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Springtime for SongBirds
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The best coffee is grown the traditional way— slowly, under a canopy of shade from taller native hardwood trees. Shade-grown coffees are carefully tended, harvested, and processed by people who know and love coffee, and who depend on it for their livelihoods.
Traditional shade-grown coffee really is a win for everyone: amazing coffee flavors, a fair wage for the coffee farmers’ hard work, and a lush natural habitat for migratory birds. So much good comes from a just cup of coffee.
The History of Shade Grown
By 1996, the United States forests had run out of hardwoods such as oak, ash, maple, cherry, and all the wild fruit and nut trees. These are important woods used in furniture making, home building, veneers for plywood, doors, window frames and a host of other minor but important uses.
The timber industry needed another source of hardwood, so they targeted the temperate rainforests where coffee was grown. The coffee tree is a shade loving plant that withers in the sun and needs shade to be a healthy producer of the coffee fruit. Mahogany and a dozen other hardwood varieties were there for the loggers if only they could convince coffee farmers to cut down their trees.
The destruction of these native hardwood forests is a long story of deception. Governments, in collaboration with multinational corporations, set out to convince farmers to grow their coffee in the sun, claiming that yields would increase and incomes would rise.
Without the leaf litter from the big hardwood trees to fertilize the soil every year coffee trees at Nicaragua Coffee Farms would need oil-based fertilizers. This is how the petrochemical companies became involved. Now with more sunlight reaching the ground, weed killers would become essential. This is how herbicide producer Monsanto became involved. Without the forest habitat for migratory songbirds, natural pest controls were lost. This is how the need for chemical pesticides became essential.
The big chemical companies found new markets and the timber companies gained new inventories of almost unlimited, inexpensive hardwoods. The coffee farmers paid for all this with higher costs, lower quality coffee, toxins entering the water supply, and a 90% loss of biodiversity on their farms.
At least half of all coffee grown in the northern neotropics has already been converted to full-sun plantations.
Preserving these precious jungle forests not only protects biodiversity, but it’s also our greatest asset in mitigating the effects of climate change.
The Smithsonian’s Bird Friendly® certification is the most rigorous environmental certification possible for coffee, and the only one that justifies the use of the much-abused term “shade-grown.”
Based on years of scientific research, the SMBC has developed strict criteria for evaluating shade coffee farms. An independent, third-party inspector determines whether a farm meets these criteria or not. Only those farms that also meet organic certification standards are eligible to be certified Bird Friendly®.
Try One of Our Songbird Coffees
Protect biodiversity, with your morning Cup
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![Cold Brew Coffee: An Easy Guide & Our Favorite Coffees]()
Cold brew is one of our favorite ways to enjoy coffee during the warmer months. Brewing with cold water over time creates a naturally smooth, refreshing cup that highlights subtle sweetness and flavor.
Whether you’re making your first batch or looking for a new coffee to try, here’s everything you need to get started.
Easy Cold Brew Recipe
INGREDIENTS
– 1 cup coarsely ground coffee
– 4 cups filtered water
– IceINSTRUCTIONS
1. Combine coffee and water in a large jar or French press.
2. Stir gently until all grounds are wet.
3. Cover and refrigerate 12–16 hours.
4. Strain through a fine mesh filter or paper filter.
5. Pour over ice and enjoy.Don’t worry about making it perfectly! Cold brew is one of the most forgiving brewing methods, so it’s easy to adjust the strength and flavor to suit your taste.
Tip: Prefer a stronger concentrate? Use a 1:3 coffee-to-water ratio and dilute to taste.
Choosing the Right Coffee
Almost any coffee can be cold brewed, but different origins create surprisingly different results.
Looking for a place to start? These are three of our favorite coffees for cold brewing:
- Ethiopia Natural: Perfect if you like fruit-forward iced coffee.
- Grey Whale Blend: A crowd-pleaser that makes an incredibly approachable cold brew.
- Pony Express: Excellent for people who add milk or cream.
Why People Love Cold Brew
Cold brewing creates a smooth, refreshing cup that many coffee drinkers love for its:
– Smooth, mellow flavor
– Naturally lower perceived acidity
– Sweet, nuanced tasting notes
– Refreshing over iceWhether you enjoy bright fruit-forward coffees like Ethiopia Natural or richer blends like Grey Whale Blend or Pony Express, cold brew is a forgiving brewing method that’s fun to experiment with.
Make It Your Own
Once you’ve mastered the basics, experiment with different flavors to make your cold brew your own. Consider adding:
- A splash of oat milk or cream
- Orange peel for a bright citrus note
- Vanilla syrup or honey
- A cinnamon stick while serving
- Sparkling water or tonic for a refreshing coffee spritz
We'd love to hear how you're enjoying it!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much coffee should I use for cold brew?
Just follow the recipe above: 1 cup coarsely ground coffee to 4 cups filtered water. Cold brew is wonderfully forgiving, so don’t be afraid to experiment until you find your perfect strength.
Want to get precise? If you like brewing by weight, we recommend starting with 2 grams of coarsely ground coffee for every fluid ounce of water. It’s a reliable ratio that produces a smooth, balanced cold brew.
How long should cold brew steep?
For the best flavor, steep your coffee in the refrigerator for 12–16 hours. A longer steep (up to 24 hours) will produce a stronger, more concentrated brew, while a shorter steep may taste thin or under-extracted.
Can I make cold brew in a French press?
Absolutely. A French press is one of the easiest ways to make cold brew at home. Add your coffee and water, let it steep, then slowly press the plunger and pour. For an even cleaner cup, you can strain it through a paper coffee filter after pressing.
What are your best cold brew tips?
A few simple tips can make a big difference:
– Use coarsely ground coffee.
– Brew with filtered water whenever possible.
– Strain through a paper filter, fine-mesh sieve, or cheesecloth for a cleaner cup.
– Store finished cold brew in the refrigerator for up to a week.Can I drink cold brew hot?
Yes! Simply warm your cold brew concentrate with hot water. You’ll enjoy the naturally smooth, low-acid flavor of cold brew in a hot cup.
How long does cold brew last?
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, cold brew typically stays fresh for up to one week. Because it isn’t exposed to heat during brewing, it tends to retain its smooth flavor longer than brewed hot coffee.
How do I keep my iced coffee from getting watered down?
Freeze leftover cold brew into ice cubes and use those instead of regular ice. As they melt, they’ll keep your drink cold without diluting the flavor.
Is cold brew good for baking?
Yes. Because cold brew is naturally smooth and lower in acidity, it works well in recipes like brownies, cakes, marinades, and barbecue sauces where you want rich coffee flavor without extra bitterness.
Whether you’re brewing your first batch or perfecting your summer routine, cold brew is one of the easiest—and most rewarding—ways to enjoy great coffee at home. We hope these tips inspire your next brew.
Cold Brew Coffee: An Easy Guide & Our Favorite Coffees
read more
Cold brew is one of our favorite ways to enjoy coffee during the warmer months. Brewing with cold water over time creates a naturally smooth, refreshing cup that highlights subtle sweetness and flavor.
Whether you’re making your first batch or looking for a new coffee to try, here’s everything you need to get started.
Easy Cold Brew Recipe
INGREDIENTS
– 1 cup coarsely ground coffee
– 4 cups filtered water
– Ice
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Combine coffee and water in a large jar or French press.
2. Stir gently until all grounds are wet.
3. Cover and refrigerate 12–16 hours.
4. Strain through a fine mesh filter or paper filter.
5. Pour over ice and enjoy.
Don’t worry about making it perfectly! Cold brew is one of the most forgiving brewing methods, so it’s easy to adjust the strength and flavor to suit your taste.
Tip: Prefer a stronger concentrate? Use a 1:3 coffee-to-water ratio and dilute to taste.
Choosing the Right Coffee
Almost any coffee can be cold brewed, but different origins create surprisingly different results.
Looking for a place to start? These are three of our favorite coffees for cold brewing:
- Ethiopia Natural: Perfect if you like fruit-forward iced coffee.
- Grey Whale Blend: A crowd-pleaser that makes an incredibly approachable cold brew.
- Pony Express: Excellent for people who add milk or cream.
Why People Love Cold Brew
Cold brewing creates a smooth, refreshing cup that many coffee drinkers love for its:
– Smooth, mellow flavor
– Naturally lower perceived acidity
– Sweet, nuanced tasting notes
– Refreshing over ice
Whether you enjoy bright fruit-forward coffees like Ethiopia Natural or richer blends like Grey Whale Blend or Pony Express, cold brew is a forgiving brewing method that’s fun to experiment with.
Make It Your Own
Once you’ve mastered the basics, experiment with different flavors to make your cold brew your own. Consider adding:
- A splash of oat milk or cream
- Orange peel for a bright citrus note
- Vanilla syrup or honey
- A cinnamon stick while serving
- Sparkling water or tonic for a refreshing coffee spritz
We'd love to hear how you're enjoying it!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much coffee should I use for cold brew?
Just follow the recipe above: 1 cup coarsely ground coffee to 4 cups filtered water. Cold brew is wonderfully forgiving, so don’t be afraid to experiment until you find your perfect strength.
Want to get precise? If you like brewing by weight, we recommend starting with 2 grams of coarsely ground coffee for every fluid ounce of water. It’s a reliable ratio that produces a smooth, balanced cold brew.
How long should cold brew steep?
For the best flavor, steep your coffee in the refrigerator for 12–16 hours. A longer steep (up to 24 hours) will produce a stronger, more concentrated brew, while a shorter steep may taste thin or under-extracted.
Can I make cold brew in a French press?
Absolutely. A French press is one of the easiest ways to make cold brew at home. Add your coffee and water, let it steep, then slowly press the plunger and pour. For an even cleaner cup, you can strain it through a paper coffee filter after pressing.
What are your best cold brew tips?
A few simple tips can make a big difference:
– Use coarsely ground coffee.
– Brew with filtered water whenever possible.
– Strain through a paper filter, fine-mesh sieve, or cheesecloth for a cleaner cup.
– Store finished cold brew in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Can I drink cold brew hot?
Yes! Simply warm your cold brew concentrate with hot water. You’ll enjoy the naturally smooth, low-acid flavor of cold brew in a hot cup.
How long does cold brew last?
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, cold brew typically stays fresh for up to one week. Because it isn’t exposed to heat during brewing, it tends to retain its smooth flavor longer than brewed hot coffee.
How do I keep my iced coffee from getting watered down?
Freeze leftover cold brew into ice cubes and use those instead of regular ice. As they melt, they’ll keep your drink cold without diluting the flavor.
Is cold brew good for baking?
Yes. Because cold brew is naturally smooth and lower in acidity, it works well in recipes like brownies, cakes, marinades, and barbecue sauces where you want rich coffee flavor without extra bitterness.