Organic Coffees taste great, and potentially are more healthy for you than regular, non-organic coffees. To buy right now, click here.
Organic coffees are farmed using organic techniques. That means that fertilizer is organic; it is usually made from organic compost, cattle and chicken remains, and coffee grounds. You cannot use artificial fertilizers like nitrogen or phosphate-based. The USDA sets standards for an organic certification but USDA standards are only about how it is grown; not how good it tastes. There is also a “Three Year Rule” which states that no chemicals are used within 3 years prior to harvest. There there may be chemical residues, when following USDA rules. For a true, pure organic product you would never use chemicals but it is hard to know if a farmer has or has not. The biggest obstacle for the small farmer, who tries to grow organic coffees (besides price pressures), is finding organic fertilizer.
Peru, Mexico, and Ethiopia specialize in organic coffees. They cost more to grow and thus they cost more in the marketplace; but due to price pressures, some farmers give up on organic farming. Organic farmers not only avoid chemicals, but their organic fields must not be too close to non-organic fields; and they need to do crop rotation to keep the soil environment healthy. Organic farming also makes for stronger plants, that have evolved to naturally battle disease. In countries with a lot of jungles, farmers have learned how to grow coffee amongst the trees; this is called Shade Grown coffee.
If you make a point to purchase organic coffees, you are helping the environment, helping farmers, and enjoying a healthier beverage.
Organic Coffees taste great, and potentially are more healthy for you than regular, non-organic coffees. To buy organic coffees, click here.
