Journal — February 2022

This month’s roaster hails from Manchester, a lovely city in the North of England. Manchester’s history dates back to the first century and the Roman Empire, but it was a small, rural area until the late 1800s, when it grew at lightning speed and became the world’s first industrial city—the beating heart of the Industrial Revolution. Now it is famous for its art, its culture, and its football club, but that industrial history is worth re-examining. Because with so much change so fast, many people expressed the feeling that anything was possible; but industrialization was brought on the backs of the poor, who lived and worked in some of the bleakest, dirtiest conditions in human history. And significantly, the Industrial Revolution kickstarted the beginnings of the climate crisis.

That’s why it feels a bit like kismet that Blossom is growing right in the heart of Manchester. Each month, Yonder tries to create a platform for roasters to share with us the issues about which they are passionate. Often there is a climate component to that, but maybe they are championing sustainable direct relationships with coffee producers, or donating sales to a specific cause. For Blossom though, sustainability is everything.

“We are one of the first coffee roasters in the UK to be certified as a CarbonNeutral® company,” co-founder Andy explained in a recent email interview with Yonder. “And as a pending B Corp we have joined the frontline of a global movement of like-minded companies all using business as a force for good. We work hard behind the scenes to ensure that our commitment to a sustainable future is reflected in our operating practices here in the UK.” He went on to explain, “As with many of life’s luxuries we currently take for granted, coffee is facing a challenging and uncertain future. As temperatures rise and extreme weather grows more frequent, coffee becomes increasingly susceptible to diseases, pests, and drought, while productivity and quality both fall. World Coffee Research have predicted that without immediate intervention, 46-49% of land currently used for coffee production will become unsuitable by 2050.”

I know that all sounds sort of bleak, but out of the simultaneously grim and hopeful place of the 1800s, industrial Manchester also incubated movements for labor rights, women’s suffrage, and more. So for me, all of this is a reminder to treasure every cup of coffee I enjoy. That energizes me to live a more sustainable lifestyle so that we can continue to enjoy beautiful coffees like San Jose, Birbissa, La Rosa, and Ngigi for years and years to come.