Women in Coffee
Shaping the Future of Coffee
Women make up around 70% of the workforce involved in coffee production, yet less than 30% are in ownership or management positions, and often have less access to necessary resources, like land, credit lines and education.
By buying and showcasing coffees sourced from women producers, we can directly support their economic empowerment and contribute to a more equitable coffee industry. This ripple effect goes beyond individual businesses, strengthening entire communities and creating opportunities for future generations of women in coffee.
The Coffee
![[PRE-ORDER] Los Huairuros Gesha](http://www.origincoffee.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/women-SE-coffee-digitals-2025.webp?v=1741339612)
![[PRE-ORDER] Los Huairuros Gesha](http://www.origincoffee.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/women-SE-coffee-digitals-20252.webp?v=1741339612)
Industry Excellence
From cultivating and processing at source, to crafting the perfect espresso in your local café, women play vital roles at every stage of the coffee supply chain.
Our collection of Women in Coffee stories shines a spotlight on the diverse experiences of women in the industry, highlighting their passion, expertise, and resilience. Read on to explore their journeys, learn about their challenges and triumphs, and raise a cup to the inspiring individuals shaping the future of coffee.
"I feel a distinct fluidity and efficiency when collaborating with women in coffee; a special kind of momentum and a shared sense of purpose to transform the industry. We don't just talk about progress; we cultivate it, together.
For me, amplifying the voices and exceptional work of women in coffee is not just a matter of fairness; it's a strategic imperative. Put simply, the more we nurture and elevate women, we cultivate a foundation for lasting industry growth and economic development in producing regions."
Atlas Programme
Our Atlas coffee programme was set up in 2022 by Origin’s Director of Coffee, Freda Yuan, with the intention of supporting and empowering women coffee producers, regardless of their farm size.
The programme involves purchasing coffees directly from a cooperative of women producers in Colombia. We pay the producers a premium to join the programme and for their coffee, significantly higher than what they would receive from selling to the commodity market. By working closely with local organisations in Colombia, we can support producers in cultivating a higher quality of coffee.
The cooperative's quality control team, which is also comprised of women, shortlists a selection of lots that meet our desired profile to create our house decaf coffee; full-bodied, balanced and naturally sweet, with no compromise on flavour or quality.
Beija Flor
In 2018, our Brazilian sourcing and export partner, SMC, launched "Donas do Café" (Women of Coffee); a program dedicated to increasing and enhancing the visibility of female speciality coffee producers. Through comprehensive pre- and post-harvest training, the program elevates coffee quality from women-led farms, recognising and celebrating their vital roles in ownership, management, and quality control.
It was our collaboration with this initiative from which Beija Flor was created, a naturally processed single origin that showcases the exceptional work of a small group of all-women producers. The programme’s strategic combination of larger and smaller farm lots ensures that all producers, especially those with limited resources, can access premium markets and avoid undervaluing their coffee by selling to the commodity market.
Beija Flor is a layered coffee with high sweetness, and forms part of our rotating seasonal mainstay collection, so isn’t available year-round. A natural processing method was chosen for its sustainability and accessibility to the producers, contributing to Beija Flor’s unique flavour profile.
Returning in April 2025.
