News Summary
Tracer Coffee, a new coffee roasting company based in Charleston, South Carolina, emphasizes direct trade and traceability in sourcing Colombian coffees. Founded by Gina Cordoba and Eduardo Calle, the brand offers unique, specialty coffee selections, engages the community with pop-up events, and promotes sustainable farming practices. As the company looks to expand its wholesale presence and establish a flagship café, it aims to redefine the coffee experience by fostering a connection between consumers and producers.
Charleston, South Carolina is now home to Tracer Coffee, a new coffee roasting company that emphasizes direct trade and traceability in sourcing its Colombian coffees. Founded in 2024 by partners Gina Cordoba and Eduardo Calle, Tracer Coffee offers a unique approach to coffee that connects consumers to the growers while highlighting the stories behind each bean.
Gina Cordoba manages operations from Charleston, while Eduardo Calle is based in Antioquia, Colombia, where they cultivate strong partnerships with local farmers. Tracer Coffee provides a range of traceable coffee selections, including specialty varieties such as Gesha, Chiroso, and Bourbon Cidra. The company is committed to ensuring that every cup reflects both quality and sustainability.
Tracer Coffee also engages with the local community by hosting occasional pop-up events throughout Charleston. These events feature manual pourovers and flash-chilled drinks, providing customers with a taste of their unique offerings. The focus on traceability and clean cup profiles stems from the partners’ shared values regarding ethical coffee production and environmental responsibility.
Sustainable Farming Practices
The farms associated with Tracer Coffee adhere to environmentally responsible practices, emphasizing shade-grown coffee and innovative post-harvest processes. Eduardo Calle’s family farm, located in Concordia, Antioquia, covers 9 hectares and is Rainforest Alliance certified. This certification signifies compliance with rigorous environmental standards and showcases the farm’s commitment to sustainable agriculture.
Alongside implementing experimental fermentation and drying methods, Calle’s farm collaborates with neighboring farms to share resources and best practices. This cooperative work aims to elevate the entire community’s coffee quality while ensuring fair compensation for all involved in production. Tracer Coffee’s direct trade model allows them to provide above-market rates to farmers, ensuring that producers receive just compensation for their efforts.
Building a Brand with Purpose
Tracer Coffee’s branding embodies the backgrounds and values of both Cordoba and Calle, merging their personal experiences with their mission to create a transparent coffee supply chain. The management of logistics, exporting, and importing is handled entirely by Tracer Coffee, reinforcing their commitment to traceability at every stage of production.
Gina Cordoba has a background in customer relations at Apple and has run a digital marketing business aimed at helping nonprofits and small businesses. Her experience enables her to connect with customers and communicate the importance of coffee’s journey from the farm to the cup. Cordoba is also developing a “Farm to Cup” educational series, designed to involve customers in understanding the coffee production process and fostering appreciation for quality sourcing.
Future Plans and Community Engagement
Looking ahead, Tracer Coffee aims to expand its wholesale presence by supplying more cafes and hotels in the Charleston area in the coming year. Additionally, plans are underway to establish a flagship café in Charleston, envisioned as a “coffee meets community lab.” This space will combine elements of coffee, education, storytelling, and community events to enhance customer engagement and awareness.
The forthcoming café will serve as a venue for educational workshops and tastings, allowing customers to explore the intricate world of coffee production. By merging community involvement with quality coffee, Tracer Coffee looks to build a strong local presence while championing sustainable practices and fair trade principles.
As Tracer Coffee continues to grow, it stands as a testament to the importance of quality sourcing, transparency, and community engagement in the coffee industry. With a focus on maintaining the connection between consumers and producers, the company aims to redefine how coffee is experienced and enjoyed in Charleston.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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