Marley Coffee Wants You to Stir It Up

Three Little Birds told me, 'Don't Worry, Be Happy, The Sun is Shining and Everything's Gonna Be Alright. While Jammin to whatever beat you follow, Marley Coffee wants you to Get Up, Stand Up and Stir It Up with a variety of organic, eco-conscious, people-conscious coffee. The unforgettable reggae musician Bob Marley is known for touching the world with his words and creativity, but what many people are unaware of – he also harbored a keen interest in farming. Today, one of Marley's sons, Rohan (with friend Shane Whittle) has successfully joined the ranks as a valued and influential manufacturer of international gourmet coffee. Inspired by memories of his grandmother drying wild coffee berries in the sun to roast her own cups of coffee, Rohan Marley wishes to share the same richness and smooth flavor in Marley Coffee. After gaining the approval of the Jamaican Coffee Industry Board (CIB) to transform their private reserve beans into magical brews, Marley Coffee proudly produces shade-grown coffee blends – all certified organic by the USDA and the Pacific Agricultural Certification Society of Canada (PACS). With offices in Vancouver, Los Angeles and Jamaica, the Marley Coffee private estate (located atop the Blue Mountains in Chepstowe, Portland Jamaica) may soon share some of the most sought-after coffee beans in the world with your local grocer. For now, select locations and an online store offer the coffees. In the future, the family hopes to market other Marley-inspired foods and drinks, including grilling sauces, teas, wine, and jellies. An Earth-Conscious Company Marley Coffee is not only organic, but is also shade-grown on bio-diverse land without the help of pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides or any other additives. Grown at an elevation of more than 3000 feet, rainforest-preserving shade trees protect the coffee. By embracing organic farming practices, the overall Marley Coffee process involves healthier soil and decreased water contamination, which also contributes to the preservation of the planet, including habitat for migratory birds. Marley Coffee also sets an example for the ethical treatment of farm workers by paying twice the average wage and providing safe working conditions. It is a company belief that "ethical coffee tastes better." Marley Coffee Flavors

• Simmer Down (Organic Swiss Water Decaf): a mixture of cocoa, nutmeg and West Indian spices.
• Lively Up! (Organic 5-Bean Espresso Blends): imagine a blend of cocoa, caramel and candied fruits.
• One Love (Organic Ethiopian Yirgacheffe): hints of blueberry, cocoa and spice with a cherry finish
• Mystic Morning (Organic Wakeup Coffee): explore cocoa, spice, cedar, cinnamon and cooked pumpkin
• Jammin Java (Organic Bold Full-City Roast): hints of dark chocolate berries with earthy overtones

Giving Back Marley Coffee takes a vested interest in elevating the health and happiness of the workers that contribute to producing their exceptionally aromatic, robust products. The Marley Coffee Foundation not only donates a percentage of all Marley Coffee product sales to improving living conditions and opportunities, but also establishes soccer fields and soccer camps for the children of coffee-producing communities. Interested in tasting a legacy? Some lucky coffee drinkers can easily step into their local shops for instant Marley Coffee gratification, but others must make do by ordering their coffee online. Image Credits: Marley Coffee

Spill the Beans – An Eco-Friendly Coffee Approach

When you're looking for an eco-friendly jolt of java, don't become intimidated by the assortment of labels attached to the fresh scent of caffeine found at your local retailers and specialty shops. What exactly does Fair Trade mean? And, what makes a coffee bean organic? Hopefully, I can shed a bit of light on how to take an eco-friendly approach towards your next cup of coffee. Fair Trade Certified Have you ever come across the International Fairtrade Certification Mark when purchasing a product? Fair Trade products mean that the workers providing the beans for your next mocha chocolate latte have been paid a living wage of at least $1.26 per pound. You're probably wondering how fair pay is eco-friendly, but if workers are able to make sustainable wages, then farmers are not forced to follow practices that cause harm to the environment. If you don’t see a "Fair Trade Certified" logo, then you're more than likely not buying Fair Trade coffee beans. USDA-Certified Organic Thanks to the United States Department of Agriculture, the certifications of coffee beans under this category are monitored, as well as grown without the aid of chemical-ridden pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides. When following organic farming practices, the local ecosystem benefits. Farmers, workers, and residents aren’t exposed to hazardous chemicals. Most importantly, you do not consume any chemicals when sipping on a fresh cup of organic coffee. Shade Grown Sadly, some coffee producers destroy rainforests and other pieces of land in order to provide direct sunlight for the growth of their beans. In the process, a great deal of natural habitat for many migratory birds and other native species is lost. To make matters worse, coffee crops suffer attacks from pests that enjoy the open invitation of shadeless plants. As a result, farmers resort to harmful fertilizers and pesticides. If you purchase shade-grown coffee beans, the surrounding forest was left intact, which does not threaten rainforest conservation or species preservation. Shade-grown coffee is also identified with certified seals and labels from the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (SMBC) or the Rainforest Alliance. Rainforest Alliance Certified Purchasing coffee that carries the Rainforest Alliance seal of approval means that the coffee was grown in the shade with the use of low to zero pesticides. Workers were also cared for under the standards of the International Labor Organization. Sustainable practices are verified when farms meet requirements, including the presence and maintenance of diverse species. Where to Get Eco-Friendly Coffee? National chains, such as Safeway and Trader Joes, carry fair trade coffee. You can find organic and fair-trade selections at health food stores and specialty shops. If you still need help locating fair trade coffee in your neck of the woods, contact Transfair USA at 510-663-5260 or visit www.transfairusa.org. Mail order and online retailers are also excellent sources of eco-friendly coffee, including the following businesses:

• Peace Coffee – Organic and Shade Grown (888) 324-7872
• Organic Coffee Co. – Organic (800) 829-1300
• Sacred Grounds – Organic (800) 425-2532
• Green Mountain Coffee – Fair Trade and Organic (800) 223-6768
• Global Exchange – Fair Trade (800) 497-1994, ext. 237
• Café Mam – Organic & Fair Trade (888) 223-3626