| For many years coffee has been grown in Latin | | | | the time it takes you to read this article, acres of |
| America in the shade of large trees - hence the name | | | | tropical forest will be lost to this method of growing |
| "shade-grown" coffee. A coffee bean ripens slowly in | | | | coffee. Many sun-grown coffee plantations also rely |
| the shady environment which results in a dense more | | | | on chemical fertilizers and pesticides to enhance |
| flavorful bean. This growing method is organic and | | | | coffee production. When synthetic chemicals and |
| works beautifully within the forest ecosystem. The | | | | pesticides are used in combination, exposure can |
| tree canopies on shade-grown coffee plantations | | | | create a poisonous effect many times greater than |
| make natural homes for migratory and tropical bird | | | | the two used separately. These two factors alone |
| species. Countless other organisms including reptiles, | | | | may have already contributed to the decline of many |
| insects, butterflies and plant life living in the forest rely | | | | migratory bird species. It's even more disheartening |
| on these trees, as well. | | | | when you realize all this is being done in the name of |
| Over the past few decades coffee growers in Latin | | | | increased profits for a few. |
| America have come under increasing pressure to | | | | You set into motion many positive benefits when you |
| convert to "sun-grown" coffee farming. Large tracts of | | | | purchase only shade-grown organic coffee. Always |
| forest are destroyed to grow coffee in full sun or at | | | | look for packaging that indicates certified shade-grown |
| best partial shade. There is a huge downside. During | | | | organic coffee. |