STARBUCKS

FROM CROPTO CUPTHE MAKING OF A CUP OF COFFEEProducing coffee is a surprisingly complicated process. There are many steps and many variablesand thus, many opportunities for quality and flavor to be negatively impacted.

Hand labor is necessary at nearly all stages, so ethical practices are a growing concern in the industry.INTROFARMINGCoffee plants are grown in tropical climates.The plants flower and produce fruit that turns red when ripe.Because of uneven ripening, they must be picked by hand.

Brazilian arabicas plant. whyfiles.orgFARMING

The fruit is then pulped to separate it from the seed (which is what we know as the coffee bean).Seeds are dried and prepared for shipment.The process must be done carefully; too much moisture can lead to infections, while too little can degrade flavor.Columbian farmer drying beans. fratellocoffee.comFAIR TRADE and ETHICAL SOURCINGFair Trade practices help farmers escape poverty by setting a minimum buying price and connecting them directly with importers for long-term business.

Starbucks has set a goal of selling 100% ethically-sourced coffee by 2015.This means that coffee production must meet Coffee and Farmer Equity (CAFE) standards, which regulate wage and labor conditions, among others.

Starbucks Ethical Sourcing Goals. starbucks.comPROCESSINGAt this stage, the seeds are removed from their shell (parchment), sorted, and packed for shipment.This can either be accomplished in a large industrial mill . . .

Coffee sorting machines. thirdwavecoffeesource.comPROCESSING

. . . or by individual farmers and workers.

Defective beans must be removed at this stage. This is often done by hand, and is a labor-intensive process.Workers in El Salvador inspect a crop for impurities. wikimedia.orgSHIPPINGOnce the coffee beans are sorted, they are packed for shipment.

Final preparations, including roasting and grinding, usually occur in the import country.

Coffee in Costa Rica ready to ship in 150-lb. bags.travelExperienceCostaRica.comCommercially importing any food product (including coffee) in the U.S. requires filing of Prior Notice with the FDA.

There are no limits, quotas, or taxes on importing coffee into the United States. However, many countries do have such regulations (for example, several Central and South American nations have an import tax).Companies dealing internationally should be aware of applicable regulations.SHIPPINGPREPARATION

Once the coffee has arrived, the roasting process can begin.The roasting technician must have knowledge of the specific type of bean, and adjust the time, temperature, and degree (darkness) of the roast accordingly.Frequent monitoring and sampling is required.Coffee roaster.kocojava.comSELLINGOnce roasted, the coffee can be ground (or sold whole in some cases).

It is at this point that the coffee is ready to be brewed.

Coffee, whole and ground.cosmomagazine.com