For many of us, our day doesn’t truly begin until we’ve had our first sip of coffee. But have you ever considered the crucial role that bees play in making this morning ritual possible?
If you’re like many coffee enthusiasts, your day doesn’t truly begin until that first bee-autifully roasted and responsibility crafted cup of coffee!
You might be surprised to learn about how crucial bees are to making your morning ritual possible?
These tiny pollinators play a vital role in coffee production, and their hard work directly impacts the quality and abundance of your favourite beans.
Coffee plants, particularly the Arabica species, rely on pollination to produce the cherries that contain the beans we grind and brew. Bees, with their tireless buzzing, transfer pollen between coffee flowers, enabling the plants to set fruit. This not only boosts the yield but also enhances the quality of the coffee cherries, resulting in better-tasting beans.
Research shows that coffee plants pollinated by bees produce more cherries and higher-quality beans. Without these diligent pollinators, the coffee industry would face reduced yields and lower-quality beans.
Supporting bees also supports a more sustainable coffee industry. Coffee farms that nurture bee populations often practise eco-friendly farming methods, such as reducing pesticide use and planting diverse flora. This helps create healthier ecosystems and ensures a steady supply of quality coffee.
This is why we are buzzing to collaborate with Chimney Fire Coffee, whom we share a combined love for coffee and bees to share the pollinator love!
Who are Chimney Fire Coffee?
Chimney Fire Coffee is a B Corp™ Certified speciality coffee roaster and importer, based in the Surrey Hills AONB, a haven for flora and fauna only 20 miles south of Central London. Our roastery is within the grounds of fellow B Corp™ Denbies Wine Estate, one the largest single estate vineyards in the UK and the first to achieve Net Zero status by the UK Carbon Code of Conduct standard.
Their coffee is sourced from individual farms and small cooperatives, primarily in Central and South America. They pride ourselves on long-term, personal relationships with our growers and producers, committing to pay at least 25% above Fairtrade base rates for their crops.
One such producer is Esnayder Cuartas, whose grandfather first installed an apiary on their 10 hectare farm near Quinchía, Colombia.
He says, “My grandfather Gerardo was very keen to plant a variety of trees on his farm, alongside the primary crops of coffee and cacao - a trend that has been inherited by subsequent generations. As kids we enjoyed staying at our paternal grandparents’ farm, as they lived a fully agricultural life. We tried many fruits and enjoyed our adventures on the fields, but without doubt the most enjoyable part of it was his beehives, which were located a distance from the house.
Both our father and grandfather told us about the bees' behaviour, and that they were not a treat. Unfortunately, at age 6 or 7 I didn’t learn to differentiate between bees and wasps, so when I tried to play with them I got a nasty sting which has left a scar on my face!”
His family work hard to conserve and improve the bee population on their farm, avoiding using any chemicals or pesticides on the coffee plants which would risk harm. Of course, it’s not just coffee arabica that benefits: "We are delighted to see the resurgence in beekeeping around Quinchia. Especially in the higher parts of the town, the bees will be busy pollinating during the coffee flowering season - alongside other flowers from the farm like bugambilias (bougainvillea), jamine and petunias."
Some 1,200 miles north, Antonia Lucrecia Tum of our Guatemalan partner producer Finca Medina echoes the same sentiment: "We take special care choosing which fertisilisers we use, ensuring all of them are friendly to the environment. The result of this is that every year we see an amazing flowering of the coffee bushes, with many varities of bees visiting."
We all know how important bees and other pollinators are to our natural environment, and, as with so many commodities around the world, it can be difficult to find a clear path to making sustainable choices. Having relationships with producers such as Esnayder and Antonia help us understand the steps they take to protect their environment and natural resources, doing their bit to help the planet along the way.
Antonia sums up the importance of bees in one wonderful sentence: "This fiesta of bees is one of the most beautiful experiences we have at Fina Medina."
A fiesta of bees. What a lovely thought 😊
So, as you savour your next cup of coffee, remember that bees are behind much of its excellence. Their crucial role in pollination underscores the delicate balance of nature that makes your coffee experience so special.
So here’s to bees: the unsung heroes behind your daily dose of caffeine. Cheers to their hard work and the sweet rewards it brings to your cup!
