Used coffee grounds

Used coffee grounds in boxes.
Composting worms moving about in used coffee grounds.

Used coffee grounds are the waste product from brewing coffee. In the late 19th century, used coffee grounds were used to adulterate pure coffee.[1] In gardens, coffee grounds may be used for composting or as a mulch[2] as they are known to slowly release nitrogen into the soil. The coffee grounds are rich in potassium, magnesium and phosphorus. They are especially appreciated by worms and acid-loving plants such as blueberries.[3] Gardeners have reported the use of used coffee grounds as a slug and snail repellent,[2][4] but this has not yet been scientifically tested. Some commercial coffee shops run initiatives to prevent the grounds from going to waste, including Starbucks' "Grounds for your Garden" project,[5] and community sponsored initiatives exist, such as "Ground to Ground".[6]

Used coffee grounds have other homemade uses in wood staining, air fresheners, and body soap scrubs.[2] They may also be used industrially in biogas production or to treat wastewater.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Pendergrast, Mark "Uncommon grounds : the history of coffee and how it transformed our world" 2010 Basic Books. ISBN 978-0-465-02404-9
  2. 1 2 3 "Don't Throw Out Your Leftover Coffee Grounds!". Huffington Post. 4 August 2014. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  3. ↑ Martin, Deborah L; Gershuny, Grace, eds. (1992). "Coffee wastes". The Rodale book of composting. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press. p. 86. ISBN 978-0-87857-991-4. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
  4. ↑ "NORTH COAST GARDENING: Winter vegetable growing". Eureka Times-Standard. 24 December 2014. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  5. ↑ "Coffee for Your Plants? Starbucks Offers Free Coffee Grounds for Gardeners". Starbucks.com. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
  6. ↑ "About Us | Coffee Grounds to Ground". Groundtoground.org. Retrieved October 26, 2011.
  7. ↑ Chalker-Scott, Ph.D, Linda (2009). "Coffee grounds— will they perk up plants?" (PDF). Master Gardener. Puyallup Research and Extension Center, Washington State University. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
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