How To Brew Greener Coffee

Earlier in the week we looked at some green coffee terms. However, simply buying greener beans is not all it takes to brew sustainable coffee. There are many more green steps you can take when it comes to greening your coffee.

What are you brewing in?

• There’s no such thing as a certified green coffee maker, but that doesn’t mean you’re totally in the dark. Head over to  The Department of Energy where you can estimate your coffee maker’s energy consumption. If your maker is wasting loads of energy, make sure when you next trade up, you buy a more energy efficient machine.
• Try a lower energy use French Press.
• Unplug your machine when it’s not actually brewing. If you want to keep your coffee hot, transfer it to a reusable thermos.
• Inhabitat has an in-depth post, GREEN YOUR APPLIANCES! Coffee Makers that will fill you in on more about coffee makers.

Other tips:

• Buy a reusable coffee filter.
• If you buy bulk beans or bulk ground coffee, take your own small reusable bags to the store rather than using the store’s plastic baggies.
• Compost your coffee grounds.

A small sampling of green coffee vendors (plus a couple of fun links):

• Rogers Family Gourmet Coffee & Tea Market
• Costa - UK based
• Guido’s Fresh Marketplace
• New Harvest Coffee Roasters
• Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee info
• Organic coffee info

BONUS GREEN COFFEE TIP: Make Your Own Coffee Drinks & Snacks.

[image via Free Pixels]