What's Brewing in Your Coffee?

Coffee is one of the most important crops to buy both organic and fair trade for a variety of environmental and social reasons–so learn the rich story behind your cup of Joe.

By the numbers:
$80 billion: Annual worth of trade in coffee–the world’s second most-traded commodity after oil.
28 million: Number of small farmers growing coffee in more than 50 countries.
1: The United States’ rank among the world’s coffee importers.
$26: Cost to U. S. consumers for some specialty Ethiopian coffee beans per pound–though farmers may net less than 80 cents for those same beans.
2: Coffee’s rank among most-pesticided crops, after cotton.

Shade-grown: Coffee bushes cultivated in a modified forest. Trees filter direct sunlight, nourish the soil, and provide critical habitat for migratory songbirds.

Organic: Certified farmers adhere to practices that enhance biodiversity and promote soil health–and do not use harmful chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides.

Fair Trade: Certified importers agree to pay a minimum price (now $1.26 per pound) and provide credit to small farmers. Many fair traders also fund projects benefiting local communities, from digging wells to reforestation.

Make a difference

If you make coffee at home: A pound of beans makes about 40 cups. So at $11 per pound–an estimated average for organic fair-trade java — that breaks down to less than 30 cents a cup.

If you buy coffee drinks: Try to choose a shop that serves all fair-trade beans. If you visit one that carries only one kind of fair trade (or none), ask the manager why. And let him/her know you’d appreciate seeing fair trade choices.

Delicious Living is the go-to resource for the natural and organic lifestyle, helping readers eat well, live green, and stay healthy. Visit deliciouslivingmag.com for more articles and free recipes.

Read more: All recipes, Drinks, Food, Green, coffee, fair trade, shade grown

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Jennifer C.

6:53AM PDT on Aug 24, 2011

Great article. I love coffee. Thanks for sharing.

send a green star

Michele W.

11:38AM PDT on Jul 3, 2011

Thank you

KS G.

6:01AM PDT on Jun 30, 2011

Thanks for the article.

Dan F.

3:26PM PST on Jan 18, 2011

Dont buy Starbucks They wont support our troops!!!

Mari '.

4:15AM PDT on Oct 2, 2010

Mmmmm Organic & shade grown! My coffee saves the rainforests:-)

Harriet J. B.

12:56PM PDT on Aug 16, 2010

GreenseasKat C.

Instant coffee is HORRIBLE!!! Don't ever drink it.

12:55PM PDT on Aug 16, 2010

They call me a coffee snob. I either buy Gevalia (which is delivered) or Dunkin Donuts whole bean Original Blend and I grind it myself.

But, sometimes I do buy coffee outside. McDonald's is pretty good, believe it or not.

Coffee makes the world go around.

6:02AM PDT on Jun 30, 2010

Great info., Thank you for sharing!!

Jess No Fwd Plz K.

5:15AM PDT on May 25, 2010

My local coffeehouse usually has a fair trade item coffee for the same price as the other selections. When it is available, I choose that option to drink.

Ellinor S.

2:58PM PDT on Apr 20, 2010

thank you