Student Article
Is Coffee in Danger of Disappearing?
Climate (noun): The usual weather in a place over a long time.
Disease (noun): Something that makes plants or animals sick.
Coffee might be in trouble — and it starts with the plants that make it!
Where coffee comes from
Did you know that the coffee we drink comes from special plants? There are over 100 kinds of wild coffee plants growing in nature. But many of these wild plants are in danger. A group of scientists at Kew Gardens studied these plants and found that more than half of them could disappear forever. This is mostly because of things like forests being cut down, climate change, and bugs or plant sickness.
Why wild coffee plants matter
Most coffee we drink comes from just two types of plants: arabica and robusta. But farmers still need the wild ones. Why? Because wild coffee plants can help make stronger coffee plants that don’t get sick easily and can grow in different weather. Without wild plants, farmers might not be able to stop new bugs or diseases from ruining coffee crops.
Why it’s so hard to save them
Another problem is that we can’t freeze the seeds of wild coffee like we do with other plants. So, scientists must find better ways to save them before they are gone.
Protecting everyone's morning brew
This new research helps us understand why it’s important to take care of nature.
© Luis Villazon / Our Media
Climate (noun): The usual weather in a place over a long time.
Disease (noun): Something that makes plants or animals sick.