Here are some general eco-terms you may see on coffee packaging:
Umbrella terms:
“Green coffee” – doesn’t mean much, unless followed up by another term (see below).
“Natural coffee” – also means little. Unless, like “green” the term is followed by another.
“Sustainable coffee” – IF you grow sustainable coffee, it would mean doing things like using minimal water, using composted soils, organic soil fertilizers, and natural energy sources to grow the beans. It could also mean the company offices use energy efficient techniques and so on. Sustainable is good, but you have to check out a company to see if they’re actually using sustainable practices. Any old Joe can say, “I’m sustainable” but this isn’t some official term.
Terms that mean more than the terms above:
“Fair Trade coffee” – Coffee that’s labeled as Fair Trade is coffee that is sold sans coffee trader which leaves more cash in the pockets of those who produce said coffee. If you’re looking to buy coffee that actually pays the harvesters a fair wage look for certification from organizations like TransFair USA. Learn more about Fair Trade coffee.
“Organic coffee” – There are various organic labels some mean more than others. If it’s certified organic coffee then it’s been produced without pesticides or herbicides. Learn more about organic labels.
“Shade grown – bird safe coffee” – Coffee that is Rainforest Alliance Certified is grown in such a way that it won’t damage the natural habitat. You can learn more about this label at the coffee portion of the Rainforest Alliance.
THE FINAL SAY:
Text on coffee packaging is tricky. Words are just that, words. What matters more is how a company actually functions and the only way you can know that is by researching the terms and the coffee company.
Coming soon; places to get greener coffee and other tips that can help you keep your brew-time sustainable.
[image via stock.xchng]
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