What is Shade Coffee?

Shade coffee, or shade-grown coffee, is a general term used to describe coffee trees that are grown traditionally under a forest canopy. The practice includes principles of natural ecology to protect natural environmental relationships, and as such, shade coffee is often seen as an example of agroforestry or agricultural permaculture. In addition, shade coffee production protects some of the natural tree canopy, and therefore provides a habitat for local wildlife, including birds, butterflies, reptiles, insects, and other plants. Despite these unique features, there is no government certification for shade coffee, and therefore producers that describe their coffee as shade grown are not required to meet any specific standards. Similarly, there are no labor standards for producers selling shade grown coffee.

 As a result, there are downsides to consuming shade grown coffee. There is no government certification program (as there is for organic coffee), or third-party certification program (like Fair Trade coffee), so consumers can not guarantee that coffee advertised as shade grown really is shade grown. However, the Bird Friendly coffee certification program, provided by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center is as close as you can get to shade coffee certification. The Bird Friendly certification is the gold standard in eco-friendly, organic farming. The certification program only certifies producers that use tree cover (shade cover), tree height, and biodiversity to ensure a high quality habitat for both birds and other wildlife.