Learning more bout sourcing coffee
As a new roasting company, we really want to learn how we can move towards sourcing our own coffee.
What are resources we could look at to learn how we can do this? Where do I start, on a personal level, to learn more about sourcing?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike McGinness on
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Jeremiah Perrine said:
Most highly likely no.Is it possible for a small roaster like me to bring in an appropriate amount of bags?
What's an appropriate amount of bags for me in regards to sourcing it?
Most highly likely a shipping container at a time. How many bags/pallets? Don't know, never ordered a container full of greens but they be BIG containers!
I dig where you're coming from but believe a reality check may be needed. If you and you're company hasn't grown to the point of regularly being able to afford and attend things like the Roasters Guild Retreat, SCAA Convention etc. attempting to begin working on direct sourcing greens seems a bit ludicrous. By attending such events is where you'd be able to get to know and develop relationships with those who know how to do what you want to do in the future. If you can't afford to attend things like the Roasters Guild Retreat how the heck are you going to afford multiple trips to multiple countries to just lay the ground work for direct trade coffee! If you are attending, why the heck haven't you picked the brains there!
Utilize the resources readily available for smaller roasting operations to source excellent direct trade greens now. They are out there, already mentioned a couple. Focus on what you can do. Absolutely dream and plan big, yet be realistic in what it'll take to get there. Doin't waste energy on what you can't do. OTOH if you're already blazing through a few tons of greens a month maybe you're closer than I've come to believe, and much closer than I am to even considering moving towards personally direct sourcing greens.
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Permalink Reply by Jeff on
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I think I see where you're coming from. Personally I think I'm going down a similar trek and I can tell you that as long as you're prepared to buy the amounts you say you are interested in, the importers or direct sources I've corresponded with seem pretty friendly. I've been checking out http://www.invalsa.com/ for instance, and they offer everything from a lb to a container pretty much from the farm to the coop to the buyer. There are a few other small importers but I keep hearing a lot about trust, relationships and of course the bean. I hope this helps you with the direction you're thinking about going.
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Permalink Reply by Alun Evans on
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You know, I have to disagree with Mike on this one. Shipping lines have a bare minimum of 2 cubic metres when shipping- which is the equivalent of maybe 1000kg, or 16x60kg sacks. The Minimum actually does not need to be meet in volume, but you have to pay for the 2cbm whether you fill it or not. OK, from a financial point of view 2cbm from Indonesia (for instance) would cost US$200 (or about US$0.20/kg). Of course a container filled with 300 sacks, 18 metric tonne, means the shipping cost would be cents. However shipping small volumes should not be an issue at all...
The biggest thing is finding the coffee at origin, here is where networking at the SCAA expo would, or at least could, be helpful as a starting point.
miKe mcKoffee aka Mike McGinness said:Jeremiah Perrine said:
Most highly likely no.Is it possible for a small roaster like me to bring in an appropriate amount of bags?What's an appropriate amount of bags for me in regards to sourcing it?
Most highly likely a shipping container at a time. How many bags/pallets? Don't know, never ordered a container full of greens but they be BIG containers!
I dig where you're coming from but believe a reality check may be needed. If you and you're company hasn't grown to the point of regularly being able to afford and attend things like the Roasters Guild Retreat, SCAA Convention etc. attempting to begin working on direct sourcing greens seems a bit ludicrous. By attending such events is where you'd be able to get to know and develop relationships with those who know how to do what you want to do in the future. If you can't afford to attend things like the Roasters Guild Retreat how the heck are you going to afford multiple trips to multiple countries to just lay the ground work for direct trade coffee! If you are attending, why the heck haven't you picked the brains there!
Utilize the resources readily available for smaller roasting operations to source excellent direct trade greens now. They are out there, already mentioned a couple. Focus on what you can do. Absolutely dream and plan big, yet be realistic in what it'll take to get there. Doin't waste energy on what you can't do. OTOH if you're already blazing through a few tons of greens a month maybe you're closer than I've come to believe, and much closer than I am to even considering moving towards personally direct sourcing greens.
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BTW we deal with small holders, and nearly all the coffee we get we roast so I am not touting for business :))!!!! But for sure I know farming coops here are not trying to push minimum container loads- they are really happy to sell to someone just willing to take their arabica seriously and pay a real price for it!
Alun Evans said:You know, I have to disagree with Mike on this one. Shipping lines have a bare minimum of 2 cubic metres when shipping- which is the equivalent of maybe 1000kg, or 16x60kg sacks. The Minimum actually does not need to be meet in volume, but you have to pay for the 2cbm whether you fill it or not. OK, from a financial point of view 2cbm from Indonesia (for instance) would cost US$200 (or about US$0.20/kg). Of course a container filled with 300 sacks, 18 metric tonne, means the shipping cost would be cents. However shipping small volumes should not be an issue at all...
The biggest thing is finding the coffee at origin, here is where networking at the SCAA expo would, or at least could, be helpful as a starting point.
miKe mcKoffee aka Mike McGinness said:Jeremiah Perrine said:
Most highly likely no.Is it possible for a small roaster like me to bring in an appropriate amount of bags?What's an appropriate amount of bags for me in regards to sourcing it?
Most highly likely a shipping container at a time. How many bags/pallets? Don't know, never ordered a container full of greens but they be BIG containers!
I dig where you're coming from but believe a reality check may be needed. If you and you're company hasn't grown to the point of regularly being able to afford and attend things like the Roasters Guild Retreat, SCAA Convention etc. attempting to begin working on direct sourcing greens seems a bit ludicrous. By attending such events is where you'd be able to get to know and develop relationships with those who know how to do what you want to do in the future. If you can't afford to attend things like the Roasters Guild Retreat how the heck are you going to afford multiple trips to multiple countries to just lay the ground work for direct trade coffee! If you are attending, why the heck haven't you picked the brains there!
Utilize the resources readily available for smaller roasting operations to source excellent direct trade greens now. They are out there, already mentioned a couple. Focus on what you can do. Absolutely dream and plan big, yet be realistic in what it'll take to get there. Doin't waste energy on what you can't do. OTOH if you're already blazing through a few tons of greens a month maybe you're closer than I've come to believe, and much closer than I am to even considering moving towards personally direct sourcing greens.
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Alun, I'd love to know more about your coffee, willing to pay decent prices and I am currently looking for sources!
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drop me a message Jeff- but as mentioned we are really only able to do smaller volumes. Cheers
Jeff said:Alun, I'd love to know more about your coffee, willing to pay decent prices and I am currently looking for sources!
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Thanks Alun, message sent:
Jeremiah, this article got me inspired http://www.accidentalroaster.com/2009/10/sourcing-relationship-coff...
really the possibilities are endless but I like where you're going, I've had good luck with the Daterras from the Coffee Holding Company (Kathi Zollman) but to each their own. I know some gents that had containers brought over from another country, but they're waaay bigger than I
It sort of boils down to the kind of coffees you want to carry, or what you like, eithics, fair trade, or heck just some Brazil for 1.40/lb... Maybe read up on http://www.greencoffeebuyingclub.com/ - all kinds of sourcing going on there
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Permalink Reply by Frank Antunez on
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Hi Jeremiah,
I am developing a coffee marketing business focused on specialty coffees from Honduras to serve the need you are specifically looking to meet. The roasting market increasingly requires direct relationships with farms at origin in order to compete in the market. It takes a significant amount of effort to develop those relationships at origin, specially if you are trying to source coffee from all over the world. It is a very delicate endeavor to find the right farm partner, one you can trust, not only to consistently produce quality coffees but to actually deliver the coffee and not sell it locally. It can be frustrating and disappointing if not managed well. The ideal situation for a roaster is to have the direct relationship with the farm but with the appropriate local support to maintain the integrity of the chain, limiting your sourcing risks and allowing you to focus on your priority - sourcing consistent quality coffee. Direct purchases for less than a full lot are cost prohibitive. There is a middle ground. Unfortunately I can only speak to one origin but I would be more than glad to speak with you about this.
Regards,
Frank
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Wow, that's great. Frank: do you offer any small amounts? I'm looking somewhere around the 20-50 lbs range..I could go higher but I would love to get more info
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Jeff, thank you. I will send you a message so we can discuss.
Jeff said:Wow, that's great. Frank: do you offer any small amounts? I'm looking somewhere around the 20-50 lbs range..I could go higher but I would love to get more info
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Permalink Reply by Sarah Leanne Barnett on
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I'm in the same boat right now. I'm a TINY roasting company. I currently offer a stock of 18 single origins and Lord knows how many blends. My heart? Intelli. Stumptown. Counter Culture. Direct trade, baby. I want that model of sustainability.
This is a GREAT connection to Brazil. The quality is really incredible. I'm driving 2 hours to Atlanta on Friday to pick up some incredible base for Espresso. Ricardo is an amazing importer, and this is his family farm. We went to a roasting class together at Ambex. Tell him Sarah sent you.
also, Headland Roasting Comany and Importers out of Headland, Alabama. (this is an insanely small back woods town, I still have no idea how he and his family decided to start importing and distributing from here.)
Ceasar Gaitlan and Rodolfo sell some pretty amazing things from El Salvador. This is a smaller farm that their families own. Ceasar speaks little English, but is an AMAZING coffee roaster. Rodolfo handles most of the sales and business part of things. I've been to Headland, 3 hours south of me in Alabama, to their roastery and holding facility. It's clean, it's serious, it's professional. They're fantastic. They're still getting started with promo stuff and website design, but I'm positive they would be glad to talk to you about ordering.
Rodolfo's number is 334-435-3380. That goes for any and all who want 3 or 4 El Salvador coffees. Tell him Sarah from Auburn sent you frm Barista Exchange.
Both of these importers support their families with this, one bag at a time. They sell small to HUGE. Whatever you need. Good stuff. I'm actually going to Ceasar's farm in January to process some coffees.
Any small farms like this I will GLADLY share with other roasters. It's important to support them however we can, especially with the C-Market acting a fool right now. I'm looking for Africa and Indonesia relationships right now, which is definately harder to find in the deep south than Latin American.
But yes--- SCAA and roasters guild are GOLDEN access points to importers and knowledge. I'm jumping on that train next year when funding is built up a bit more. Hope to see you guys there.
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www.brasccoffeeimporters.com
sorry, left out the website addy.
Sarah Leanne Barnett said:I'm in the same boat right now. I'm a TINY roasting company. I currently offer a stock of 18 single origins and Lord knows how many blends. My heart? Intelli. Stumptown. Counter Culture. Direct trade, baby. I want that model of sustainability.
This is a GREAT connection to Brazil. The quality is really incredible. I'm driving 2 hours to Atlanta on Friday to pick up some incredible base for Espresso. Ricardo is an amazing importer, and this is his family farm. We went to a roasting class together at Ambex. Tell him Sarah sent you.
also, Headland Roasting Comany and Importers out of Headland, Alabama. (this is an insanely small back woods town, I still have no idea how he and his family decided to start importing and distributing from here.)
Ceasar Gaitlan and Rodolfo sell some pretty amazing things from El Salvador. This is a smaller farm that their families own. Ceasar speaks little English, but is an AMAZING coffee roaster. Rodolfo handles most of the sales and business part of things. I've been to Headland, 3 hours south of me in Alabama, to their roastery and holding facility. It's clean, it's serious, it's professional. They're fantastic. They're still getting started with promo stuff and website design, but I'm positive they would be glad to talk to you about ordering.
Rodolfo's number is 334-435-3380. That goes for any and all who want 3 or 4 El Salvador coffees. Tell him Sarah from Auburn sent you frm Barista Exchange.
Both of these importers support their families with this, one bag at a time. They sell small to HUGE. Whatever you need. Good stuff. I'm actually going to Ceasar's farm in January to process some coffees.
Any small farms like this I will GLADLY share with other roasters. It's important to support them however we can, especially with the C-Market acting a fool right now. I'm looking for Africa and Indonesia relationships right now, which is definately harder to find in the deep south than Latin American.
But yes--- SCAA and roasters guild are GOLDEN access points to importers and knowledge. I'm jumping on that train next year when funding is built up a bit more. Hope to see you guys there.
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