Coffee farming is where it all begins; where the origin flavours are determined in the bean, where the economic impact starts to form, and where the foundation is laid for the entire supply chain of the coffee industry.
There are a few types of coffee farms. Each differs based on their approach to farming and the goals they establish.
As coffee consumers, we may not always think about the origin of the coffee. However, knowing about the types of coffee farms is crucial to understanding why coffee tastes the way it does and what values we are supporting.
Shade-Grown Coffee Farms
As the name suggests, in a shade-grown coffee farm, the plants grow under a canopy of other trees. The objective of such farms is to foster coffee cultivation in a natural setting and preserve biodiversity.
Such coffee farms are located in forest areas and the coffee is usually eco-certified. So, naturally they appeal to coffee consumers who are environmentally conscious.
Although the coffee in these farms grows more slowly, the resulting quality of the beans is well worth the wait as they tend to have an intricate flavour profile.
Such farms not only promote soil health but also require less chemical use for pest control.
Sun-Grown Coffee Farms
Since these coffee plants aren’t grown in the shade, the growth rate is significantly higher, which consecutively allows for higher yields.
The coffee cherries get direct exposure to sunlight and mature differently compared to shade-grown coffee. Seasoned coffee drinkers can almost always tell the difference between the two because of how they taste.
Sun-grown coffee farms make use of machines, run the risk of deforestation and soil erosion, and require more chemicals.
From an economic standpoint, these farms make sense but they won’t be the most appealing choice for sustainability practitioners.
You’ll find that large-scale coffee producers opt for this type of coffee farm.
Single-Estate Farms
In single-estate farming, the focus is always on quality. They aim to produce coffee that stands apart from others.
The size of these farms can range from a few acres to a large plantation. Some estates may have more than just one farm. If a collection of farms use the same mill for processing their coffee, the coffee they produce can also be referred to as single-estate coffee.
One of the major benefits of single-estate farming is quality control. These estates have the resources required to maintain the standards of their beans. So, it is more manageable for coffee producers to monitor coffee growth and processing.
Organic Coffee Farms
Organic coffee farming ensures that every aspect of coffee cultivation aligns with the requirements of the organic coffee certification.
They are subjected to strict auditing so that both the farming practices and the end product are as per standards.
They do not use pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, and rely entirely on natural farming methods. In a way, this does affect their yield. But the high quality of beans makes up for it.
Although organic coffee farming is labor-intensive and costs more than some of the other types of coffee farming, the coffee grown in such farms also fetches a higher price in the global market. With increasing focus on organic and sustainable coffee farming, these farms cater to coffee consumers who are health-conscious and looking for eco-friendly options.
Fairtrade Farms
Fairtrade farms are all about fostering positive, mutually beneficial relationships with coffee farmers.
A lot of coffee consumers today find value in choosing coffee that has the fairtrade certification. It’s a way of supporting coffee farmers and making sure that they get paid fair prices for the work they do.
This, in turn, helps them improve their standard of living. Fairtrade farms are also known to invest in the development of their farming communities through several healthcare, educational, and social initiatives.
Specialty Coffee Farms
These farms differ from conventional coffee farms on the basis of the production methods they use, the prices farmers are able to charge for their crop, the coffee grading system, etc.
Specialty coffee farms that grow arabica are located at high elevations of 1000 to 1500 meters above sea level, and those that produce robusta are at 500 to 1000 meters above sea level.
The high altitude means that these farms have to deal with fewer pest infestations and so don’t need to use as many chemicals.
These farms operate on a smaller scale and are often family-owned ventures. Much like organic coffee farming, they too incur significant production costs but are able to price their products at a premium in the market.
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