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Organic Coffee

Did you know that an over use of chemicals in coffee production is an acknowledged problem. Many coffee producing countries use highly toxic chemicals that have been banned or restricted in Europe - DDT being just one.

Coffee pickers often work long hours for little pay, no health care or benefits, and are exposed to the harsh chemicals used on the coffee. Often these workers include children. These chemical inputs have been shown to damage water quality. In some documented cases, hundreds of local people have fallen ill due to pollution.

"Technification" of coffee growing involves cutting down or thinning valuable shade trees for sun-needing, higher-yield coffee varieties. This destroys wildlife habitats and often calls for more pesticides and chemicals.

Coffee is the second largest traded commodity after oil.

The solution: Buy organic coffee and fair traded coffee (we recommend A lot of Coffee).

Why: Coffee that is grown organically is a long-term sustainable crop that is grown in the traditional method. Coffee traditionally grows at high altitudes under a canopy of trees. The trees provide shade and an environment that the coffee plant thrives in. The diversity of plant and animal life create very little need for chemical treatment. The trees provide shade and abundant vegetation produces a natural compost that keeps the soil rich in nutrients. The forest canopy provides a natural habitat for hundreds of species of native song birds. The diversity of animal and insect life actually offers protection for the coffee plant against the bugs and pests that prey on it. This environment creates a larger, denser coffee bean, one that is superior in flavour than its sun grown counterpart. This in turn automatically provides a better working environment for the workers and fair trade improves workers health and living conditions.

Where: A lot of Coffee, www.alotofcoffee.co.uk, offers a good selection of fresh roasted, quality organic and fairtrade coffees. By buying organic and fairtrade coffee you know that the workers have received a decent wage and have not been exposed to chemicals or pesticides.