Coffee Sourcing

A close up shot of bright red coffee cherries being poured into a metal container the floor mostly covered with thousands more ripe coffee cherries

Coffee is our passion project

It’s the driving force of every roast, the energy that guides our baristas, and has led us to some of the world’s finest coffee beans, and coffee people.

The first step to every passion project is finding green beans of unparalleled quality. Beans that express the traits of its origin land, and care received at each step of the journey to your cup.

As roasters and baristas, we have the privilege of handling those critical final stages in the journey. And just like anything that we love, we want your coffee to reach its full potential, so that every sip tells a story.

Defining Specialty Coffee

A shadowy image of a Pilot Coffee Coffee Roasters takeway cup on an earthy green countertop. The shadows of letters of the cafe window decals appear on the counter in the background

It’s a term that industry pros and casual coffee drinkers have struggled to pinpoint. We take our queues from the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) who created a framework to define specialty coffee in relation to its attributes.

A close up shot of a macchiato with milk art on top in a small Pilot Coffee Roasters branded ceramic cup and saucer. The drink sits atop a green surface with a dark grey wall in the background

“Specialty coffee is a coffee or coffee experience recognized for its distinctive attributes, and because of these attributes, has significant extra value in the marketplace.”

- Specialty Coffee Association, 2021

To learn more, check out Towards a Definition of Specialty Coffee from the SCA.

The Bean Belt

Specialty coffee requires a particular set of conditions. Near the equator, "the bean belt" has the right mix of characteristics for plants to thrive.

A world map displaying the ideal region for growing coffee. A horizontal band of roasted coffee beans is show at and slightly below the equator.

A dimly lit shot of a coffee farm on a hill side above a small community of buildings below

Tropical Climate

A close up shot of hands holding rich soil

Nutrient-Rich Soil

A hill top shot with plants in the foreground and rolling mountains, clouds and sky in the background

High Altitudes

Silhouettes of two people stand on a hill top in front of coffee drying beds. One is pointing out over the farm and tree tops. The sun is setting in the distance on the right.

Moderate Sun

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Ample Rain

“The perfect roast is only possible with the perfect green bean.”

The term “direct trade” can also be hard to define. There isn’t a single set of standards or practices, but in the simplest terms, direct trade is when a roaster buys coffee directly from a producer. No brokers, traders or middle-people. Just partners that rely on each other’s skills.

On a more metaphysical level, this represents a relationship where everyone is given the tools to thrive. Providing the best outcome for farmers, roasters, and coffee drinkers alike.

We qualify all of our coffee relationships using these four pillars:

The sun peaking through the trees and shining on a mount of drying green coffee. More drying coffee can be seen in the background

Quality

Displays distinctive attributes, consistent screen size, and fresh (9-10.75% moisture).

Close up of a man smiling and pouring from a large carafe

Transparency

Open conversations about costs and pricing, honouring commitments.

A shot on a hill side overlooking a coffee farm on a cloudy day

Environmental

Responsible water use, land use, and sustainable farm practices.

School children and educators sitting on brightly coloured red, orange and yellow chairs and standing around a long work table in the Catalan Education Center. Paper crafts hang from the ceiling and on the walls. A welcome sign that says "Bienvenidos" hangs above the whiteboard in the background

Social

Dedicated to worker health and safety, living wage, gender equity, and educational support.