There are few things that can kick-start your day quite like a cup of java does. However, that good-morning cup comes at a price. If you're among the growing number of consumers who think about the impact of their purchases before they buy, you don't have to despair, though. With organic gourmet coffee, you can still enjoy your cup with a clear conscience.
The traditional way of farming coffee is to plant the trees in such a way that other trees will provide partial shade. This provides a habitat for wildlife, many species of which are endangered in production areas. In fact, if you go to an area where the beans are produced by small-scale farmers using traditional methods, you may not be able to distinguish between what is plantation and what is natural forest.
In the quest for more efficient production, many farmers have changed their methods. They plant the trees in rows, plantation style, with no other trees in between. To do this, however, they first have to clear the land and destroy the existing plant life. The result is that they destroy the natural habitat of many species. In addition, they use chemicals that harm the environment and even cause marine pollution miles away.
Another problem with changing production methods is that small-scale farmers cannot compete with the big commercial outfits. They also get paid very little for their beans while the distribution companies and retailers make all the profit. Consequently, African and Latin American producers remain poor while multinationals from rich countries grow ever richer.
There are two main ways for you as consumer to minimize the negative effects of that cup of medium or dark roast. The first is to go organic, where the beans are produced without the use of agrochemicals. The second is to look out for fair trade beans, because this means that the farmers who grew the beans got paid fair prices.
Fair trade production mainly focuses on labor practices and the economic side of things. However, since it usually benefits small-scale farmers, it is better for the environment too. Small-scale farmers mainly grow their beans through the use of traditional methods. Because agrochemicals can be too expensive for them, they often prefer natural, environmentally friendly methods of soil preparation and pest control. This means that their produce is in effect organic.
Finding organic gourmet coffee and fair trade gourmet coffee is only a click of a mouse away. You can also buy your beans from specialty stores. Coffee gift sets are a thoughtful way to show your appreciation for someone else too. The best is to buy these products from small outfits or direct from the farmer's co-operatives, rather than from profit-driven big retailers.
The traditional way of farming coffee is to plant the trees in such a way that other trees will provide partial shade. This provides a habitat for wildlife, many species of which are endangered in production areas. In fact, if you go to an area where the beans are produced by small-scale farmers using traditional methods, you may not be able to distinguish between what is plantation and what is natural forest.
In the quest for more efficient production, many farmers have changed their methods. They plant the trees in rows, plantation style, with no other trees in between. To do this, however, they first have to clear the land and destroy the existing plant life. The result is that they destroy the natural habitat of many species. In addition, they use chemicals that harm the environment and even cause marine pollution miles away.
Another problem with changing production methods is that small-scale farmers cannot compete with the big commercial outfits. They also get paid very little for their beans while the distribution companies and retailers make all the profit. Consequently, African and Latin American producers remain poor while multinationals from rich countries grow ever richer.
There are two main ways for you as consumer to minimize the negative effects of that cup of medium or dark roast. The first is to go organic, where the beans are produced without the use of agrochemicals. The second is to look out for fair trade beans, because this means that the farmers who grew the beans got paid fair prices.
Fair trade production mainly focuses on labor practices and the economic side of things. However, since it usually benefits small-scale farmers, it is better for the environment too. Small-scale farmers mainly grow their beans through the use of traditional methods. Because agrochemicals can be too expensive for them, they often prefer natural, environmentally friendly methods of soil preparation and pest control. This means that their produce is in effect organic.
Finding organic gourmet coffee and fair trade gourmet coffee is only a click of a mouse away. You can also buy your beans from specialty stores. Coffee gift sets are a thoughtful way to show your appreciation for someone else too. The best is to buy these products from small outfits or direct from the farmer's co-operatives, rather than from profit-driven big retailers.
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