Betty: A Celebration of Women in Coffee
Betty is back with a fresh new look. Yes, the beans in the bag are exceptional, but Betty has always been about more than just coffee. It’s about celebrating women in coffee and supporting a future where women have a stronger voice, more opportunities and the recognition they deserve.
Released every year in time for International Women’s Day, Betty is here to celebrate the hard work and determination of these incredible women.
This year we take you to Huila, Colombia, where 25 women have produced a truly exceptional coffee.
Tommy, our head Roaster, says, "Since 2020 and the 10th anniversary of our Vintage Probat Roaster, Betty, we’ve been choosing coffees to celebrate all the awesome women in coffee. Not only is this year’s coffee delicious, it is lovingly grown by 25 women in the Huila Region of Colombia. With the help from our Export Partners at origin, these women are provided with resources and opportunities to thrive."
The reality for women in coffee farming
Something you may or may not know is that women play an integral role in coffee farming. They make up 70% of the workforce, carrying out a significant proportion of the manual work, including the planting, picking and sorting. Yet, only 20% of farms are owned or operated by women. The higher earning potential actually sits in the grading, dry processing, and selling of coffee and this part of the supply chain is dominated by men.
Not only are they carrying out the manual labour and physical part of the process, but they often face other significant barriers, from limited access to funding and resources to navigating cultural expectations that hinder their professional growth. Despite these challenges, women in coffee continue to persevere, determined to shape their communities with resilience, skill, and passion.
Meet the women behind this year’s Betty
High up in the lush, volcanic landscape of Huila, Colombia, 25 women have come together to produce some exceptional coffee. Working through economic and social challenges and overcoming barriers along the way.
Betty is a tribute to these women - mothers, farmers, and community builders who are committed to their land and coffee production, working hard to secure a brighter future for women in coffee.
Wanting more than just recognition for this high quality product, they named the coffee ‘Madremonte’(Mother Mountain or Mother of the Forest) after a mythical figure from Colombian folklore - described as a powerful guardian of nature and protector of the forests - this coffee embodies strength and resilience, making it the perfect fit for Betty.
As well as their hard work and determination, their coffee is also Volcafe Responsibly Sourced Verified, ensuring transparency, ethical practices, and environmental stewardship. As an export partner they are committed to gender equality, with their work going beyond agriculture support, providing annual sessions on women’s rights, entrepreneurship and leadership.
They actively foster an inclusive culture, ensuring gender-conscious recruitment and career growth opportunities for women, while also working hard to prevent workplace harassment.
With an average age of 48, these women aren’t newcomers to the coffee game. They are experience, dedicated professionals who have honed their craft for years and this really sings in the coffee.
What am I drinking?
This year’s Betty is a classic washed Colombian coffee from Huila, where the rich volcanic soil and high altitudes create ideal coffee-growing conditions. The result? A fruit-forward coffee, rich in body and beautifully balanced. Buy Betty 2025.
Origin: Huila, Colombia
Process: Washed
Varietal: Caturra, Castillo, Colombia
Tasting Notes: Cherry compote, nougat, and milk chocolate
Recipe: 18g in, 36ml out, in 25-30 seconds
A Sip Towards Change
With every cup of Betty, you’re not just enjoying a beautifully crafted espresso - you’re supporting these incredible women within the coffee industry.
But supporting women in coffee shouldn’t be limited to once a year. At Extract Coffee Roasters, we are committed to supporting women year-round.
This means:
1. Building year-round, sustainable relationships with farms which are owned or managed by women.
2. Choosing to work with coffee importers who are funding programmes to empower women in coffee-growing countries. For example, Volcafe and DR Wakefield.
Here are a few examples of what that looks like in practice:
La Morena Women’s Coffee, Guatemala - Our Seasonal Filter in 2024. The La Morena project, supported by the Volcafe Way, empowers women by providing support, training, access to agronomists and avenues for career development. As a result of this support, the women of La Morena have increased the quality and yield of their coffee and also increased their income.
Musasa Ruli, Rwanda. This particular filter coffee is a product of the Musasa Ruli Women’s Group, made up of 50 producers. The coffee they are producing is exceptional, full of dark fruit sweetness and sparkling acidity. You’re supporting a community, helping to empower women, uplift families and drive sustainable growth in Rwanda. A coffee that not only tastes good but does good too!
Liquidambar, Honduras. Extract Coffee Roasters was the first roaster in the UK to buy Delmy’s coffee back in 2015 and several years on, we’re still working together, using her coffee in our Organic Espresso - she is one awesome woman! Delmy is part of the Honduras Chapter of the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) and is dedicated to strengthening the role of women in coffee production, processing and trading.
This International Women’s Day, join us in celebrating the strength, skill, and resilience of women in coffee farming.
#Betty2025 #InternationalWomensDay #WomenInCoffee