Rainforest Alliance

At Central Market we are currently featuring a suberb estate coffee, the Nicaraguan La Bastilla. Unlike most Nicaraguan coffess I've experienced, this is world class brew. It has a medium to heavy mouthfeel (body) and a great balance of darker and brighter notes, with a hint of the nuttiness typically associated with Central America.

What's the secret? Among other things, it is a Rainforest Alliance certified coffee. If Fair Trade is your thing, then please do yourself a favor and learn up on this organization.

Fair Trade takes a percentage (both from farmers and merchants) for themselves. Rainforest Alliance makes no money from it's certification.

Fair Trade uses only co-op products, which can help the poorest farmer in the short term, but will never result in consistent yields. The Rainforest certifies specific estates, thus promoting long-term sustainability. The Rainforest is also far more stringent about environmental and social factors, as well as the actual quality of the coffee beans produced.

Granted, the Rainforest certification is much rarer and more difficult to find (this is one of it's strengths, not handing putting it's name on everything) and you will most likely pay a little bit more. Still, if you want to maximize the overall global benefit of your consumption dollar, a few extra pennies per cup can make a difference. Check for Rainforest coffee in your area...