If you, like thousands of other people worldwide, love to start your day by sipping on a freshly made cup of coffee, you might as well invest in the highest quality bean you can find. While regular coffee beans will always have their time to shine and a place in our hearts, you haven’t lived until you’ve tried organic coffee. The next time you need to fill your empty containers at your at-home caffeination station, consider organic options. But, before you buy the first bag of organic coffee beans you see, take a second to learn about just what makes them so unique. From health benefits to taste differences and so much more, take it from us: organic coffee is worth exploring. What is Organic Coffee? Organic coffee is made up of beans grown and processed without the use of chemicals or synthetic fertilizers and with environmentally safe practices. The goal of farming organically is to provide customers with a natural bag of beans made without the use of artificial substances. These farms opt for natural fertilizers, such as cattle manure or coffee pulp, choose to have weeds removed by hand, a natural gas flame, or grazing animals, and stay away from GMOs. The Main Types of Organic Coffee Bean Certifications When you shop for organic coffee, you’ll quickly notice just how many certifications there are. While you’re always allowed (and encouraged) to do your own research to find one that aligns with your values, this quick breakdown of the most common labels will help guide your purchase: USDA Certified Organic: these beans are officially approved under USDA guidelines and stamped with a “100% Organic” label Certified Fair Trade: beans that have been produced according to rigorous fair trade standards mean the company focused on the livelihoods of small family farmers, including safe working conditions, no child labor, equal pay, and transparent supply chains. Smithsonian Bird Friendly: as the only official “shade-grown” certification, these bird-friendly coffee beans are 100% organic, focusing on preserving bird habitats at each farm. Rainforest Alliance Certified: each bag of beans must be produced while respecting the social, economic, and environmental elements of sustainability in their region. Why Do People Buy Organic Coffee Beans? If you shop sustainably and try to buy ethical products for the rest of your day-to-day life, organic coffee beans are the right choice for you. Knowing that each coffee cherry was plucked, dried, and roasted using safe and eco-friendly tactics gives you that peace of mind with every cup. From certified organic beans that support the conservation of natural wildlife to bags of small-farm grown beans, you can always find a type of organic coffee beans that aligns with your values. People also prefer organic coffee beans because they can be easily traced back to the source. Some lower-quality coffees or blends can be made of beans from anywhere, but with organic roasts, you know each bag came from trustworthy farms. You can even look up the farming practices of your exact bean and learn more! The Main Difference Between Organic and Regular Coffee The main thing that sets regular and organic coffee beans apart is their farming process. All organic beans are certified free of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and any other harmful chemicals that can be added during production, while regular coffee beans are often exposed to and grown using synthetics. This can set them apart in price, taste, and quality. How is Organic Coffee Grown? When compared to a regular coffee bean, the farming process is significantly different, from where they can cultivate the beans to the time it takes from start to finish. All organic coffee is shade-grown, with most farms using the native trees already in place to promote eco-friendly biodiversity. Since organic coffee beans are grown without synthetic fertilizers, it takes a longer amount of time for the growth to happen. But when it’s done, it’s always oh-so-worth the wait! Organic coffee farmers also use a sustainable crop rotation plan to protect the land they grow on. This simple addition to the traditional methods helps prevent erosion, naturally controls pests, and prevents the nutrients present in the soil from depleting. Step-by-Step Look at Growing Organic Coffee Beans While each farm may differentiate slightly in its approach, the majority of officially certified organic coffee beans are produced following these steps: Step 1 - Planting: the coffee trees are planted in nutrient-rich soil and natural compost under a canopy of trees for shade and sun protection. Chemicals are prohibited in this initial step. Step 2 - Harvesting: organic coffee cherries are hand-picked from each plant in an attempt to leave as little waste as possible. Depending on the farm, ripe cherries are then strip-picked, where all the cherries are taken off at a branch in one go or selectively picked, where only perfectly ripe cherries are removed. Step 3 - Processing: while regular coffee production uses chemicals to process the cherries faster, organic coffee beans must be processed in natural ways. This can vary from farm to farm, but washed, dry, and honey processes are all options. Each crop is then laid out to dry, most likely in the sun. Step 4 - Exporting: before it is exported, each bag of organic beans must be certified and appropriately labeled before shipping. Step 5 - Roasting: each batch of organic coffee beans is then roasted in whatever manner the company that bought it feels appropriate. This can vary from light to dark to medium roasts. 5 Reasons You Should Switch to Drinking Organic Coffee Whether you’re looking for a more earth-conscious way to get caffeinated in the morning or wondering about the potential health benefits of a bean, organic coffee has you covered. Since the plants themselves are healthy, it makes sense why organic coffee beans would be healthier, too! There are many reasons to make the switch to organic, including: 1. Organic Coffee Beans Can Affect Your Physical Health Did you know that the coffee you drink affects more than your energy levels? When you pick which coffee you’d like to drink, whether it be espresso or pour-over brewing, you’re making an important decision about your overall physical health. Studies show that organic coffee beans, when compared to regular roasts, can help prevent certain types of cancer, type 2 diabetes, and even early onset dementia and Alzheimer’s! Each bag of organic coffee beans is packed full of natural antioxidants, vitamins, and rich minerals, rather than being full of potentially harmful chemicals, like the average commercial blend. Avoiding those unnecessary synthetics is an investment in the future of your body and health, whether you prefer dark roast pods or fresh-ground medium roasts. 2. Organic Coffee Can Help Mental Health Organic coffee beans are thought to positively affect the brain for both short-term and long-term mental health issues. Everyone deserves to enjoy caffeinated beverages without the risk of a panic attack, and thanks to the chemical-free process, organic coffee beans are proven to offer a less stress-inducing experience, making it the perfect choice for those with preexisting anxiety issues. Of course, organic coffee beans still contain caffeine, so drinks should be enjoyed with caution. Coffee is also proven to release dopamine, a hormone responsible for our mood regulation and happiness, into our brains. When used in moderation, organic coffee beans can help aid depression by increasing alertness and elevating your overall vibe. When you choose organic coffee with this idea in mind, you can rest assured knowing that every cup is filled with only the most necessary nutrients rather than chemicals that could worsen depression. 3. Organic Coffee Beans Can Taste Better While all of the coffee varietals we offer are proven to taste delicious, many people swear that organic coffee beans are more naturally flavorful and offer the best taste profiles. While specific top notes depend on the exact varietal of the bean as well as the country they’re harvested in, they are known overall for cleaner, purer, and more nuanced layers. It doesn’t matter if you prefer your French press brew strong and black or love to add milk and sugar—organic coffee beans are the perfect choice. This “better” taste is all thanks to the ultra-specific growing conditions and qualifications needed. Organic coffee beans are primarily grown in the shade, a practice that often results in both a less acidic and less bitter coffee fruit. This, along with using a rotating crop and slow process, produces unbeatably distinct coffee flavor profiles with every sip. 4. Organic Coffee is Better for the Environment Farming organic coffee beans is an act of sustainability! In a world where consumerism and capitalism are taking our earth for granted, eco-friendly choices are a game changer. The normal pesticides and fertilizers used to produce regular coffee can be harmful to the air, water, and soil in the region. Beans grown with natural methods, such as an organic Ethiopian Limmu, using manure instead of chemicals and eco-friendly processing methods, are gentler on the environment overall. Organic Coffee Beans and Sustainability: Reduce chemical pollution Protect surrounding water sources Reduce soil erosion Support region biodiversity Conserve precious resources Reduce overall carbon footprint Grounds can be used as compost after 5. Organic Coffee Farms Treat Their Workers Better While each certification has its own rules and regulations on worker conditions, it’s a known fact that organic coffee bean farmers are treated much better than the alternative. Investing in the products, like our organic Mexico Soconusco beans, from this people-first approach method of cultivation can change the livelihoods of workers around the globe. Frequently Asked Questions about Organic Coffee Beans With so many benefits to reap from organic beans, it’s time to choose a bag of coffee for yourself! Have all your questions answered with our expertise, judgment-free: Are All Single-Origin Beans Organic? The short answer? No. Single origin refers to coffee beans that come from a single location, whether that be a farm, region, or direct trade. These can be grown organically if they follow the proper regulations, but they aren’t all organic. If you’re looking to find a very flavorful single origin, take a closer look at any and all labels before bringing it home with you. Can a Flavored Coffee Be Organic? Flavored coffee can be organic as long as the beans roasted with the selected oils originate from a certified farm. There is nothing that will take the official organic stamp away once they are exported, as the flavoring step of roasting doesn’t occur at the farm but at the roastery where the beans end up; if you’re looking for an all-organic flavored coffee, inquire further at your local roastery about the ingredients used in their oils. Are Organic Coffee Beans Easier on the Stomach? Organic coffee beans are often reported as being easier on the stomach than a regular roast, as the slow ripening process encourages a lower acidity and pH level. This, plus the lack of harmful pesticides and artificial ingredients, results in a bean that is less likely to negatively affect your digestive system. If you suffer from a delicate stomach, consider switching to something like our organic Peru Atahualpa beans ASAP! Can You Decaffeinate Organic Coffee Beans without Chemicals? Lovers of decaf, no need to fret! You can still buy organic coffee beans without that jolt of energy that comes with a caffeinated bean. Organic coffee beans can be decaffeinated using a few trusted chemical-free methods, but the best one is the Swiss Water Process. When shopping for decaffeinated organic beans, make sure to ask about the way they were decaffeinated, as some companies do use chemicals, which kind of defeats the purpose here! How Long Do Organic Coffee Beans Last? When people hear organic, they often think of organic veggies and fruits that seem to expire faster than you can eat them! This is not the case with organic coffee beans. In fact, unopened bags of organic beans can stay fresh for months out from the roast date. But, once they are ground, it’s best to consume them within a few weeks, as they can begin to lose their powerful aroma and taste. If you’re searching for a quality cup of coffee that you can feel good drinking, it’s time to make the switch to organic coffee beans. Luckily, whether you’re looking for quality organic espresso pods or a light roast to use in your cold brew brewing system, we have plenty of options waiting for you.
