The Journey of Coffee
From Seed to Cup: A Recap
Planting and Growing
Coffee begins its journey with the planting and growing of coffee beans within the Coffee Belt region of the world. The right climate and soil conditions are important in yielding quality crops. After planting, the beans take around 8-12 months to mature depending on the variety of coffee.
Harvesting and Processing
The ripe coffee cherries are collected either by machine or manual harvesting, cleaned and then processed either by wet or dry processing methods, which will affect the flavour of the coffee beans. Wet processing involves fermenting and rinsing, whereas dry processing entails drying out the parchment covered cherries in the sun
Shipping
After the beans have been processed, the beans are shipped out to green coffee suppliers to be purchased by coffee companies for roasting. If the coffee is direct trade, the beans will be shipped directly to the coffee roaster.
Roasting and Cupping for Quality
Green coffee beans are bought either from the green coffee supplier or directly from the coffee farm, and then roasted in our roastery. Different roast profiles can bring out unique flavours from the coffee beans, depending on whether they are roasted light, medium or dark.
After roasting, the coffee beans are tested for quality during a cupping process completed by a Q-Grader or coffee roaster. The coffees must achieve a score over 80 out of 100 to be considered specialty coffee.
Grinding and Brewing
From our roastery, Balzac’s beans are shipped out to our cafes for customers to enjoy in an expertly crafted beverage in one of our cafes, as well as to grocery stores and retailers across Canada, where customers can purchase beans to enjoy a cup of our coffee at home.
Direct Trade vs Fair Trade
Direct Trade coffee is a model of sourcing beans in which the coffee producer and roaster enter into a direct relationship, cutting out traditional traders. The benefit of this approach is it enables the roasters to communicate directly with farmers, providing them with information on trends in taste profiles and quality standards desired by customers. Additionally, direct trade can lead to better prices for producers and allows them to sell their product without relying on middlemen for distribution. On the other hand, Fair Trade is another model of sourcing beans that ensures a living wage income for farmers regardless of fluctuating market prices. This allows the farmers to invest in their communities while still generating profits they need to survive and thrive.
Bean Certifications and Sustainability
As the demand for ethically sourced coffee and sustainability continues to rise, it’s important to understand the different certifications Balzac’s Coffee Roasters currently holds.
Fairtrade Organic
The Fairtrade logo is an internationally recognized certification mark that indicates a product adheres to specific standards of ethical production and sustainability. When displayed on a coffee bag, it signifies the beans within were sourced through a fair trade arrangement which guarantees producers a better deal for their produce, including higher wages and environmental sustainability initiatives.
Canada Organic
The Canada Organic logo is a certification signifying the product was produced using strict standards to maintain the integrity of soil and water resources, and guarantees ingredients are free from synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.
Pelee Island Bird Observatory
PIBO is an internationally recognized NGO devoted to the study and observation of migratory birds and the preservation of their natural habitats on Pelee Island. $1 from each bag of Atwood Blend coffee is donated to PIBO.
Kosher Certified
The Kosher certification for coffee indicates that the beans have been harvested, processed and packaged in accordance with a strict set of dietary rules that determine which foods conform to traditional Jewish law. It also signifies the beans used are of higher quality and free from contamination.
Leaders in Environmentally Accountable Foodservice (LEAF)
LEAF certification signifies that the highest standards of environmentally-responsible foodservice is upheld. It covers all areas of an operation’s sustainable practices, ranging from energy and water management to waste reduction, ethical sourcing, staff training and green building initiatives.
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