May Coffee of the Month: Fair Trade Sumatra Permata Gayo
May's Coffee of the Month is our elephantastic Sumatra Permata Gayo. The Permata Gayo cooperative was formed in 2006 by 50 coffee farmers throughout the Aceh region of Sumatra. The purpose was to focus on organic farming, which would not only benefit the well-being of their communities, but also raise valuable premiums to rebuild areas damaged by civil war and natural disasters. In 2007, the cooperative earned organic certification from the USDA and in 2008 became Fair Trade certified. Today, Permata Gayo has over 2,500 members and uses Fair Trade premiums to purchase agricultural tools and invest in soil conservation. Naturally processed, with a varietal of Mandheling Typica, Bourbon, Catimor and Timon hybrid, these beans are grown at an altitude between 5,800 and 6,600 feet. Learn more and pick up a tin here.