*Since October 2024, 487,472 shade trees have been planted in Peru, Honduras, and India (as of August 2026). For more information, visit www.schattenbaumprojekt.com
1 package = 1 shade tree*
OUR SHADE TREE PROJECT
Planting Target:
over 1.9 million Shade Trees until 2029
over 1.9 million Shade Trees until 2029
PLANTING THE FUTURE TOGETHER.
Climate change and its consequences are unfair. They threaten coffee cultivation worldwide—and with it, the livelihoods of the people who grow coffee.
Here at Café Intención, we’ve always believed that coffee is only good when everyone benefits from it. That’s why we’re taking on this challenge. We’ll do everything we can to ensure fair coffee farming in the long term.
How are we taking action? By working together with local coffee farmers to plant shade trees.
The Three Pillars of the Shadow Tree Project
Adapting Coffee Cultivation to Climate Change
Together with selected coffee cooperatives,
we plant shade trees.
we plant shade trees.
We know our coffee growers
We source the majority of the coffee beans used in our products from the project cooperatives.
Let's take action together
1 package = 1 shade tree* applies to the Honduras and Peru single-origin coffees sold in retail stores, as well as to the Bio Gustoso products sold in the foodservice industry.
Our project is growing: We welcome India!
By 2050, 50% of coffee-growing areas could be lost due to the effects of climate change. To counteract this, we are taking action directly on the ground through our holistic approach.
Since late 2025, the Manarcadu Social Service Society cooperative in Kerala has been planting shade trees on its coffee fields. The effects of climate change are evident in India as well, and we want to provide support there, too. We source the Robusta beans for our espresso specialties from this participating cooperative.
Why Shade
Trees Help
Coffee plants are shade-loving plants
Adequate shade is important for coffee plants. This is because coffee plants are very sensitive to temperature and experience stress when the environment is too hot and dry. This also makes them more susceptible to pests and diseases. Shade trees provide protection from high temperatures and other extreme weather conditions.
Wind, Weather, and Biodiversity
Shade not only lowers temperatures in the coffee field but also improves the microclimate. Furthermore, depending on the species, shade trees protect the plants from wind and the soil from erosion—while also increasing biodiversity.
Additional Income
With some tree species, coffee farmers can harvest fruit and use this additional income to boost their earnings.
Our Nurseries Everything from a single source
Some of our project cooperatives have established their own nurseries to grow their own shade trees. This allows them to decide which species to plant.
Starting School The First 6 Months
Most shade trees spend the first six months of their lives in a nursery, growing vigorously.
To the coffee field Planting During the Rainy Season
The best time to plant seedlings depends on the rainy season. In Honduras, this means planting can take place from May through October; in Peru, from November through May. In Kerala, India, seedlings are planted at the start of the monsoon season, between June and August.
Let's get to work After 3 to 5 years
Some tree species grow faster than others. However, depending on the climate, species, and care they receive, shade trees are ready to provide ample shade after three to five years.