I first got hooked on coffee in law school. I blame Professor Nelson’s early morning property class. And those late night study sessions. Also, the daily commute, demanding workload and constant stress, stress, stress. Thirteen years later, I’m no longer practicing law, but I’m still addicted to coffee. More than one doctor suggested I cut back.
There’s good reasons for me — and you — to kick the habit: coffee is a highly chemically treated food crop. That’s right — it’s oh so aromatic, incredibly warming and tasty, and totally laden with pesticides. Swaths of rain forest have been clear-cut to expand full sun plantations, often resulting in the loss of wildlife habitat and accelerating erosion.
Thankfully, more and more coffeehouses in the area are selling green beans. That means coffee buyers can enjoy a healthier version of the drink from farmers dedicated to preserving ecological balance.
Look for certified organic labels, indicating the coffee was grown under stringent standards without synthetic chemical fertilizers. Or search for “shade grown” coffee, signifying it was grown under a forest canopy (although shade grown terminology can get tricky because there’s no uniform definition). Martin Mayorga, president of Mayorga Coffee, an importer working directly with farmers, suggests taking a further step: learning about the coffee you drink by researching its source. “It’s best to integrate yourself with the process instead of relying too much on stickers,” he said.
These days I’m trying to drink herbal teas, but on occasion I’ll hit up one of these spots for a small cup of eco-friendly java, some of which give a discount for bringing your own cup:
Baked & Wired: This Georgetown favorite is one of 30 locales in the area that purchases beans from Counter Culture Coffee, a coffee roaster that works closely with sustainable coffee growers around the globe.
bakedandwired.com
Busboys & Poets: Listen to poetry readings over a cup of joe at one of B&P’s three locations, serving fair-trade organic coffee from Mexico. busboysandpoets.com
Le Pain Quotidien: This Belgian bakery serves organic coffee at its seven spots around Maryland, the District and Virginia. lepainquotidien.com
Mayorga: Mayorga’s organic and Rainforest Alliance certified coffees are locally roasted in small batches and can be found in numerous locations around D.C., including Dulles, Reagan and BWI airports.
mayorgacoffee.com
Quartermaine: In addition to its Bethesda coffeehouse, you can tour Quartermaine’s 100 percent wind-powered roasting plant in Rockville. quartermaine.com
Sidamo: With organic, shade grown and fair trade varieties, Sidamo on H Street also offers on a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony on Sunday afternoons. sidamocoffeeandtea.com
St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub: Enjoy organic shade grown coffees at this Del Ray brew spot. stelmoscoffeepub.com.
Overall, finding certified organic coffee should be fairly easy in D.C. because of the many food co-ops, groceries and coffee shops that carry it, said Peter Giuliano of Counter Culture Coffee. But remember there are farmers who practice sustainable methods, yet don’t elect for organic certification due to costs.
“Buy from companies that have a good reputation for environmental advocacy and deal directly with coffee farmers,” Giuliano said.
To learn more about sustainably oriented coffee, read blogs such as Coffee & Conservation (coffee
habitat.com), or participate in one of Counter Culture Coffee’s cuppings at its Adams Morgan training center on Friday mornings. Anyone is welcome to come taste the selections and learn about how coffee is grown and roasted.
