Fair trade describes a broader movement, while specific certification schemes set their own requirements. CoffeeBox's guide is most useful when it separates the question of trading conditions from whether a coffee tastes good. A logo is not a sensory score, and similarly named marks should not automatically be treated as one interchangeable programme.
For Fairtrade-certified coffee, minimum-price and premium mechanisms apply under the scheme's defined trading arrangements. They should not be described as a guarantee that every crop from a certified farmer sells on those terms or that a floor covers every producer's actual costs. Price schedules and effective dates also change, making old figures unsuitable as permanent buying guidance.
Look for the named certification, the scope of the claim and useful producer information. A high retail price does not show how much reached the farm, while a low one alone cannot establish a particular transaction. Assess traceability, certification and the coffee's flavour as related but distinct kinds of information.
The conversation
A good question can make a better brew.