Steps to Making Green Coffee at Home (while Saving Some Green, too)
Anytime you brew your coffee at home instead of buying it at a coffee shop or drive-through, you are saving energy and resources. If you are willing to put in a little extra time and effort, there are some other things that you can do that will make your coffee-making even greener. Here are a few steps to get you started:
1) Buy Organic and Fair-Trade Coffees
While organic and fair trade coffees can be much more expensive than traditional brands, it is possible to find more affordable alternatives. If you have a local coffee roaster in your area, you might give them a look. Often, local roasters will offer their own fair-trade certified and organic blends that are cheaper than those carried by major chains and grocery stores. Plus, buying local is always a good idea. Additionally, some of the larger grocery, natural foods and discount stores even offer generic versions of fair-trade and organic coffees (like Nature’s Place, available at Hannaford Supermarket and Wild Harvest, available at Shaw’s Supermarket.)
2) Roast and Grind Your Own
For a step-by-step guide to roasting your own coffee beans, you can refer to www.breworganic.com/Coffee/HowToRoast.htm. Not only are green (unroasted) beans about half the cost of roasted beans, they last longer when stored. You can roast your beans on the stovetop, which will use less energy. Apparently, it is even possible to use an old-fashioned,stovetop popcorn popper to do the job. You can also roast beans in the oven, but this will use a little more electricity. Grinding the beans after you roast them is a sure-fire way to brew the freshest coffee imaginable.
3) Buy a French Press
If your household sticks to one or two cups of coffee each morning, then you might want to invest in a French Press, or press pot, as they are sometimes called. A French Press uses no paper filters or electricity and word has it if you like strong coffee, then nothing beats the taste. While some resources are obviously used to manufacture the French Presses themselves, using one to brew your coffee at home is a greener practice than using an automatic coffee-maker. Heating the water in the microwave will also use less electricity than heating the water on the stove. While the French Press does not keep coffee hot after it is brewed, you can avoid this problem by transferring it into a thermal container.
4) Use a Reusable Filter
If you want the convenience of using an automatic coffee maker with a timer, you can use one with a reusable filter to eliminate the need for paper ones, which create more waste. Or, if you prefer, there are brown paper filters that do not use bleach in the manufacturing process and are also compostable.
5) Use a Thermal Carafe
If you are shopping for an automatic coffee-maker, buy one with a thermal carafe instead of a burner. This way, when the coffee stops brewing, it will turn off automatically, rather than using electricity to keep the coffee hot. The down side of these kind of coffee-makers is that the coffee does not always stay super hot.
6) Recycle your Grounds
In addition to composting paper filters, coffee grounds break down quite nicely in a compost bin as well. Coffee grounds even make an effective compost on their own when placed around your garden plantings.
Comments
I’ve heard you can also blend in some chicory (Cichorium intybus) taproots that are baked and then ground, as a caffeine free substitute or additive. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) are the same way, but purportedly less flavorful.
This might sound silly, but the only reason I buy coffee from the store and not make it at home is because I’m not sure how coffee machines work. (which is why I don’t use the one at work, either)
Don’t laugh. I’m sure I’m not the only one!
Terrible excuse! At the very least, the cost savings are enormous when you brew your own. But there’s something to be said for reusable travel mugs and thermoses (plus the cup discount!), and the fact that a shop gets stuff in bulk, thus less packaging…
How much more would I save? Is the taste as good as I get from the gas station?
I typically pay $1.50-$3 for a cup of Joe, depending on where I go.
We don’t drink coffee because we are dogs, but our human uses the Keurig coffee maker with the reusable filter basket. She can make one cup at a time so it is hot and fresh and there is no waste. We do like the cream, though!
@ Mid Mo Mortgage- Don’t worry about it…not everyone knows how to use one but you can definitely learn! And it’ll be a worthwhile experience, too, as you’ll be saving lots of money by making your own coffee.
One of the methods I use is the reusable filter. The paper ones are a waste and I constantly have to buy more at the store so not only is it good for the environment but I am saving money as well.
Sarah, those are 5 very good tips on how to make coffee in a greener way. I have always wondered how coffee making could be more friendly for the environment. Now I know. Thanks Sarah!
Coffee at home may not be as exciting as coffee in a posh coffee shop, but if you do the math and look at the money saved, it starts to taste pretty good at home.
@Suzanne – Alright I might be sold. Is there a difference between the $10 coffee makers and the $50 models? I want something that works but not something that has a radio, phone, and TV built in.
@ Suzanne- You’re so right. I used to buy coffee up to 4 times a week at either Starbucks or Coffee Bean but now that I make my own, i’m saving hundreds of dollars a year… so I think it’s totally worth it.
@ Mid Mo Mortgage- Honestly, I don’t think it matters personally but I’d get a decent one… Like you said, you don’t need the built in radio or tv. It’s just a coffee maker.
Now that is great information for coffee drinkers unlike me. The French Press seems to be interesting though. Living in a greener world is such an advantage.
@ Mid Mo Mortgage – I have a Keurig coffee maker (brews single cups). Got it for Christmas. It cost $139 at Costco BUT, it also came with 70 of the single cup refills. I work at home all day and drink coffee at different times so it is nice to be able to brew only one cup.
@ Cd Phi – You should see my at home coffee set up. I have a bunch of flavored creamers and cool stuff i add to it. I can’t hardly drink Starbucks anymore – it tastes WRONG. LOL
I love coffee..I would be an amazing experience if we make our own coffee from the scratch..But its time consuming though:(
Good steps to making green coffee at home. It’s really saving energy and resources.