Around the World in 12 Coffees: Exploring the Origins of Our Green Beans
Discovering the Global Journey Behind Bristol Twenty Coffee
At Bristol Twenty, every cup of coffee tells a story. Behind each rich espresso and velvety flat white lies a journey that begins thousands of miles away, in some of the world’s most celebrated coffee-growing regions. From the mountains of Honduras to the forests of Sumatra, our carefully sourced green beans reflect the people, landscapes, and traditions that make specialty coffee so extraordinary.
We believe great coffee starts at origin. That’s why we partner with passionate growers and cooperatives who share our commitment to quality, sustainability, and ethical farming. Many of our coffees are certified under Fairtrade Coffee UK standards, helping to ensure farmers receive fair prices and communities can invest in their futures.
Honduras: A Story of Passion and Progress
Our journey starts in Honduras with Reinaldo Mena of Cafesmo. Reinaldo’s story is one of determination and discovery. Having worked the land since childhood, he now produces exceptional micro-lot coffees with SCA scores reaching 85 points. His coffees showcase the innovation and care that modern specialty farming can achieve while still honouring generations of family tradition.
Costa Rica: Sustainability at the Heart of CoffeeCosta Rica: Sustainability at the Heart of Coffee
From Central America, we travel to Costa Rica and the renowned Coopelibertad cooperative. Founded in 1961, this collective has supported local coffee farmers for decades, helping them achieve better economic stability and farming practices. Their dedication to sustainability led them to partner with Rainforest Alliance initiatives, and many of their coffees are now triple-certified, including Fairtrade and organic accreditation. It’s partnerships like these that reinforce the growing importance of Fairtrade Coffee UK consumers can trust.
Guinea: Rich Flavours from West Africa
Across the Atlantic in Guinea, the Koumalassi coffee from Macenta offers a completely different experience. Grown by farmers in Sengbendou, this coffee is processed using a semi-washed technique that preserves the bean’s fruity sweetness. The result is a creamy-bodied coffee with herbal aromas, brown sugar sweetness, and a subtle nutty finish.
Guatemala and Brazil: Community and Craftsmanship
In Guatemala, Conebosque represents the power of community-led farming. Founded by local producers in 2004, the cooperative has weathered economic highs and lows while continuing to evolve. Their commitment to improving both quality and opportunity for farmers is reflected in every batch exported from the region.
Brazil, one of the world’s most famous coffee producers, brings us Sancoffee. Located in Santo Antônio do Amparo, the cooperative’s farms range from modest family plots to vast estates. This diversity creates a wide spectrum of flavour profiles, but every bean shares the same careful attention to cultivation and processing.
Ethiopia and Uganda: The Future of Specialty Coffee
No exploration of coffee origins would be complete without Ethiopia — the birthplace of coffee itself. Our Ethiopian beans come from Fair Specialty Coffee in Yirgacheffe, where the Mengistu family has spent more than three decades cultivating exceptional coffee. Known for vibrant floral notes and delicate acidity, Ethiopian coffees remain a favourite among specialty coffee enthusiasts worldwide.
Further south in Uganda, Mountain Harvest supports over 2,000 smallholder farmers across Mount Elgon and surrounding regions. Founded with a mission to create a more equitable coffee industry, the organisation combines farmer support with sustainability-focused production. Their work demonstrates how coffee can become a force for positive change when growers are placed at the centre of the supply chain.
Colombia, El Salvador and Sumatra: Heritage Meets Innovation
In Colombia, both La Casiana and Cafenorte showcase the country’s legendary coffee heritage. La Casiana, nestled high in the Andes, has been operated by three generations of coffee growers dedicated to producing balanced, chocolate-rich coffees with floral sweetness. Meanwhile, Cafenorte works with around 1,600 coffee-growing families, offering full traceability and extensive support programmes to improve quality of life for farmers.
El Salvador’s Finca San Antonio blends heritage with innovation. Established in 1890, the farm continues to evolve by introducing rust-resistant varieties and modern cultivation methods while preserving traditional family values.
Finally, our journey ends in the lush forests of Sumatra with Ketiara Kopepii. Grown near Leuser National Park, these organic beans are shade-grown to help protect the surrounding ecosystem. Ketiara’s commitment to ethical sourcing and Fairtrade Coffee UK standards ensures both environmental protection and fair opportunities for local producers.
At Bristol Twenty, we don’t just source coffee, we build relationships with the people behind it. Every origin in our collection reflects a dedication to craftsmanship, sustainability, and exceptional flavour. So next time you enjoy your morning brew, remember: you’re tasting the stories of farmers and communities from around the world, one cup at a time.