Frequently Asked Questions
About Bird Friendly® Coffee
- What is "Bird Friendly®" coffee?
- What's the difference between "Bird Friendly®" coffees and other coffees?
- How do I know if the coffee I buy is "Bird Friendly®"?
- Where do "Bird Friendly®" coffees come from?
- Do "Bird Friendly®" coffees cost more than other coffees?
- How do "Bird Friendly®" coffees taste compared to other coffees?
- Where can I purchase "Bird Friendly®" coffee?
1. What is "Bird Friendly®" coffee?
Simply put, "Bird Friendly®" coffee is coffee that comes from farms in Latin America that provide good, forest-like habitat for birds. Rather than being grown on land that has been cleared of all other vegetation, "Bird Friendly®" coffees are planted under a canopy of trees. Because of the shaded, forest-like setting created by these canopy trees, coffee produced this way is called shade-grown. Not only are "Bird Friendly®" coffees shade-grown, they are also organic, meaning they're grown without the use of chemical pesticides which poison the environment.
"Bird Friendly®" coffees are the only coffees on the market that are certified as shade-grown and organic by an independent third-party inspector using criteria established by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center of the National Zoo. These criteria are based on years of scientific research. Companies that sell "Bird Friendly®" coffees contribute 25 cents per pound to support Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center research and conservation programs.
2. What's the difference between "Bird Friendly®" coffees and other coffees?
As explained above, "Bird Friendly®" coffees are shade-grown and organic. The alternative way of growing coffee entails cutting down the canopy trees and growing coffee plants under full sun. These "sun coffee" farms provide little or no bird habitat and pollute the environment because they require large amounts of chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
3. How do I know if the coffee I buy is "Bird Friendly®"?
Look for the "Bird Friendly®" logo created by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center.
4. Where do "Bird Friendly®" coffees come from?
Like much of the world coffee, "Bird Friendly®" coffees are grown in the highlands of many Latin America countries from Mexico south to Peru.
5. Do "Bird Friendly®" coffees cost more than other coffees?
Yes, "Bird Friendly®" coffees may cost a few cents more per cup. This is a small price to pay given the benefits to birds and other wildlife, coffee farmers, and the overall health of the environment.
6. How do "Bird Friendly®" coffees taste compared to other coffees?
Coffee experts say that shade-grown coffees taste better than sun-grown coffees. This is because shade coffee beans ripen more slowly, resulting in a richer flavor.
7. Where can I purchase "Bird Friendly®" coffee?
You can purchase "Bird Friendly®" coffee at all Smithsonian National Zoo stores and restaurants. In addition, there are a number of companies across the United States and Canada that sell certified "Bird Friendly®" coffees through retail stores, internet sales, and by mail order.
- Sources of "Bird Friendly®" coffee.
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