How We Buy Our Beans (And Why Ethical Sourcing Matters to Your Cup)

Every great cup of specialty coffee starts with a decision. Here in the roasterium, our passion for quality is matched only by our commitment to ethical choices. Behind every bag of De Mello coffee is a long chain of relationships, responsibilities, and dedicated sourcing.

Our philosophy is simple: we buy green coffee with intention, transparency, and deep respect for the producers, the quality of the final product, and the future of the coffee industry.

Why INTENTION Matters

We don’t chase trends. We build relationships.

Whenever possible, we work with the same producers year after year—not just because the coffee is good, but because long-term partnership is good for everyone. It creates stability, encourages innovation, and opens space for honest dialogue. That dialogue helps us grow together—offering feedback, sharing challenges, and learning what excellence means across contexts.

We believe that consistency builds trust. And trust builds better coffee.

Why TRANSPARENCY Matters

You deserve to know where your coffee comes from—and how it got to your cup.

We’re committed to full supply chain transparency, including clear purchasing data like green cost, transportation cost, and production cost. We publish this info because it keeps us accountable, and because it reflects the kind of industry we want to help build: one that rewards quality and fairness.

We also share real stories—from producers, importers, and collaborators—so you’re not just tasting the coffee, you’re understanding the journey it took to get here.

Why QUALITY Matters

Quality goes beyond cupping scores.

It includes the labour, care, and context behind every bean. It includes the environment a coffee is grown in, the systems that shape its production, and the challenges producers face. We do our best to listen, to understand, and to source in a way that respects both people and land.

This means we value:

• Environmental sustainability

• Social equity and ethical practices

• Conversations that centre producers, not just buyers

We’ll never get it all perfect—but we’re committed to doing better, year after year.

Frequently Asked Questions: Ethical Sourcing

Q. What is De Mello Coffee's sourcing philosophy?

A. The De Mello Coffee sourcing philosophy is based on three core values: Intention (building long-term relationships), Transparency (publishing costs like green cost and transportation cost), and Quality (valuing labor, social equity, and environmental sustainability).

Q. What is supply chain transparency in coffee?

A. Supply chain transparency means providing clear purchasing data, including green cost and production cost, so consumers know how the price of their specialty coffee is distributed and that producers are being fairly compensated.

Q. Does De Mello source direct trade coffee?

A. Yes, De Mello actively seeks out and maintains direct trade and long-term relationships with producers to ensure ethical practices and build trust within the coffee industry.