Fair Trade Pioneer WE'LL INTRODUCE YOU TO THE FLAVOR OF FAIR TRADE

For a fair future.

Working Together for a Just Cause

If you want to make a positive change in the world, start with yourself.

Our goal is a world where fairness is as natural as morning coffee. That’s why, from the very beginning, we haven’t been content with the prevailing standards in the coffee industry; instead, as a Fairtrade pioneer, we’re committed to fair prices and better living conditions in the countries where our coffee is grown.

Clear plans require clear values. That’s why, as a company, we take our responsibility very seriously—toward our team, our partners and cooperatives, all coffee lovers, and nature’s resources. For this reason, solidarity, transparency, and passion have been so important to us since our very beginnings.

Our Fairtrade Impact

Our History

Fairness is in our nature

Today and tomorrow

We’re proud to be able to offer the right Café Intención for every taste and every brewing method—whether at the supermarket, the café around the corner, or in our online store.

Although we’ve already achieved so much, we’re still a long way from reaching our goal. We continue to work with great enthusiasm to create more equity, so that fair trade coffee doesn’t remain the exception but one day becomes the
standard.

Since 2024 THE CAFÉ INTENCIÓN SHADE TREE PROJECT

Climate change poses major challenges for coffee cultivation worldwide. Through the shade tree project, we have been making an active contribution since 2024—together with coffee cooperatives in Honduras, Peru, and India, and our long-standing partner Fairtrade.

Shade trees not only protect coffee plants from intense sunlight but also—depending on the tree species—improve the local microclimate, soil quality, and biodiversity. In this way, we are gradually helping to safeguard the livelihoods of coffee farmers, which are under threat.

2021 The Premiere of the "Länderkaffee" Events

For the first time, we’re offering single-origin coffee: a selection of beans from a single country and variety, sourced from the best growing regions—our Selección Peru and Selección Honduras, both certified organic, of course.

2009 Fairtrade Award and Organic Certification

J.J. Darboven is the first company ever to receive the Fairtrade Award in the Business category.

Later that year, Café Intención products will bear not only the Fairtrade seal but also the organic seal. Both certifications reinforce our commitment to continuously improving our high-quality coffee with a clear conscience.

2007 The Path to a Career in the Restaurant Industry

We're also introducing many of our products to the foodservice industry. This allows us to reach even more people with our Fairtrade coffee and turn them into allies in our mission.

2004 The Origins of Café Intención

We are changing our name from TransFair Kaffee to Café Intención.

Step by step, we’re increasing our visibility in Germany and inspiring more and more people to choose fair-trade coffee.

1993 The First TransFair Coffee

The nonprofit organization TransFair e. V. is founded and introduces the TransFair seal for fair-trade products. J.J. Darboven is committed to the organization from the very beginning and, that same year, brings the first certified TransFair coffee to German supermarkets.

1950s to 1960s The Beginnings

During his stays in Central America, Albert Darboven got to know many coffee producers personally in the coffee-growing regions. He decided to give them a greater share in the company’s business success and to improve their living conditions.

Even back then, he viewed socially and environmentally sustainable practices not only as a prerequisite for long-term success, but also as the responsibility of a good entrepreneur.