When you wake up and head to the kettle on a morning, coffee will be on many people’s minds; that smooth wake-up call is ready to be drunk alongside a scrumptious breakfast before you head off to work...perfect. But have you actually considered how eco-friendly the brands you love actually are? When you hit the shops next or your local coffee shop for the next cup of caffeine goodness, have a think about the below points:

Is it labelled 'Fair Trade'? - Not all coffee brands will have this label, but in general this is quite a good indication that the coffee company you're buying from are thinking about how their coffee impacts the planet. Fairtrade coffee combines economic, social and environmental standards. It is the most widely known and trusted certification that is changing the lives of coffee farmers, putting as much money into the pockets of the people that grow it, as the pockets of the people who buy and export it.

Is it organic, or not? - It is a well-known fact that organic plants are much better for our planet. How you thought about choosing organic when you head for the coffee though? Non organic coffee beans are treated with chemical pesticides. Unlike vegetables and fruit where you could try and wash some of them off, you can't do this with coffee beans after they've already been added to your jar or cup. Choosing organic is much better for you, and much better for the people who grow it, since they are not exposed to pesticides.

Ask the brewers - If you really want to be conscious about your coffee's origins when you're out and about for coffee, don't hesitate to ask the person behind the counter where their coffee comes from and how the beans are sourced. If they can tell you straight away in good detail, you know they care about the planet, making your coffee that little bit nicer and worth it.

Has it been shade grown? - A fact not many people might be familiar with, in some parts of the world where coffee is produced, large parts of the forest are cut down in order to grow coffee (also known as 'black gold'). This has terrible implications for the eco-system, and all of the wildlife living there. The more eco-friendly alternative is where the coffee plants are grown underneath the canopy of the forest, known as 'shade-grown'. Wildlife habitats are preserved, as well as soil and water.

The next time you head to the kettle or to the front of the line in your favourite coffee shop hangout, consider where the coffee you love originates from!