This or That: Coffee vs. Tea
Which is "greener," coffee or tea?
Coffee is the world's most traded beverage (it is actually the most traded commodity after oil) but tea is the world's most consumed beverage. Americans generally prefer coffee but new and different tea varieties like green and white teas are becoming popular. But is one more environmentally friendly than the other?
Both coffee and tea can carry the fair trade seal (which ensures that those growing your beverage have safe working conditions and competitive wages). Both coffee and tea can also carry the organic seal (so you know that your drink wasn't grown with the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers).
But cultivation practices for both coffee and tea aren't entirely good for the environment. Many environmentalists argue that today's coffee growing technique (sun cultivation, in which coffee beans are grown in full sunlight rather than shaded areas) contribute to deforestation and require the use of more pesticides. Clear-cut coffee plantations also destroy many natural habitats. Tea, on the other hand, can contribute to land degradation and surface water pollution (when harsh pesticides are used).
In the end, coffee and tea are pretty evenly matched. But despite cultivation drawbacks, coffee and tea offer a variety of health benefits. Coffee lowers the risk of diabetes and protects against Parkinson's syndrome. Tea can lower blood pressure, and prevent kidney stones and Alzheimer's disease.
The choice is really just a matter of taste. So...which do you prefer, coffee or tea?
Sources:
"Coffee. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffee
"Coffee vs. Tea. http://www.thatsfit.com/2007/03/22/coffee-vs-tea-which-one-are-you-drinking/
Coffee is the world's most traded beverage (it is actually the most traded commodity after oil) but tea is the world's most consumed beverage. Americans generally prefer coffee but new and different tea varieties like green and white teas are becoming popular. But is one more environmentally friendly than the other?
Both coffee and tea can carry the fair trade seal (which ensures that those growing your beverage have safe working conditions and competitive wages). Both coffee and tea can also carry the organic seal (so you know that your drink wasn't grown with the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers).
But cultivation practices for both coffee and tea aren't entirely good for the environment. Many environmentalists argue that today's coffee growing technique (sun cultivation, in which coffee beans are grown in full sunlight rather than shaded areas) contribute to deforestation and require the use of more pesticides. Clear-cut coffee plantations also destroy many natural habitats. Tea, on the other hand, can contribute to land degradation and surface water pollution (when harsh pesticides are used).
In the end, coffee and tea are pretty evenly matched. But despite cultivation drawbacks, coffee and tea offer a variety of health benefits. Coffee lowers the risk of diabetes and protects against Parkinson's syndrome. Tea can lower blood pressure, and prevent kidney stones and Alzheimer's disease.
The choice is really just a matter of taste. So...which do you prefer, coffee or tea?
Sources:
"Coffee. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffee
"Coffee vs. Tea. http://www.thatsfit.com/2007/03/22/coffee-vs-tea-which-one-are-you-drinking/
Mozilla Goes Organic Like Only a Browser Can
Green Daily Giveaway: Alt Fiber Knitting Projects
Poop Green: Top Everest Climber Promotes the Backpacking Toilet
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-10-2007 @ 4:29PM
T-the-pharmacist said...
Whoa, lets not get carried away. "Coffee lowers the risk of diabetes and protects against Parkinson's syndrome", and tea can prevent alzheimers syndrome. We don't even know what causes Parkinsons/Alzheimers syndrome's yet alone what prevents them. I have no doubt they carry some antioxidants (which people seem to believe are the answer to everything), and a good amount of caffeine, but drawing conclusions like that from general correlations can be inaccurate.
ex
-In the 70's there was large increase in birthrates in England.
-Also during that time there was a large increase in the stork populations in England
-Hence the extra storks brought the extra babies
It's the only reasonable conclusion since both numbers correlate so well
Reply
1-18-2008 @ 3:17PM
J said...
buying shade-grown coffee is a good choice, too.
Reply