The smell of coffee and sustainability wafts through the heart of QUARTET, floating out from Green Wheel. Run by two people with a passion for floral, woody, and spicy aromas, the shop is a veritable Ali Baba cave for Arabica enthusiasts. And at the helm of this little paradise that respects both producers and consumers' palates alike, are Ricardo and Diego, with their inspiring vision and infectious smiles!

Is the smell of coffee what gets you out of bed in the mornings, too? For Ricardo and Diego, this beverage is so much more than that! Indeed, it is the taste of Colombia – the country where they grew up. Not only is it part of their ancestors’ heritage, but it is also the fruit of the daily labour of the men and women working in the heart of the Colombian plantations, located at altitude and swept by a cool breeze – all of which is reflected in each cup.  

It is for these very reasons that the two Swiss-Colombians chose to explore the coffee-growing traditions of their own family in Colombia; and to do so, they aimed high! Indeed, their path took them to the heart of the high-altitude regions, where coffee-growing traditions have stayed the same for generations, and where everything that is produced naturally contains sweeter ingredients, reducing the need for added sugar.

Today, they roast their coffees in Geneva, offering the freshest, tastiest coffees to the palates of French-speaking Switzerland – all while paying the producers a fair wage. And just like that, the taste of the coffee takes on that of fairness.

A delectable and fair approach

The strength of Green Wheel coffees lies not only in the richness of their flavours, but also in the respect they show for their producers, who are in direct contact with Diego and Ricardo. They earn higher wages than what is offered through standard Fair-Trade practices.

Fair recognition for work taken seriously, and a guarantee that quality and traceability will be maintained: that’s a winning blend! Producers are rewarded and consumers have access to espresso, filter coffees, and cold brews with rich, full-bodied flavours.

The environment is also taken into consideration through a carbon-offsetting programme that has so far facilitated the planting of 1,000 indigenous trees in Guataqui, Colombia. In short, it’s a blend that is as tasty as it is meaningful.