What Direct Trade Relationship Coffee Really Means
Alpen Sierra Coffee recently hit two major milestones worth celebrating. First, a full redesign of their coffee bags brought a sleek, updated look to their brand. Second, they launched their first Direct Trade Relationship Coffee (DTRC), built around a microlot sourced directly from Café L’Etranger in El Salvador.
But DTRC isn’t just another label. It’s a model rooted in fairness and transparency.
Here’s why Direct Trade is catching on:
- Fair Pay: Farmers are paid directly—no middlemen taking a cut.
- Better Beans: Producers and roasters work together for quality control.
- Stronger Communities: These relationships often support eco and social sustainability.
For growers, this means more recognition. For roasters, it means a stronger story behind every bag.