What the Project Is
Direct Coffee is a unique social enterprise that brings forest coffee directly from smallholder farmers in Ethiopia to Switzerland. This project is all about starting each day with a good feeling – enjoying premium coffee that aligns with strong ethical and environmental values. The coffee, grown in the Ethiopian mountain forests in its natural, chemical-free ecosystem, is not only better than organic but also more than fair. Emphasizing a 200 percent transparent value chain, the initiative ensures that every purchase contributes to the well-being of the coffee farmers’ communities. A true passion for sustainable choices is evident, as every cup underlines a commitment to bettering the world, step by step, cup by cup…
Main Benefit
The project is renowned for its exceptional quality and robust ethical framework. Key figures and facts include:
- Degustation Set Beans – 3 x 100g for 29.90 CHF
- Degustation Set Compostable Capsules – 3 x 10 pieces for 29.90 CHF
- Degustation Set Ground Coffee – 3 x 100g for 29.90 CHF
- Direct trade with small farmers ensures a significantly higher price than Fair Trade norms
- Approximately 1 Franc per package supports social projects for the children of coffee farmers
- CO2-neutral, with the entire footprint offset by planting trees in Ethiopia’s dry regions
Sustainable Choices
The project extends far beyond delightful coffee flavors. It also introduces innovations like an oat drink concentrate, which requires no heavy lifting and offers much less packaging – a nod to climate neutrality and animal-friendly practices. By making sustainable choices in everyday life as effortless as enjoying a cup of coffee, Direct Coffee champions a lifestyle that respects both social impact and environmental responsibility. The approach is straightforward yet effective: supporting the natural biodiversity of Ethiopia while ensuring the coffee grows under the protective shade of huge old trees.
Coffee Traditions and Quality
Traditional coffee rituals come to life through this initiative. Coffee from these Ethiopian mountain forests is grown under the natural shelter of gnarled, ancient trees, ensuring that the beans receive the perfect amount of shade to develop their full aromatic potential – a quality that many compare to a fine red wine. The process is almost poetic: smallholder farmers hand-pick only the truly ripe coffee cherries, ensuring each bean is a testament to natural excellence. Once shipped to Switzerland, these beans undergo traditional drum roasting, a method that preserves a rich aroma and quality that distinguishes this coffee as both really good and meaningfully produced.
Eco-Friendly Innovations
Environmental care stands at the heart of Direct Coffee’s ethos. The products are 100% aluminum-free, and the compostable Nespresso-compatible capsules decompose fully, forming a fertile base for renewed life alongside the coffee grounds. The approach is simple but effective – reducing waste, using minimal packaging, and neutralizing the entire CO2 footprint. This includes innovative measures like planting trees to combat the environmental impact from forest to cup. Such practices not only safeguard natural biodiversity but also reinforce a commitment to a more sustainable future.
Project Impact
- SDG 1 – No Poverty: Direct support to smallholder farmers, ensuring better living standards for communities.
- SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being: Enhanced community health through fair pricing and investment in local social projects.
- SDG 4 – Quality Education: Funding social projects that support the education of coffee farmers’ children.
- SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth: Promoting fair, ethical employment and economic opportunities in local regions.
- SDG 13 – Climate Action: Achieving CO2-neutral operations and contributing to a greener planet through reforestation efforts.
- SDG 15 – Life on Land: Protecting natural ecosystems by preserving forest coffee practices and biodiversity.
Transparency and Direct Involvement
Transparency is not just a buzzword here—it is a promise. Every step of the value chain can be tracked online, making it simple to see how each coffee purchase creates a fair deal for both people and the environment. With an open invitation to travel to Ethiopia and meet the farmers in person, the initiative fosters a genuine connection between consumers and the origins of their coffee. This approach not only builds trust but also deepens the appreciation for the careful journey each coffee bean makes from the mountain forests to the cup. It is a story of dedication, authenticity, and a shared mission to make the world a little better, one cup at a time…
