Contributed by Angela Cleveland

Last week, we learned about “Fair trade” coffee. This week, let’s explore the idea of “Shade-grown” coffee.

Coffee originated in Ethiopia, but eventually made its way to the lush tropics of Central and South America. Traditionally, the crops were grown under the natural canopies, which helped to maintain the natural diversity found in those areas. However, as the desire and demand for coffee began to increase, the crop methods began to change. Soon, vast areas of natural forests were chopped down to make room for the coffee plants. As a result, the habitat of many mammals and, especially, birds was, and continues to be, destroyed. Fortunately, we, as consumers, have a choice. Shade grown coffee is, once again, available to us. According to the Audobon Society (www.audubon.org), shade-grown plantations support more species of birds than any other type of agriculture.

By choosing organic, fair trade, and shade-grown coffee, we, as consumers, can make the choice to protect the natural habitat needed by so many species, sustain a fair market for small-scale farmers, and support traditional communities.

Once we have our delicious, environmentally friendly coffee, how can we store it to help preserve its flavour? Both whole bean and ground coffees lose their flavour quickly. Ideally, buy the beans whole and grind them fresh every day. Store the beans in a dry, cool place. Since coffee beans and grounds can lose flavour and incorporate other flavours easily, be sure to keep them in an air-tight container. If you want store the beans or grounds for longer, place in a zip-top plastic bag (those designed for the freezer work best), and freeze up to three months.

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