Shade-grown coffee refers to coffee grown under a canopy of trees. Because it incorporates principles of natural ecology to promote natural ecological relationships, shade-grown coffee can be considered an offshoot of agricultural permaculture.
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History
Most of the original coffee trees brought to the New World from European countries would burn in the sun, which made shade necessary for growth. However, over the past 30 years new sun tolerant trees have been developed to yield higher production rates. As a result, sun tolerant trees can produce three times more coffee than a shade bush in a year, but sometimes has a negative impact on the environment. This has resulted in a new trend of supporting shade-grown coffee. [1]
Environmental Impact
A canopy of assorted types of shade trees is created to cultivate shade-grown coffee. The traditional shade-grown coffee farm resembles a forest because it consists of several layers of trees, such as fruit and hardwood trees, epiphytes, and other assorted bushes and plants. As a result, up to 40 species of trees can be found on these farms, and contribute to the maintenance of soil quality and habitats for numerous species of animals and plants. One of the main arguments in support of shade-grown coffee is that it houses many species of birds. More specifically, shade-grown trees house two-thirds of the bird species found in natural forests in the same geographic areas.
Sun-grown coffee requires numerous chemical fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides to be added to promote growth. This also contributes to toxic water runoff and lack of habitat for many species. In contrast to the previous information regarding birds, sun-grown coffee provides shelter for less than one-tenth of bird species. [1]
Types of Shade
Rustic is the least intensive and rarest practice. With this method, coffee shrubs are planted in the existing forest with little alteration of the native plants. This is the least capital-intensive method and is typically used on small family-owned farms.[citation needed]
Traditional Polyculture is the deliberate integration of beneficial plants, which results in more species diversity than commercial polyculture. Additionally, this crop diversification helps farmers when coffee prices are depressed.
Commercial Polyculture is similar to traditional polyculture, but some shade is removed to make room for more coffee shrubs and at this point fertilizers and pesticides are usually beginning to be needed.
Reduced or Specialized Shade uses a single, pruned canopy species to provide shade. Coffee shrubs are planted more densely, and the farm looks very organized and deliberate.
Full-Sun or Unshaded Monoculture has absolutely no canopy.
Certification
The Bird Friendly coffee certification program, administered by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (SMBC) has pioneered much of the research regarding the connection between birds, coffee and farming communities to understand the importance of setting standards to create healthy, producing forests. Therefore have a reliable seal for certified shade-grown organic coffee and currently mainly certifies coffee produced in the western hemisphere. [2]
Rainforest Alliance Certified, is a certification program administered by the Rainforest Alliance, which has developed sustainable product certifications for coffee and many other products. Rainforest Alliance is a non-profit group with partners around the world to address the needs of farmers and meet the demands of consumers. Rainforest Alliance Certified farms cover produce coffee in the western hemisphere as well as Africa and Asia. Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee must meet rigorous criteria, including less water pollution, less soil erosion, reduced threats to the environment and human health, wildlife habitat is protected, less water is produced, less water is used, more efficient farm management, improved conditions for farm workers, improved profitability and competitiveness for farmers, and more collaboration between farmers and conservationists. [3]
Roasted Shade Grown Coffee
There are many roasters throughout the world and the United States that focus exclusively on shade grown coffee. Many of them also exclusively use the three main coffee certifications which are shade grown, organic, and Fair Trade to create a more environmentally and socially friendly cup of coffee. Roasters exclusively focusing on shade grown coffee include Arbor Day Foundation, Grounds For Change, Caffe Ibis.
Coffee Review did a cupping contest in August of 2009 called Bird Friendly and Shade Grown Coffee specifically to cup and rank the best shade grown coffee. Top Rank was awarded to four coffees at 92 points out of 100 roasted by Ecco Caffe, Arbor Day Coffee, Flying Goat Coffee, and Counter Culture Coffee
See also
References
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