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How to Choose Bird-Friendly Coffee By Benji Jones When it comes to caffeinating responsibly, especially if you care about wildlife, selecting the right brew can be confusing. The impact of these choices can be significant. Last year, for example, the world consumed nearly 21 billion pounds of coffee, grown across 27 million acres in the tropical forest belt, a mecca for birds and other wildlife. “Organic” and “shade-grown” are important distinctions for those who want to caffeinate responsibly. The good news: coffee tends to have a lower impact on birds than most other export commodities grown in biodiversity-rich areas of the tropics, such as palm oil (often used in donuts, coffee’s sidekick). Generally, farms that look like forests (“agroforests” for their mix of coffee shrubs and stands of trees), typically house higher bird diversity than monoculture farms that have little or no natural canopy cover. This guide should help. Look for Sustainable Beans Look for beans that are certified shade-grown, stamped with seals such as “Rainforest Alliance Certified” or “Bird Friendly.” Both certifications require farmers to maintain or restore some level of canopy cover— a proxy for “forest-like”— and prohibit harmful pesticides, which limit prey for birds. Coffees with sustainable seals often also have a seal certifying them as organic (“Bird Friendly” has to be both). Of the two, organic is a better option. It has no requirement for canopy cover, but it bans the use of synthetic pesticides, which indirectly harm birds by reducing their source of food (like the larvae of the coffee borer). Support ‘Relationship’ Coffee Roasters These small roasters in the U.S. who form ties with smallholder coffee communities to develop their product. These communities produce most of the sustainably grown beans. Know the Differences Between Arabica and Robusta Beans Arabica is most likely the species you know and love — with perceived greater quality and sweeter flavor. Robusta is considered lower-quality, and is often used to make instant coffee. Arabica is more commonly grown under at least partial shade, whereas robusta, a more sun and heat tolerant plant, is typically grown with little canopy cover — a worse environment for most wildlife. (If robusta is shade-grown, however, research shows that it can support a near-equal diversity of birds, relative to arabica.) As a Last Resort, Consider the Country of Origin In Brazil and Vietnam, the two largest global producers, the vast majority of coffee is grown under high-intensity, full-sun conditions – farms that don’t look like forests. But in countries like India, Ecuador, and Peru, the majority of coffee is grown under a canopy – better for birds. Keep in mind, a country’s coffee growing conditions can turn on a dime based on political or economic changes. So there you have it. If you want to help birds through your personal coffee choices, select coffee that's certified sustainable or from a relationship roaster—or better yet, choose brews that meet both. Also consider the coffee species and where it’s grown. Head to small roasters or major retailers that serve certified brews, like Caribou Coffee, which serves 100 percent Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee. Visit the website of Rainforest Alliance or Bird Friendly to see where you can buy their products. |
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