Welcome to our blog dedicated to all coffee lovers who seek perfection in every cup. If you are a roaster, barista, or coffee lover, you know how essential it is to find the ideal producer to get the perfect raw material. After all, the quality of coffee starts in the field, in the dedicated hands of the producers who grow this wonderful drink.

In this exciting journey, we will dive into the world of coffee and unlock the secrets to finding the perfect coffee producer. We will cover practical strategies, valuable tips, and essential steps that will help you establish meaningful connections with high-quality coffee producers, ensuring excellence in every bean. It is important to note that we will explore two paths in this article, which are:

1 – How to Find the Perfect Producer: A Step-by-Step Guide

A step-by-step guide following the traditional process for finding the perfect producer, which has proven itself over time and which, if it is your choice, we will walk you through the journey.

2 – How to Find the Perfect Producer Quickly and Directly

FARMly’s revolutionary new features make this whole process easier by making it faster and more straightforward.

We are excited to embark on this journey with you and hope this blog will inspire the never-ending pursuit of quality and perfection in every aspect of the coffee universe. Embrace with us the passion for coffee and discover how to find the perfect producer to create exceptional experiences, enjoying the art, dedication, and flavor in every cup. Let’s start this journey through the fascinating world of coffee beans and unlock the secrets behind the excellence that drives us each new day.

How to Find the Perfect Producer: A Step-by-Step Guide

1 – Establish Clear Criteria

The first essential step in the search for the perfect coffee producer is to establish clear criteria that will guide your selection. Before embarking on the journey of discovery, it is critical to know exactly what you are looking for in a coffee producer. Each roaster may have distinct preferences and needs, and defining your criteria precisely will be the solid foundation for finding the ideal origin.

• Origin and Region

Decide whether you have a preference for a single-origin coffee or a blend sourced from multiple regions. Different regions may have unique flavor characteristics due to climate, soil, and altitude, so it’s important to consider the flavor profile you want to achieve.

• Type of Coffee

Define the type of coffee you want, either Arabica or Robusta. Generally, Arabica coffee is appreciated for its superior quality and complexity of flavors, while Robusta can contribute to body and intensity.

• Agricultural Practices and Sustainability

Determine whether you value sustainable agricultural practices such as organic cultivation, fair trade, and harvesting methods that respect the environment and local communities.

• Product Quality

Establish specific quality standards for the coffee you want to offer your customers. This can include grading criteria, SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) scale scores, and freedom from defects.

• Certifications

Consider whether you prefer to work with producers who have recognized certifications, such as organic, Rainforest Alliance, UTZ Certified, and others. These certifications can be indicative of responsible and ethical practices.

• Direct Relationships or Intermediaries

Decide whether you seek a direct relationship with the producer or prefer to work with intermediaries, such as exporters or cooperatives. Both approaches have their advantages and will depend on your preferences. With FARMly you have the best of both worlds, as you can connect directly with producers and get support throughout the process.

• Price and Availability

Establish a clear budget and know how much you are willing to invest in each producer’s coffee. Also, check the availability of the coffee in relation to the volume you need.

By establishing clear criteria, you will have a clear vision of what is essential for your brand and business. These criteria will be the guide throughout the search, allowing you to evaluate each producer against your requirements and eventually find the perfect partner that complements your vision and passion for coffee. Remember that flexibility is also important, as you won’t always be able to find a producer that meets all the criteria, but defining your priorities will help you make more informed decisions that are aligned with your values and goals.

2 – Participation in Fairs and Events

One of the most exciting and enriching ways to find the perfect coffee producer is to attend fairs and events dedicated to the world of coffee. These occasions offer unique opportunities to connect with producers, explore new origins, sample varied flavors, and immerse yourself in the rich culture surrounding this fascinating beverage.

• Networking and Personal Connections

Coffee fairs bring together industry professionals, producers, and enthusiasts in an environment conducive to the exchange of ideas and experiences. By attending these events, you will have the chance to establish personal connections with producers, create meaningful relationships and learn directly from the industry’s protagonists.

• Tasting and Evaluation

Coffee fairs and events offer the opportunity to taste a variety of coffees from different origins, roasts, and flavor profiles. These tastings will give you a broader picture of what is available on the market and help you improve your sensory evaluation skills.

• Origins knowledge

Lectures, workshops, and demonstrations led by experts can provide detailed information on specific origins, growing practices, processing, and sensory characteristics. This knowledge will enrich your understanding of coffee and help you make more informed decisions.

• Discovering Rare Origins

Some fairs and events feature rare and single-origin coffees that are not normally easily found on the market. These special opportunities allow you to discover new flavors and origins that can captivate your customers.

• Visit Producers’ Stands

At some fairs, coffee producers have booths where you can talk directly with them, learn about their stories, growing practices, and even make business deals. This personal interaction can establish genuine connections and strengthen business relationships.

• Keeping up with Trends

Trade shows and events are the perfect place to stay up to date on the latest trends in the coffee world, from new processing methods to technological innovations in the coffee industry.

A great example of showcasing technological innovations at trade shows is FARMly itself. We recently attended World Of Coffee Athens and took the opportunity to launch our new tools: the demand app and Coffee GPT. In this way, the roasters present were able to get to know and test the industry’s news firsthand.

• Identifying Reliable Suppliers

By meeting producers and importers in person at fairs and events, you can gain valuable insights into the reliability and quality of the coffee they offer.

Remember that attending coffee fairs and events takes planning and resources, but the payoff can be immensely rewarding. Not only will these experiences help you find the perfect coffee producer, but they will also enrich your journey as a coffee professional by connecting you to a global network of passionate coffee drinkers and providing inspiration to constantly elevate the quality of your roast.

3 – Make Farm Visits

One of the most authentic and meaningful experiences to find the perfect coffee producer is to conduct personal visits to the farms where coffee is grown. These trips offer a unique immersion into the world of coffee, allowing you to get up close and personal with the process of growing, harvesting, processing, and, most importantly, the passion and dedication of the producers for this noble crop.

• Understanding the Terroir

By visiting coffee farms, you will gain a deep understanding of terroir – the set of natural factors that influence the flavor profile of coffee. You will see how factors such as altitude, climate, soil, and vegetation contribute to the unique complexity of each origin.

• Human Connection

Visiting coffee farms creates an essential human connection between the producer and the roaster. By interacting directly with farmers, you will understand their stories, challenges, and motivations, developing a genuine respect for the work they do.

• Quality Assessment

During the visit, you will be able to assess the quality of the coffee more accurately by observing the processes of harvesting, selecting, and processing the beans. This will allow you to make more informed choices when selecting the coffees you will purchase.

• Innovation and Continuous Improvement

Many producers are constantly seeking to improve their cultivation and processing techniques. By being present on the farms, you will be able to observe innovations and sustainable practices that add value to the coffee and contribute to the development of the industry.

• Customization of Origins

Visiting farms allows you to further customize your coffee origins. You can work with producers to create unique blends that meet your specifications for taste and quality, reflecting your brand identity.

• Understanding the Hard Work

By witnessing first-hand the hard work of producers, you’ll have a greater appreciation for the care and dedication it takes to grow exceptional coffee beans. This appreciation can be reflected in your own roasting practices and the value you place on the coffee you offer.

• Strengthening Relationships

Visiting farms in person is a unique opportunity to strengthen relationships with producers. This personal connection can lead to longer-lasting and more reliable partnerships with mutual benefits in the long run.

In addition to the exciting experience of visiting coffee farms in person, it is important to emphasize the relevance of having a team in the country of origin that can assist the roaster during the journey. The presence of a local team offers logistical support and knowledge about the region, facilitating locomotion and ensuring that the visit is productive and enriching. Through FARMly, it is possible to overcome geographical and cultural barriers, bringing people together through coffee and making this journey in search of the perfect coffee producer even more meaningful and memorable

Recently, we followed one of our partner roasters, Ben Morrow from Manhattan Coffee Roasters, on a visit to the farm of one of our producers, Inácio Mendes, after all, this is what FARMly represents: the close union of roasters and producers. Through the visit, Ben had the opportunity to learn about Inácio’s history and his family, strengthening a partnership that has existed for some years.

While undertaking coffee farm visits requires time and planning, the knowledge and perspective you will gain from these experiences will be priceless. Not only will these trips aid in the search for the perfect coffee producer, but they will also contribute to the continuous improvement of your passion and knowledge in the world of coffee, making the journey even more rewarding and meaningful.

4 – Taste Coffee Samples

Tasting coffee samples is a crucial step in the search for the perfect coffee producer. This sensory experience allows you to explore the vast spectrum of flavors and aromas that coffee can offer, as well as enhance your tasting and analysis skills. Each sample is like a hidden treasure, waiting to reveal its unique characteristics and potential to delight your customers.

In addition, our new cupping app makes the tasting process even easier. All you have to do is fill in the characteristics of the coffee and they will be recorded for free so you can access them whenever you want.

• Comparison of Flavor Profiles

Tasting different samples side by side allows you to compare flavor profiles and identify subtle nuances between coffees. This comparison is essential for choosing the origin that best meets your needs and your customers’ preferences.

• Feedback to Producers

By providing detailed feedback to producers on the samples you have tasted, you play a crucial role in continuously improving your practices and processes. This constructive dialog not only benefits both parties involved, but also strengthens the bonds between the roaster and the producer, fostering a more fruitful collaboration. Even when a purchase is not made, feedback from the roaster is extremely relevant, as producers value transparency and sincerity. This gesture demonstrates professionalism and respect, making producers trust the work of the roaster and want to establish partnerships in the future. Constructive feedback is a two-way street, establishing a relationship of mutual trust and allowing both to grow and improve in the joint pursuit of exceptional coffee.

• Informed Decision Making

Sample tasting is the basis for informed and confident decision-making in selecting the perfect coffee producer. It contributes to building a diverse and exceptional portfolio, enriching your customers’ experience.

FARMly’s partner producers are already sending samples of this season’s coffees to Europe, so take advantage of the opportunity and place your order via our demand app.

Remember that tasting coffee samples is a continuous journey of learning and discovery. Stay open to new sensory experiences, be willing to experiment and, above all, appreciate the wonderful diversity that the world of coffee has to offer. Each sample is an opportunity to find a unique and special coffee that will add value to your brand and provide moments of pleasure to lovers of this passionate drink.

5 – Join Coffee Groups and Communities

Participating in coffee groups and communities is a valuable way to expand your knowledge, share experiences, and connect with other coffee enthusiasts and professionals. These virtual or in-person spaces are filled with people who are passionate about coffee, and willing to exchange ideas, provide recommendations, and share relevant information. By getting involved in these groups, you will become part of a vibrant community, boosting your search for the perfect coffee producer.

• Exchange of Knowledge and Experience

Coffee groups are an endless source of knowledge, bringing together people with different levels of experience and expertise. By participating in these communities, you will have the opportunity to learn from other members, share your own experiences and gain new perspectives on the world of coffee.

• Recommendations and Referrals

Within these groups, you’ll find people who have explored diverse coffee origins and can offer valuable recommendations. Members share their findings, suggest standout producers, and provide feedback on the quality of the coffees they’ve tried, which can help you find the perfect producer for your needs.

• Access to Resources and Information

Coffee groups and communities are rich sources of up-to-date resources and information about the coffee market, growing practices, roasting techniques, brewing methods, and more. These resources help enhance your understanding of coffee and allow you to make more informed decisions in your search for the ideal producer.

• Networking and Partnerships

By participating in these groups, you will have the opportunity to meet industry professionals such as roasters, baristas, importers, and producers. These connections can open doors for future collaborations, business partnerships, or even visits to the farms of recommended producers.

• Events and Meetings

Coffee groups and communities often organize events such as meet-ups, competitions, or workshops. These events offer the chance to interact face-to-face with other members, participate in hands-on activities, exchange coffee samples, and expand your professional network.

• Discussions and Debates

Coffee groups are a conducive space for discussions and debates on topics relevant to the industry, such as sustainability, fair trade, extraction methods, and emerging trends. Participating in these conversations helps you expand your vision and stay up to date on industry changes and challenges.

• Support and Mentorship

These communities are often warm and welcoming, offering support and mentorship for those just starting out or looking to improve their skills in the coffee world. Members are willing to share their knowledge and help guide you in your search for the perfect coffee producer.

By actively participating in coffee groups and communities, you will connect with a diverse network of individuals who share your passion. This constant interaction will broaden your horizons, boost your personal and professional growth, and bring you closer to the perfect coffee producer, as well as providing an enriching experience in this captivating and aromatic world.

How to Find the Perfect Producer Quickly and Directly

1 – The FARMly Demand App

If the traditional journey requires time that you don’t have, the demand app is the solution for you! Through it, you can quickly place orders that are forwarded directly to producers who have the coffee profile you are looking for. In addition, you can communicate directly with these producers and understand even more about coffee through our chat.

2 – Coffee GPT

Coffee GPT is an even simpler way to know the ideal coffee for you and make the purchase. The app is an artificial intelligence developed by FARMly that helps you to know the coffee that meets your specific demands, just tell us what characteristics you are looking for and this tool will indicate which producers have this profile and several other information about the coffee.

Throughout this journey of discovery in the coffee universe, we explore the strategies and practices that can lead to finding the perfect coffee producer. By establishing clear criteria, attending fairs and events, conducting farm visits, tasting samples, and interacting with passionate communities, we unlock the secrets that shape the exceptional quality of this precious beverage.

So let us continue our search for the essence of perfect coffee, driven by curiosity, gratitude, and reverence for the hands that grow it. May this journey guide us to a world of infinite possibilities, where each bean is a unique gem, capable of captivating the hearts and palates of coffee lovers around the world.