Inside the Sack: How We Trace Wrexham Bean Coffee from Farm to Roaster
Most traceability blogs explain definitions. This one explains our process.
At Wrexham Bean, traceability is not a badge on a product page. It is how we decide whether a lot is credible enough to buy, roast, and release. We use it to check two things: is the origin claim real, and does the cup quality match what the supply chain said it would be.
If you want the wider sustainability context first, start with our sustainable coffee guide. Then come back here for the practical verification layer.
Our paper trail: what we actually check
When coffee lands with us, we do not treat the bag as “story complete.” We match what is physically in front of us to what was sold to us on paper, so the origin details, process, producer/group info, lot references, and shipment records.
For export coffee, origin documentation standards are not random. The International Coffee Organisation rules on certificates of origin define how exporting members record and issue certificate data. In simple terms, there should be a traceable paperwork chain behind any serious origin claim.
That does not mean every bag has identical formatting. It means the claim should be auditable. If a lot cannot be linked back through exporter and lot-level records, confidence drops immediately, even if the marketing copy sounds good.
Our verification process (three gates)
Gate 1: Pre-shipment quality and claim check
Before final commitment, we compare the claimed profile and lot identity to the sample performance. If the cup profile and the origin/process claim are already fighting each other at the sample stage, we walk away.
Gate 2: Arrival consistency check
Once the lot arrives, we cup again and check whether it still behaves like the coffee we approved. If arrival quality drifts and we cannot reconcile that drift with storage, transit, or lot handling, we do not pretend it is “close enough.”
Gate 3: Roast-release check
Final release is based on repeatable roast behaviour and cup clarity, not just one lucky cupping bowl. If we cannot roast it consistently and explain why it tastes as it does, it should not be on the shelf.
Live examples from our current coffees
| Coffee | Traceable lot information we publish | Why that matters |
|---|---|---|
| Brazilian Eagle | Cerrado Mineiro, Fazenda Irmaos Corsi, Mundo Novo, natural process, 800-1300 m.a.s.l. | Specific farm and process details make the profile easier to verify batch to batch. |
| African Moon | Uganda, Kasese District / Rwenzori Mountains, SL14 & SL28, natural process, 1400-1800 m.a.s.l. | You can connect flavour expectations to region, altitude, and process, not generic “African coffee” language. |
| Burundi Red Bourbon | Mutambu Valley, Migoti Coffee Company, Bourbon, washed process, 1500-1700 m.a.s.l. | Producer + process specificity supports cleaner quality interpretation and honest expectations. |
| Dulima Colombia Washed | Huila, washed process, Castillo/Caturra/Colombia varieties, 1500-2000 m.a.s.l. | The lot context helps explain why the cup sits where it does in terms of sweetness, acidity, and structure. |
How we treat label claims before we trust them
Certification can be useful, but only if the scope and chain of custody are clear. The UK Green Claims Code is explicit: claims should be truthful, clear, and substantiated. Vague wording without evidence is not enough.
For Rainforest Alliance claims, chain-of-custody models are defined in the Traceability Annex. For Fairtrade, mark usage and licence context can be checked through guidance and public tools like the Fairtrade Finder. For organic claims in the UK, control body coding and labelling rules are clearly set out in official guidance.
Where this gets more serious is legal due diligence. Coffee supply chains linked to the EU are already adapting to deforestation due diligence requirements under the EU Deforestation Regulation. Better traceability is now operational compliance, not just marketing polish.
Five-minute buyer checklist
- Can you identify the country, region, and process clearly from the product page?
- Is there producer/group or lot-level detail beyond flavour notes?
- If certified, can you see enough info to verify scope (not just a logo)?
- Does the roaster explain how they verify arrival quality, not only pre-shipment claims?
- Are flavour notes supported by origin and process context, not generic copy?
- If details are thin, treat the claim as lower confidence and buy accordingly.
Keep this page in the cluster for what it does best
This page is your verification spoke. It should answer: “How do I test whether the claim is real?”
For the broader “why sustainability matters” view, use the rise of sustainable speciality coffee. For the farm-to-cup footprint context, use speciality coffee and its environmental impact. For practical household action, use used coffee grounds. For future supply risk, use the impact of climate change on coffee production.
FAQ
Is traceable coffee always better in the cup?
Not automatically. Traceability improves accountability and claim quality, but cup quality still depends on farming, processing, storage, roasting, and brewing.
Is “single origin” enough proof by itself?
No. It is a useful start, but strong traceability also needs lot-level context and a verifiable document trail.
Why does this matter to normal buyers, not just coffee professionals?
Because better traceability usually means fewer surprises: clearer expectations, more consistent quality, and less chance of paying premium prices for vague claims.
Traceability should make coffee simpler, not harder. If the paper trail, lot data, and cup all line up, trust becomes much easier to earn.