Shade grown

[Spice]

I understand what shade grown coffee is, my question is, say 30 yrs. ago was all coffee shade grown

[Ads]

[Spice]

Is this a silly question or politicaly incorrect?

[eldub]

I'm not sure why you would think that all coffee used to be shade grown. (Or is now.) My guess is that its just better advertised now than it used to be.

[Spice]

My question was not directed really at flavor, but was coffee historicaly grown in shade?

[CoffeeJunky]

I believe coffee trees are not shade grown traditionally. There might be some coffee grown in shades but not commonly practiced....

[CanadianBrian]

I believe that years ago alot of coffee was shade grown because alot of the smaller farmers had to diversify their crops to feed the family. Bananas and other crops could be harvested to create food and extra income. Also when things got better as far as coffee prices alot of farmers took down those shade trees and planted coffee trees. Also alot of people just plowed down trees and planted coffee trees and made their farms bigger. I have visited Costa Rica and this is how it was explained to me by the farmers I talked to. I might of been handed a line but it made sense to me.
Brian

[Spice]

Thanks all, I felt this was a question I would get asked at our local farmers market when I start to sell there.

[eldub]

I think you are over thinking it.

[breakfastpie]

My understanding is that most coffee is traditionally shade grown; coffee is not naturally found growing in full sun. As with any commercial crop, the forests have stripped back to make space and new cultivars bred to increase yields.

[Spice]

Thanks all, I considered going bird friendly tm or something to that affect. Hence the shade grown coffee.