The Coffee Cup

Posts Tagged ‘Shade’

Shade grown organic coffee is one of the ways that we as consumers can be aware of our environment. Being “green” is very popular these days, and it should be. We have spent too long ignoring the effects of our ignorance of our planet. One way to be “green” is to enjoy the shade grown organic coffee. Despite what you might expect to enjoy the benefits of shade grown organic coffee goes far beyond the positive impact on the local wildlife where coffee is grown. It stretches all the way to your coffee cup. Read on to learn the benefits of shade grown organic coffee. Shade grown organic coffee simply tastes better. Since coffee may grow slower (and more natural) the taste of coffee improved. Natural sugar is the time to develop to produce a richer more flavorful cup of coffee. “shade grown” in the shade grown organic coffee: none of the environment is cleared to make way for coffee plantations. The migratory birds have been declining since we started to clear the rainforests to make room for more (and larger) coffee plantations, clear bird-friendly coffee is the way to go. Did you know, next to tobacco, coffee sprayed with more chemicals than any other plants grown on the planet. It can not be good for you. “organic” is grown in the shade organic coffee means that it is growm without chemicals, and it is simply healthier for you. Traditionally coffee is grown and treated with chemicals deplete the soil and increases erosion. By failing to clear the rainforests we support them. Shade grown organic coffee is better for people who work and live near the coffee plantations. The chemicals used in traditionally grown coffee will eventually run off and pollute the local water supply. This is just not right. If you really want to be green, I strongly recommends that you seek shade grown organic coffee. It is not only good for animals, the environment, the employees, but it just tastes better. And do not we all love a great cup of coffee.

Traditionally, almost all shade grown coffee. The coffee plant in its natural state is not very tolerant of direct sunlight, and thus most coffee plants grow best in the shade of a canopy of trees. In an ideal environment would be the leaves from an imminent break down into compost and soil, creating a rich, moist soil where the coffee plants thrive. In addition, above the trees provide a home for native birds that eat many insects which would otherwise threaten the coffee plants. Coffee grown in this type of environment would need little to no fertilizers or pesticides to grow, but it would be pretty good on their own.

In 1972, scientists developed a new hybrid type of coffee plant. This new plant boasted a much larger crop of beans than traditional coffee plants, and also was the crop easier to harvest because the plant remains small. Soon, coffee farms around the world would convert to the new hybrid plant. In turn, coffee farms cut down their native forests to direct sunlight for the hybrid coffee plants. Of the approximately 6 million hectares of coffee-producing country in the world, it is estimated that 60% of the land has been harvested since 1972 as a result of hybrid plants Sun coffee.

The loss of forest for coffee plantations has created many problems. First of all migratory birds that dwelt in these trees no longer have a habitat. It is estimated that the population of migratory birds has declined 20% over the past decade, mainly due to loss of habitat. The lack of trees not only disturb the birds. It has a direct impact on the entire ecosystem of an area. A study conducted by the University of Michigan found that shade coffee plantations support a large number of other species of animals and insects. For example, the study noted that a tree on a shade coffee farm in Costa Rica was home to 27 different species of ants and 126 species of beetles. When the shade trees disappear, so do other animals and insects, upsetting the fragile balance of the natural ecosystem.

Another problem with sun grown coffee is the enormous amount of synthetic chemicals needed to grow it. Because there are not many native birds that eat insects, pesticides are required to keep the insect population down. Sun coffee plants are also treated with chemical fertilizer, since there is roof of trees present to provide organic matter that would naturally enrich the soil. Furthermore, plantations growing coffee, Sun also rely on the use of herbicides to keep down the weeds that grow in the increased sunlight (shade coffee plantations do not have so many problems with weeds, because weeds do not grow well in shady conditions that favor the coffee plants).

All these chemicals needed to grow hybrid plants Sun coffee creates an enormous amount of runoff, which poisons downstream waterways due to runoff and threatens the health of workers on coffee plantations. The lack of trees has also created serious soil erosion problems. It has become clear that this type of coffee farming is not sustainable.

Traditional shade growing, however, is a self-sufficient and sustainable production systems. It promotes increased biodiversity and requires little or no fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. Smithsonian Institute’s Center of passage (smbc) is working to raise awareness and promote shade grown coffee through a certification process. Look for coffee phenomenon smbc’s “Bird Friendly” seal of approval, or if you can not find such coffees, simply look for those who enter the shade grown conditions.

The only way to solve this problem is by demand. Any purchase of shade grown coffee helps restore natural shade grown coffee farming methods. Ornithologists and coffee drinkers unite, and buy only shade grown coffee!

• Contains a 12 ounce bag of delicious Audubon Rainforest Blend (ground), an Audubon logo mug, and an Audubon logo bag clip.
• 100% Rainforest Alliance certified, organic and shade grown coffee beans.
• A portion of all proceeds benefit the National Audubon Society.
• A perfect gourmet coffee gift for nature and bird lovers.
• Gourmet coffee roasted by the Rogers Family Company coffee roasters.

Product DescriptionThis is a thoughtful gift featuring our rich and complex Rainforest Blend (ground), to our colorful Audubon logo mug, and an Audubon logo bag clip to keep your coffee as fresh as possible. Its perfect for teachers, business associates or close friend or relative who you want to introduce the coffee you love. The mug and coffee samplers are wrapped in a cloud of cellophane and tied with a big bow. . . . More>>

Audubon Shade Grown Coffee, Rainforest Blend & Mug Gourmet Coffee Gift Basket

Product DescriptionAubudon Ground Coffee Beans, French Roast, 12-Ounce Bag. . . More >>

Audubon Premium Shade Grown Coffee, Shade Song French Roast, Ground, 12-Ounce Bags