A cheaper less eco-friendly coffee is making its way into you coffee mug. Mass production of coffee has led to cutting down forests and other diverse habitats in order to grow faster and in larger quantities. Do you know where your coffee comes from?

 

A small understory tree, high-quality arabica coffee has traditionally been grown amongst forest trees, in the shade, on a polyculture farm. While the shade discourages weed growth and contributes to a richer tasting coffee, it also slows down the ripening process, and produces smaller yields. Sunnier conditions, i.e. cutting down the surrounding trees in the forest, thus mean more coffee and more profits. This monoculture type of farming, practiced since the 1970's, also means less biodiversity, especially less birds, and a weakened ecosystem.

As there is no official definition of "shade grown”, your coffee so labeled may have been grown under shady conditions that are little better than full sun. Only two US shade certification systems exist, with varying criteria. "Bird-Friendly" by The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center offers the most stringent, reliable assurance that coffee is grown sustainably as at least 40% of shade is required. Another trustworthy certification, the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal of approval is however less demanding in the number of shade layers surrounding the coffee tree.

These certifications, while necessary to help stop the ecologically harmful monoculture, aren't without issues. They are costly and complicated to the farmers, and aren't regionally sensitive. They also add to the existing fair trade and organic seals, creating a potential consumer confusion. However, as consumers and citizens of our planet, we must become more aware of how the food we consume has been produced. Learn more about a variety of issues surrounding “shade-grown” coffee at Coffee Habitat.