☕ Expanding Our Coffee Selection!
We're thrilled to introduce 8 new single-origin coffees to our menu, each ethically sourced through direct trade partnerships. Every cup tells a story of quality, sustainability, and fair compensation for the farmers who make it possible.
At Hearth & Brew, we've always believed that exceptional coffee begins long before it reaches our roasters. As Toronto's Coziest Café and winner of the Community Green Choice Award, we're committed to sourcing beans that are as ethical as they are delicious. Today, we're excited to share the next chapter in that commitment.
Meet Our New Single-Origin Collection
After months of cupping sessions, farm visits, and relationship building, we're proud to introduce eight extraordinary coffees that showcase the diversity and quality of ethically sourced beans. Each origin has been selected not just for its flavor profile, but for the sustainable farming practices and fair trade relationships behind it.
| Origin | Flavor Profile | Processing Method | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethiopia Yirgacheffe | Bright floral notes, bergamot, blueberry sweetness | Washed | 1,800-2,200m |
| Colombia Supremo | Caramel, chocolate, balanced acidity with nutty finish | Washed | 1,400-1,800m |
| Guatemala Antigua | Full-bodied, cocoa, spice notes, smooth finish | Washed | 1,500-1,700m |
| Kenya AA | Wine-like acidity, blackcurrant, citrus brightness | Washed | 1,500-2,100m |
| Brazil Cerrado | Low acidity, chocolate, nutty, creamy body | Natural/Dry | 800-1,300m |
| Costa Rica Tarrazú | Crisp acidity, honey sweetness, citrus notes | Honey Processed | 1,200-1,700m |
| Rwanda Bourbon | Complex, floral, red fruit, velvety texture | Fully Washed | 1,700-2,000m |
| Peru Cajamarca | Mild, sweet, chocolate, orange zest, clean cup | Washed | 1,100-1,900m |
The Numbers Behind Ethical Sourcing
Ethical sourcing isn't just a buzzword for us—it's a measurable commitment backed by transparent practices and fair compensation. Here's what our sourcing model looks like:
| Ethical Sourcing Metric | Hearth & Brew Standard | Industry Average |
|---|---|---|
| Price Premium Above Fair Trade Minimum | 45-65% higher | 0-15% higher |
| Direct Trade Relationships | 100% of single-origins | 20-30% |
| Farm Visit Frequency | Annual visits to each partner | Every 3-5 years |
| Farmer Compensation as % of Retail Price | 18-22% | 7-10% |
| Long-term Contracts (3+ years) | 8 out of 8 origins | 1-2 typical |
| Quality Score (SCA Standards) | 85-90 points | 80-84 points |
| Certifications per Origin | 2-3 (Organic, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance) | 0-1 |
| Traceability to Individual Farm | 100% | 40-50% |
What Direct Trade Really Means
Unlike traditional commodity coffee trading, our direct trade model means we work directly with farming cooperatives and individual producers. This approach eliminates unnecessary middlemen, ensures farmers receive fair compensation, and gives us complete transparency into growing and processing methods.
Our Direct Trade Commitments
- Minimum price guarantees that are 45-65% above Fair Trade minimums, providing economic stability for farming families
- Multi-year contracts with all eight origin partners, allowing farmers to invest in quality improvements and sustainable practices
- Quality premiums paid for exceptional lots that score 86+ on Specialty Coffee Association standards
- Pre-harvest financing available to help farmers cover costs before harvest season
- Transparent pricing where farmers know exactly what Toronto consumers pay and how much reaches them
- Technical support including agronomist consultations and processing improvements funded by Hearth & Brew
- Community development contributions of $2 per pound toward education, healthcare, and infrastructure projects
Featured Origin Stories: Meet Our Partners
Behind every cup is a community of farmers whose dedication and expertise make exceptional coffee possible. Here are three of our newest partnerships:
🇪🇹 Gera Washing Station, Ethiopia
Partner Since: 2025 | Farmers Served: 850 smallholders
Located in the Yirgacheffe region at elevations between 1,800-2,200 meters, the Gera cooperative represents 850 smallholder farmers cultivating native Ethiopian heirloom varieties. Our partnership provides 55% above Fair Trade minimum pricing and has funded a new school serving 320 children in the community.
In Your Cup: Delicate floral notes reminiscent of jasmine, bright bergamot acidity, and a lingering sweetness of wild blueberry. This naturally complex coffee requires minimal intervention in roasting to let its inherent qualities shine.
🇷🇼 Dukunde Kawa Cooperative, Rwanda
Partner Since: 2025 | Farmers Served: 2,000 members (60% women-led farms)
Founded in 2000 by coffee farmers committed to rebuilding Rwanda's specialty coffee sector, Dukunde Kawa has become a model of quality and social impact. Our three-year contract includes 62% price premiums and co-investment in a new wet mill that improved processing quality and reduced water usage by 40%.
In Your Cup: Complex and elegant with floral aromatics, bright red fruit notes (cherry, raspberry), and a silky, medium body. The fully washed processing creates exceptional clarity and cleanliness in the cup.
🇨🇷 Helsar de Zarcero Micromill, Costa Rica
Partner Since: 2025 | Farmers Served: Family-owned estate + 45 neighboring farms
The Cordero family has operated Helsar de Zarcero for three generations in the Tarrazú region. Their innovative honey processing method—where coffee is dried with varying amounts of fruit mucilage intact—creates unique flavor profiles. We pay 50% above Fair Trade pricing and collaborate on experimental processing trials.
In Your Cup: Honey processing brings pronounced sweetness reminiscent of honey and brown sugar, balanced by crisp citrus acidity. The medium body and clean finish make this an exceptional pour-over or drip coffee.
Quality & Comfort: The Hearth & Brew Standard
Our expanded coffee selection maintains the same commitment to exceptional quality and genuine comfort that earned us recognition as Toronto's Coziest Café. Every new origin has been meticulously evaluated through our quality standards:
Our Quality Assurance Process
- Pre-shipment cupping of samples from every lot before purchase commitment
- Arrival quality control with comprehensive cupping within 24 hours of receiving beans
- Roast profile development with 15-25 test roasts to optimize each origin's potential
- Daily quality panels where our team cups all coffees to ensure consistency
- Customer feedback integration with quarterly menu adjustments based on preferences
- Storage optimization in temperature and humidity-controlled environment to preserve freshness
- Batch documentation tracking roast date, profile, and cupping scores for transparency
Environmental Sustainability in Our Supply Chain
Ethical sourcing extends beyond farmer compensation to environmental stewardship. All eight of our new origins follow sustainable farming practices that protect ecosystems and combat climate change:
| Sustainability Practice | Implementation Across Our Origins |
|---|---|
| Shade-Grown Coffee | 100% (preserves forest canopy and biodiversity) |
| Organic Certification | 6 out of 8 origins (75%) |
| Water Conservation Practices | 8 out of 8 origins use eco-pulpers and wastewater treatment |
| Composting of Coffee Pulp | 8 out of 8 origins return nutrients to soil |
| Renewable Energy in Processing | 5 out of 8 origins use solar or micro-hydro |
| Reforestation Programs | 8 out of 8 origins actively plant native trees |
| Carbon-Neutral Shipping | 100% of our imports offset through verified programs |
Our Carbon Footprint Commitment
We recognize that importing coffee from around the world has environmental impact. To address this:
- Carbon offset purchases for 150% of calculated shipping emissions through Gold Standard certified reforestation projects
- Consolidated shipping to minimize freight frequency and optimize container usage
- Reusable jute bags for all green coffee imports, eliminating single-use packaging
- Local roasting eliminates distribution emissions from external roasters to our café
- Energy-efficient roaster reduces gas consumption by 35% compared to conventional models
How to Experience Our New Coffees
We're making it easy for our community to explore these exceptional origins:
☕ Tasting Experiences
- Single-Origin Pour-Overs: Available daily for $5.50 per cup, rotating through all eight origins
- Flight Tasting: Sample three origins side-by-side for $12 (available weekends)
- Weekly Featured Origin: One coffee spotlighted each week at regular menu price
- Take-Home Beans: All eight origins available by the pound ($18-24) or half-pound ($10-13)
- Subscription Service: Monthly delivery of rotating single-origins ($45/month for 2 lbs)
- Tasting Notes Cards: Provided with every cup detailing origin story, farming practices, and flavor profile
Educational Coffee Cuppings
Starting February 15th (coinciding with our expansion grand reopening), we're hosting monthly public coffee cuppings where you can:
- Learn professional tasting techniques from our head roaster
- Compare multiple origins side-by-side
- Understand how processing methods affect flavor
- Hear stories about the farmers and communities behind each coffee
- Ask questions about sourcing, roasting, and brewing
When: Third Saturday of each month, 2:00-3:30 PM
Cost: $15 per person (includes tasting of 5 coffees and take-home brewing guide)
Capacity: 12 participants per session (registration required)
The Hearth & Brew Difference: Comfort Meets Conscience
As we expand our coffee selection, we remain committed to the values that made us Toronto's most beloved café. Every cup of our new single-origin coffees represents:
- Exceptional quality from farms that prioritize sustainable practices and specialty-grade cultivation
- Genuine comfort knowing your coffee purchase supports fair wages and community development
- Complete transparency with traceable supply chains and open sharing of our sourcing practices
- In-house expertise from roasting to brewing, ensuring optimal expression of each origin's character
- Community connection between Toronto coffee lovers and farming communities around the world
Our 50,000+ cups served have always been roasted with care. Now, with eight new ethically sourced origins, we're offering even more ways to experience exceptional coffee while supporting a more sustainable, equitable coffee industry.
Visit Us & Taste the Difference
Come experience our new single-origin coffees at Hearth & Brew. Whether you prefer the bright florals of Ethiopian Yirgacheffe or the chocolate richness of Brazilian Cerrado, there's an ethically sourced coffee waiting to become your new favorite.
Location: 160 Baldwin St, Kensington Market, Toronto
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9AM-9PM
Grand Reopening: February 15th with special coffee tastings all day
Join the Ethical Coffee Movement
Every cup you enjoy at Hearth & Brew is a vote for a better coffee industry—one that values farmer livelihoods, environmental sustainability, and exceptional quality. We invite you to be part of this movement.
Come taste the difference that ethical sourcing makes. Experience coffee that's good for farmers, good for the planet, and exceptionally good in your cup.
About Hearth & Brew: Winner of Toronto's Coziest Café award and Community Green Choice Award, Hearth & Brew is a Kensington Market café specializing in ethically sourced, small-batch roasted coffee. We maintain direct trade relationships with all our origin partners and are committed to transparency, quality, and sustainability from farm to cup. Visit us at 160 Baldwin Street, Monday-Saturday, 9AM-9PM.