High quality: Escoffee is an Ecuadorian ‘Specialty coffee’, 100% Arabica, organically cultivated on the slopes of the Andes mountains of Ecuador, wet-processed using only perfectly ripened red cherries. At 1,600 meters above sea level, the perfect acidity is reached, while the aroma of Escoffee is sometimes described as ‘earthy with chocolate and floral tones’.
Socially responsible: Besides focusing on the high quality of the product, our efforts are tailored towards improving the livelihoods of farmers and safeguarding the small scale plantations and their biodiversity. We do this by paying at least the fair trade price (usually about 10% more), and in addition reserving 1/3 of the profits for extra support for the farmers. With this ‘farmer fund’ we were able to finance the organic certification in 2005, finance ten pulping machines in 2006, and purchase laptops for the local managers’ financial administration in 2007. In 2008 the financing of 25 more pulping machines is being realized, as well as two reliable scales to weigh the coffee.
Ecologically responsible: By getting a better price for their product, farmers can continue growing coffee. Small-scale coffee plantations offer a good habitat for insects and small animals, as large trees are left standing (for shade). Trees that are cut down in case a coffee farmer cannot make ends meet anymore and transitions to cattle farming, for instance.
Supporting local processing: Escoffee supports the local economy because it is roasted and packed in the country of origin. This is unique in the world of coffee, where the lion share of all coffee imports into coffee consuming countries is green coffee; a ‘raw’ deal for developing countries! The local roasting also preserves Escoffee’s unparalleled taste. Escoffee is Amigos International’s first 100% PICO product.
History: Escoffee was founded by the young Ecuadorian entrepreneur Miguel Rendón in 2003 and has made (coffee) waves in a short time in the international coffee world. Escoffee won ‘best cupper of Ecuador’ in 2006 and the Trade Leaders Club Best Company Image in 2007. In 2004, Jerome Kruft founded Escoffee Europe, after working with Miguel and the local managers in the coffee villages of Olmedo (Angelino Abád) and Chaguarpamba (Manuel Sánchez) and deciding that Escoffee should be introduced onto the European market. After successful pilot project of introducting Escoffee in five stores around Wageningen, Escoffee was picked up by the Organic Distributor ‘De Nieuwe Band’ as of October 2005. Organic certification was organized in 2005-2006 with the help of De Nieuwe Band and Foundation Hivos. For more information about Escoffee and the 100% PICO concept, please click here.
Interested in a purchase?
- Currently, Escoffee can be purchased in over 70 health food stores in Holland and Belgium.
- Are you interested in bulk purchase or distribution of Escoffee Specialty products, wish to learn more about Escoffee, or wish to visit the coffee producing regions in Ecuador? Then please mail us:
or use the contact form on the right. - For technical product information: Technical Specs
Experience the World of the coffee farmer! In Olmedo and Chaguarpamba (province of Loja, Ecuador) one can stay at a few local hotels during your original and educational coffee vacation. From there, you can venture to coffee plantations, mango orchards, local markets, and more. You could also help a bit with the Escoffee harvest! Some knowledge of Spanish is recommended. For more information: Europe @ escoffee.com (Holland office), or info @ escoffee.com (Ecuador office).
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