Equal Exchange Organic Black Silk Espresso

#1: Post by **Mike Panic** » October 17th, 2012, 11:28 pm

Running low on beans I happened to be at a Whole Foods tonight in Philly (I live an hour away) and stumbled upon Equal Exchange and figured sure, why not? For $12 I'll give it a try. I will probably be onto it by this weekend, did a search and couldn't find any info, anyone have experience?

http://www.equalexchange.coop/espressos

#2: Post by **another_jim** » October 18th, 2012, 12:21 am

Last time I saw Equal Exchange, they were a typical "premium" supermarket coffee brand with oil slick beans and a dash of ethics as their distinguishing marks. Everything was roasted so dark, it all tasted pretty much the same.

October 18th, 2012, 12:09 pm

That's both unfair and inaccurate, Jim. Love Fair Trade or hate it, Equal Exchange's passionate devotion to the movement is beyond doubt. There is nothing "typical" about them. Equal Exchange, itself, is organized as an employee-owned cooperative, and they have worked tirelessly at origin for years to improve the lives of farmers. This is no "green-washed" company.

I have no opinion about the qualities of their roasted coffees, which I suspect cover a broader range of roasts than what you sampled.

#4: Post by **Intrepid510** » October 18th, 2012, 12:40 pm

I got on their mail catalog list somehow... I have never bought them because I never see a roasted on date, but it seems to be pretty popular at my local natural foods store.

#5: Post by **another_jim** » October 18th, 2012, 1:41 pm

Marshall wrote:That's both unfair and inaccurate, Jim.

Unfair yes; inaccurate no.

I sample the supermarket staple coffees every few years. The premium brands are Starbucks, Peets, Millstone, Equal Exchange, imports like Illy and Lavazza, along with some of the local roasters who stock in the markets (here in Chicago, it's mostly Intelligentsia, Papanicholas, Steep and Brew and Alterra). Equal Exchange coffees have consistently been among the darkest roasts and the lowest quality beans in this category.

I suspect they act as a clearing house for the Fair Trade coffees that do not find a market elsewhere. But to my mind, selling low level, non-specialty coffees under the fair trade label does not contribute to the conjunction of quality and social justice that a healthy coffee market needs. All growers, even the best, will produce some low quality and triage coffee. I am almost certain that selling the triage and low quality coffees of fair trade growers with a social justice branding is something that will hurt rather than help the fair trade concept.

For instance, I buy (and mostly throw away) a lot of random stuff at various local charity events. My motive is the charity's intent, not the thing I'm buying. Therefore, this does nothing to create a sustained market for any of the stuff I get at these events. Selling very poor fair trade coffee by appealing only to people's good will similarly can do nothing for the coffee market, regardless of the ancillary good it does.

#6: Post by **peacecup** » October 19th, 2012, 2:28 am

Probably mostly true on the philosophical front Jim. But one question comes to mind - here, and in coffee in a general sense. Is there not some segment of the coffee market that simply drinks coffee for caffeine, and perhaps a warm beverage, and cares little or nothing for the taste? My street experience tells me this is so, although I've never given it much thought. In that case there would be a submarket is those who care about social justice and caffeine, but not flavor.

#7: Post by **jonny** » October 19th, 2012, 3:23 am

another_jim wrote: I am almost certain that selling the triage and low quality coffees of fair trade growers with a social justice branding is something that will hurt rather than help the fair trade concept.

I agree with that! Myself as an example: I generally avoid fair trade or organic coffees that I have never tried unless it is recommended by someone I know and who's palate I respect or from a roaster with whom I respect and appreciate everything they put out. I want to base my purchase purely on quality and not emotion. There is a time and a medium for the greater good. My coffee really isn't that medium. This doesn't mean I don't want better lives for the farmers producing my coffee. Most sources of beans I purchase are direct trade and honorable companies. Knowing their business models and philosophies, I have no reason to believe the farmers aren't getting good prices, and rightfully so!

peacecup wrote:Probably mostly true on the philosophical front Jim. But one question comes to mind - here, and in coffee in a general sense. Is there not some segment of the coffee market that simply drinks coffee for caffeine, and perhaps a warm beverage, and cares little or nothing for the taste? My street experience tells me this is so, although I've never given it much thought. In that case there would be a submarket is those who care about social justice and caffeine, but not flavor.

Of course, most coffee drinkers, I'd say, fall in that segment. But this is "home-barista," not "home-socialist." As far as this forum goes, what you describe isn't what the members here are looking for. Certifications like Fair Trade and USDA Organic are far from my top factors that determine my coffee purchase. I also avoid cafes that only offer organic and/or FT coffees. There intentions are good, but not what I'm looking for.

More on topic: My guess, by the name, the coffee in question is probably going to be charcoal. Sorry to rain on your parade. Hopefully you can prove me wrong.

#8: Post by **jfrescki** » October 19th, 2012, 8:34 am

LOL, way off topic, but I googled home-socialist and unfortunately only came up with www.socialist.net.

#9: Post by **another_jim** » October 19th, 2012, 12:33 pm

peacecup wrote: .. In that case there would be a submarket is those who care about social justice and caffeine, but not flavor.

You're right -- it's a very large world we live in; and has room for every conceivable combination of tastes. But I'm not sure what happens, long term, in markets where coffee is merely regarded as a stimulant. Vending machines of fair trade stimulants only makes sense if the stimulants are agricultural, not manufactured.

Of course, the definition of Fair Trade could change, people might start insisting on Fair Trade I-phones, for instance. But I can't see this happening any time soon.

#10: Post by **Marshall** » October 19th, 2012, 1:37 pm

another_jim wrote:I suspect they act as a clearing house for the Fair Trade coffees that do not find a market elsewhere. But to my mind, selling low level, non-specialty coffees under the fair trade label does not contribute to the conjunction of quality and social justice that a healthy coffee market needs. All growers, even the best, will produce some low quality and triage coffee.

Seriously, folks. "Clearing house?" "Triage?" People's tastes will vary, and there are admittedly ranges of specialty coffee from fair to extraordinary. But those are serious words to sling around without some background.

Reality check: http://smallfarmersbigchange.coop/2010/ ... nicaragua/