We know that darkness is part of coffee , and that's what draws us to it the most; it's a mystery wrapped in our cup. Today's goal is to discover how shade contributes to the flavors and attributes of our favorite beverage.
Shade-grown coffee is said to be coffee in which the coffee plants are grown under larger or taller trees. This is done to protect the coffee tree from direct sunlight. These coffees are of very high quality, smoother, and contain less caffeine. They are also light and have a robust aroma.
Why grow coffee in shade?
There are several reasons why coffee growers have begun shade-growing their crops. While it's common to find other species of trees within coffee plantations, such as plantains, bananas, oranges, or other fruits, we can also find flowering trees or native trees, but these aren't the predominant trees in the growing area. However, when grown in shade, it's the opposite: coffee trees are found among the other species.
What producers are seeking is to reduce tree felling and replace them with coffee trees. Although the crops are smaller, these are considered organic crops. And they are, because growing them this way preserves biodiversity and protects the native forests in coffee-growing areas, which are constantly affected by indiscriminate logging for new crops and little reforestation.
Furthermore, this shade-grown coffee is less exposed to agrochemicals, thanks to the local bird and insect species responsible for pest control on the coffee trees. The absence of these agrochemicals also prevents the cultivated soil from losing its strength and natural nutrients.
But let's talk about the taste of this coffee
As consumers and coffee lovers, one of the points that most What matters to us are the different sensations we can find in our cup. when it comes to enjoying a good coffee.
The patience of the shade fills our cups with rich flavors. Beans that receive more light tend to grow faster than coffees not directly exposed to sunlight. This accelerated development means they have less time to fully develop their properties. That's why we say that patience is the foundation of this coffee's flavor, because the production time may be longer, but the beans fully develop all their flavor properties. This type of cultivation also produces smoother cups, which is believed to be due to its low carbohydrate concentration.
By fully developing the properties of the bean, we will find more pronounced flavors in our cup, among which the fruity varieties that accompany the coffee trees will stand out. Woody tones will be a must in our cup, and the acidity will be much lower than that of other beans.
And the producers?
They also find benefits from growing coffee in the shade, one of the main benefits being the ecological conservation of their land and landscapes, keeping their soil firm and avoiding the risk of soil erosion. Additionally, the land's full agricultural productive potential is preserved by reducing fertilizer use. This also proves to be an economic benefit, as it lowers production costs compared to traditional crops.
Economically, thanks to its quality and the ability to take advantage of price fluctuations, coffee growers can maintain a competitive price for their shade-grown coffee. Within this production method, there is also a special classification, the Bird Friendly certification, an award given to organic shade-grown coffees. Having this certification is a guarantee of both quality and environmental protection, which has made specialty coffees that achieve this certification highly sought after in countries like Japan and other major markets.
The shadow in our cup
We enjoy all kinds of coffee varieties and preparations. We love discovering flavors and experiencing the sensations we experience with every sip we take. This process has brought us out of the darkness and shown us that we can enjoy this delicious beverage in a more eco-friendly way that is more harmonious with the environment.