FAQ

At Equal Exchange 100% of our coffee is fairly traded. Other companies‚ Fair Trade coffee sales usually constitute only a small percentage of their total sales. In such cases Fair Trade coffee products are something added on to, and possibly subsided by, a much larger conventional coffee operation.

We were the first company to bring fairly traded coffee to the United States back in 1991, and remained the only organization using the fair trade model until 1998.

As a worker co-operative Equal Exchange operates in the same democratic, equitable, and transparent manner that the fair trade certification system requires of participating farmer co-operatives. Conventional companies are neither obliged to, nor do, operate in accordance with these Fair Trade principles.

All of Equal Exchange's organic coffee is certified by Oregon Tilth. Oregon Tilth Certified Organic (OTCO) is an internationally recognized symbol of organic integrity. The purpose of organic certification is to ensure that the agreed upon conventions of organic agricultural systems are being practiced not only by growers, but also by all the people who handle and process organic food on its journey to the final consumer. To accomplish this, OTCO provides a system which combines strict production standards, verifiable third party inspections, and legally binding affidavits to protect the producers and buyers of organic products. For more information, visit the Oregon Tilth website.

All our coffee is certified "OU" kosher. The "OU", Orthodox Union, is the largest and oldest Kosher supervising agency in the world. The OU
has supervised Kosher products for seventy five years. The OU certifies over 2,300 companies with 4,500 plants in 70 countries around the globe with a total of over 300,000 labels.

Kosher supervision means that a qualified Rabbi or Rabbinic organization supervises the production of a food item to insure that the product is
Kosher (prepared in accordance with Jewish dietary law). For more information, visit www.ou.org.

Our concern for the quality of farmers‚ lives is matched by our concern for the quality of our coffee. Through our long-term relationships with the farmers and yearly visits to the co-ops, we maintain an intimate knowledge of the coffee harvest and the quality of the beans. We have a rigorous system for quality control from bean to cup. Each pre-shipment sample is evaluated to meet our standards. When the approved shipment arrives, it is evaluated again for consistency and preparation. After each coffee is roasted, they are individually "cupped" to ensure consistency in the roast and the flavor profile needed for that particular coffee.

If you choose whole bean coffee, grind it according to your brewing method—coarse for French presses and percolators, medium for automatic drip and fine for espresso machines.

As a general rule, use 2 tablespoons of coffee to 6 ounces of filtered water. The most important thing is to brew the coffee the way you like
it.

To preserve freshness, store your coffee in an airtight container. It is not necessary to put your coffee in the refrigerator or freezer.

Here at Equal Exchange, our coffee is roasted to bring out the finest characteristics in each bean. Using a series of strict quality controls, we evaluate the characteristics of each bean to determine the proper roast and blend combinations. We offer four different coffee roasts:

Medium Roast
Color: Cinnamon Brown

As coffee beans begin to develop, they reach the first stage of roasting that is light in color and bright in the cup.

Full City Roast
Color: Chestnut Brown

The most desirable characteristics of a particular country or region are exemplified in our full city roast. Beans are at their most complex and
most flavorful.

Vienna Roast
Color: Dark Chocolate Brown

Rich coffee oils evenly cover the surface of the beans to produce a smokey aroma and a smooth, rich cup.

French Roast
Color: Mahogany Brown

The intensity of this dark roast is seen in the deep coffee oils that cover its surface. The sweet, carbony aroma and velvety flavor make this an international favorite!

This tea is special: the people who grow it, the stories and communities behind it, and its unique flavor. Most teas come from large plantations where workers have little say. We are helping to build a different system that values the voice of small farmers, their products, and democracy in trade.

Yes. All current Equal Exchange tea products are certified organic by Oregon Tilth. For more information, visit the Oregon Tilth website.

Tea Promoters of India (TPI), Mineral Springs Cooperative, Potong Cooperative
Region: Darjeeling, West Bengal, India
Tea Promoters of India TPI has been a pioneer in bringing environmental and social reforms to the tea industry. TPI is a Darjeeling-based family operation that manages six organic, Fair Trade tea gardens. In addition, TPI is supporting small tea farmers and helping them to get access to the market and a fair price for their tea.

The Mineral Springs Cooperative was one of the first small farming initiatives in the plantation heavy region of Darjeeling. The land that cooperative members live on was a tea plantation in the early part of the century but abandoned in the 1950s. The community has since depended mostly upon subsistence farming of corn, millet, potatoes and vegetables. Small local sales of ginger, cardamom and oranges provide some of their income. TPI has been working with the Sanjukta Vikas Cooperative to help them develop quality standards and market their tea.

Small Organic Farmers Association (SOFA) and BioFoods
Region: Gampola and Uva, Sri Lanka
Our partners in Sri Lanka are the Small Organic Farmers association and BioFoods. Tea is grown by the smal landowners of SOFA and processed by Biofoods. The SOFA project began in 1993 with the vision to establish a prosperous community living in harmony with the environment, and today there are over 1,600 participants. Unlike mono-crop plantations that strip the land of its nutrients, SOFA farmers grow a variety of crops including pepper, cloves, and ginger, which help to preserve the land.

Wupperthal Original Rooibos Cooperative (WORC)
Region: Cederberg Region, South Africa
Wupperthal Original Rooibos Cooperative (WORC) is a democratically organized group of small-scale farmers who have grown Rooibos in South Africa for generations. The Wupperthal farmers were pushed off the most fertile land in the 1800’s and later endured the apartheid era. They grow food in the very dry, rocky soil of the Cedarberg Mountains which presents a big challenge for most of their crops. With Rooibos, however, the slower growth and lower production has resulted in notably higher quality than plantation Rooibos which is grown on the most fertile lands.

Brewing tea is more of art than science. There are many variables that will affect your final cup: the tea, steeping method, water quality, water temperature and time.

Always start with fresh cold water. Heat the water based on the type of tea you are drinking. Generally, water for black and herbal teas should be boiling (212F) and water for green teas should be considerabley cooler (170-180F). Steeping time varies based on the tea and your taste, but 2 to 5 minutes should be the range for green and black tea bagged teas. Typically, herbal teas can be steeped for at least 5 minutes.

All traditional teas - green and black - come from the Camellia sinensis plant. The difference between green and black teas is the result of processing. Rooibos, Chamomile, and Peppermint are herbs.

Green Teas go through 3 main steps: withering, steaming, and drying. During the withering process, freshly plucked leaves are laid out on long tables to allow water to evaporate from the leaves. After withering, the leaves are steamed to prevent any of the enzymes from oxidizing. Finally, the leaves are carefully dried and sealed into large tea chests for storage or shipment.

Black teas go through 4 main steps: withering, rolling, oxidizing, and drying. During the withering process, freshly plucked leaves are laid out on long tables to allow water to evaporate from the leaves. After withering, the leaves are rolled by hand or machine. Rolling gently breaks and bruises the leaves to release the enzymes from within the leaves. After rolling, the leaves are laid out on racks where they are oxidized. This process is what turns the leaves from green to brown and black in color. When the optimal level of oxidation is reached, the leaves are dried to stop oxidation. The leaves are then packed and sealed into large tea chests for storage or shipment.

We do not offer any decaf black teas but we do have four naturally caffeine-free herbal tisanes. These are Chamomile, Peppermint, Rooibos, and Vanilla Rooibos.

We source our cacao exclusively from small-scale farmer co-ops in the Dominican Republic, Panama, Ecuador and Peru. The farmers own their land and control their livelihoods. As co-op members, together they choose how to invest Fair Trade premiums in their communities, such as installing wells for drinking water, a nursery for cacao plants, or a new school. For an industry traditionally rooted in exploitation – and a reliance on child slave labor – this is a big feat.

In 2000 and 2001, journalists documented the continued practice of forced child labor in the West African cocoa trade—source of 70% of the world's cocoa. Since the Ivory Coast in West Africa alone produces 40% of the world's cocoa, its beans are mixed into almost every brand of mass-produced chocolate. Further, a handful of western corporations control approximately 85% of Ivorian cocoa exports. Yet, corporations of the global cocoa/chocolate trade - companies like Hershey's, Mars, Nestlé, Russell Stover, Cargill, and ADM - have done little to address this problem.

Most cocoa on the world market is bought "blind" through importers and brokers, but fairly traded cocoa is monitored - from the farmers to the store shelf - by independent, non-profit, certifying organizations that guarantee that the cocoa was produced and traded in a socially responsible manner, specifically that:

* International Labor Organization Conventions 29, 105 and 138 on child labor and forced labor are adhered to.

* the cocoa was bought directly from a democratically controlled co-operative of small scale farmers. This helps them gain more control of their livelihoods and ensures farmers a higher percentage of cocoa export revenues.

Co-operatives of small-scale, organic family farmers in the Dominican Republic, Peru, Panama, Ecuador and Paraguay, including:

• CONACADO (the National Confederation of Dominican Cocoa Producers). This co-operative includes 9,000 small-scale farmers, or 25% of all Dominican cacao growers.www.conacado.com.do/
  
  
• COCABO (the Multiservice Cacao Co-operative of Bocatorena). Founded in 1952, it was the first agricultural co-op established in Panama. COCABO is an organization of 1,500 small-scale cacao farmers, mostly of the Naso and Ngobe peoples, in the Bocas del Toro province.
  
  
• CACVRA (Cooperativa Agraria Cafetelera del Valle Rio Apurímac), and El Quinacho, two co-ops of approximately 1,500 small-scale coffee and cacao growers (total) in southern Peru.
  
  
• Fortaleza del Valle. This co-op was founded in 2005 to improve living conditions for small-scale cacao producers in the Manabí Province of Ecuador. The co-operative is made up of five regional groups, with over 630 farmers as members.
  
  
• Co-ops of small-scale sugar cane farmers in Paraguay, Manduvirá and Asocase.
  
  

• knows quality chocolate
  
• supports small farmer co-ops through Fair Trade
  
• supports organic farming practices and organic ingredients
  AND
  
• is worker-owned

• Organic farming methods and ingredients
  
  Our farmer partners use sustainable farming methods, without harmful pesticides or fertilizers. Since the chocolate products are made without corn syrup, soy lecithin or other additives, it's a healthier option you can feel good about putting in your body.
  
  It's also healthier for the planet. Cacao trees create shade for other plants (such as coffee), and cacao pods are composted and used as natural fertilizer.
  
  -Read this FAQ on organic cacao farming.
  -Read about the production process, from Bean to Bar.
  
  
• Free of child slave labor
  
  Equal Exchange sources cacao exclusively from small-scale farmer co-ops in the Dominican Republic, Panama, Peru and Ecuador.
  
  Sadly, this model is in stark contrast to the majority of the chocolate industry. In 2000 and 2001, journalists documented the continued practice of forced child labor in the West African cocoa trade—source of 70% of the world's cocoa. Since the Ivory Coast in West Africa alone produces 40% of the world's cocoa, its beans are mixed into almost every brand of mass-produced chocolate. Further, a handful of western corporations control approximately 85% of Ivorian cocoa exports. Yet, corporations of the global cocoa/chocolate trade - companies like Hershey's, Mars, Nestlé, Russell Stover, Cargill, and ADM - have done little to address this problem.
  
  Most of the children come from Mali, Ivory Coast's poorer northern neighbor. Traffickers rely on the economic vulnerability of Malian families and entice naïve adolescents and teenagers with the promise of good jobs in the Ivory Coast.
  
  Later, once over the border, and separated from their community or others who speak their language, the children are trafficked to cocoa farmers. Some farmers will pay the children a small sum at the end of the cocoa season. Some will not. But more importantly, some farmers will exploit the children's vulnerability, forcing them to perform long, hard and dangerous work, while providing only minimal food and shelter. Some will beat and threaten those who try to escape, and at night lock the children in sheds or huts. It is these children, held captive and forced to work against their will, that are the focus of this crisis.
  
  Learn more here.
  
  
• Fairly traded from co-ops
  
  We source our cacao exclusively from small-scale farmer co-ops in the Dominican Republic, Panama, Ecuador and Peru. The farmers own their land and control their livelihoods. As co-op members, together they choose how to invest Fair Trade premiums in their communities, such as installing wells for drinking water, a nursery for cacao plants, or a new school. For an industry traditionally rooted in exploitation – and a reliance on child slave labor – this is a big feat.
  
  Most cocoa on the world market is bought "blind" through importers and brokers, but fairly traded cocoa is monitored - from the farmers to the store shelf - by independent, non-profit, certifying organizations that guarantee that the cocoa was produced and traded in a socially responsible manner, specifically that:
  
  * International Labor Organization Conventions 29, 105 and 138 on child labor and forced labor are adhered to.
  
  * the cocoa was bought directly from a democratically controlled co-operative of small scale farmers. This helps them to gain more control of their livelihoods and ensures farmers a higher percentage of cocoa export revenues.
  
  
• A worker-owned company
  
  Equal Exchange is a worker-owned co-op, which means our worker-owners (full-time, permanent employees) have a stake in the business. From our highest paid employee, to the lowest paid employee, we each have an equal stake in the company. (There is also a 4:1 pay scale, meaning the highest paid employee cannot make more than four times the lowest paid employee). Collectively we own Equal Exchange and together we’re working toward a fairer trade model – and a better world.

Yes. Our Organic Hot Cocoa mix, Organic Baking Cocoa, Organic Spicy Hot Cocoa are certified by the Orthodox Union.

Our Organic Drinking Chocolate is certified by the Kashruth Council of Canada.

Our Chocolate bars are certified by Rabbi Abraham Hochwald, Chief Rabbi of the Northern Rhine-Germany.

To request a copy of the Kosher certificates, please e-mail customer service at orders@equalexchange.coop.

The ingredients that go into our chocolate bars and cocoas are farmed sustainably, without harmful pesticides or fertilizers. This is better for farmers, the planet, and for your body.

• In the IITA study of child labor in the African cocoa industry, a serious concern was raised over the common practice of adults, laborers and children applying toxic pesticides in a potentially dangerous manner. Elsewhere it has been noted that safety equipment (gloves, respirators, etc.) is rarely used on African cocoa farms or made available to laborers. Our farmer partners do not use these toxic pesticides.
  
  
• Equal Exchange's organic cocoa is cultivated on small plots, and usually under a shade canopy that preserves critical elements of the native Dominican, Panamanian, Ecuadoran and Peruvian forests. Biologists have determined that this gentle, chemical free method of farming helps to maintain biodiversity and protect the winter habitat of millions of migratory song birds. For related information, see The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center website.
  
  
• As a certified organic food, none of our ingredients are genetically modified. Organic certification also ensures that the milk powder is free of rBGH (recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone), an artificial hormone that is often given to cows to increase their milk production.
  
  
• Sustainable farming helps fight climate change. Many studies, including one from the United Nations, have documented how conventional (non-organic) farming contributes up to 25% all greenhouse gases from human activity. In contrast, organic agriculture not only emits very few greenhouse gases it can actually pull CO2 out of the atmosphere.

During the summer months Equal Exchange must suspend online ordering of chocolate bars to maintain our quality standards. Our products are shipped through UPS in non-refrigerated trucks, and as a result chocolate bars can melt during summer shipments.

If you would like to order chocolate bars during the summer, please contact our customer service team at 774-776-7333. Insulated shipments are available for an additional charge. Orders placed after Wednesday will be held for shipment until the following Monday. To order chocolate during the summer months, please contact customer service at 774-776-7333.

Chocolate bars will become available for purchase online again in September once temperatures have become cool enough to prevent melting. In the meantime, feel free to ask for Equal Exchange Fairly Traded Organic chocolate bars at your local store where they are available year round.

Many of the chocolate bars found in stores today have a cacao percentage on the label. This refers to the percentage of the bar (by weight) that is derived from the cacao bean.

The two main ingredients in a chocolate bar derived from the cacao bean are "chocolate liquor" (a.k.a. cocoa mass) and "cocoa butter." For example, Equal Exchange's Organic Very Dark Chocolate bar has a 71% cacao content. This means that 71% of the bar is chocolate liquor plus cocoa butter and 29% is other ingredients (e.g. sugar and vanilla).

Equal Exchange bars range from 38% cacao content (Organic Milk Chocolate with a Hint of Hazelnut) to 80% cacao content (Organic Panama Extra Dark Chocolate).

Read our Child Labor in the Cocoa Industry article.

And check out the following coverage of the cocoa/child labor problem:

• "Certifying 'Blood Chocolate'"
  In These Times, June 25, 2010
  
  
• "Blood and Chocolate"
  Gourmet, September 16, 2009
  
  
• "Scores of children rescued from organized slave labour in INTERPOL-led operation conducted by Côte d’Ivoire police"
  Interpol, August 3, 2009
  
  
• "Chocolate with a heart"
  Christian Science Monitor, February 11, 2009
  
  
• "Chocolate Company Scorecard 2009: The Sweet and the Bitter" (PDF)
  International Labor Rights Forum, February 2009
  
  
• "Tainted Love? Chocolate-Lovers: Cocoa Industry Set to Be a Heartbreaker on July 1, 2008"
  Common Dreams, June 2008
  
  
• "Chocolate's Bittersweet Economy"
  Fortune, February 2008
  
  
• "Child cocoa workers still exploited"
  BBC News, April 2007
  
  
• "Child Labor: The Hidden Ingredient to the Billion-Dollar Chocolate Industry?"
  Democracy Now!, February 2007

Equal Exchange is best known as the unorthodox, employee-owned company that pioneered the practice of Fair Trade with small coffee farmers in the U.S. The company is unique for having voluntarily adopted, and for aggressively promoting, these Fair Trade standards for years when our peers insisted that it was impossible. But Equal Exchange has persevered with this unusual course because it was founded with an unusual mission —to create a new model of bringing the best from farms to the consumers in a manner that was direct, fair and sustainable to all involved: the environment, the farmers, our employees, our wholesale customers, and
the public.

And though hundreds of companies, some 200 times our size, have now joined us in the Fair Trade sector, Equal Exchange remains the market leader, even as we continue to improve the benefits we offer to our co-op partners. By our consistent growth and profitability we have demonstrated Fair Trade's viability, expanded the definition of "great coffee", and have raised the bar for ethical business practices.

A worker cooperative is an alternative for-profit structure based upon standard democratic principles such as one person one vote and open access to information (i.e. open-book management, etc.) Instead of being owned by outside investors or founders, a worker co-op is owned, equally, by its employees.

Directors, managers, and entry-level employees all own one, identical share, and receive an equal share of any profits. These worker-owners‚ both elect the Board of Directors and fill six of the nine Board seats. The Board in turn is responsible for hiring and supervising management. Consequently a circle is formed, as in American civic democracy, of everyone being accountable to someone else.

The delegation of responsibilities is very much like that of conventional company—which allows for efficiency—except that at Equal Exchange those at the "bottom" of the organizational chart are, as owners, also at the "top" of the same chart.