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What is Fair Trade?

Coffee is grown in over 50 countries, between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. This area is known as the “Bean Belt” or “Coffee Belt.” It is estimated that there approximately 25 million coffee producers worldwide.

WHAT IS FAIR TRADE?

Fair Trade is a movement that began in the 1970s as Max Havelaar in the Netherlands. The goal of the fair trade movement is to protect and impower producers. In 1988, Mexico became the first coffee origin to sell as fair trade.

Fair trade coffees are typically grown by members of a cooperative. The members are guaranteed a minimum price to protect them from the volatility of the coffee market.

Producers must meet social, economic, and environmental standards in order to maintain their fair trade certification.

THE IMPACT OF FAIR TRADE

Fair trade’s goal is to help provide a more sustainable livelihood for producers and to expand business partnerships.

Fair Trade USA reports that since 1998, sales of Fair Trade Certified coffee has generated over $600 million on financial benefits to coffee producers.

Once the coffee is sold, most of the proceeds go directly to the coffee producers. A small portion, however, will be used for the Community Development Funds.

The Community Development Funds provide the cooperative an opportunity to financially back quality and equipment improvements (i.e., depulpers, solar dryers, farm renovations) or social projects (such as education, clean water projects and health care).

RED CEDAR COFFEE CO AND FAIR TRADE CERTIFIED

Red Cedar Coffee Co. has been roasting Fair Trade Certified coffees since 2008.

Our Fair Trade Certified coffees carry the Fair Trade Certified seal on the front label.

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Cold brew vs. iced coffee: What is the difference?

Summer calls for colder coffee. Of course, you can enjoy these beverages year-round. Cold brew and iced coffees are brewed differently. So read on to see which option is best for you.

COLD BREW

Cold brew is brewed using cool or room temperature water which results in coffee with lower acidity and a smoother taste. This is because cold brew bypasses a chemical reaction that occurs when hot water hits coffee grounds. This means cold brew is easier for those with frequent heartburn or sensitive stomachs.

Coffee is ground coarse and will steep in water for 12-24 hours. After the coffee has finished steeping, the resulting liquid is coffee concentrate. You will want to mix the coffee concentrate with water, milk, or milk alternative to create a ready to drink beverage.

We recommend a ratio of 1 part coffee concentrate to 3 parts water, milk, or milk alternative. However, feel free to experiment with your preferred ratio.

Cold brew does not mean that you must drink your coffee cold. Just add hot water to your coffee concentrate and you can enjoy a hot cup of coffee.

Cold brew coffee can be made using the Toddy Cold Brew system and the concentrate can stay in your fridge up to 2 weeks.

ICED COFFEE

This is brewed with hot water and is more acidic than cold brew. Traditionally this was done in restaurants as a quick way to serve iced coffee.

The reason this coffee is more acidic compared to cold brew is that there is a chemical reaction that occurs when hot water hits coffee grounds.

Iced coffee can be made in a Chemex or drip coffee brewer and then cooling the coffee down in the fridge. Pouring hot coffee directly over ice and lead to more bitter flavor and weaker taste.

COOL DRINKS WITH COLD BREW

Cold brew gives you the flexibility of creating unique beverages and mocktails.

  • A cold brew coffee float is cold brew coffee with a couple scoops of ice cream.
  • To make a mocktail, add syrups and a dash of bitter and serve in a rocks glass.
  • Mix tonic water and cold brew to create a coffee tonic. Experiment with different types of tonic water flavors or add cherries for a touch of sweetness.

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Explore the world with single origin coffees

Contrary to what some suggest, there is no one “coffee” taste. Rather, there are endless taste based on geography.

Single origin coffees are beans that are sourced from a coffee farm, cooperative or region. These coffees differ from blends which are a combination of beans from different regions or countries.

Similarly, to the wine industry, single origin coffees offer a distinctive taste based on where the coffee is grown, factors including soil, climate, and processing method all affect the taste. In the wine industry, this is referred to by the French word terroir, the taste of place.

Coffee shares many similarities to the wine industry. Like the definition above, coffee can be impacted by environmental changes and the taste can change year over year.

The taste of coffee can also be impacted by how the coffee producer processes their crop after the harvest. For instance, Costa Rica is known for their honey processed coffees, Sumatra for giling basah, and Kenya for washed coffees.

We will use the Coffee Flavor Tasters Wheel to discuss flavor in the coffee industry. The goal of this Tasters Wheel is to help create a tool that coffee roasters, importers and producers could use to discuss and evaluate coffee.

Single origins provide a great opportunity to compare the unique characteristics of coffee from around the world. Look for single origin coffees that have been roasted as a medium roast as that roast style highlights the uniqueness in the coffee.

We have outlined some of the broad characteristics of coffee depending on where coffee is grown. Each region, however, does have a wide variety of tastes which is why we are presenting two coffees in each regional category for comparison.

AFRICA

Pleasant acidity and full rounded body. Often described with wine and fruit notes.

Ethiopian Harrar: Wine-like fragrance, hints of blueberry

Tanzanian Peaberry: Bright, smooth, sweet, delicate

LATIN AMERICA

Smooth and well balanced. Chocolate or caramel notes are often present.

Guatemala Antigua (Central America): creamy, smooth, caramel

Organic Peruvian (South America): Light bodied, flavorful, elegant

THE PACIFIC

Full body, earthy with herbal characteristics. These are some of the most distinct coffees.

Sumatran Mandheling (Indonesia): Earthy, full bodied, distinct

Java Estate (Indonesia): Lively, rich, malt, sweet

If you would like to explore the taste possibilities in coffee, we would recommend trying different single origin coffees.

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Helpful Tips for Cleaning Your Brewer and Grinder

Have you ever cleaned your coffee maker?

If you are like most, the answer is likely never.

It is easy for overlook your coffee brewer and grinder as equipment that needs to be cleaned.

By regularly cleaning your brewing equipment you help extend the life of your coffee brewer and grinder. Plus, you can continue to enjoy great tasting coffee.

CLEANING THE COFFEE BREWER

Coffee brewers often require cleaning in two areas: removing scale in the water tank and removing coffee oils from the sprayhead/brew basket.

Coffee oils are left behind after each brew cycle and can be tricky to remove. But please, do not clean your brewer with vinegar! Not only does it make it extremely difficult to remove the vinegar afterwards, but vinegar can void your coffee brewer’s warranty. Rather, equipment cleaners are designed to dissolve the buildup of oils and are fragrance free.

Descaling powder works in both espresso machines and coffee brewers. If you notice mineral scale build up in your water tank and on the heating element, it is time to clean the tank. Mineral scale builds up over time from the calcium and magnesium that is left behind in the water. If you are noticing that your water is not getting hot enough, or you see flakes of scale floating in the water tank, it is time to use a descaling powder.

Cleaning powders address the need to clean coffee oils from the sprayhead, brew basket and carafe. The cleaning powders do not leave a flavor residue behind in the coffee maker. Cleaning powders are great for removing tough coffee stains from your favorite mug. If you notice oils at the bottom of your Chemex or Hario drip pot, mix some cleaning powder in with hot water and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing.

CLEANING THE COFFEE GRINDER

Most coffee grinders are not designed to be taken apart for cleaning. With electrical motors and burrs water cannot be used to clean grinders. A word of caution: do not grind rice to try to clean your coffee grinder.

Grinder tablets are specially formulated to draw out the coffee oils from around the burrs and can help prevent clogging. All you have to do is run one packet of cleaning tablets through your grinder, and a little bit of coffee afterwards to remove any bits of tablets left behind by static.

We recommend cleaning your coffee grinder once a month. However, if you are often grinding dark roasts or flavored coffees, you may want to clean your grinder more often because these beans are oilier.

CLEANING AN ESPRESSO MACHINE

Espresso machines can be the trickiest to clean. Espresso Machine Cleaning Tablets are designed for easy rinsing and cleaning of the inner working of your espresso machine. Each model of espresso machine has a different frequency of cleaning schedule so you will want to look at your machine’s user manual and follow the directions outlined by the manufacture. Espresso machine brushes are specially designed to clean the group head and espresso machine screens.

By taking time to clean your brewing equipment you will be able to continue enjoying great tasting coffee at home.

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Helpful Brewing Tips for Brewing the Best Cup of Coffee

Brewing a great tasting cup of coffee does not require a lot of fancy equipment. With a few tweaks you can get great tasting coffee from any coffee maker.

Here are some tips and tricks to help you brew the best cup of coffee.

Use freshly roasted coffee.

Look for coffee roasters, like Red Cedar Coffee Co., instead of grocery store coffee brands. For some grocery brands it may have taken 6-9 months for the coffee to work its way through their distribution system from being roasted to being placed on the store shelf. By comparison, you can enjoy coffee from a local roaster just days after it was roasted.

Pay attention to water.

Start off with good tasting water since coffee is approximately 98% water. Filtered or spring water can improve the taste of your coffee.   

Clean your grinder and coffee maker from time to time.

Use specially formulated equipment cleaners to make sure your coffee maker brews good tasting coffee. Please, do not use vinegar to clean your coffee maker! Click here for more information on cleaning your coffee maker and grinder.

Weigh out your coffee beans. 

We are often asked “Do you use a measured or heaping scoop of coffee?” Take the guesswork out of how much coffee you need by using a digital scale to weigh out your coffee grounds. It is a small step that is extremely helpful to make sure that you are replicating the same brewing recipe each time. Oftentimes a brewing recipe will show a brewing ratio such as 1:16 (one-ounce coffee grounds to 16 ounces water). We find that the brewing ratios of 1:14, 1:15, 1:16, 1:17 works well for most.

Using a pour over? Consider weighing your water, too.

The Chemex and Hario drippers are great ways to brew coffee but can be very difficult to eyeball the right amount of hot water. Place the pour over, filter and coffee grounds onto a digital scale and then tare out the weight. Then, you will want to weight the amount of water you are using (pour the hot water over the coffee grounds). Again, with the help of a digital scale you can with brew consistently.

Grind your coffee before brewing.

Did you know coffee begins to start losing some of its flavor and aromatics as soon as it is ground? Grinding your coffee beans fresh is one of the best ways to brew a more flavorful cup of coffee. Burr grinders are best because they grind coffee consistently.   

Use the correct grind style for the coffee maker you are using.

There are several grind styles when it comes to grinding your coffee. To name a few there is fine, auto-drip and coarse. You want to make sure that you are using the correct grind style for your brewing method. This is important because if the grind is too large, you will end up with a weak cup of coffee. If the coffee grind is too fine for your coffee maker then you end up with a bitter, over-extracted cup of coffee. Most drip coffee makers and single serve units work well on the auto-drip setting. If you are using a French press or Toddy cold brew system, you will want to have your coffee ground coarse.

Preheat your coffee carafe, Chemex or French press prior to brewing.

This is helpful especially during the colder months when heat loss is more noticeable. Heat up some hot water ahead to time and pour it into your coffee maker’s carafe, or your Chemex or French press before you brew. The hot water will take the chill out of the coffee maker and your coffee will stay hotter for a while longer. After sitting for about 10 minutes, pour out the hot water and then brew your pot of coffee. This trick also works great for travel mugs.

Carefully store your coffee. 

Coffee beans can be sensitive to temperature, moisture, and air. Keep your coffee in an airtight container at room temperature and out of direct sunlight. Avoid storing your coffee in the freezer or refrigerator.

Happy brewing!

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Choosing the Best Coffee Grinder

Did you know coffee begins to start losing some of its flavor and aromatics as soon as it is ground? Grinding your coffee beans fresh is one of the best ways to brew a more flavorful cup of coffee.

If you like to have the flexibility of grinding for different brewing devices or wish to get the most flavor out of your coffee, you may want to consider grinding your coffee before brewing.

BLADE VS. BURR GRINDERS

When it comes to choosing a coffee grinder you have two options.

Blade grinders are ones that have a whirly-style blade (like spice grinders) that spins to grind the coffee bean. These grinders can heat the coffee as they operate due to friction. Many blade grinders have a button that must be held down to grind; depending on who is grinding the coffee, it is harder to achieve a consistent grind on a blade grinder.

Burr grinders have two revolving abrasive surfaces (“burrs”). Burr grinders slice through coffee beans more consistently which is best for brewing flavorful coffee. Look for a burr grinder with numbered settings. This will help grind your coffee consistently.

ELECTRIC OR HAND GRINDER

Electric coffee grinders are plugged into an electrical outlet. These grinders take up more kitchen counter space, and most models provide the option to keep some coffee beans in the hopper. Some grinders have timers so you can replicate your grind time.

If you have the need to travel with your coffee grinder, or do not have the kitchen space, you may want to consider a hand grinder. These grinders are manual which means you are the grinder’s motor. Some brands, like Hario, have burr hand grinders.

WHY WE PREFER BURR GRINDERS

Burr grinders help you brew coffee-shop quality coffee at your home or office. They grind the coffee consistently which takes out any guesswork. These grinders are sturdy, and most will serve you for years to come. That is why we recommend burr grinders.

MAINTAINING YOUR GRINDER

Oils accumulate over time and using the Full Circle grinder cleaning tablet can help you get the most life out of your coffee grinder. If you are grinding dark roast coffees or flavored coffees, you will want to clean your grinder on a more frequent basis.

The grinder tablets have been formulated specifically to remove the coffee oils and residue on the grinder’s burrs and can also prevent jamming of the grinder.

Here is a short article that explains how jams occur and how a little cleaning can prevent them.

The Full Circle grinder tablets we carry in the Tasting Room are food-grade safe and are the same quality of cleaner we use for our grinders.

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Step up your coffee brewing game with this one tool

At Red Cedar Coffee Co. we consider the digital scale as the secret weapon in coffee brewing. Put away the tablespoons and little scoops, and instead use a scale.

Not only does a digital scale take the guesswork out when using a pour over brewer, it helps prevent issues of using too much coffee when using a drip coffee maker.

Weighing ingredients = consistency

Brewing using a digital scale helps to brew coffee for consistency and accuracy. Coffee roasts have different mass which makes measuring by scoop or tablespoon tricky. The digital scale avoids this problem.

Oftentimes a pour over brewing recipe will show a brewing ratio such as 1:16 (one-ounce ground coffee to 16 ounces water). The range for coffee brewing is 1:14 to 1:18. The less water used will brew a stronger cup of coffee, the more water used will brew a lighter cup.

When you find your preferred brewing ratio by using a digital scale you will be able to brew with consistency.

How to use a digital scale for pour overs and emersion methods

For pour over and emersion (French press, cold brew) brewing methods you will want to follow these steps:

  • Place the pour over brewer or French press onto the digital scale
  • Tare (or zero out) the pour over or French press
  • Add the desired coffee grounds into the pour over or French press
  • Tare (or zero out) the coffee grounds
  • Add the desired hot water into pour over or French press

Using the digital scale means you have more control in the amount of water you use. This can be helpful when using a 40 oz. Chemex to brew only 16 oz.

How to use a digital scale for drip coffee brewers

For a drip coffee maker, you can still use your digital scale:

  • Place your flat bottom coffee filter onto the digital scale
  • Tare (or zero out) the coffee filter
  • Add the desired coffee grounds onto the coffee filter

Grams vs. ounces

There are countless digital scales models on the market. Some digital scales, like the Hario brand, measure in grams. Other digital scales allow you to switch from grams to ounces.

Scales that measure in grams will give you a more precise weight when it comes to measuring the weight of water. This is particularly helpful for the Chemex.

Select a digital scale model with the unit of measurement that is easiest for you.

Happy brewing!

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Red Cedar Coffee Rewards Program

ABOUT THE PROGRAM:

If you go through a pound of coffee a month, the Red Cedar Coffee Reward program is for you!

Earn one point for each dollar spent on select 16 oz. (one pound) bags of coffee purchased directly from Red Cedar Coffee Co. Earn 200 points and receive a reward (expiration dates apply, select coffees available for reward redemption). Reward value is $15 off select 16 oz. (one pound) bags of coffee. Points and rewards expire 18 months after they were earned.

  • In Store: Enter your phone number into our register’s keypad to “check in/see rewards”.
  • Online: Opt in to order updates/marketing/Square pay during the checkout process and provide your phone number each time you make a purchase at RedCedarCoffee.com.

PROGRAM RULES:

  • No purchase necessary.
  • Points and Rewards are linked to the participant’s name and phone number. Purchases (points and rewards) may not be transferred to another participant.
  • Points expire 18 months after they have been earned. Rewards cannot be redeemed if points expired.
  • Points are not awarded on gift certificates when purchased (points are issued as the certificate is redeemed on qualifying purchases); sales tax; gratuities; gift sets; corporate and wholesale orders. Only valid on purchases made at the Red Cedar Coffee Co. retail store and at Red Cedar Coffee Co.’s online store.
  • Reserve Coffees are exempted from points earned and rewards redeemed.
  • Reward redemption cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts. Our program may from time to time have certain other benefits and/or restrictions that apply.
  • We reserve the right to change or discontinue this program at any time without notice.
  • Employees, wholesale accounts, corporate gifts are not eligible for the Rewards program.

PROGRAM UPDATES:

Effective January 1, 2025, the Reward Program will change. The updated rewards program will require earning 240 points on select coffees within 12 months to earn a $15 reward.

Track Your Progress

Enter your phone number on this website to see your point balance.

Offers and Discounts

From time to time we may provide special discounts and/or offers outside of our Red Cedar Coffee Rewards Program offers to certain members who qualify for these benefits.  Offers are not transferable and cannot be combined with rewards or other discounts or offers. Offers have a limited time in which they can be redeemed.  Please check the offer for details and restrictions. If not specified otherwise all offers expire within 30 days of issuance.

Red Cedar Coffee Rewards FAQ

How do I enroll in the Red Cedar Coffee Rewards program?

In order to join the Red Cedar Coffee Co. Reward program, you must provide a phone number. You will need to provide this phone number when shopping:

  • Online: opt into Red Cedar Coffee Rewards program on the online store to enroll and provide the cell phone number each time you shop at RedCedarCoffee.com.
  • In store: Enroll by providing your cell phone number at the checkout.

Can I share my Red Cedar Coffee Rewards membership with a family member or friend?

No, the Red Cedar Coffee Reward account is individual and non-transferable.

Where can I find my points balance?

To check your Red Cedar Coffee Rewards point balance, simply go to this website and enter your phone number. You will receive a code that will allow you to login and see your points.

What can I use my reward on?

Reward are good on select 16 oz. bags of coffee purchased from Red Cedar Coffee Co. Your reward is available after your have accumulated 200 points.

What are Reserve Coffees?

Reserve coffees are those of limited quantity and are exempt from the Reward Program.

Do points and rewards expire?

Points and rewards expire 18 months after they have been earned. Points will be maintained under your account until you exchange your points for a reward, or until they expire, whichever occurs first. 

If Red Cedar Coffee Co. terminates the program, any unused points will expire and be void when the program is terminated.

I made a purchase at the retail store and have enrolled in Red Cedar Coffee Rewards. Can I make a purchase online and receive points?

Yes, the Red Cedar Coffee Rewards is linked to the phone number you used to enroll. Provide the same phone number when you make a purchase online, opt in to “claim” your points each time on eligible purchases you make a purchase at RedCedarCoffee.com.

Can I opt out of the Reward Program?

By opting out of the Reward Program, all points and rewards you have earned will no longer be available.

Can I opt out of text messages?

Respond STOP to any text message received. You will no longer be notified of points earned, upcoming expiring points, or if you have a reward available.

Miscellaneous

By providing a cell phone number to enroll in the Reward program, you consent to receiving messages at the cell phone number you provided.

If you provide a cell phone number for the Reward program, you may receive a text when points are earned or about to expire. You must have text messaging enabled on your phone. Your mobile carrier’s message and data rates may apply. Please contact your mobile carrier for information about your text messaging plan. All related charges and fees are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. Your mobile carrier may impose message or charge limitations on your account that are outside our control.

Red Cedar Coffee Co.’s Reward Program can change from time to time. Red Cedar Coffee Co. reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, change, modify or discontinue the Red Cedar Coffee Co. Reward Program, in whole, or in part, including any terms, rules, features, benefits, rewards, conditions of participation, points accruing or accumulation ratio, the point redemption policy, the points expiration policy, or any other aspect of the program at an time, with or without advanced notice, even though changes may affect points and reward already in your account. Red Cedar Coffee Co. is not responsible for incorrect phone numbers, mistakes, errors in creating a rewards account using a phone number.

Any changes will be effective immediately. At all times, you are solely responsible for remaining knowledgeable about and in compliance with the program’s terms.

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The honey process, explained

Have you noticed coffee has changed? Coffee has changed…specifically, the way the coffee has been processed at the farm/micro-mill.

Coffee has traditionally been processed one of two ways, washed process or natural process. Both provide unique flavor profiles.

When clean water is abundant coffee producers may use a washed process to separate the fruit from the coffee bean.

Where water is lacking, a producer would use the natural process and allow the coffee to dry under the sun naturally.

Times have changed due to innovations in processing equipment at the farm and coffee roaster’s request.

Costa Rica has led the innovation by combining elements of the washed and dry processes. This new process is called the honey process. By adjusting equipment such as depulpers at the mill, producers can choose how much fruit they want to remove off the coffee bean. These changes can also impact the way the coffee tastes once it’s been brewed.

Many ask if honey is used in the honey process. The answer is no. The name “honey process” comes from the honey-like fragrance (called “miel” in Spanish) of the fruit drying on the coffee bean.

We are pleased to offer three outstanding honey processed coffees:

  • White honey: most of the fruit is removed off the coffee bean. White honey processed coffees may be described as lighter and brighter. (Example: Costa Rica Finca Dragon)
  • Red honey: about half the coffee fruit remains on the coffee bean throughout the drying process. Red honey coffees will have more body compared to the white honey, and you may notice fruitier notes when you brew your coffee. (Example: Costa Rica Pie San)
  • Black honey: the coffee cherry is peeled but the fruit remains on the coffee beans. Depending on weather condition, it can take 7-14 days for the fruit to dehydrate off the coffee bean. Since the bean is absorbing sugars during this time the coffee will be full bodied, complex and with natural sweetness. (Example: Costa Rica Finca las Torres)

These honey processed coffees are available at the Red Cedar Coffee Co. retail store and online at RedCedarCoffee.com.

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Acidity and Coffee

In our retail store we are often asked about acidity in coffee. While there’s not a one size fits all approach to answering this question, we have outlined a few points to consider.

The term “acidity” is used a few different ways in the coffee industry.

  1. Acidity can be used to describe the bright and tangy sensation that differentiates higher-grown coffee apart from lower-grade coffee. Tasting notes may describe acidic coffee as sour, citrus, tangy.
  2. Acidity can be used to describe the unpleasant stomach irritant that some coffee drinkers may experience. Sometimes it is due to the reaction the body has to caffeine.
  3. Acidity can be measured on the pH scale, which uses 7.0 as an indicator of neutrality. Numbers over 7 are lower-acid and numbers under 7 are more acidic. Black coffee is considered low on the pH scale around 5.  By comparison, lemon juice has a pH around 2, water is around a pH 7, and baking soda is around pH 9.

There are a few ways to limit the amount of acidity in your coffee.

  1. Choosing coffees that are roasted as medium to dark roasts can reduce acidity in the coffee. However, the darker the roast the more it masks what makes the coffee unique (the origin or “terroir”) and the roast style becomes more noticeable. For darker roasts you may see tasting notes that describe the coffee as bittersweet and dark chocolate.
  2. Try coffee origins (regions) where the coffee tends to have less acidity such as Sumatra, Peru, Colombia or Mexico.
  3. Cold brew your coffee. There’s a reaction that happens when hot water hits the coffee grounds. But using cool or room temperature water and slowing down the brewing process (you need 12-24 hours to brew your coffee) you can reduce the amount of acidity in your coffee. By using the Toddy Cold Brew System that we have in our Tasting Room, you can brew a coffee concentrate that you can keep in your refrigerator. You can add milk, milk alternatives and water to the concentrate to make a ready to drink beverage. If you prefer hot coffee, add hot water to the concentrate and you can continue to enjoy a cup of hot coffee.
  4. Brew using a Chemex Coffee Maker. The paper filters are approximately 20-30% thicker than most paper filters. Chemex Coffee Filters are double-bonded and filter out acidity, bitterness, fats and sediments.

COFFEE RECOMMENDATIONS

A few coffees to consider that have lower-acidity:

  • Sumatran Mandheling (medium roast)
  • Fair Trade Certified Mexico (medium roast)
  • Fair Trade Certified Peru (medium roast)

BREWING EQUIPMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Toddy Coffee Maker*
  • Chemex Coffee Maker*

*both models sold in retail store

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