Consider
Grounds for Change has plenty to offer beyond coffee beans – it also hosts a coffee of the month club and wholesale program. However, you don’t get the option to subscribe and save with your purchases, which might make getting this coffee on a regular basis a bit tricky.
5. Next Best Thing: Peace Coffee Black Squirrel Espresso Blend
| Certifications | Certified B Corp, Fair Trade, USDA Certified Organic |
| Size | 12 oz (5lb bags available) |
| Price at Publishing | $16 |
While it’s technically an organic espresso blend, not a pure espresso product, this pick from Peace Coffee has undoubtedly earned its spot on our list.
Highlights
We love seeing that this espresso blend uses shade-grown beans. This means they have a lower impact on the forests and wildlife (particularly birds) they’re grown in. This is also a low-acid coffee, meaning it’s gentler on your stomach than many other options.
Things to Consider
If whole beans aren’t your thing, no problem – Peace Coffee offers the same blend in a fine, coarse, and extra-coarse ground version so that you can easily access what you need. You can also subscribe to save 15% on each order of coffee!
How to Choose the Best Fair Trade Espresso
All in all, choosing your favorite espresso – or any kind of coffee – is a personal decision. Your tastes, preferences, and lifestyle will likely dictate which option is best for you.
We recommend choosing something that not only sounds delicious but also fits your budget. After all, the best way to make a difference is to commit to a long-term behavior change.
That means it’s worth it to discover a product that you’re truly in love with and that won’t break the bank. You can’t go wrong with any of the picks on this list, though – so get out there and start sipping!
Featured image via Peace Coffee
