Farm/Farmer: Mahesh

Altitude: 1100 MASL

Region: Pazhani Mazhai

Country: India

Ethics: Certified Climate Wave

Mahesh is a pioneer who actively promotes natural farming practices in the coffee growing region: Pazhani Malai located in southern region of India. We proudly call him The Natural Farmer. His farm beautifully coexists with the raw nature at an altitude of 1100 meters above sea level. When you walk into his farm, you will find it hard to spot coffee plants because of the rich biodiversity. The forest floor is covered with herbs protecting the fertile soil. The shrubs will rub your legs as you walk. Fruits of different kinds some are edible for humans and some are for birds, hanging from the tall canopy trees. The coffee plants are hiding safe and well protected by their neighbouring flora and fauna. Mahesh never uses toxic chemical pesticides and weedicides to ensure soil, wildlives, and his team members are protected. He pioneers in zero-water pulping as opposed to the common practice of pumping 100 litres of water per cup of coffee and never pollutes creeks with uncomposed green coffee wastes.

Yay! This is a Single-Varietal Coffee. Add this to your coffee collection.

Coffee species: Arabica

Varietal / Sub-species: Selection 795

Process: Selective Naturals

Lot type: Nanolot #2812

Size: 6.5mm

Quality: Ceremonial

Ceremonial grade is not easy to achieve. We only grant this credential to coffees that are directly traded by us and have been visited and lived in by ourselves on the farm. After our initial conversation with Mahesh, it became clear that he operates from his heart center. He genuinely cares for the forest and protects it with all his power against all odds. Many farmers do that, but what sets him apart is his phenomenal attention to quality. This coffee is a nanolot, which means only a few kilograms of fully ripe single-varietal coffee fruits are selectively hand harvested in a day. Since that day, this coffee has never been mixed with any other coffee fruits or beans. It represents the ultimate level of transparency, and when you take a sip of this coffee, you are transported back to his coffee farm on that day of harvest. Not only that, after harvesting fruits, multiple levels of quality checks occur at Mahesh's farm to choose only nature's best beans to end up in our cup. We not only know the date of harvest, but also the size of each bean, which is super important for consistent roasting. The combination of deepest love for nature, oneself, others, and the art of producing the highest possible quality of coffee make this Ceremonial Coffee Beans.

Landed cost of green beans: $27.24 CAD / KG

Green beans import partner: Directly traded

Roasting studio location: Victoria

Roasting facility description: Single-use plastic free

Roasting fuel: Induction, 100% renewable energy

Roast Degree: Medium

We go beyond fair-trading. We add meaning to Support Local movement. We take pride in our role in the coffee industry, which has historically championed the fair trade movement and is now embracing pricing transparency. We are among the few coffee professionals worldwide who openly share the landed cost of our green beans. We believe that this transparency in pricing will empower the hardest workers in the global coffee value chain—farmers and farm workers—by granting them financial independence and helping them overcome poverty. Additionally, it encourages fair pricing, ensuring consumers are not excluded from the "fair trade" equation. Keeping profit-margin a secret strengthens capitalism and perpetuates unequal distribution of wealth. Conversely, transparency in pricing not only fosters fair trade between farmers and roasters but also benefits coffee consumers. We see this commitment to transparency as a crucial step toward achieving justice and equality for all involved.

We are proud to be pioneers in single-use plastic-free coffee roasting operations. We receive most of our green coffee beans in reusable bags. 100% of them are stored in reusable containers such as bags and boxes. Plastic labels are not used to identify the coffee beans in our bins. Roasted beans are also stored in reusable containers. We undertake these practices to lead by example. The success of our business model serves as an open case study, available for global entrepreneurs seeking inspiration to adopt sustainable practices.

Delivery and Pickup Options:

1. Zero-emission, free delivery within the Greater Victoria region. Or,
2. pick it up at our artisan roasting studio inside Green Cuisine Cafe at 560 Johnson Street, Victoria, BC, in Market Square. Or,
3. flat-rate carbon-neutral Canada-wide delivery available.

Packaging Options:

1. Your own container: If you are picking up, bring a few empty reusable containers. For free local delivery, leave a few resuable containers outside your door or be available to receive at the delivery location. This option is not available for Canada-wide delivery. 
2. Compostable recycled paper bag: The paper bag is breathable and will not protect coffee from moisture or water. We highly recommend transferring to an airtight container as soon as possible. Compost the paper bag afterwards. 
3. Glass jar without labels: This is a good option if you don't have an airtight container at your place and if you are planning to reuse this jar.
4. Glass jar with paper labels for gifting: This is a good option if you are gifting this coffee to your loved ones. We use 100% plastic-free and tree-free gift packaging. Monica is a professional craftsperson. She loves gift packing :) 

In the morning's hush, coffee whispers more than just caffeine's touch. It's a mindful journey, a symphony of flavors unique to each cup.

Our guide? Simply put: "Try it all." Be daring, be free.

From French press hugs to Turkish tales, from gentle drips to espresso's fire, each method holds a key to joy.

In every sip, our farmers' toil sings—a tribute to their craft, their love in every bean. As you, the barista, take each cup in hand, it becomes a sacred trust—to honor the journey from soil to cup, in each pour, in each brew, in every moment shared. So pause, slow down, drink without judgment, and let the warmth of each sip spread love both far and wide, resonating deeply within you, the barista.

And amidst it all, let's celebrate the forests, guardians of our precious beans, capturing greenhouse gases, nurturing the very essence of our beloved brew.

PS: Contribute your tasting notes via our Sustainable Coffee Passport.