One of the trends we’ve seen a noticeable rise in over the past few years, is the popularity of decaffeinated coffee. No longer does decaf need to mean ‘not great coffee’. We’re particularly proud of our new Decaf Andes Mountains Organic, Peru and we now even have a full range of decaf coffees. Key to what makes a good decaf is how is the decaffeination process. We get asked a lot about how the process works. So I thought I’d take the time to explain a little more about what makes a decaf…a good decaf.

Spring is upon us and with it the promise of brighter and warmer days. This new spring blend Equinox (our seasonally changing blend) will reflect this long awaited change of season and gently awaken your senses like blossoming buds after a cold spell- it’s one of the most balanced Equinox we’ve created with a soft citric acidity, a fruity sweetness and sweet and rich chocolate and nutty overtones.

Have you been asking yourself ‘what can I get my dad for Father’s Day?’ and coming up stumped? If your dad is a coffee lover, of any kind, we’ve got all your gift needs covered. From the recent convert to the seasoned experts, we have a gift to suit him.

Pascale, who is responsible for managing our farmer relationships was back out in coffee territory; she spends most of her year travelling and visiting producers on behalf of Union. She returned from Ethiopia, a very special coffee heartland, where she visited the Yayu Wild Forest.

One of the last remaining mountain forest fragments of Arabica Coffee (coffee arabica) in the world, the Yayu Coffee Forest Biosphere in Ethiopia is vital for the preservation and conservation of coffee.  To preserve and maintain its primary and secondary wild forest, and prevent any further damage to the forest or loss of coffee species,  the local communities need to have other livelihood options as well as seeing a viable future for themselves in producing speciality coffee.

At Union, we are collaborating with Dr Aaron Davis, Head of Coffee Research at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, to work with the Yayu community to protect the forest and create a sustainable income for themselves. Pascale visited Yayu to evaluate how we would develop the project.