Virtual Coffee: Feature Articles (#)

  „Still, there are many other areas of confusion and contention regarding shade in the coffee industry. In the Sustainable Coffee Survey report, nearly 45 percent of the companies claiming to carry shade-grown coffee did not even know who their shade-certifying agency was. Many importers, roasters and retailers add to the confusion by selling "verified shade" coffee, which comes from plantations that have not been certified by Eco-OK or SMBC but have been visited by someone—often an importer—who, without scientific guidelines, checks to make sure shade trees are present on the farms. Most people seem to agree that certified-shade is the clearest way to convey the concept in the marketplace and provide a transparent method of ensuring validity of shade claims.“

http://www.virtualcoffee.com/sept_2002/ shade_grown.html - Cached

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Some slightly related:

CoffeeGeek - Counter Culture Coffee and Earth Fare Team to Produce Sustainable Coffee Line

  „The line, called Earth Fare Trade, features shade-grown, Organic and Fair Trade ™ Certified coffees from select farms around the world. Growing coffee under shade forces coffee to mature more slowly, allowing richer and more complex flavors to develop, and helps protect and preserve natural rainforests and indigenous plants and animals.  Producing coffee organically ensures that no harmful pesticides or poisonous chemicals are used, which can be hazardous for the environment and the workers who are in direct contact with the chemicals.“

http://www.coffeegeek.com/resources/.../ counterculturecoffee2004nov02 - Cached

Sustainable Coffee

  „In essence, sustainable coffee is a melange of cultural, political, environmental, economic and agronomic influences. Many sustainable coffees are "shade grown," meaning that a canopy of trees covers the actual coffee plants, allowing for a slower growing cycle and time for the sugars in the coffee beans to mature. These shade trees also provide a natural habitat for migratory and other birds, thereby working hand-in-hand with the environment. While some plantations employ forest-like conditions such as those found in untouched rainforests, other coffee growers use a combination of trees (banana, citrus and timber are popular) for shade as well as income derived from the tree products.“

http://www.sallys-place.com/beverages/coffee/ nicaragua.htm - Cached

Café Forum | Canadian Coffee Companies

  „Order online from a micro-roaster of sustainable coffee. Coffees are Organic and Shade Grown; most are Bird Friendly or Fair Trade Certified. Roasting dates are printed on bags as your guarantee of freshness. Green Beans for Home Roasting also available.“

http://www.lucidcafe.com/cafebystate/ canforum.html - Cached

Virtual Coffee: Feature Articles

  „Shade coffee is grown under native trees and therefore helps protect natural habitats and tropical forests in coffee-producing countries. In shade-grown coffee production, canopies of trees consisting of many species grow over the coffee. The trees provide a habitat for other flora and fauna. Companies that use shade coffee as a marketing claim are making a strong environmental statement to consumers that obviates the need for traceable farm-identified sources to ensure marketing integrity.“

http://www.virtualcoffee.com/apr_01/ sustainable.html - Cached

Archived in Shade Grown, Coffee Industry