Women play a big part in coffee growing and make up 43% of global agricultural farming labour. However, for many coffee farms across the globe, men hold the economic power and decide where the money is to be delegated within the community.

Out of the need for a support system to unite women who are marginalised and to break the cycle of poverty and abuse in these remote communities, a women’s cooperative was born. In 2003, the first conference of Women Coffee Producers was held in Northern Peru. In 2004, 464 women united and created Café Fememino Cooperative. Cafe Fememino now spreads across 10 countries worldwide.

We had the privilege of meeting some of the women from Café Femenino when we visited Sumatra in 2016. Our purpose was to visit the First Women’s Fairtrade Coffee cooperative in Asia. This cooperative, with the support of Fairtrade and the Café Femenino Project, is conducting leadership and business training to improve, in their words, “the skills and courage they need to be successful in entrepreneurship, financial management, and high-quality coffee production."

Café Femenino is paid in addition to fairtrade organic premiums. With economic control in their hands, funds allow women coffee growers to pursue their quest for equality and independence. Investments go towards community betterment projects, including children’s libraries, schools, health and nutritional education, and programs that build self-esteem, human rights awareness, and literacy. It has allowed women and mothers to become role models and set a standard for women as leaders for the generations to come.

Our Single Origin Peru Café Femenino Premium is purchased through Café Femenino from a number of different all-female grower cooperatives in Peru depending on seasonal supplies. These women care and treat the quality of their world-class coffee with pride and tremendous respect. Grown in the north-west regions of Peru at 950 to 1700 metres above sea level, this speciality coffee brings rich stone fruit flavours, sweet dates, dark chocolate.

This Arabica certified Fairtrade Organic coffee is fully washed and processed by women members of the Café Femenino Project. These women care and treat the quality of their world-class coffee they produce with pride and tremendous respect.

Tasting notes: Medium body, medium acidity. Sweet dates, dark chocolate and plums.

Serving suggestions: espresso, Aeropress, french press / plunger, pour-over Chemex, pour-over Hario V60