Sustainable coffee cherry: how cascara can reduce waste
Coffee cherries, used to make Cascara, reduce waste from coffee production and support sustainability — a win for the environment and farmers.
Contents
- Introduction: sustainability and the coffee cherry
- The waste problem in coffee production
- Cascara as a solution: upcycling the coffee husk
- Benefits: the environment, farmers and more
- Ecuador: sustainable cultivation in agroforestry systems
- Frequently asked questions about sustainability
- Conclusion: Cascara for a better future
1. Introduction: sustainability and the coffee cherry
In summary: Using the coffee cherry to make Cascara makes coffee production more sustainable — a fruity treat with environmental benefits.
The coffee cherry is more than just the outer layer around the coffee bean — it is a key to a more sustainable future.
As Cascara, it turns what might otherwise be discarded into a fruity tea made from coffee cherries that revolutionises coffee production.
In this article, you’ll find out how the coffee fruit can reduce waste, protect the environment and support 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, and Cascara tea preparation and recipes.
2. The waste problem in coffee production
In summary: The coffee cherry often accounts for 80% of the coffee fruit, yet it is usually treated as waste.
Traditional coffee production uses only the coffee bean — just 20% of the coffee fruit. The remaining 80%, including the coffee husk, is often discarded.
Research shows — and it stands to reason — that coffee fruit becomes waste during processing after harvest. This waste ends up in landfill or is used as compost. Using coffee husks as fertiliser contributes to a circular economy. Yet the husks often end up in landfill.
This waste represents a missed opportunity for coffee farmers, who could earn 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 and processed into Cascara, a fruity tea made from coffee cherries.
This process is a good example of upcycling: instead of throwing away the coffee fruit, it is turned into a new product — a healthy, fruity tea that also creates less waste.
Processing Cascara is simple: after harvest, the husks are dried, using less water and energy than traditional coffee production.
This makes coffee production more sustainable and gives farmers another way to earn income from their coffee cherries.
4. Benefits: the environment, farmers and more
In summary: Cascara helps protect the environment and support coffee farmers — a sustainable win.
Using the coffee cherry to make Cascara can bring many benefits — for the environment, coffee farmers and the coffee industry.
4.1 Less waste, less methane
Processing the coffee husk into Cascara significantly reduces waste from coffee production. Less waste can also mean less methane, a greenhouse gas produced as the husks decompose.
Processing Cascara also conserves resources: it uses less water and energy than traditional coffee-bean processing.
4.2 More income for coffee farmers
The coffee cherry offers coffee farmers a new source of income.
Projects in South America show that selling Cascara can increase their income by up to 20%.
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 farmers’ economic independence and supports fairer trade structures.
You can watch an interview with our producers in Ecuador on the YouTube channel of our founder, Sebastian Freidank. You’ll also find videos about our other products, including how we harvest and produce them and work with the farmers.
5. Ecuador: sustainable cultivation in agroforestry systems
In summary: In Ecuador, Cascara comes from agroforestry systems — supporting sustainability.
Our coffee cherry tea at GUYA comes from agroforestry systems in Ecuador, including those of the Kichwa. These permaculture systems protect the Amazon’s biodiversity and fertile soils, which can quickly become depleted under monoculture farming.
Growing crops in agroforestry systems is not only environmentally friendly but also socially sustainable: it provides the Kichwa with a source of income and helps preserve their traditional ways of life.
Read more in our article about the Sello Chakra certificate, an Indigenous initiative and a better alternative to organic and Fair Trade.
Our transparency videos show you how we work in Ecuador — without monocultures and with respect for the environment.
6. Frequently asked questions about sustainability
Do you have questions about the sustainability of Cascara? Here are answers to some common ones.
❓ Why is using the coffee cherry sustainable?
It reduces waste and methane from coffee production and conserves resources. Find more details 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 section 4.1 Less waste, less methane.
❓ How does Cascara support coffee farmers?
Selling Cascara can increase their income by up to 20%. Find out more in section 4.2 More income for coffee farmers.
❓ What are agroforestry systems?
They are sustainable farming methods that protect biodiversity and soils, such as those we use in Ecuador. Find out more in section 5. Ecuador.
❓ Where does sustainable Cascara come from?
Our Cascara tea “Coffee-Fruit” comes from agroforestry systems in Ecuador. Watch our transparency videos to see how we work without monocultures.
7. Conclusion: Cascara for a better future
Cascara shows the potential of the coffee fruit: it can reduce waste, protect the environment and support coffee farmers.
It is a delicious product that provides gentle energy and has many health-related properties. Find out more about its effects and flavour in our main article about the coffee fruit and our detailed article about Cascara’s effects.
Try Cascara tea — a fruity, sustainable treat for a better future!