Shade Grown Coffee Beans

Shade grown is the old school way to make coffee that goes back to the basics.

Thirty years ago hybrid varieties of coffee plants were developed. These new plants could withstand direct sunlight and at the same time produced a greater yield of beans. It was a farmers dream except for the fact that the hybrids were more vulnerable to disease and required pesticides – for the first time.

Maintaining a functioning ecosystem is the key – growing coffee in the forest shade maintains a habitat for birds and insects, allowing coffee plants to grow organically. At the same time the forest maintains a moist and nitrogen enriched soil. All together you end up with a healthier and more sustainable bean.

Environmental impact

Coffee is one of the most valuable traded commodities second only to oil. The intense demand for this product also leads to some damaging measures including the clear cutting of forested regions. It is therefore no wonder that this technique is widely favored by environmental activists.

The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center is a strong proponent of shade growing since it maintains a home for birds. They suggest that consumers buy only shade grown beans and developed a certification to make this possible. You’ll find the Bird Friendly label on any certified bag of coffee beans.

Methods of Coffee Growing

What is considered shade grown is arguable. There are several growing methods influenced strongly by production value and sustainability. Some farmers use a combination of pesticides and shading. However, if you purchase coffee that is certified both organic and shade grown, you can be sure that it is pesticide free.

RUSTIC

The purist method of shade growing, this entails growing beans in an undisturbed forest. This method is rarely used since it is hard to find opportunity for it and it isn’t especially profitable. 70–100% shaded

Traditional polyculture

This method employs a combination of plant life and native trees as a protective canopy. This polyculture is often adapted to an existing forest with trees planted as necessary. The native trees include medicinal and fruit bearing trees such as the Acacia and Inga. 60-90% shaded

Commercial polyculture

While commercial polyculture is still sustainable, it does involve a sparser forested region to allow more room for coffee plants. Since this method involves less shade, some farmers do use pesticides. 30–60% shaded.

REduced monoculture – Little to no Shade

This type of formation includes only one or two types of trees and very little shade cover. Monoculture combines modern bean growing and shade growing. It’s not a sustainable method and the beans do require pesticides. 10-30% shaded.

Add Shade Grown Coffee to your Shopping List?

Coffee has an incredible impact on the world. An intense demand for this cash crop leaves a footprint on the environment; clear cutting forests and reducing nutrients in the soil.

Shade growing is permaculture. It is an alternative that allows ecosystems to thrive at the same time. Everyone can participate in shade growing by choosing to buy shade grown coffee beans.

One drawback is that this type of agriculture won’t make as much money since shade grown models simply won’t yield as much crop as sun baked plantations.

But do we really need them to?