The bean that evolved in forests…

Did you know that wild coffee originated in the forested regions of Ethiopia?

Let’s jump right in today. As we become more informed citizens of planet earth we are uncovering her wisdom through many lenses, the evolution of plants has been a leading force. With conventional growing practices a maximum of profits is the driving force that leads to agro farming. These farming practices create larger yields at the cost of using synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and the like. Not only that, they destroy ecological habitats for flora, fauna and soil integrity. Conventional coffee farming is at the top of the list for chemically treated foods, in the world. Number one for pesticide use on the globe!

Nature has used the ancient method called “slow and steady” to create coffee plants. Furthermore, that process took place in forests amongst a myriad of other plant and animal life. Coffee is not a monoculture and shade grown coffee offers many benefits to the consumer, the land, the flora and fauna as well as combating global warming.

Wild coffee in Ethiopia is harvested and consumed by many creatures, for example wild birds and baboon monkeys. They were coffee foragers long before the domesticated sheep started consuming the berries and frolicking about, which folk tales tell us led to the observation and later partaking of the coffee fruit by humans (see my blog on Ethiopia).

Shade grown coffee is a win win in any region of the world. Farmers don’t have to combat soil erosion and pest problems as this natural cycle has soil integrity and pest prevention built into the ecosystem. Shade grown coffee growers are also using this diversity to harvest crops of other medicinal plant species that co-habitat with coffee and aren’t subject to harsh chemicals.

Victories with shade grown coffee:

• Water health!
• Soil biodiversity
• NO soil degradation
• Flora and Fauna co-existence (see my blog on coffee and bird habitat)
• Sequestering greenhouse gasses
• Eco-tourism
• Human safety
• Long term health for all
• Robust coffee with more in depth flavor profiles than conventionally grown
• Sustainability!

And above all, honoring the natural cycles that nature has curated, depended on and mastered. The more shade grown coffee we demand the more shade grown coffee will be produced. That means less harmful chemicals in your cup of “Joe” and for the full spectrum of life. The bottom line, There is enough coffee for everyone!

All of our coffee here at Holy Moses is shade grown for the integrity of life for all.

For more important facts, check out my blog on saving the flora and fauna in Ethiopia and wild Ethiopian coffee.