Since 2003, the Rainforest Alliance has held their coffee cupping event that was modeled after similar ones in the industry. Since then, the Rainforest Alliance Cupping for Quality has provided an opportunity for Rainforest Alliance Certified™ coffees to be evaluated by industry experts. These experts analyze and recognize coffees that further do what their certification promotes, highlighting links between sustainability in farm management  and high quality product. It also provides the coffee producers for feedback on how to improve their product if recommended.

This biannual event takes place at the same time when there are coffee harvest cycles. It occurs once in New York in the spring for Central and South American coffees, then later in December in Long Beach for coffees that hail from Brazil, Peru, East Africa and Indonesia.

The official results of the Rainforest Alliance Cupping from this past December are out! Here are the details given to us from our friends at the Rainforest Alliance.

Sustainable Coffees Recognized for Quality at the Rainforest Alliance Cupping

Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms in Peru and Kenya earned top scores at the Rainforest Alliance’s December Cupping for Quality, held at the Specialty Coffee Association of America Lab in Long Beach, California. The Rainforest Alliance’s biannual cupping events recognize farmers for their hard work in producing high quality sustainable coffee.

A total of 45 coffee samples from eight origins were submitted, including the debut of coffees from the Karatu and Kilimanjaro regions of Tanzania. The highest score — 87.9 points — went to Tunki, a two acre farm located in the Puno region of Peru. Over 95 percent of the samples scored above 80, the threshold for the designation of ‘specialty coffee’ — a clear indication that sustainable farming practices can contribute to the production of high-quality coffee.

“It’s only natural that Rainforest Alliance Certified farms would produce more and better quality coffee,” said Maya Albanese, event hostess and coordinator of the Sustainable Agriculture Division at the Rainforest Alliance. “When you improve workers’ conditions and livelihoods, farms become more productive. When you reduce waste, energy consumption, and agrochemical usage, you increase soil quality and biodiversity, thereby facilitating the production of a better crop.”

Top Ten Scoring Coffees:

Highest Scoring Farms By Country:

To see the full results from the December 2011 Cupping for Quality, please visit:

http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/agriculture/crops/coffee/cupping-quality

A panel of 17 expert cuppers, representing coffee importers, roasters, and retailers large and small in North America, evaluated the profile of the coffees according to aspects such as aroma, acidity, uniformity, and balance.

The samples were roasted and cupped by Rocky Rhodes of International Coffee Consulting, Ted Vautrinot of Kean Roasters, and Andrew Phillips of Rose Park Roasters.

The cupper team included:

• Shawn Hamilton, Lead Cupper & VP of Plant Operations, Java City
• Jeffrey Chean, Groundwork Coffee
• Trish Rothgeb, Wrecking Ball Coffee
• Darrin Daniel, Allegro Coffee Company
• Adam Kline, Atlantic Specialty Coffee / ECOM
• Michael C. Boyd, Boyd’s Coffee Company
• Alexandra Katona, Coffee Quality Institute
• Kika Miramontes, InterAmerican Coffee
• Ian Kluse, Olam Americas
• Patrick Russell, Second Cup
• Fernando Seminario, Sustainable Harvest
• Dane Loraas, Sustainable Harvest
• Stephen Leach, Maranatha Import Export Pty Ltd.
• David Sager, Maranatha Import Export Pty Ltd.

Cupper Steve Leach stated that Rainforest Alliance certification is a “win-win for all partners in the supply chain. The producers get a better price, there’s less risk of quality problems at the exporter/importer level and the roaster is better assured of receiving the quality contracted for. Being involved in a sustainable program helps ensure that we will have continued access to the product our customers expect.”

The Rainforest Alliance Cupping for Quality takes place twice a year to accommodate various coffee harvest cycles around the world. On March 28-30, 2012, a new set of certified coffees from regions including Central and South America will be evaluated during the Spring Cupping event.

To learn more about Rainforest Alliance Certified™ coffee and how certification benefits coffee farming communities, please visit www.sealyourcup.org.

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The Rainforest Alliance works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travelers. From large multinational corporations to small, community-based cooperatives, businesses and consumers worldwide are involved in the Rainforest Alliance’s efforts to bring responsibly produced goods and services to a global marketplace where the demand for sustainability is growing steadily. For more information, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org.

For more on the Rainforest Alliance and their coffee ventures, you might want to know that:

• Caribou Coffee set a goal of sourcing 100 percent of the coffee and espresso that is used across all its products and platforms from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms by the end of 2011. (Read more here)
• SealYourCup.org is a website launched by our friends at the Rainforest Alliance. This online resource provides consumers with a window into the world of Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee farms. (Read more here)
• Java City ™ coffee, which is 100 percent Rainforest Alliance Certified™ is offered onboard all American Airlines flights as part of the airline’s inflight beverage service. (Read more here)
• The Rainforest Alliance has an annual gala that recognizes companies and individuals for their combined efforts with the Rainforest Alliance on making sustainable changes and decisions. (Read more here, and read even more here)

Our friends at the Rainforest Alliance have given us all of the details; and we couldn’t be more pleased for the growing coffee company. Last spring, Caribou Coffee set a goal of sourcing 100 percent of the coffee and espresso that is used across all its products and platforms from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms by the end of 2011.

From the Rainforest Alliance:

Caribou Coffee Becomes First Major US Coffeehouse to Achieve 100% Milestone

New York – The Rainforest Alliance is pleased to announce that Caribou Coffee, the country’s second largest coffeehouse, is the first major coffee company in the US to source 100 percent of its coffee and espresso beans from Rainforest Alliance Certified^TM farms.

“Caribou Coffee’s achievement sets a shining example, demonstrating that it is entirely possible for companies to meet their sustainability goals,” said Tensie Whelan, president of the Rainforest Alliance. “We are thrilled that our long-standing relationship with Caribou Coffee has helped to improve the livelihoods of coffee farming communities across the globe, while providing consumers with high quality, sustainable coffee.”

The Rainforest Alliance started working with Caribou Coffee in 2003. Last April, Caribou Coffee set an ambitious goal of sourcing 100 percent of the coffee and espresso used across all its products and platforms from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms by the end of 2011. To meet this objective, Caribou Coffee worked directly with coffee farmers in North and South America, Africa and South East Asia, helping them to understand the social, environmental and economic benefits that result from achieving certification.

“Reaching 100 percent certification is a significant accomplishment for Caribou Coffee,” said Chad Trewick, senior director of coffee and tea at Caribou Coffee. “I’ve seen how communities thrive from working with the Rainforest Alliance, and I’m proud to say that all of our beans come from sustainable, healthy sources.”

Caribou Coffee’s path to sustainability highlights the significant benefits large companies can bring to both farming communities and the environment, even before they reach 100 percent certified content. Companies are permitted to use the green frog seal on products that contain at least 30 percent Rainforest Alliance Certified content, but this fact must be clearly displayed on packaging. Because of the demanding certification standards, which were established by a coalition of grassroots conservation groups known as the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN), it takes time for large companies to build and integrate supply into their products. Farmers also often need time to make any changes needed to meet the SAN’s social, economic and environmental standards.

“Allowing companies to use the seal before they have reached 100 percent certification, but have made a commitment to increase to 100 percent as soon as feasible, is a realistic approach that benefits workers, their families and wildlife,” explains Chris Wille, the Rainforest Alliance’s chief of agriculture.

Farms that achieve Rainforest Alliance certification have met the environmental, social and economic standards of the SAN, which cover ecosystem conservation, wildlife protection, water and soil conservation, agrochemical reduction, worker rights and safety, decent housing, legal wages and contracts for workers and access to healthcare and education.

Other major brands are also scaling up their commitments to source tea, coffee and cocoa from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms. Lipton®, for example, has made a commitment to source 100 percent of its tea from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms by 2015 and is well on its way to doing so.

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About the Rainforest Alliance

The Rainforest Alliance works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travellers. From large multinational corporations to small, community-based cooperatives, businesses and consumers worldwide are involved in the Rainforest Alliance’s efforts to bring responsibly produced goods and services to a global marketplace where the demand for sustainability is growing steadily. For more information, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org.

About Caribou Coffee®

“Founded in 1992, Caribou Coffee Company is one of the leading branded coffee companies in the United States, with a compelling multichannel approach to their customers. Based on the number of coffeehouses, Caribou Coffee is the second largest company-operated premium coffeehouse operator in the United States. As of July 3, 2011, the Company had 554 coffeehouses, including 147 franchised locations, in 20 states, the District of Columbia and nine international markets. The Company’s coffeehouses aspire to be the community place loved by guests who are provided an extraordinary experience that makes their day better.  Caribou Coffee provides the highest quality handcrafted beverages, foods and coffee lifestyle items with a unique blend of expertise, fun and authentic human connection in a comfortable and welcoming coffeehouse environment. In addition, Caribou Coffee’s unique coffees are available within grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, office coffee and foodservice providers, hotels, entertainment venues and e-commerce channels.  Caribou Coffee is a proud recipient of the Rainforest Alliance Corporate Green Globe Award and is committed to operating practices that promote sustainability and environmental protection. For more information, visit www.cariboucoffee.com.”

From Rainforest Alliance: Rainforest Alliance Launches Sustainable Coffee Website, SealYourCup.org

New York – Coffee drinkers interested in the impact of their morning cup o’ Joe can now visit the website SealYourCup.org, which the Rainforest Alliance launched today. Through videos, slideshows and written accounts from the field, SealYourCup.org provides a window into the lives of farmers, their families and communities, educating consumers about the benefits of buying coffee that features the Rainforest Alliance Certified^TM green frog seal.

More than 400 million cups of coffee are consumed each day in the United States alone, often without a thought about where or how the beans were grown. In fact the world’s coffee is produced in the tropics by more than 25 million people, and most coffee farms are located in areas regarded as high priorities for conservation.

Traditionally cultivated under the shade of the rainforest canopy, a new coffee hybrid was developed in the 1970s to grow in the sun. While sun-grown coffee generates a higher yield, this farming method often leads to deforestation, heavy agrochemical use, soil erosion, land degradation, water pollution and the destruction of wildlife habitat.

The Rainforest Alliance is working to bring coffee back into its natural habitat, restore local ecosystems and protect wildlife habitat. Through Rainforest Alliance certification, farmers learn the importance of protecting their natural resources and are given the financial incentive to do so.

To achieve Rainforest Alliance certification, farms must meet standards for sustainable agriculture that protect the environment and the rights and well-being of workers, their families and communities.  Certified farms conserve biodiversity, prevent deforestation, protect waterways, recycle waste, reduce agrochemical use and provide habitat for wildlife. More than 43,300 coffee farms are Rainforest Alliance Certified, which means that 871,587 acres (352,719 hectares) of farmland are sustainably managed.

In addition to the environmental benefits that result from certified farming, workers operate in safe conditions, earn just wages and have access to clean water, medical care, decent housing and education for their children. Farmers often improve their management and business practices, which can increase crop yields and earnings.

To meet increasing consumer demand for sustainably produced goods, more coffee companies around the world are sourcing their beans from certified farms. Coffee from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms makes up an estimated 1.5 percent of global coffee exports, and it is estimated that over 87,583 metric tons of certified coffee were sold in 2009.

A number of conscientious companies have made significant commitments to increase their purchases of Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee beans, and through their support of the Seal Your Cup campaign, are helping consumers understand how their purchases impact farm communities and the environment.

Coffee drinkers can voice their own commitments to environmentally and socially responsible coffee by connecting with Seal Your Cup on Facebook and Twitter.

To learn more, visit www.SealYourCup.org.

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The Rainforest Alliance works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travelers. From large multinational corporations to small, community-based cooperatives, businesses and consumers worldwide are involved in the Rainforest Alliance’s efforts to bring responsibly produced goods and services to a global marketplace where the demand for sustainability is growing steadily. For more information, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org.

These customers had exactly two coffees in their tray, freeing up a hand so they could (of course) text on their cell phones. While I’m all for texting, I think the last time I checked, our planet was in danger of becoming a garbage heap. No thanks to wastefulness like this of course…

However, as irritating as people’s little habits are, I did notice some good that Starbucks is initiating, getting people to step up and take accountability for their planet, and their coffee. 

What is Shared Planet?

Starbucks Shared Planet is a business commitment to the environment. This means that Starbucks will work to make green changes within their business practices, from they way they buy their coffee, to how their stores are developed and run, and even ensuring they have a presence within their communities.

The Coffee

We’ve always known that coffee comes from nature, and Starbucks is realizing this, too. They are making a point to buy Ethically Traded Coffee, which means that farmers receive a fair payment for their product, and the coffee bean is grown in an environmentally responsible way.

Conservation International has also paired up with Starbucks to develop their buying guidelines for socially, environmentally, and economically responsible coffee, and also developing a new climate change initiative which takes conservation beyond the coffee farm and into the surrounding communities and landscapes of the growers.

The support for these coffee farmers goes even further with Starbucks Farmer Support Centres which are operating within Costa Rica and eventually Ethiopia.

The Cup Stops Here

Within the store, Starbucks is committed to delivering the consumer their coffee, but it comes at a price. Ten cents will be knocked off everyone’s favourite drink, but only if they come in with their own reusable mug.

This program is being used within every Starbucks location so go get your (reusable) fill!

Speaking of cups, if you have forgotten your travel mug at home, by 2015, Starbucks is planning on having 100 percent of their cups be reusable or recyclable, which will be a huge contribution to keeping the planet green since the majority of Starbucks products come in a cup.

Also at store level comes their recycling program. This is shown to be consumers’ biggest concern when they are inside a Starbucks, and probably the most obvious. Within the next five years, Starbucks aims to have recycling available within 100 percent of their stores where they control the waste, something every major company should take into consideration, don’t you think?

To explore a green Starbucks store and get a tour of their innovative features check out: starbucks.com/sharedplanet

Within The Community

During a recession community involvement often wanes- but not for Starbucks. The company’s partners and customers in United States and Canada volunteered 245,000 hours of community service in 2008, and their goal has been increased to volunteer 1 million hours by 2015. Starbucks online social network, V2V (Volunteer to Volunteer) helps connect volunteers all over the world to make a difference in their communities. Check out v2v.net/starbucks to find out more.

To see more about the Shared Planet initiative visit:  starbucks.com/sharedplanet

Image courtesy of elephantjournal.com

Mango-Strawberry Limeade Smoothie

Mangoes, strawberries and limes are all excellent sources of vitamin C (all more than oranges, in fact), which is a powerful antioxidant that aids in keeping our bones, gums and teeth healthy, and our immune system optimal. If it’s just the adults, feel free to add a few splashes of a fruity white wine.

3 ripe mangoes, cut into chunks
3 limes, juiced
8 large strawberries
water
agave nectar to taste

In your blender, combine the mangoes, lime juice, strawberries. Puree until smooth, adding water to desired consistency.
Give it a taste — depending on how you like it and how fresh and ripe the fruits are, add agave nectar to taste. Store in a Thermos on ice.

Iced Coffee

Adding a few splashes (okay, maybe more than that) of Kahlua is a great addition to this creamy cold drink, perfect for a hot day. With just a few simple ingredients, it’s a killer, cooling combination.

4 cups strongly brewed coffee, cooled
4 cups milk/dairy-free milk of choice (Almond Breeze is delicious in this)
agave nectar to taste
about 10 ice cubes

Shake all ingredients together in a large Thermos, and take along!

Agave Mojito

Using agave nectar instead of sugar is a variation on this refreshing favourite. Use an all-natural ginger ale (such as Whole Foods’ 365 Brand)to replace the alcohol for a virgin version. It’s also really easy to make your own ginger ale; check out this easy recipe from the NY Times.

10 limes, juiced and pulped
30 fresh mint leaves
1/3 cup agave nectar (add a little more to taste)
1 cup white rum
club soda, chilled

In a pitcher, place lime juice, mint and agave nectar. Using a muddle stick, mash to release mint oils, and mix the agave into the juice. Add rum, plenty of ice, and top with club soda.

Garnish with additional mint and lime, unless you’re taking it along, then store in a Thermos.

Try our recipe for Sun Tea, too!

Images courtesy of naturecenter.org and ginews.blogspot.com

Brewing your morning joe at home is an easy (and tasty, trust us) way to add a little more green into your daily regimen. Yes, switching from your favourite brew is sometimes difficult, but when a little extra care is put into the process, trust us, it tastes a lot better.

This extra care is delivered from organic and fair-trade distributors, who take a few extra steps to bring you the highest quality beans combined with sustainable choices. Coffee beans are the second most-traded global commodity, just second to oil. Buying fair-trade and organic, then, ensures that we are getting a cared-for product, and the farmers and manufacturers are cared for themselves.

Before you scoop your commercial brand into the canister (or if you like instant, right into the cup), read on how to what the certifications mean for your more sustainable morning selection.

Organic
USDA Organic coffee is minimally 95% organic, resulting in your coffee being nary of contaminates. Fertilizers, pesticides, and the like, cannot be used in the growing process (both on the land and product) and farming practices must improve the quality of the land.

Fair Trade
Most Fair Trade coffees are already organic. Fair Trade coffee ensures that the farmers not only receive a fair price for the goods, but the certification also ensures safe working conditions, prohibits child labour, and encourages community reinvestment.

Choosing an organic fair-trade certified coffee choice  will made a big impact on farmers and the earth. Most growers, too, are paid an incentive to keep it organic.

Not sure where to begin? Most companies offer blends and roasts you are probably already familiar with. If you’re keen on something light and smooth, opt for a breakfast blend. If you like it dark, choose something roasted. Read descriptions to see what might please your palate, and try a variety, knowing what you’re giving back in the process.

Here are a few to get you started on your sustainable sipping:

Coffee Klatch: Fair Trade Organic Espresso Blend
Smooth and full-bodied, this brew has notes of caramel and chocolate.
$11.95 for 16oz. klatchroasting.com

Green Mountain Coffee: Fair Trade Organic French Roast
French roast has a sharp flavour, so if you like it intense, you’ll love this.
$8.50 for 10oz., greenmountaincoffee.com

Allegro Coffee Company: Mexican Zaragoza Select
With their well balanced, medium roast, the flavour isn’t overwhelming, but perfect to please any time of the day.
$11 to 12oz., Whole Foods brand

Terrior Coffee: Ethiopia Yirgachette Konga Cooperative
Lightly bodied and intense, floral and fruity, with a hint of lemon.
$17 for 12 oz., terroircoffee.com

Have a favourite sustainable selection? Add it below!

Image courtesy of bigisland.org