Best Fairtrade coffee
Some like it hot and some like it cold. When we tasted these four Fairtrade coffees with James Hoffman, Barista of the Year for 2007, we learned that a good quality coffee should also taste nice when it's cold. Equal Exchange's Ethiopian Yirgacheffe was the only one to cut the grind. But we like our coffees hot and Cafédirect's Machu Picchu's full-bodied flavour, too.
If ethical and green credentials matter as much to you as the flavour, Cafédirect and Equal Exchange do really well being certified organic as well as Fairtrade and both have interesting, detailed information about the co-operatives that grow the beans. Cafédirect's close relationship with the producers impresses us that extra little bit, though.
While Clipper's espresso is both organic and Fairtrade it really doesn't do it for us as a coffee. It's nothing special taste-wise and there just isn't much more to say about than that it must fulfill the organic and Fairtrade standards since it carries both marks. We expected a little more information about the producers and the company in general.
That's our problem with Sainsbury's Fairtrade coffee, too. While we quite like the flavour and do appreciate the Fairtrade Mark and price, we just wouldn't pick this over say, Cafédirect or Equal Exchange, as they give us more overall for our money. Equal Exchange's coffee scored highest as the quality is just that little bit better than Cafédirect's.
And finally, a word about price. Good, ordinary ground coffees retail at around £2.30 per 227g (sometimes as low as £2 in supermarkets), which is clearly less than these Fairtrade coffees. The only one that really compares with that one is Sainsbury's, but we happen to be okay with paying more for something ethically worth it.
Cafédirect Organic Machu Picchu Fresh Ground Coffee
Clipper Roast and Ground Arabica Fairtrade and Organic Espresso
Equal Exchange Organic and Fairtrade Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Coffee
Sainsbury's Fairtrade Colombian Fresh Roast Ground Coffee
