Ignoring political rhetoric, we really are in this together, but as your direct trade coffee roasters, that is how we’ve always seen our relationship with our customers and our suppliers, especially our farmers. So we write to encourage us all as we face the challenge to adapt and re-open, and to say how can we help? As we take small steps back towards a new normal, please let us know.
When do you plan to open so we can be roasting and ready with your coffee?
Do you need help starting and setting up equipment again, particularly espresso machines and grinders?
Do you need new take-out supplies for increased off-site trade?
Or do you just need to talk to someone about business, life and have a virtual coffee and a friendly conversation?
We can do all of the above (and more)
Feeling, motivated, philosophical, and really thankful
We are in and out of the roastery most days but if you can’t get through to the office then try my mobile 07951 598846
We have been voted one of the UK’s best brands by independent retailers in the latest issue of Fine Food Digest. the magazine is read by independent delicatessens, farm shops, food halls and speciality food buyers. The best brand survey was created by asking buyers in farm shops, food halls and delis around the United Kingdom to name their top-selling lines. It was conducted during September, October and November 2019 via telephone conversations and email. Those products mentioned the most are the ones that appear in the lists are the ones most mentioned by the readers. There are a lot of ethical coffee companies out there so what makes us stand out from the crowd?
The article states:
The field of results reflected independent’s local preference. Lots of retailers are doing very well by working with local roasteries and plenty are developing their own bespoke blends to serve in store and sell in bags. Ethical Addictions has strong brand values in terms of sourcing and they clearly offer the right balance of quality, variety and ethics to get them noticed. That’s no mean feat given the veritable sea of beans and roasteries in the UK at the moment!
Our new coffee bags looking oh so good!
Our new stand-up pouches available now for all coffees:
> kraft paper outer
> one-way valve for freshness
> ziplock resealable strip
> new labels
One of our passions at home and overseas has always been to find affordable and practical ways to minimise our environmental impact and reduce single-use plastics.
As you may know we already do a lot, but recently we’ve been able to do more, and have some further creative ideas in the pipeline. You can read a lot online about the overseas work on forest preservation, and water reduction. But for EA in the UK here’s a reminder of what we do, and some new ideas:
all take-out supplies are plastic-free, compostable / biodegradable
re-use packaging where possible
return packaging to suppliers for re-use e.g. polystyrene
courier service uses paper labels instead of plastic windows
our courier, DPD is also trying to lead it’s field in eco credentials
packing tape switching to kraft paper not plastic where possible
bulk paper sack option to reduce packaging on coffee
in regular discussions with waste company about better recycling and zero landfill options
most weeks we only produce one black bag of waste
If you have more ideas for us, even better . . . please share.
You can’t do your job properly without the right tools. We continue to believe in our farmers, and continue to invest in our relationships with them in order to improve their livelihoods, and improve your coffee.
These new weighing scales allow them to do more of the process in their village, adding more value to their crop. In the past we have invested in pulpers for the same reason, and now when they have dried and sorted the beans they can bag and weigh them ready to go to town for the final milling. EA have bought seven scales, and the necessary government calibration certificates for the seven villages in Mweka, Kilimanjaro.
When Ian visits later this year we’ll make sure he weighs something and sends us all a photo!
News for next time
Jacutinga photos, Brazil crops arriving, and Colombia . . . .
New Coffee Bags
Looking oh so good!
Our new stand-up pouches available now for all coffees: > kraft paper outer > one-way valve for freshness > ziplock resealable strip > new labels
But same great coffee of course.
If you love coffee but thinking of reducing your caffeine intake you should checkout our Swiss Water decaf. We think it might be the best decaf coffee uk. A strong claim but our customers love it. In fact we have customers who just buy this brand from us.
Happerly Gold
A true check on provenance and transparency of the supply process, we are pleased to have been awarded the GOLD STANDARD. happerley.co.uk
This is Jacutinga, ethically sourced coffee from a small coffee growing community high in the hills of southern Minas Gerais, Brazil.
We’ve been back to buy the crop this year and meet with Osmar and his family. The more they understand speciality coffee, and the benefits of taking extra care, the better the coffee is becoming. It’s already cupping in the mid- to high-80s, and offering a full rounded sweet cup, with chocolate and hazelnut notes. And it is grown 1200m high up in the most beautiful scenery.
One of the projects we’ve invested in through a social premium per bag is to fund raised drying tables which Elton is keen to use for his crop. These should dry the beans more uniformly, and avoid any contamination reducing rejections. Here’s his mum, Gorete, checking on the first pick to be dried this way. Can’t wait to cup it!
News for next time
☕ New Coffee Bags
☕ A possible new origin
And hopefully some roasters news too ...
Jack of all trades!
Jack has joined the team full-time and adds a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the office and warehouse – which we love!
He is passionate about coffee and about the way we trade so he is keen to learn and travel to the farms.
What most excites you about working with EA?
Loud, lively and very tall.
Give us 3 words to describe you?
Being able to make a difference where it matters, and having a good time in the process.
What will your role be here at EA?
We all do a bit of everything, but I will mainly look after new customers, training, as well as packing up orders
and deliveries.
Our Kilimanjaro coffees are exceptional high grown Arabicas and cup consistently high year after year. This year’s trip was a reflective one after 10 years in Tanzania, and we were able to map the increased quantity and quality of the crop, especially from the smallholders higher up the mountain slopes.
Now, as Ethical Addictions coffee brewery, we have only ever bought the higher grades (AA / AB / PB) but the percentage of their overall crop reaching that standard was at an all-time high this year.
It comes to us following its diligent processing by the farmers to ensure excellent selection, utmost care to washing and gentle drying under the African sun. We expect this crop to land with us in the UK in early March, and first cupping shows the usual strong, bold coffee with its subtle hints of dark chocolate and orange.
Quality of Life
How good our coffee is, is important to us as coffee drinkers, as a business, for our customers, and because it offers a sustainable way to help those who work hard to grow it. That’s why we have endeavoured to build a business that does coffee, trade and social action excellently. Ian’s recent trip to Tanzania did all of the above – checking quality, agreeing the trade, and digging furrows for the latest water project – literally!
For more on the water projects and some of the villagers it has helped, including photos and video, simply click on the links on the right hand side of this journal.
Coffee prices held for 2018
We have already booked our main shipments for the year and managed to save a little on the exchange rate to offset any increase necessary.
Meet Chief Mushi
In honour of the work EA has done in Mweka for the past 10 years Ian was surprised to be made a chief in the Chagga tribe. We think he looks great and should wear his tribal dress in the office!
It’s been all over the news about the crash in the £ and how this will make things like coffee ‘jump’ in price next year – well, as with so much of the news there is some truth but not nearly as dramatic as they like to report! I’m sure we’re not the first coffee supplier to write to you about this, in fact some of our suppliers have written twice, putting two price rises in!!
Yes the £ has devalued by 15-20% and many things in the UK are bought in Euros or Dollars, but here’s what it actually means for EA customers:
Coffee will go up by less than £1/Kg – which really means less than a penny per cup.
Tea prices are up from suppliers so there’ll be a 2-7% increase on teas
Hot chocolate and syrups – NO change
Cups and disposables – NO change
Sugar sachets – NO change
Delivery charges – still FREE over £70
We haven’t changed our prices for more than 2 years and in that time everything has gone up, from coffee and tea, to boxes, wages and delivery costs. That said, EA has grown, been able to buy more in bulk, negotiate better courier rates, and ultimately we want to always be as honest and fair as possible with you, our customers, so we’re taking a hit on our margin next year to share the effect of Brexit and the devalued £, in hope that it will recover by next year’s crop.
What we won’t do is compromise on quality, or change the farms we work with just to get cheaper coffee. And we’re committed to our farmers, our high standards and the projects we support.
We hate doing this but it’s part of business and unavoidable at times.
Any questions or concerns please call or email me directly.
Ian
It took longer than we wanted it to, but this is Africa! Back-and-forth for nearly 15 years, you think I would have learned by now! We hoped to have this done in February but it finally happened in August – still totally worth it. Fresh, clean drinking water for an entire village!!!!
The Kichao village in Mweka, Tanzania had no access to clean water, they had to walk 1-2km, 5 or 6 times every day to collect water for washing, drinking, cooking, cleaning and for their animals, and it wasn’t even clean water! Well, with your help, we have caught, treated and piped water straight into the village and changed the lives of nearly 100 families!
In addition, 26 families have even made their own connection already, so they have their own tap.
It wasn’t without it’s difficulties and couldn’t have been done without the help of excellent people at Machare Farm. We’ve learned a lot from the project, and now with your continued support EA has plans to continue this project into other villages.
There’s a great little video online and some photos. It has been a humbling, and life-changing experience. Thank you for helping to make dreams reality!
ECOffee Cups
We love these! Created from sustainable bamboo fibre and
non-GMO corn starch they are beautiful, eco, well-priced and perfect gifts.
PRICES
There’s a lot of doom and gloom about Brexit and the falling value of the pound. We’ve had lots of emails and letters from suppliers increasing prices anything from
+4 to +30%. Truth is it’s the reality of the exchange rate and rising global prices.
Coffee, like many things is bought in US dollars and we need to buy crop, and make orders now for 2017.
It’s regrettable, unavoidable and we don’t like it.
That said, as part of our commitment to fairness, transparency and not being greedy, we’re only going to pass on less than half of the increase and pledge to reduce prices if the pound recovers.
A more detailed letter will follow and new prices will be in effect from January 1st.
Final Thoughts
Another year is coming to an end and 2017 looks to have new challenges and opportunities, not least of all because of falling exchange rates post-Brexit, but we’re committed to being your number one ethical coffee UK company, offering quality sourced farm direct coffee, sustaining relationships, and new projects – none of which we could do without you.
Look out for a thank you gift in your Christmas order…
