Sustainable coffee cherry: How Cascara reduces waste!
Coffee cherry as Cascara reduces waste in coffee production and promotes sustainability – a win for the environment and farmers .
Table of contents
- Introduction: Sustainability with the coffee cherry
- The waste problem in coffee production
- Cascara as a solution: Upcycling the coffee husk
- Benefits: Environment, Farmers & more
- Ecuador: Sustainable cultivation in agroforestry systems
- Frequently asked questions about sustainability
- Conclusion: Cascara for a better future
1. Introduction: Sustainability with the coffee cherry
Summary: The coffee cherry , also known as Cascara , makes coffee production more sustainable – a fruity delight with environmental benefits .
The coffee cherry is more than just the shell of the coffee bean – it is a key to a more sustainable future .
As Cascara, it transforms supposed waste into a fruity coffee cherry tea that revolutionizes coffee production .
In this article, you'll learn how the coffee fruit reduces waste , protects the environment , and supports coffee farmers —especially in Ecuador , where we at GUYA rely on agroforestry systems .
Learn more about the coffee cherry in our articles: All about Cascara tea , Effects of Cascara tea , Preparation and recipes with Cascara tea .
2. The waste problem in coffee production
Summary: The coffee cherry often makes up 80% of the coffee fruit – but it is usually disposed of as waste .
In traditional coffee production , only the coffee bean is used—just 20% of the coffee fruit . The remaining 80%, including the coffee husk , is often discarded.
Studies show, and common sense suggests, that during a coffee harvest, the coffee pod becomes waste during processing. This waste ends up in landfills or is used as compost. Coffee husks used as fertilizer contribute to a positive circular economy. Yet the husks often end up in landfills.
This waste represents a missed opportunity for coffee farmers who could generate additional income from the coffee cherry .
3. Cascara as a solution: Upcycling the coffee husk
The solution to the waste problem lies in the coffee cherry itself: the coffee husk is dried as cascara and processed into a fruity coffee cherry tea .
This process is a perfect example of upcycling : instead of throwing away the coffee fruit , it is transformed into a new product – a healthy , fruity tea that also produces less waste .
Cascara processing is simple: after harvesting, the shells are dried, which uses less water and energy than traditional coffee production.
This makes coffee production more sustainable and allows farmers to use the coffee cherries as an additional source of income.
4. Benefits: Environment, farmers & more
Summary: Cascara protects the environment and supports coffee farmers – a sustainable win .
The use of the coffee cherry as cascara brings numerous benefits – for the environment , the coffee farmers and the coffee industry .
4.1 Less waste, less methane
Processing coffee husks into cascara significantly reduces waste in coffee production . Less waste also means less methane , a greenhouse gas produced when the husks decompose.
In addition, the processing of cascara conserves resources: it requires less water and energy than the traditional processing of coffee beans.
4.2 More income for coffee farmers
The coffee cherry offers coffee farmers a new source of income.
By selling cascara , they can increase their income by up to 20%, as projects in South America show.
In Ecuador, we at GUYA work with indigenous communities who grow their coffee cherries in agroforestry systems . This protects biodiversity and provides farmers with fair compensation.
This additional source of income strengthens the economic independence of farmers and promotes fair trade structures .
You can find an interview with our producers in Ecuador on our founder Sebastian Freidank's YouTube channel . There you'll also find many videos about our other products, how we harvest them, how we work with the farmers, and how we produce them.
5. Ecuador: Sustainable cultivation in agroforestry systems
Summary: In Ecuador, cascara is grown in agroforestry systems – for greater sustainability .
Our coffee cherry tea at GUYA comes from agroforestry systems in Ecuador , such as those of the Kichwa . These permaculture systems protect the Amazon's biodiversity and fertile soils , which would quickly be depleted by monocultures.
Cultivation in agroforestry systems is not only environmentally friendly but also socially sustainable : it provides the Kichwa with a source of income and preserves their traditional ways of life .
Read more in our article about the Sello Chakra certificate , an indigenous initiative as a better alternative to organic and fair trade.
Our transparency videos show you how we work in Ecuador – without monocultures, with respect for the environment .
6. Frequently asked questions about sustainability
Do you have questions about Cascara 's sustainability ? We answer the most common ones here.
❓ Why is the use of the coffee cherry sustainable?
It reduces waste and methane in coffee production and conserves resources. You can find more detailed information in section 3. Cascara as a Solution .
❓ How does Cascara help the environment ?
It reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 20% and saves water and energy. Read more in the article under section 4.1 "Less Waste, Less Methane ."
❓ How does Cascara support coffee farmers ?
Selling cascara increases their income by up to 20%. Learn more in section 4.2 "Increasing Income for Coffee Farmers" in this article.
❓ What are agroforestry systems ?
These are sustainable farming methods that protect biodiversity and soils , like those we use in Ecuador . You can find detailed information in section 5. Ecuador .
❓ Where does sustainable cascara come from?
Our "Coffee Fruit" cascara tea comes from agroforestry systems in Ecuador . Watch our transparency videos to make sure you're not supporting monocultures.
7. Conclusion: Cascara for a better future
Cascara shows how much potential the coffee fruit has: it reduces waste , protects the environment and supports coffee farmers .
It's a wonderful and delicious product that provides gentle energy and has many health benefits . You can find more information about its effects and taste in our main article on the coffee fruit and the detailed article on the effects of cascara .
Try Cascara tea – a fruity and sustainable treat for a better future!
