Most of coffee producing countries export their highest quality coffee to be consumed thousands of miles away. In the coffee supply chain, the economic value added to the coffee commodity happens during the roasting process. Green coffee is transformed into roasted beans, whiJulian Peak Farmch are highly perishable, but also need to be close to consumers to ensure freshness. Therefore all the big roasters have positioned themselves in non-producing countries, where traditionally the demand for coffee has been.

On the last day of our most recent trip to visit coffee producers, we were welcomed to join a local festival. Our experience in Tadian was complete with a ‘dance-off’ performed by each of the barangay, speeches by local government officials, and traditional dress amongst the celebration participants. We were invited to join the last dance, but I respectfully declined. I am not sure if Tadian is ready for my moves just yet. However, I was very grateful to witness their culture alive and well.