Articles
A Look Behind the Scenes of Equal Exchange’s Quality Lab
Take a look behind the scenes of Equal Exchange's Quality Lab and watch a time-lapse video of a Production Cupping. This quick video captures a process that typically takes 45 minutes down to 34 seconds.
Walking the “K’ojolaa” Coffee Trail
On the shores of Lake Atitlán, in the southwestern highlands of Sololá, Guatemala, a promising new cooperative initiative is beginning to take root. The “Coffee Tour K’ojolaa,” is an ecotourism project that was envisioned, planned, and organized by ten Tz’utujil Mayan youth in the small town of San Pedro La Laguna. Ranging in ages from 23-28, the project’s creators are members (or the sons and daughters of members) of Adenisa, a local, small-scale coffee cooperative.
Women in Coffee
At Equal Exchange, we advocate for increased gender equality at every stage of the supply chain. We salute our sisters around the world who work as agronomists and cuppers. We cheer those who take on leadership roles in their co-ops. And we appreciate our women co-workers in the U.S.
The ¡BioRevolution! Project
An exciting exclusive program in partnership with food co-ops across the country. 50¢ per pound sold goes to innovative agriculture projects.
A Call for Justice in the DRC
In 2019, Dr. Denis Mukwege won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work with survivors of sexual assault in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He’s a powerful voice for accountability and justice to help his country move forward from decades of conflict.
Congo Coffee Project
From the time of colonization on, the Democratic Republic of Congo has been shaken by conflict. In 2011, Equal Exchange founded the Congo Coffee Project with the Panzi Foundation as a means to bring Congolese coffee to market in the United States while offering healing for survivors and raising awareness about the alarming rate of violence.
How to Brew Toddy
Our favorite method: the Toddy™ cold brew method. It is called a 'cold brew' because it does exactly that; you combine coarsely ground coffee with cool water and allow it to steep for 12-24 hours. This long, slow soak creates a thick coffee concentrate with seriously sweet chocolate and malty flavors that we love!
The Art (and Science!) of Chocolate and Coffee Pairing
Enjoy a few of our pairing selections by yourself – or invite a few of your friends over for a pairing event!
The Basic Elements of Coffee Brewing
As you brew with care, you honor the hard work of our small-scale farmer partners and join a community of Equal Exchange coffee lovers. Here are the basic elements of coffee brewing.
Choosing Coffee to Serve Your Group
Equal Exchange offers congregations and community groups a convenient, affordable way to serve coffee that's aligned with their values and promotes justice. Here’s a quick guide to choosing the right coffee to serve to your group.
Coffee Prices: What Does Transparency Mean?
Buyers, importers, roasters and consumers of specialty coffee are having a big and important conversation right now about coffee prices. We all wonder the same thing when we drink that amazing aromatic beverage. How much of what I’m paying gets back to the producer’s pocket?
Why Switch to Fair Trade, Organic Coffee?
When it comes to drinking ethically-sourced coffee, you have a choice if you’re at home, but how can you get your church, office, or school to start serving Equal Exchange’s organic, fairly traded coffee?
How to Store Coffee
A lot of effort goes into growing, shipping, roasting and packaging coffee to ensure a great-tasting cup. However, the benefits of those efforts can be lost at the very end of the line: in your own home. The way you store coffee has a profound impact on its taste and shelf life, so here we will explore the best ways to keep your beans fresh and delicious — plus a few pitfalls to avoid.
Vacuum Sealed vs. Nitrogen Flushed Coffee
When you’re shopping for coffee, you will find that it comes in all kinds of different packages, including cans, vacuum packs and bags with valves. Each of these packages has its benefits and drawbacks, but the main goal is always to preserve the freshness of the coffee.
Organic vs. Conventional Coffee
Even if you already choose organic in the produce aisle, you might wonder why it matters for your brew.
The Search for Sustainable Packaging
We’ve been selling organic, fairly traded coffee since 1986 and our coffee bags are without a doubt one of our most recognizable products. When you’re in the grocery aisle, those bright red mylar bags are hard to miss.
How to Brew Fellowship Blend
Use this course-ground coffee in a percolator, french press, or to make cold brew concentrate for iced coffee.