Sandalj Trading Company - Colombian Women’s Coffee: Our new project

An exceptional coffee, grown and processed exclusively by women, is not only a quality-centered choice: it becomes an ethical purchase. A collaboration between the Trieste-based coffee importer and the Asociación de Mujeres Cafeteras del Cauca of the Cauca region of Colombia yields this outstanding coffee and remarkable project. Its aim is to foster sustainability through gender equality growth and the ensuing positive community-wide implications.

«Beneath the fine aroma of an espresso cup, there can be difficult work and life conditions for coffee producing communities» explains Enrico Venuti, CEO of the Trieste-based company. «This is why Sandalj Trading Company always intertwined quality and excellence with respect and support for the communities operating the primary stages of the coffee supply chain. With this philosophy in mind, the company’s most recent project involves establishing a direct relationship with female coffee producers in the Cauca region. Working through its various objectives, the mujeres can increase the quality of life of their children and extended families, whilst developing and improving their processing techniques to produce higher quality and progressively more environmentally sustainable coffee which they can demand a premium for.»

We present this Colombian coffee at HOST 2015 in Milan (23-27th of October 2015. The aroma profile is very intriguing, as described by head of Quality at Sandalj, Edy Bieker. “With captivating captivating sweetness, this Espresso cup offers introductory aromas of red berries tinged with orange marmalade and cocoa. These are followed by nuances of caramel and almonds, that then develop into a surprising aftertaste of pineapple in syrup. The handpicked Castillo and Colombia cherries are grown in full-sun in the Caucan municipality of Inza, at an altitude of 1,820 metres above sea level. These are then washed and sun-dried.

Purchasing of a batch of Colombian Women’s Coffee, selected with rigorous Sandalj Trading quality standards, fosters female social equality and promotes sustainability. The project’s pillars are education and training, for which the mujeres are required to guarantee both to under-21s. In addition, the coffee producing community is to be given access to National Healthcare, safe living conditions, and coaching on new agricultural techniques to provide a quality product through time. Attaining these objectives results in receiving a premium of 10 dollar cents per pound and an additional 5 are given for infrastructure, financing, promotion and basic supplies.

WATER DECAFFEINATED GUARANTEED BY SANDALJ

Despite the longstanding bias, some decaffeinated coffee can measure up pretty well against traditionally caffeinated blends. Sandalj Trading Company is proud to present its 100% Fully Water Decaffeinated Arabica Blend: the product of meticulous bean selection and a prime decaffeination method. The latter has been fine-tuned in the past years and is now able to leave the original flavour characteristics of the beans unaltered. If roasted and extracted correctly, our Sandalj Water Decaff is remarkably pleasant and characterized by nuances of chocolate, hazelnuts and almonds.

We guarantee and certify this blend’s quality through careful laboratory tests for each and every bag sold. Edy Bieker explains that “whilst a decaffeinated Arabica will hardly be able to produce an exceptionally strong-bodied espresso cup with a thick and striped crema, our blend creates a satisfactory crema and acceptable body». You will taste cocoa, malt and toasted cereal flavour while cupping it.

TRACEABLE COFFEES:

OUTSTANDING MICROLOTS WITH A DETAILED STORY

Every lot of our signature Sandalj Traceability coffees is certified using a meticulous account of its origin. We present at HOST 2015 our latest arrivals: one from Guatemala and another from El Salvador. Many years ago, before sustainable sourcing models became in great demand, we had recognised the importance of maintaining strong relationships with producers, for them to produce a unique coffee immune from the fluctuations on the futures market, and for us to ensure the quality of our product. We guarantee the highest standards through every stage of production, from cultivation and processing, to selection. 

Our Guatemala Huehuetenango - Joya Grande is produced in La Democracia, in the Huehuetenango region. Finca Oxbe is at an altitude of 1370 to 1830 m above sea level, and the coffee is grown in partial shade. Harvested from December to April, the beans are fully washed and sun dried. This typical Guatemalan Arabica includes three varietals; Catuai, Caturra and Bourbon. Sandalj Trading Company only purchases these lots after careful evaluation and approval of representative samples. Once the 30 kg bags arrive in Trieste, they are stored in bonded warehouses in our port. The Guatemala Huehuetenango – Joya Grande can be drank as a single origin, and is sweet with a delicate acidity. In the cup it reveals an intriguing mix of blueberry, cranberry and mandarin, with nuances of hazelnut and cocoa. The delicate acidity persists in the sweet aftertaste tinged with orange blossom honey. 

Our Salvador Red Bourbon – Santa Adelaida grows in the heart of the Cordillera del Balsamo, in Comasqua, Dipartimento La Libertad. Interestingly enough, this coffee’s name refers both to the plantation, and to the Arabica varietal, Bourbon. This coffee is shade grown between 900 and 1275 m. under fruit and Inga trees, legumes typical of this area. Just like the Joya Grande, Santa Adelaida is a fully washed coffee. In an Italian espresso, it reveals a varied and interesting taste profile: a thick mouthfeel enriched with the sweetness of grapes and clementines, tinged with nuances of cocoa and marzipan. The hints of red pepper and genzian surprise us in its the aftertaste.

RETURN TO THE CLASSICS:

PRIZED ARABICAS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Throughout its long history in the green coffee market, the Sandalj Trading Company has always excelled for foresight, curiosity and innovative spirit. A novelty as a definition implies the discovery of new plantations, but in a seasonal product like coffee, producers and lots can often differ from their previous counterparts. This often happens to the so-called ‘classics’ on our weekly price list. Products that we distance when their quality falters, and we then rediscovered and promote once they are back to their glorious self. A perfect example is the Cuba Serrano Lavado, which we have just reintroduced in our Arabica selection, after almost 10 years of sabbatical.

This Cuban coffee makes for an excellent strong-bodied Espresso, delivering tangs of cocoa and tobacco, with a hazelnut, and cereal aftertaste.

At our HOST 2015 stand we also serve another Arabica of distinct prominence: our fully provenance-documented Nicaragua SHG Cavallino. This washed Arabica is grown in the Las Manos and La Laguna areas in Dipilto, Nueva Segovia, and is SHG classified (Strictly High Grown). Shade-grown above 1200 metres, it is harvested between December and March. The SHG Cavallino produces a full-bodied Espresso with a sweet acidity. The fragrances and aromas it releases range from peach to spices, and are enriched with nuances of cocoa.

The other two coffees presented at HOST’s SIC are our Brazilian NY2 Cerrado Dulce 17/18 and our Pergamino Sul de Minas from Minas Gerais. The Cerrado Dulce is a sun-dried natural coffee, whilst the Pergamino is a semi-washed. These contrasts bring forth differing tastes: the Natural Brazil NY2 Cerrado Dulce 17/18 has a fuller body and rich chocolate flavours, while the Brazil Pergamino Sul de Minas has an almond and cocoa tang.

THE COMPANY 

Sandalj Trading Company S.p.A.is an importer of green coffee based in Trieste, one of Europe’s main coffee ports. We specialize and are recognized for our unrivalled service, and for the quality we guarantee, the variety we pursue, and product research we commit to. The Board consists of Enrico Venuti, Chairman and CEO; Edy Bieker, COO and Managing Director of Quality and Training; Maurizio Rossmann, CFO; and shareholder and analyst Theresa Sandalj.

The finest origins are offered under our Sandalj Excellence, Sandalj Arabica, Sandalj Traceability Project and Cup of Excellence lines. We furthermore offer our signature line of ready-to-roast blends, created with our extensive knowledge of Espresso in all its shapes and flavours. Our headquarters are also home to the Accademia del Caffè^® (our Coffee Academy), which offers espresso coffee-tasting courses and consultancy on all coffee-related subjects. We are today a point of reference for thousands of roasters around the world, and are relentlessly commitment to promoting a sustainable high quality coffee culture.