UKC

Looking for an online supplier of coffee beans, not to expensive but some one who can also supply something nice for a treat. Fair trade as well

In reply to jethro kiernan:
Not quite the answer but currently in Asda (in Edinburgh at least) all the coffees are 2 for £5. I found the Taylor's Rich Italian beans very nice. Warm and chocolatey sort of flavour. And it's 100% arabica

In reply to jethro kiernan: Not sure if they are fair trade but Rave Coffee is very good. Prices are keen and if you order over £25 postage is free.

In reply to jethro kiernan:

http://ravecoffee.co.uk/

In reply to jethro kiernan:

I'm guessing that Has Bean Coffee (www.hasbean.co.uk) fall foul of your "not too expensive" requirement? Their stuff tends to start at about £5 or £6 for 250g, which seems to be about standard for serious coffee-geek single estate stuff, but is a fair bit pricier than a decent blend...

In reply to jethro kiernan:

Rave coffee is very well thought of. Also worth looking at:

www.grumpymule.co.uk

www.ozonecoffee.co.uk

In reply to jethro kiernan:

I have some magic beans that I'll swap for your cow...

In reply to jethro kiernan:

I've found this list of UK roasters to include some good suppliers and that includes a few doing Fair Trade.

http://coffeeforums.co.uk/showthread.php?1656-UK-Based-Roasters&s=dc52c...

However, FT doesn't always mean good or even average quality, same goes for organic, biodynamic, etc. The people who do Cafe Direct in the supermarket often have a decent bag, even the ground stuff, and I guess it is because they have the largest source from which to select and blend. In other words, single origin fairly traded and/or organic can be hit and miss. But you probably know that already. It just so happens that the most amazing beans I have ever had were biodynamic, single farm, from Hasbean, fairly traded I presume. I found Rave to be a better supplier, overall, but there are dozens of good companies these days.

After the Oxfam study (tea?) last year that showed how many (most?) farms certified 'Fair Trade' were actually paying seasonal labour (perhaps the majority of workers?) poor wages, I started caring less about the certificates and more about actual prices or direct trade with the growers, and of course quality. Hopefully, Oxfam have stirred things up in a positive way and things will change.

In reply to jethro kiernan:

I've been buying coffee from Atkinson's in Lancaster for years, always really good.

http://www.thecoffeehopper.com/category/1/coffees.htm

In reply to jethro kiernan:
Can second the has bean suggestion. On month 9 of a bag a month b'day present and not been disappointed yet....

In reply to jethro kiernan:

Thanks some good site there, good onfo with regards Fair Trade, I had heard that it maybe had run its course/needed a shake up.

In reply to jethro kiernan:

Went for a starter pack from as bean, seemed good value, will maybe try one of the others as I suspect that at least one will go on upcoming birthdays

In reply to jethro kiernan:
Plug for a local outfit in Cumbria http://www.carvetiicoffee.co.uk roast their own and free postage if you buy two bags or over.

In reply to jethro kiernan:

Just a quick update, the hasbeen starter pack so far has been several cuts above beans available at the local super markets, thanks

In reply to cander:


Carvetiicoffee were at the Kendal food festival this weekend and spent a bit of time talking to them and tasting their coffee and was very impressed. I ended up signing up for a 12 month subscription.

In reply to jethro kiernan:

Drury Lane Tea and Coffee Co. Used their mail order for years. Always great quality and their blends are great too. (Try their Mexican coffee....pricey but great)

In reply to jethro kiernan:
The best coffee in the UK is from Monmouth Street coffee. Available by mail order http://www.monmouthcoffee.co.uk
Enjoy!

In reply to jethro kiernan:

Try Mr Duffins Coffee! He's a small Artisan coffee roasting business in the Lakes who uses beans from Freeman Trading coffee merchants. Best coffee I have ever tasted with good customer service too!

In reply to jethro kiernan:

For a standard Italian style espresso bean happydonkey.co.uk are good and cheap, as long as you buy a few as it's a fiver for delivery. I buy several bags and freeze them. They do a fairtrade for about £2.80 for 250g, which is by far the best quality / price ratio I've found anywhere. That's all they do though, nothing fancy available.

In reply to kj001:

How ironic: Monmouth still don't do online sales. They're one of the few highly respected roasters that I haven't gotten around to trying. I think they do do mail order by phone --- how quaint.

There's a nice cafe/bean shop in Kendal connected to the roaster (Farrars or something) and their organic blend is one of the best I've tried in recent years; it might be FT.

Union are ok but I have gone full circle now and will be back to the usual, hyped and un-hyped dealers in the eternal quest.

In reply to jethro kiernan:

My parents have been using this place for years: http://www.dorsetcoffee.co.uk/

I can't compare them to anyone else, but when Dad has bought stuff for me from there it has always been good.

I like Algerian Coffee Store.
Have been buying from them for last 3 years, never disappointed. They are always happy to talk and recommend something by phone or email.
And they do have coffee of the month 500g for £6.

http://www.algcoffee.co.uk

In reply to nutme:

used to get coffee from the algerian coffee store when I was working in london, might check out the online offering

In reply to jethro kiernan:

Atkinsons of Lancaster could fit the bill. I liked their coffee and coffee houses when I lived up that way.

http://www.thecoffeehopper.com/