javahound

I Got it Made in the Shade

I used to be a confused coffee consumer. My choice was based on convenience because better alternatives were not readily available. That and the fact that I had never had a good jo ever. Tempted by the delicious aromas of a local coffee roaster I entered the premises to sample the house blend. At once I was a little shocked and pleased by the strong rich flavor and deep aromas permeating my sinuses. I was hooked! I would from this moment on never go back to a cheap java jolt. As time passed I became more willing to spend a little extra for the organic blends or fair trade options. Organic and fair trade make perfect sense to me. Organic had no chemicals and fair trade is just a better deal for farmers in impoverished economies, but what about shade grown? This I didnt understand. Was the flavor better or was this an ecology thing or both. It turns out that its both and more. Apparently the environmental impact of monoculture coffee farming take habitat away from birds and other animals and requires more resources to manage due to pests. The trees in a shade grown plantation provide habitat for birds and bugs, keeps the earth cool and sequesters carbon from the air.

The two best ways of growing coffee are Rustic and Traditional Polyculture which have more natural habitat and diversity. Rustic is the considered the best. So now I am armed with power every time I enter a fine coffee establishment. I refuse to buy coffee unless at least one of my boxes are ticked: organic, shade grown or fair trade. Why wait around for the world to change baby, have your vote with a little Cha-ching at the cash register. If nobody buys it, nobody will make it, and that puts some bad farmers out of business. Lets put the screws to those money grubbing coffee kings who care nothing about anything but their bank accounts and give the earth farmers a hand up. Vote with $$$$

JavaHound