Fair Trade Coffee in Hong Kong

 
Fair Trade Coffee in Hong Kong

Can you imagine life without coffee? That roasted, pungent perfume that makes your palate ache for that calming, bitter taste that feeds you those exhilarating moments of bliss and fulfillment? Neither can we.

 

Today, coffee is considered an integral commodity, universally embedded in our daily lives, and fueling people in every corner of our planet. It’s so significant that, according to the International Coffee Organisation, it is the second most widely traded resource after oil, valued at an estimated US$18 billion last year. More than half of Americans over 18 are daily coffee drinkers, and it is estimated that a whopping 400 billion cups are globally consumed each year!

 

 

 

 

Hong Kong Coffee Culture

The global annual consumption of coffee is led steadily by the Dutch and the Scandinavians, and although our stats are nowhere near as impressive, Hong Kong made the cut last year for the top 50 countries list, at No.47 - yes!

 

 

So, clearly these are the signs of a brand-new era. Any Hong Konger will tell you that this dramatic boom in the city’s thriving coffee scene only surfaced recently. Up until 2010 or so, the only places you could get a decent cuppa’ joe at were Starbucks, Pacific Coffee or local cha chaan tengs. Hong Kongers perceive coffee as a sign of urbane sophistication and are gaining interest in the quality and specifics of beans, while on a quest for the newer and the more unique.

 

 

In response to this new wave, certain areas like SoHo and Wan Chai have just undergone transformations and come out quirky, café-lined streets, establishing a newfound appreciation for the coffee-drinking experience. There is now an abundance of high-quality coffee joints to choose from that focus on the science and discipline of creating the perfect freshly-brewed cuppa from scratch. 

 

 

 

 

Fair Trade Coffee

Several years ago, before this coffee culture erupted here, most Hong Kongers had no clue what the term “fair trade” meant. But that all changed in late 2005, when we hosted the WTO’s Ministerial Conference. Hong Kong was exposed to the reality and plight of indigent farmers across the globe, and our attitudes and perspectives suddenly changed as awareness spread rapidly. Everybody took a stance and supported fair trade policies wherever possible.

 

 

Fast-forward to 2014, and the movement is still evident, the impact is still growing. The number of fair trade brands, suppliers, cafes, outlets and products have all rocketed locally, and the same can be said on a global scale. Fair trade is an ethical and practical concept that benefits all parties, while nurturing the environment, ecosystem, sustainability and so on, so it’s encouraging to see our city respond so loudly.

 

 

Read on to find out which coffee houses, restaurants and stores around town are supporters of the fair trade movement.

 

 

 

Cafés & Restaurants

We all know that the big chains like Starbucks and Pacific Coffee are supporters of fair trade beans and eco-friendly practices. But where else can we enjoy a good cup of coffee with a clear conscience?

 

 

Café O - with three branches across Central, Café O is the perfect place for nutritious breaky, brunch or lunch. They have an extensive menu with everything from soups and salads, to paninis and pastas. Plop down on their comfy seats when you need to recharge, and try their aromatic coffee from Graffeo - it’s organic, fair trade and a certified rainforest alliance blend, not to mention deelish!

 

Various locations

Tel:2868 0450; www.cafeo.hk 

 

 

Life Café - a hippie’s haven with teak wood interiors, world tunes and an earthy feel. Their menu features organic mains and desserts, healthy smoothies and custom-blend, fair-traded coffee. Also, check out their deli (at their SoHo branch) and stock up on some snacks for the road.

 

Various locations

Tel: 2591 1422; www.lifecafe.com.hk

 

 

Bolaven

 

 

Bolaven - a lovely café in the heart of Quarry Bay that serves gourmet organic coffee from Southern Laos, along with light bites injected with an Indo-Chinese twist. The café comes under the umbrella of Bolaven Farms, a social enterprise that nurtures sustainable ecosystems and empowers Laotian farmers in exchange for organic Single Origin coffee beans. You can also buy their beans through their website.

 

L012, G/F, Aeon Kornhill Store, 2 Kornhill Road, Quarry Bay

Tel: 2336 8117; www.bolavenfarms.com 

 

 

Simply Organic - as the name suggests, this cafe prides itself on serving food and drinks that are all simply organic. Their afternoon tea sets are a big hit and you can count on the baristas to whip you up a rich, freshly-brewed cup.  

 

1/F, 21 Canal Road West, Causeway Bay

Tel: 2488 0138; www.grow-hk.wix.com

 

 

Xen Coffee - a popular, independent coffee bar in Quarry Bay that was awarded ‘Best Fair Trade Café in Hong Kong’. They specialise in siphon and serve a great selection of fair trade coffees from countries like Indonesia, Ethiopia and Guatemala.

 

Basement K12, Manly Plaza, 995-997 Kings Road, Quarry Bay

Tel: 2960 1388; www.xencoffee.com

 

 

Brunch Club (SoHo)

 

 

Brunch Club - pop into this cute, urban hot spot and tuck into their famous brunch special, followed by a cup of freshly-roasted coffee. Their house-blends are from Hong Kong and are organic and fair  trade certified by Transfair USA. If you visit their branch in SoHo, enjoy your coffee al-fresco in their outdoor terrace.

 

Various locations

Tel: 2526 8861; www.brunch-club.org

 

 

Main St. Café - a chilled out space located inside the Eaton Hotel that offers an array of specialty coffees and teas. If you’re feeling peckish, the Chicken Avocado Panini is a must-try followed by their cheesecake and a steaming café latte.

 

LG Eaton HK, 380 Nathan Road, Jordan

Tel: 2710 1864; www.hongkong.eatonhotels.com

 

 

Pumpernickel - with several branches across Hong Kong island and Kowloon, Pumpernickel is a cafe / event caterer / bakery / take-away / gift-shop. Their food is healthy and really tasty with decent portions and reasonably priced. You can either sit down for a cup of coffee, or bag some for when you get home.  Their house-blend is a full-bodied Guatemalan bean with “complex and strong notes of cocoa and smoke”.  Yum.

 

Various locations

Tel: 2576 1302; www.cafepumpernickel.com

 

 

Barista Jam - a rustic Australian coffee and tea house in Sheung Wan that takes their brew very seriously. They also serve light lunch dishes, pastries and smoothies. If you’re after some information and coffee equipment, this is where you want to go. The staff at Barista Jam are very knowledgeable when it comes to coffee and they stock all kinds of accessories and apparatus from espresso machines and syphons, to grinders, filters, tools and more.

 

Shop D, G/F, 126-128 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan

Tel: 2854 2211; www.baristajam.com.hk

 

 

Aberdeen Street

 

 

Aberdeen Street - a little restaurant in Central with a relaxed vibe and outside terrace. Their house-blend is a single origin coffee bean from Cafes Richard, a well-known mix that is fair trade all the way - even their packaging promotes responsible forestry!  

 

UG/F King Ho Building, 41-49 Aberdeen Street, Central

Tel: 2546 5833; www.aberdeenstreet.com.hk

 

 

Café Loisl -an artisanal Viennese-inspired coffee house that serves certified organic and fair trade specialty coffee and a variety of cold and hot drinks. It’s also a great spot for vegetarians and vegans as their food menu is teeming with healthy salads and tofu scrambles.

 

8 Tai On Terrace, Sheung Wan

Tel: 9179 0209; www.cafeloisl.com

 

 

Cedele - a Singaporean bakery slash cafe known for their freshly-squeezed juices, green salads and organic baked desserts and gluten-free / dairy-free options. Their coffee is fair trade from a UK-based company that empowers  the farmers by recompensing 60-80% of the profits back to them.

 

Various locations

Tel: 2581 0808; www.cedeledepot,com

 

 

Caffe HABITU - their rainforest alliance certified organic house-blend is fair-traded and hails from Mexico and Honduras, conserving biodiversity and protecting the livelihood of farmers. This blend is unique and well-balanced with a full-bodied nutty aroma and a long-lasting aftertaste.

 

Various locations

Tel: 3550 0084; www.caffehabitu.com

 

 

 

 

 

Retail Stores 


Most, if not all of Hong Kong’s major supermarkets support fair trade when it comes to the coffee beans on their shelves, and there will be quite a few blends to choose from. But if you’re after a change or keen to see what else is on offer, pay a visit to these stores.

 

 

MUJI

Various locations 

2694 9309; www.muji.com.hk

 

 

Oliver’s

Shop 201-205, 2/F, Prince’s Building, 10 Chater Road, Central

Tel: 2810 7710; www.oliversthedeli.com.hk

 

 

The Oxfam Shop  

LG8, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Road, Central

Tel: 2522 1765; www.oxfam.org.hk

 

 

 

 

Marks & Spencer

Various locations

www.global.marksandspencer.com/hk/

 

 

Boncafé

1011 Tower 2, Silvercord, 30 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

Tel: 2375 1111; www.boncafe.com.hk

 

 

FAIRTASTE

Wing Hang Industrial Building, 13 Kwai Hei Street

Tel: 2805 2336; www.fairtaste.com.hk

 

 

Fair Circle

Various locations

Tel: 3188 8064; www.hkfairtradepower.com