| Some of the world's best coffee is grown in a small | | | | the best possible coffee. |
| area of Hawaii know as Kona. It is highly regarded | | | | They also use organic natural farming methods to |
| coffee among lovers of the best tasting brews, | | | | keep the quality of their produce high. The plants are |
| second only to Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. | | | | grown in a natural shaded environment at elevations |
| Fair trade coffee has only recently come into the | | | | of 800 to about 2200 feet. There is just the right |
| spotlight as the Go Green movement has become | | | | amount of rainfall on Kona, and the lava soil seems to |
| more popular. Fair trade coffee only makes up a small | | | | be perfect for obtaining great tasting beans. But |
| percentage of the coffee produced in the world. | | | | since coffee is only grown on one side of the |
| In order to qualify as fair trade producers, growers | | | | mountain, the key factor seems to be the ocean |
| must pay their workers at least minimum wage. | | | | breeze blowing up the mountain and cooling the air |
| There are Fair Trade Certification organizations that | | | | temperature. Other areas of Hawaii are too hot for |
| can officially determine whether a grower is actually | | | | coffee production. |
| within the guidelines. The problem with the | | | | Growing the coffee plants in naturally shaded areas |
| certification is that is costs something to get | | | | under the high canopy of certain types of trees |
| certified, anywhere from $50 to $3000 dollars. The | | | | allows the beans to mature more slowly than sun |
| result is that although they follow the fair trade | | | | grown plants. The slow maturity adds to the taste |
| standards, the small farmers on Kona have not been | | | | by developing larger beans with more natural sugars |
| certified, first because of the cost, and second | | | | that the plant produces as part of the ripening |
| because of the paperwork. And also, the | | | | process. |
| certifications are mainly for importers. Since Kona is in | | | | Partial shade from the tree canopy above, along with |
| the US, it does not qualify. | | | | natural birds inhabiting the trees help to make the |
| It is common among a majority of growers around | | | | organic growing of coffee plants much easier. The |
| the globe to pay their help sweatshop wages, similar | | | | shade and falling leaves replenish the soil with nitrogen |
| to what happens in the garment industry in places | | | | instead of stripping it of nutrients. There is no need |
| like China and Bangladesh. | | | | for artificial chemical fertilizer or insect treatment. |
| There are quite a few coffee growers in the Kona | | | | All the factors work together - a deep commitment |
| area that follow the fair trade standards. Mostly they | | | | for quality coffee, natural shade, organic growing |
| are individuals or couples who have a deep personal | | | | methods, climate conditions - to make the organic |
| interest in their product and take pride in producing | | | | fair trade Kona coffee a great tasting cup of Joe. |