In our journey across the realm of artisanal producers, we often encounter individuals who go above and beyond to embrace sustainability. Fluid Solar Roasted Coffee Beans is undoubtedly one such example—a small-scale coffee roaster located in the quaint community of Clayton, near Almonte, that operates entirely on 100% solar power.
When we spoke with owners Lorraine and Bill Kemp about featuring Fluid coffee beans in our Savvy Choice Coffee Club, they proudly shared their commitment to infusing a little sunshine into every coffee cup. Living off the electrical grid for the past 25 years, the Kemps generate electricity and heat directly from renewable resources. Their environmentally conscious lifestyle extends to their transportation as well, with a fully electric car charged using solar electricity, and 100% of their water use recycled back to nature.
This dedication to sustainability isn’t just a personal ethos—it’s ingrained in the family’s business practices. Fluid’s sustainable, small-batch coffee roasting process is complemented by their use of compostable coffee bags, ensuring minimal impact on the environment. The bags housing the coffee beans are 100% compostable, decomposing over time if disposed of in the garbage.
Moreover, Fluid sources its coffee beans directly from small-scale farms to ensure the highest quality and support producers. In many cases, they purchase directly from the farm, paying producers a minimum of 50% higher than Fair Trade prices to ensure a fair deal for farmers.
The Roasting Process
Fluid’s roasting process revolves around a Sivetz fluid bed roaster, which accepts a maximum load of 8 pounds of coffee. Despite its modest size, this roaster can handle over 1,200 pounds of coffee each week. The unique bed roasting process operates at lower temperatures and takes longer to complete a batch compared to other methods, resulting in coffee oils that are smooth and devoid of bitterness.
Tasting is Believing
Curious to experience Fluid’s coffee firsthand? We’re excited to feature them as our May and June 2024 roaster in our Savvy Choice Coffee Club and are sure we’ll see them as a repeat feature thanks to their ongoing release of new roasts. Whether you subscribe to receive four delicious roasts from Fluid and other discovered coffee roasters or opt for a one-time parcel of “Taste of our Coffee Club,” there’s no shortage of opportunities to savour the flavours of sustainability.
Start Your Day Right
As firm believers in the power of a good cup of coffee to kickstart your day, we invite you to join our Savvy Choice Coffee of-the-month club. Each month—or every other month if you prefer—we’ll send you a carefully curated assortment of 3-4 different bags of roasts from independent roasters like Fluid. No flavored coffee, just a diverse selection of roasts ranging from light to dark, blends to single origin. Plus, each subscription box includes a locally made gourmet treat, ensuring your mornings are off to the perfect start.
In closing, Fluid Solar Roasted Coffee Beans epitomizes sustainability in every cup. Lorraine and Bill Kemp’s dedication to solar power, small-scale farmers, and compostable packaging ensures both ethical sourcing and delicious coffee. Join us in savouring their flavourful roasts, knowing each sip supports a brighter, greener future.
Do you love coffee and supporting Canadian businesses?
Check out our selection of Canadian coffees in our online store. We also have monthly coffee subscriptions so you never miss out on the delicious coffee roasts we discover.