Shade Grown Coffee

Shade grown coffee is a really ecological and environmentally sound choice.

When companies and coffee farmers elect to grow their plants in a shade grown manner, it means that the plants that house the beans used for this particular beverage are planted in a way that they lay in the shade of trees that are large and provide shade to the shrubs.

As a result of this manner in cultivation, various types of wildlife, like birds, can make their home in and around the shrubs, trees, and other plant life.

Let's take a look at the explanation of shade grown coffee, as well as the benefits that are associated with this cultivation method.

What Is Sun Growth Cultivation?

Today, many companies implement and prefer the sun growth cultivation process over the shade growth cultivation. This is basically because of the fact that the overall productivity of the coffee plants is enhanced.

While this is beneficial when it comes to increasing profits it is actually a poor choice when it comes to the environment, the natural ecological process, and the natural wildlife that calls the plant life their home.

Shade growing is a traditional standard of growing. However many farmers are pressured by having to produce coffee at a fast rate and pull in high profits, that this tradition is often set aside in order to increase overall sales and meet the demands of the consumer.

The Downfall of Sun Growth Cultivation

There are many advantages to sun growth cultivation over shade grown coffee when it comes to higher overall yields and drastic increase in profits. There are also many downfalls associated with this type of coffee farming. Listed below are some of the disadvantages to sun growth cultivation methods for coffee farming:

  - First, the natural habitat of many different types of wildlife is violated and destroyed. Many animals will become displaced and suffer health complications as a result of their homes being destroyed. In many cases, young species and older species may even experience potentially life threatening situations.

  - The next downfall is that perfectly good trees are eliminated. When trees are eliminated, there are many negative consequences.

  - When coffee farmers implement the use of sun growth cultivation methods, many other substances must be used in order to increase the effectiveness of the growth of the coffee plants. These include herbicides and similar growth increase supplements. This can not only inhibit the natural ecological process, but it can also mean that individuals who consume the coffee are exposed to toxin residuals that are left behind on the coffee plants.

The Benefits of Shade Grown Coffee

There are a number of benefits associated with shade grown coffee. The following lists some of the ways in which shade grown coffee is beneficial:

  - One of the first benefits to shade grown coffee is that it is actually considered to be healthy. Generally, it is said that this type of substance is actually unhealthy because of the fact that it is often sprayed with various chemicals. This type of coffee is normally cultivated in a manner that is considered to be organic – making it extremely healthy to the individual that consumes it.
  - It has been found that when shade grown coffee is cultivated, it is done so in a manner that is consistent with the ability to actually promote a particularly healthy environment. There is little to no need to use growth supplement products such as pesticides and herbicides when growing this type of coffee. This is because the use of the trees helps to increase the carbon dioxide and oxygen that is needed to assist in the overall growth process of the coffee shrubs.
  - Using shade tree cultivation methods for coffee cultivation puts an extreme damper on the industry that supports chemicals to grow certain items. By using this growth method, you are actually putting a weight on this industry.
  - Many different species of birds can benefit when it comes to this type of growth for coffee. The trees help provide them with the homes that they need to survive and be protected from predators.
  - The overall taste of this particular coffee can be extremely delicious. Many individuals find that shade grown coffee is much more exciting than coffee that is cultivated in the sun.

Shade grown coffee is a trend setting experience when it comes to tradition in cultivation. While it is true that sun grown coffee is quicker to grow and yields more profit, most individuals who taste this type of coffee find that it is substandard in comparison to shade grown coffee.

If you want to play a positive role in the environment and natural ecological system, it is important to indulge in shade grown coffee. It tastes better, and it is better for you. It is the best environmental choice as well.