Fresh Coffee, Clean Ocean - McCabe’s Brazil Organic Arrives by Sailboat

At McCabe’s Coffee, sustainability is not a marketing slogan. It is something we try to build into every aspect of our business, from daily routines to the full supply chain.

Our latest effort is represented by our Brazil Organic Coffee.

This coffee crossed the Atlantic not on a traditional cargo ship, but on a wind-powered sailing vessel, helping to dramatically reduce the carbon footprint associated with transporting coffee around the world.

The Hidden Footprint of Coffee

Coffee is one of the most widely traded agricultural products on earth. Before it reaches your cup, it can travel thousands of kilometres from farm to roastery to your doorstep.

Traditionally, this journey happens on large diesel-powered container ships, with maritime transport posing one of the biggest challenges to any roastery’s sustainability efforts.

That is why we couldn’t help but jump at the opportunity to work with Belco, global leaders in sustainably sourced and now sustainably delivered coffee.

Our Brazil Organic Coffee is our Sustainable Superstar ⭐️

As of this week, our Brazil Organic coffee takes the crown as our sustainability superstar. Brazilian Coffee Beans delivered to us by wind-powered sailboat, this coffee has spent the best part of the past two months crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

This initiative forms part of a project led by green coffee importer Belco, who are working with partners to increase sustainability efforts and reduce carbon footprints across the coffee supply chain.

A few benefits of choosing the wind-powered sailboat.

• • Reduce CO₂ emissions, cutting the carbon footprint of coffee transportation compared to conventional sea freight.
  • Reduce noise pollution, which is known to impact marine wildlife across major shipping routes.
  • Reduce reliance on fossil fuels, using wind as a primary energy source rather than oil.

It is a small but important step toward our goals of the most sustainable supply chain possible.

How is the coffee?

This Brazil Organic comes from Fazenda Dutra, a family-run coffee farm that has been focused on sustainable production since the 1950s.

The farm was founded by José Dutra Sobrinho, who began with just one hectare of land and gradually expanded the farm through reinvestment and careful stewardship of the land.

Today the Dutra family is recognised for their commitment to responsible agriculture and environmentally conscious coffee farming.

Their approach aligns closely with the values we look for when choosing the producers we work with.

Here in Newtown, we roast the coffee to highlight its natural balance.

• • Smooth and Creamy
  • Nutty and well-balanced
  • Clean and delicate to the finish

It works beautifully as espresso, but also performs well as a filter coffee for those who prefer a lighter style.

Challenge the Coffee Supply Chain

Sail freight will not replace container shipping overnight. But projects like this show what is possible when the coffee industry begins to challenge how products move around the planet. Unfortunately, a lot of roasters will choose profit over environmental impact, not us. Increased costs of making this choice are not passed on quietly to our customers – this is part of our ‘1% back’ commitment.

At McCabe’s Coffee, we are constantly looking for partners who share our belief that great coffee should not come at the expense of the environment – if that’s you, please reach out to us at info@mccabecoffee.com