What Is Shade Grown Coffee?

So, what is shade grown coffee? Shade-grown coffee is Arabica coffee cultivated at high altitudes under the canopy of bigger plants and trees in the rainforest. The coffee bush is a shade-loving plant that flourishes in this micro-ecosystem and produces more even higher quality coffee beans. The Coffee Farmers Co-Op, a sustainable coffee company, explains that  shade-grown coffee grows slowly in its natural rainforest home, resulting in a much richer, more balanced coffee flavor. This then creates the best whole bean coffee.

Shade-grown coffee farmers value the rainforest habitat and everything it entails. As a result, they adhere to the strictest environmental regulations when cultivating, selecting, and processing their coffee beans.

While there isn't a lot of verifiable data to suggest shade-grown coffee is superior, the general quality of shade-produced beans is frequently brought up. Beans cultivated in the shade are no longer transformed into something other than a conventional coffee bean. However, planting coffee plants in the shade produces fantastic, high-quality beans.

Shade-grown coffee is coffee that is cultivated naturally under a forest canopy. While it is not yet a full-fledged movement, it is well on its way to becoming a worldwide awareness. And now YOU know what it's all about, so you'll be better prepared than ever when you go out to get coffee.

Numerous studies have shown that the coffee on shade-grown coffee farms is superior to that on sun-grown farms. Below, our coffee experts dive into all of the unique benefits of shade grown coffee.

Natural sugars rise and enhance the flavor of the coffee as the coffee beans grow more slowly in the shade.

Helps to Preserve the Environment

Coffee, along with cigarettes, is sprayed with the most chemicals of any human-consumed commodity. Shade-grown coffee is often naturally grown and chemical-free.

Better for the Environment