Celebration of the next generation of coffee roasters
COFFEE roasting firm Matthew Algie has honoured the next generation of roasters with the launch of its latest coffee variant.
As part of the firm’s Next Gen training programme, Matthew Algie has launched the new Miriam’s Blend for its Smokin’ Bean brand, named after the top scoring student to take part in the programme.
Miriam Anais Ramos Ibañez secured the top marks out of a programme which included 23 other students as Matthew Algie looked to provide opportunities for those young people growing up in coffee growing communities.
Miriam said: “Without Matthew Algie’s support, my dream to build a promising career in the coffee industry would not have been possible.
“It’s an honour to have been chosen as the face of this coffee – it’s funny to think that people in the UK will know my name.
“I am the daughter of farmers, and I have known coffee since I was a young girl. Now, as I grow older, I am looking for different experiences, and to learn more so I can develop a fulfilling career.”
Miriam’s Blend features beans sourced from the Ubiriki cooperative and is now available to retailers as part of a coffee to go solution for stores.
Miriam’s ambition doesn’t end here as well as she has already become a certified Q-grader, making her a professional in the evaluation of green coffee beans, and is already responsible for quality control at the cooperative in Peru.
Estelle MacGilp, head of coffee sourcing at Matthew Algie, said: “We know our producers. We understand the risks and challenges they face and we want to help them overcome these challenges and provide support right where it is needed.
“Naturally, we do everything we can to make sure they work in safe conditions, receive a fair price for their work and that their families and communities can thrive through the production of coffee. This is why we’ve launched this.
“The average age of coffee farmers is increasing as it’s becoming more common for the next generation to leave the family farm in search of different career paths.
“For coffee to support communities for generations to come, we must engage young people, and offer a promising future.”
