Our Blog

Benefits of Coffee - Cultivating Health

Benefits of Coffee - Cultivating health

It’s a New Year and we want to start out with some helpful and hopeful news. Yes, we want to share all about the health and happiness that coffee adds to our lives. As we grow and evolve, so do the studies on the health benefits of coffee.

Coffee Culture

Coffee has been consumed in coffee houses for centuries. People all over the world gather to share in the vast benefits of this darkly brewed elixir. Coffee culture has helped fuel the art of the renaissance, sparked revolutionary thought and even inspired some “to reach divine consciousness in midnight prayers.”

For us coffee is our source of purpose, it is our direct link to meaningful work, and our reason for the regenerative focus of our business. Coffee connects us to our ommunity and an active lifestyle of long walks outdoors with family, friends and pets. It is our companion as we watch the sun rise in the morning and helps us greet the new day.

Billions of cups of coffee are consumed daily, thank goodness it can also support for our health. Of course, health comes in many different forms, as does happiness. Both are individual and can only be attained by the one attaining it. So really, your relationship with coffee is unique to you, and your own physiology. The key here is to know yourself and how best you take your coffee.

Physical Benefits of Coffee

Coffee beans have mostly been associated with caffeine which can bring acuity, focus and a boost of energy. However, it is also full of antioxidants and polyphenol, which helps protect your body in a myriad of ways.

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine states that drinking the right amount of coffee can: support longevity, ward off heart failure, support healthy liver enzymes and it even decreases breakage in your DNA strands. The “right amount” is based on what is best for your own body, for many people that is 3-5 cups a day. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, best consult your support team.

“The overall evidence has been pretty convincing that coffee has been more healthful than harmful in terms of health outcomes,” said Frank Hu, chair of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, in an April 5, 2021, article in Discover. “For most people, moderate coffee consumption can be incorporated into a healthy diet.”

Brew A Healthy Cup

Let's get into more about this health cup. Here is the main breakdown:

choose organic beans

Coffee Beans are one of the most heavily sprayed crops in the world. When you choose organic beans, it will reduce your intake of harmful pesticides. The higher altitude will produce the highest levels of polyphenol in your coffee, so it is recommended to use coffee sourced from Ethiopia, Central and South America for that reason.

Light Roast - Fine Grid

The lighter roast and finer the grind will retain the most antioxidants and beneficial compounds in your brewed cup. This means an espresso or Turkish grind can be one of the healthiest choices.

Filtered

This study indicates that drinking filtered coffee can reduce 30 times more cholesterol-raising compounds, so filtering your coffee is good if cholestoral is a concern.

Good Water

Lastly the water you use is important, and filtered water is best. If you want the most antioxidants you will need to stick with a hot brew, and best take it black.

Black Coffee

Black coffee also has micronutrients, including potassium, magnesium, and niacin. Try adding spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg or tumeric to increase the flavor.

If you are wanting more caffeine and lower acidity, a cold brew will give you what you are after. And if you’re sensitive to caffeine, don’t worry: decaf coffee has a similar roster of benefits.

Here is a wonderfully researched article read “How to Brew The Healthiest Cup of Coffee" by Danielle Braff.

Live Longer

Support your Heart

Strengthen your DNA

Cultivating Health

At Thanksgiving, coffee supports us to be part of the whole picture working towards becoming our best selves and building upon our 50 years of coffee knowledge. The coffee farmers we support care about their farms, they cultivate their trees with love, and the coffee they produce tastes like it. Every bag of coffee we roast has been purchased from small family farms and farmer co-ops working towards bettering themselves and their families.

The coffee we produce offers warmth and vigor to carry on even in the face of the difficulties life can throw at you. The ability of our artisan roasters to bring the best qualities of these cultivated beans adds another level of depth and excellence to the overall wellbeing of the process. This coffee inspires us to walk the path of equality and build a healthy planet with every bean. We wish for you a wonderful cup full of hope, joy and inspiration filled to the brim with our deliciously exquisite coffee.

A Few of our Many Healthy Choices

A wonderful way to enjoy our high quality coffee is to join one of our Coffee Clubs.

Choose from our Roastmaster's Select or Single Origin subscriptions.

Lavender Grace is the Sustainability Consultant for Thanksgiving Coffee Company

Recommended Reading

Back to the Blog

Beyond The Bean: Buzzing with Biodiversity

Your morning coffee can be more than just a boost—it can drive positive change. With our Smithsonian Bird Friendly® certification and our Bee Bold Alliance initiative, we're turning your daily coffee ritual into a force for good. Here's how we're making waves in the world of sustainable agriculture while serving up exceptional coffee.

Butterfly on coffee leaf, Soppexxcca Coop, Nicaragua

Cultivating Natural Ecosystems

Our coffee farming goes beyond conventional methods. We nurture complete ecosystems where coffee plants thrive alongside native flora and fauna. A single coffee tree can support over 100 insect species, enhancing biodiversity on our farms.

coffee beans ripening in the understory of the forest canopy

Our Environmental Commitments

Our commitment to biodiversity is reflected in two key initiatives:

AT ORIGIN

Smithsonian Bird Friendly ® Certification: This certification is literally the environmental gold standard in the sustainable coffee industry. As holders of the Smithsonian Bird Friendly® certification since 2015, we adhere to the most comprehensive, science-based standards in the coffee industry. This certification requires:

Multiple layers of native tree canopy providing crucial wildlife habitat

USDA Organic certification as a foundation, ensuring chemical-free farming

Regular third-party inspections verifying our environmental impact

Documented support of migratory birds and local biodiversity

Did you know? A single coffee tree on a certified farm can support over 100 distinct insect species!

AT HOME

The Bee Bold Alliance: This is our initiative to restore biodiversity and support local food security through pollinator protection. The vision is to create a regenerative ecology network in our community for comprehensive pollinator protection. Here are the key principles guiding our path forward:

Protecting the Soil: We're working toward eliminating harmful pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides from our farming practices. This transition aims to create healthier environments for pollinators while maintaining productive coffee cultivation.

Watershed Stewardship: Our growing commitment includes developing better water conservation practices, reducing fertilizer usage, and implementing responsible waste management systems.

Fostering Pollinator Forage: We're exploring ways to integrate more flowering plants throughout our local farms, aiming to provide year-round nutrition that supports healthy pollinator populations.

Honoring Indigenous Wisdom: We're beginning to build relationships with Native/First Nation peoples in our growing regions, seeking to learn from their traditional knowledge and collaborate on sustainable solutions for the future.

We're reaching out to neighboring farms and communities, inviting them to join us in protecting pollinators. This initiative is beginning to form, and we believe that together, we can create meaningful change.

The Impact of Your Coffee Choice

We believe in the power of collective action. Here are ways you can participate in this journey:

Choose coffee that aligns with your environmental values

Cultivate native wildflowers in your garden or community spaces

Consider natural pest management practices

Create undisturbed areas in your garden to provide natural habitats

Learn about pollinator-friendly plants suitable for your local ecosystem

Moving Forward Together

We're at an exciting point in our environmental journey, where your choice of coffee can help shape future agricultural practices. Our Bird Friendly® certified coffee demonstrates our established commitment to environmental stewardship, while our developing Bee Bold Coffee initiative shows where we're heading. By choosing these products, you're not just selecting quality coffee—you're supporting the evolution of sustainable and pollinator-friendly agriculture.

Sold out

Sold out

Sold out

Sold out

Sold out

Sold out

Join us on this journey toward biodiversity conservation through sustainable agriculture. Your support through choosing our Bird Friendly® certified coffee and Bee Bold Coffee helps create positive environmental change, one cup at a time.

Lavender Grace is the Sustainable Ecology Consultant for Thanksgiving Coffee Company
biodiversity

Beyond The Bean: Buzzing with Biodiversity
read more
Decaf - What is the Process?

The benefits of really good, decaffeinated coffee, created by clean processes, are that the flavor, body and unique aroma are all maintained. Let’s shed some light on how this is done and how our decaf coffee is part of a more environmentally friendly and sustainable method for positive impacts on both product quality and what we stand for as an artisan coffee roaster.

Mountain Water Process

Mountain Water Decaffeination Process: The mountain water decaffeination process, also known as the "direct method," is a method of decaffeinating coffee that uses pure water from the glaciers of the highest mountain in Mexico, Pico de Orizaba.

Here are some key points about this process:

Green coffee beans are soaked in water to extract the caffeine and the flavor compounds.

The water solution is then passed through activated charcoal filters to remove the caffeine while retaining the flavor components.

The beans are immersed in the caffeine-free water to reabsorb the lost flavors and oils before drying.

Citlaltepetl o Pico de Orizaba, Mexico

Environmental Effects of Mountain Water Decaffeination Process:

Water Usage: The mountain water decaffeination process requires a significant amount of water, especially as it involves repeated soaking and rinsing of coffee beans. This can potentially strain local water resources in regions where this method is utilized.

Chemical Usage: While the mountain water process is generally considered more environmentally friendly than some chemical decaffeination methods, some plants use small amounts of chemicals in the filtration process, mostly Methylene Chloride. Proper disposal and management of these chemicals are crucial to minimize environmental impact. Descamex is Thanksgiving Coffee’s source for this process. They are Fairtrade and organic certified and have developed a method that is 100% chemical free.

Energy Consumption: The energy required for maintaining the water at specific temperatures, running filtration processes, and drying the beans post-decaffeination all contribute to the carbon footprint of the mountain water decaffeination process.

Swiss Method

Swiss Water Decaffeination Process: The Swiss water decaffeination process is also a popular method for removing caffeine from coffee beans. This process is entirely chemical-free and relies on solubility and osmosis.

Here's how it works:

Green coffee beans are soaked in hot water to dissolve the caffeine and flavor compounds.

This water is passed through an activated charcoal filter to remove caffeine, leaving behind the water with the soluble flavor components.

The beans are then soaked in this flavor-charged water, allowing them to reabsorb the flavors without the caffeine.

Swiss Water Decaffeination Process

Comparison

Decaffeination Method: While both processes use water, the mountain water process directly utilizes water from the mountain glaciers, whereas the Swiss water method continuously filters and reuses water.

Use of Chemicals: The Swiss water process is entirely chemical-free, making it a popular choice for those seeking natural decaffeination methods, whereas the mountain water process may use small amounts of chemicals (methyl chloride) in the filtration process.

Origin: The mountain water process originates in Mexico, utilizing pure glacier water, while the Swiss water process derives its name from the company that pioneered this technique in Switzerland.

Environmental Impact: The Swiss water process is often touted for its low environmental impact due to its lack of chemicals, while the mountain water process may have a slightly higher impact depending on the chemicals used.

In conclusion, both the mountain water and Swiss water decaffeination processes offer unique approaches to decaffeinating coffee beans, each with its own advantages and environmental considerations.

Thanksgiving Coffee Now Uses Swiss Water Process

Thanksgiving Coffee had used the Mountain Water Process in the past due to the quantity of the green coffee beans we source from Central and South America for a lower carbon footprint. However in our quest to search out the most innovative and sustainable practices for coffee production we are leaning into the Swiss water process for our future decaf processing.

So whether you are caffeine sensitive or want to enjoy your coffee anytime day or night we have you covered with amazing tasting, well-crafted decaffeinated coffee.

Sold out

Sold out

Sold out

Sold out

Sold out

Sold out

Lavender Grace is a Creative Consultant for Thanksgiving Coffee Company
decaf coffee

Decaf - What is the Process?
read more

Beyond The Bean: Buzzing with Biodiversity

Your morning coffee can be more than just a boost—it can drive positive change. With our Smithsonian Bird Friendly® certification and our Bee Bold Alliance initiative, we're turning your daily coffee ritual into a force for good. Here's how we're making waves in the world of sustainable agriculture while serving up exceptional coffee.

Butterfly on coffee leaf, Soppexxcca Coop, Nicaragua

Cultivating Natural Ecosystems

Our coffee farming goes beyond conventional methods. We nurture complete ecosystems where coffee plants thrive alongside native flora and fauna. A single coffee tree can support over 100 insect species, enhancing biodiversity on our farms.

coffee beans ripening in the understory of the forest canopy

Our Environmental Commitments

Our commitment to biodiversity is reflected in two key initiatives:

AT ORIGIN

Smithsonian Bird Friendly ® Certification: This certification is literally the environmental gold standard in the sustainable coffee industry. As holders of the Smithsonian Bird Friendly® certification since 2015, we adhere to the most comprehensive, science-based standards in the coffee industry. This certification requires:

Multiple layers of native tree canopy providing crucial wildlife habitat
USDA Organic certification as a foundation, ensuring chemical-free farming
Regular third-party inspections verifying our environmental impact
Documented support of migratory birds and local biodiversity

Did you know? A single coffee tree on a certified farm can support over 100 distinct insect species!

AT HOME

The Bee Bold Alliance: This is our initiative to restore biodiversity and support local food security through pollinator protection. The vision is to create a regenerative ecology network in our community for comprehensive pollinator protection. Here are the key principles guiding our path forward:

Protecting the Soil: We're working toward eliminating harmful pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides from our farming practices. This transition aims to create healthier environments for pollinators while maintaining productive coffee cultivation.
Watershed Stewardship: Our growing commitment includes developing better water conservation practices, reducing fertilizer usage, and implementing responsible waste management systems.
Fostering Pollinator Forage: We're exploring ways to integrate more flowering plants throughout our local farms, aiming to provide year-round nutrition that supports healthy pollinator populations.
Honoring Indigenous Wisdom: We're beginning to build relationships with Native/First Nation peoples in our growing regions, seeking to learn from their traditional knowledge and collaborate on sustainable solutions for the future.

We're reaching out to neighboring farms and communities, inviting them to join us in protecting pollinators. This initiative is beginning to form, and we believe that together, we can create meaningful change.

The Impact of Your Coffee Choice

We believe in the power of collective action. Here are ways you can participate in this journey:

Choose coffee that aligns with your environmental values
Cultivate native wildflowers in your garden or community spaces
Consider natural pest management practices
Create undisturbed areas in your garden to provide natural habitats
Learn about pollinator-friendly plants suitable for your local ecosystem

Moving Forward Together

We're at an exciting point in our environmental journey, where your choice of coffee can help shape future agricultural practices. Our Bird Friendly® certified coffee demonstrates our established commitment to environmental stewardship, while our developing Bee Bold Coffee initiative shows where we're heading. By choosing these products, you're not just selecting quality coffee—you're supporting the evolution of sustainable and pollinator-friendly agriculture.

Sold out

Join us on this journey toward biodiversity conservation through sustainable agriculture. Your support through choosing our Bird Friendly® certified coffee and Bee Bold Coffee helps create positive environmental change, one cup at a time.

Lavender Grace is the Sustainable Ecology Consultant for Thanksgiving Coffee Company

biodiversity

Beyond The Bean: Buzzing with Biodiversity

Decaf - What is the Process?

The benefits of really good, decaffeinated coffee, created by clean processes, are that the flavor, body and unique aroma are all maintained. Let’s shed some light on how this is done and how our decaf coffee is part of a more environmentally friendly and sustainable method for positive impacts on both product quality and what we stand for as an artisan coffee roaster.

Mountain Water Process

Mountain Water Decaffeination Process: The mountain water decaffeination process, also known as the "direct method," is a method of decaffeinating coffee that uses pure water from the glaciers of the highest mountain in Mexico, Pico de Orizaba.

Here are some key points about this process:

Green coffee beans are soaked in water to extract the caffeine and the flavor compounds.
The water solution is then passed through activated charcoal filters to remove the caffeine while retaining the flavor components.
The beans are immersed in the caffeine-free water to reabsorb the lost flavors and oils before drying.

Citlaltepetl o Pico de Orizaba, Mexico

Environmental Effects of Mountain Water Decaffeination Process:

Water Usage: The mountain water decaffeination process requires a significant amount of water, especially as it involves repeated soaking and rinsing of coffee beans. This can potentially strain local water resources in regions where this method is utilized.

Chemical Usage: While the mountain water process is generally considered more environmentally friendly than some chemical decaffeination methods, some plants use small amounts of chemicals in the filtration process, mostly Methylene Chloride. Proper disposal and management of these chemicals are crucial to minimize environmental impact. Descamex is Thanksgiving Coffee’s source for this process. They are Fairtrade and organic certified and have developed a method that is 100% chemical free.

Energy Consumption: The energy required for maintaining the water at specific temperatures, running filtration processes, and drying the beans post-decaffeination all contribute to the carbon footprint of the mountain water decaffeination process.

Swiss Method

Swiss Water Decaffeination Process: The Swiss water decaffeination process is also a popular method for removing caffeine from coffee beans. This process is entirely chemical-free and relies on solubility and osmosis.

Here's how it works:

Green coffee beans are soaked in hot water to dissolve the caffeine and flavor compounds.
This water is passed through an activated charcoal filter to remove caffeine, leaving behind the water with the soluble flavor components.
The beans are then soaked in this flavor-charged water, allowing them to reabsorb the flavors without the caffeine.

Swiss Water Decaffeination Process

Comparison

Decaffeination Method: While both processes use water, the mountain water process directly utilizes water from the mountain glaciers, whereas the Swiss water method continuously filters and reuses water.

Use of Chemicals: The Swiss water process is entirely chemical-free, making it a popular choice for those seeking natural decaffeination methods, whereas the mountain water process may use small amounts of chemicals (methyl chloride) in the filtration process.

Origin: The mountain water process originates in Mexico, utilizing pure glacier water, while the Swiss water process derives its name from the company that pioneered this technique in Switzerland.

Environmental Impact: The Swiss water process is often touted for its low environmental impact due to its lack of chemicals, while the mountain water process may have a slightly higher impact depending on the chemicals used.

In conclusion, both the mountain water and Swiss water decaffeination processes offer unique approaches to decaffeinating coffee beans, each with its own advantages and environmental considerations.

Thanksgiving Coffee Now Uses Swiss Water Process

Thanksgiving Coffee had used the Mountain Water Process in the past due to the quantity of the green coffee beans we source from Central and South America for a lower carbon footprint. However in our quest to search out the most innovative and sustainable practices for coffee production we are leaning into the Swiss water process for our future decaf processing.

So whether you are caffeine sensitive or want to enjoy your coffee anytime day or night we have you covered with amazing tasting, well-crafted decaffeinated coffee.

Sold out

Lavender Grace is a Creative Consultant for Thanksgiving Coffee Company

decaf coffee

Decaf - What is the Process?

Listen to the Farmers of Namanyonyi

Thanksgiving Coffee recently participated in a study called “The Farmers Thriving Index” conducted by 60 decibels who tracks social impact measurements on the ground directly from the farmers themselves. The primary goal was to confirm the findings we had discovered and to validate our shift in focus to “Health and Happiness” as the best way to support our coffee farmers at the Namanyonyi cooperative in Uganda.

85% of the Farmers Report Improved Health

The findings of this report have exceeded our initial report on our Clean Water Project by showing that 85% of the Farmers interviewed report improved household health because of the water filters, and 78% report a reduction in healthcare costs.

Members of the Namanyonyi Community of Shalom Interfaith Cooperative during a clean water training in Uganda

A total Shift in the Way We Support Farmers

This is a huge moment for us as it confirms what our Co-founder Paul Katzeff has be developing over the past several years. The concept is that when the health of the family is increased, the wealth of the household simultaneously increases as well. This study proved that 78% of the Namanyonyi coffee farmers income has been freed from health care costs. That is a huge change, and a big influx of money that can be invested into the wellbeing of the family, rather than going to doctors and medicines.

This is a total shift from the way our company looked at supporting farmers in the past. We thought that if we paid more for the beans it would translate into a better lifestyle for the farmers. Unfortunately, this was not the case, and after 30 years we can now prove this new concept.

Results from Farmers Thriving Index , pg 14

Potential for Entire Industry Shift

Simply Put: Focus on the Health and Happiness of Coffee Farmers

1. Identify the major health challenges and their regions. (For the Namanyonyi Co-op in Uganda this is Clean Water)

2. Increase family wellness and you reduce the costs of healthcare. (78% of the household income was freed up for the Namanyonyi farmers)

The Farmers Thriving Index Report has now confirmed what we had been working towards. The report gave us the ability to hear directly from the farmers themselves and how the effects of clean water.

Read the Full Report Here

Learn More

The Namanyonyi co-op study was also included in a larger index with a focus on farmers nationwide in Uganda, as well as Rwanda. To learn more about the national findings you can read it here in the Daily Coffee News.

2024 Coffee Farmer Thriving Index

It is our hope that the coffee industry will learn to shift towards the common good of all farmers with health and happiness for all.

Enjoy the Delicious Peace coffees grown by the Namanyonyi Co-op

Sold out

Lavender Grace is the Sustainability Consultant for Thanksgiving Coffee Company

clean water project

Our Blog

Benefits of Coffee - Cultivating Health

View BY :