This time, we will introduce "Satoyama Coffee" in Oga City, Akita Prefecture. A coffee brand that aims to realize a recycling-oriented society by making both producers and consumers smile through coffee.

So, this time, we interviewed Mr. Katsuki Onishi of Satoyama Coffee about his reasons for creating coffee and his commitment to coffee.

Visit by Yourself and Deliver the Real Taste

Mr. Katsuki Onishi, representative of Satoyama Coffee. Mr. Onishi, who was born in Tokyo, moved to Akita when he entered university.

Currently, in Oga City, Akita Prefecture, he operates “Satoyama Coffee,” which roasts the coffee beans he purchases himself. In addition, some of the sales are used to buy seeds and soil, and efforts are being made to recycle abandoned farmland (abandoned farmland) that had to be given up.

− Please tell us how you started Satoyama Coffee.

Mr. Onishi: "I became interested in coffee when I was in college. I learned about social business, which uses business methods to solve social issues, and wanted to contribute to society through business.

After studying in Singapore, I was worried about what I wanted to do, so I took a two-year leave of absence. At that time, I came across a documentary film about a single coffee. I've always liked coffee, but through the movie, I learned about the current situation and issues surrounding coffee, and came to think, "I want to know more about coffee!"

After that, I trained as a barista at a cafe in Tokyo for about a year. There, I learned a lot of things, such as how to brew coffee, what the production area is like, and hearing directly from the owner of the farm. By listening to the owner of the farm, I learned that it is important to know coffee from the standpoint of not only the consumer but also the producer.

Coffee is a drink which there is a long distance between the producer and the consumer. In decided to create a coffee brand in which the thoughts of the producer reach the consumer as much as possible. So I returned to Akita and launched "Satoyama Coffee". ”

A Coffee Brand that is
Closest to the Producer

– Why did you start purchasing directly?

Mr. Onishi: "The trigger was when I went to visit a farm in Ethiopia. At that farm, we were doing everything from coffee bean production to export without going through a trader.

So, I thought that if we buy directly, we can shorten the distance from the producer to the consumer. From the beginning, we wanted to become a coffee brand that is close to the producers! I had this feeling, so I started by building a relationship of trust with the producers.

Currently, we have direct contracts with several farms, and we are consistently doing everything from purchasing → importing → roasting → sales.

At Satoyama Coffee, we understand all costs because we want our customers to be satisfied with our prices. Therefore, we offer coffee without turning the flow of money into a black box. ”

4 Buying Points for Satoyama Coffee

Satoyama Coffee purchases coffee based on the following points.

①Environmentally friendly with forest cultivation

The coffee that Satoyama Coffee purchases is cultivated in virgin forests or semi-virgin forests, not monocultures. This contributes to "improving coffee quality," "improving biodiversity," and "improving the local food self-sufficiency rate."

② Appropriate compensation for producers

Compensation for producers is 5.6 to 12 times the normal price! Grown in forests, it is environmentally friendly and does not use pesticides or chemical fertilizers.

③ Clear flow of money from production to sales

Imported directly from producers who clearly disclose their cost structure. Furthermore, instead of obtaining only numerical information, I go to the site and check the flow of money with my own eyes. We understand all costs up to the customer's hands, including the transportation process.

④ Above all, IT IS DELICIOUS!

Satoyama Coffee offers the highest quality coffee that is considered specialty coffee. Among the many specialty coffees, we do cupping (tasting) locally and import carefully selected ones.

Make Coffee More Fun!

Mr. Onishi: "Because I have actually seen and touched production sites, I would like to deliver real local information to consumers.

Therefore, for those who have purchased, in addition to the story of each coffee, we also enclose a local lifestyle report. ”

Plantation owner Melsha

Mr. Onishi: For example, instead of saying, "Mr. Melsha, the owner of the farm in the Guji region of Ethiopia," I put in a coffee report that shows the personality of the producer, such as, "Coffee grown in the bright red, nutritious volcanic soil of a volcanic area by an old man who was obsessed with coffee cultivation."

I think that not only tracking the production information but also telling it as a story will make the information more familiar to those who drink it for the first time. I would be happy if you could feel that such a person is making it while enjoying coffee.

As From Hands To Hands, we aim to create a sustainable society by not only following production information but also enjoying it. ”

Recommended Products of Satoyama Coffee

Satoyama Coffee not only buys coffee, but also contributes to society. Since you can purchase online, we will introduce recommended products for first-time users.

dicolo (like a red apple)

Satoyama Coffee's flagship product "Dicolo (like a red apple)". It is also Mr. Onishi's recommended coffee.

<Comment>
It is a coffee that is overwhelmingly juicy and feels "THIS is different".
The secret is the 150-day resting time.
By taking the aging period to the limit, we packed the sweetness of coffee cherries tightly.

▼ Click here to purchase
https://satoyamacoffee.com/products/lot-dicolo

Abba Kemer (like a rum chocolate)

When you take a sip, Abba Kemer (like a rum chocolate) spreads in your mouth like an adult chocolate flavor. It's a coffee that makes you want to drink between work.

<Comment>
It is characterized by richness and sweetness like rum chocolate.
The harvested coffee cherries are dried in the sun with the pulp still attached.
After that, it is aged for 120 days.

▼ Click here to purchase
https://satoyamacoffee.com/products/lot-abakemer

Dawit (like Earl Grey)

Valuable beans "Dawit (Earl Gray)" purchased in limited quantities. It seems that coffee is grown at the last minute altitude where coffee can grow.

<Comment>
Refined glamor. It has a bursting citrus impression and a tea-like aroma.
After harvesting, all the cherry pulp was washed away, fermented and dried.
By the fermentation time of about 3 times the usual "136 hours fermentation",
It's a coffee that you will say "it's good" unintentionally.

▼ Click here to purchase
https://satoyamacoffee.com/products/lot-dawit

Satoyama coffee drip bag

A "drip bag" that allows you to drink Satoyama coffee anytime is also available! It is easy to drink and the flavor does not change easily over time.
Recommended as a gift!

A Documentary about Satoyama Coffee is Complete!

Satoyama Coffee's Ethiopia production area documentary has been completed.

Advance screenings and nationwide traveling screenings are also planned, so if you would like to receive invitations to screenings or receive updates on the latest information, please register your email address from the link below.

Check out the trailer first.

Follow us on Instagram for the latest information.

▼instagram
https://www.instagram.com/satoyamacoffee_directtrade/