The Spanish Army The Surrender of Juliers, 1634 Museo del Prado, Madrid

Coffee arrived in Cuba in 1748, introduced by the Spaniard Don Jose Gelabert, who planted seeds known today as "Typica." With the social revolution in Haiti at the end of the 18th century, came French emigrants who brought the knowlege of a refined coffee culture and the humid method of pulping the cherries. As a result Cuban coffee became the coffee of choice in Europe. Today that superior quality is maintained, with beans that are fragrant and full bodied. This is why Cuban's coffees are highly valued by Japanese and European tasters. Due to the U.S. embargo Canadians are not often given the opportunity to enjoy these fine coffees!

Cuban coffee is grown by cooperatives and then selected and marketed by government agencies. Instead of supporting U.S. multinationals, profits go back to the growers.

A coffee processing plant, preparing the beans for shipment.
This machine hulls the coffee beans.
The "skins" are then composted so as to replenish the soils.

From Their Shores to Our Shore

Our organic coffees are chosen from around the world for their consistency, taste, body, and with both the consumer and grower in mind. We import coffees the sale of which directly benefits the growers. Quite different from most multinational corporations (who keep most of the mark-up), the Fairly Traded principal seeks to reward those who actually grow the coffee beans. This helps people around the world to rely less on hand-outs, meaning they can live with more dignity. This also means smaller producers are more likely to care for their land and put their best into growing a superior bean. Better for the environment, better for their economies, and better for us. A win-win situation for them and us!


For those who really enjoy their cup of coffee, the type and geography of coffee do make a real difference. So does the way it is grown, roasted, and brewed! All our coffees are grown organically. This means the coffees have been grown and processed without the use of herbicides pesticides, or fertilizers. Superior farming practices - including the use of shade trees which hold the soils & help the wildlife - are required to grow organic coffee. This means that the soils are healthy, and thus offer all the minerals, vitamins (and taste!) that the coffee plant requires, and passes onto us.


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