Sustainable Coffee Brands: What’s in Your Cup?

The feeling of the first sip of your coffee could be even better knowing you’re drinking from sustainable coffee brands. You know, the ones helping to save our environment and making sure we have our morning drink for decades to come.

I’ll be talking about the two main types of coffee beans, the coffee regions of the world and how they are affected by climate change (we’re going to have less access to coffee, people), and finally, the top sustainable coffee brands (that are helping to change that).

Let’s get it!

Coffee Bean Harvest

Wouldn’t it be ideal to have a coffee tree in your home? Pluck off the beans, grind them and create a swirling hot cup of goodness. Ah. Before I burst your bubble, let’s hear some fun facts!

There are two main types of coffee beans: arabica and robusta. Arabica beans are of higher quality because of the delicate process they go through, while robusta beans are easier to grow and therefore mass-produced for say, instant coffee.

Growing coffee is a labor-intensive commitment. They must be grown in subtropical and equatorial climates, preferably in high altitudes, and endure environmental factors. One tree can produce 4,000 beans and can last up to 30 years. So having a tree in your home would be like taking care of the pickiest child ever…and them still living in your basement at 30.

Coffee Regions of the World

Luckily some regions like picky children! Here are eight coffee farming regions worldwide:

• Ethiopia
• Brazil
• Costa Rica
• Columbia
• Indonesia
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• Papa New Guinea

With many large coffee producers comes the challenge of maintenance. Let’s see how these areas pair with climate change.

Sustainability

Because of what’s happening with climate change, the coffee regions of the world are having greater problems with the harvest. According to a John Hopkins researcher, up to 60% of land used for coffee production will become unsustainable for farming by 2050. For those of us living after 2050, we want our coffee still.

So why isn’t the land going to be usable? Good ol’ global warming. The environmental factors that affect crops the most are drought and disease. Some areas remain resilient like Central America, but for how long? There should be no procrastination on our future actions for our planet. A scientific suggestion is to use cocoa beans instead because they are more resistant to environmental effects, but drinking hot chocolate every day just isn’t the same.

Sustainable Coffee Brands

Coffee lovers, you can do something about your future. These ethically sourced coffee companies are eco-friendly, Fairtrade certified, and organic. In other words, they’re better for the planet, fair to their workers, and healthier for you 🙂

1. Volcanica Coffee Company

Also Rainforest Alliance certified (protects environment and labor rights of workers) and OCIA certified (Organic Crop Improvement Association), this ethical coffee company has it all. It’s arabica, so higher quality beans, and most of the coffee is sourced from volcanic ash. How cool! I mean hot…

2. Cross Country Café

Conveniently available in pods for your Keurig, this sustainable coffee brand has many flavorful flavors – I personally enjoy the vanilla (simple, I know). Keep an eye out for Green Mountain Coffee Roasters as its sister title and make sure it says Fairtrade Certified Organic!

3. Tiny Footprint Coffee

Can you guess the tiny footprint meaning? As a hint, the tinier the footprint the better. It’s carbon neutral! Which means no added greenhouse gases. Honestly, this coffee brand couldn’t get any more sustainable. Aside from being carbon neutral, eco-friendly, Fairtrade certified, and organic, it’s Rainforest Alliance certified, Bird Friendly (instead of clearing for harvest, farmers maintain biodiversity and bird habitats by keeping tree coverage) AND it has 4.7 out of 5 star reviews for quality.

4. Grounds for Change Coffee

Similar to Tiny Footprint, this ethically sourced coffee brand is moving in the direction of the future. It is also carbon neutral, Rainforest Alliance certified, and 1% of the planet certified (one percent of sales go back to the environment).

5. Life Extension

The arabica bean goes far in this brand, with shipment right to your doorstep. Life Extension uses the HealthyRoast process which is natural roasting, preserving the antioxidants in your coffee, including the oils that give coffee its rich flavor. Get their tasty Rainforest blend here!

6. Larry’s Coffee

Leave it to Larry to make the sustainable coffee brands list. This coffee recently launched fully recyclable k-cups (yay!) and is a B-corporation that helps better businesses. Overall, a solid choice.

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Buying from these sustainable coffee brands makes a difference in a global issue that you may not have known about. Instead of taking advantage of easy access items, think mindfully and educate yourself (I got you covered each week if you’re subscribed ;)) on what we can do to help! Cheers to that morning drink for decades to come!