Why You Should Be Drinking Organic Coffee
One trend in recent years has been the increasing demand for 100% organic products of all kinds, including coffee. There are now many brands selling coffee labeled certified organic, but what do these words actually mean, and what are the benefits of drinking organic coffee?
How Is Non-Organic Coffee Grown?
Coffee that is not grown organically is one of the most chemically processed products in the world. Demand for coffee led to the development of farming methods to maximize production. An enormous quantity of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and insecticides are commonly used. This has caused significant problems for the environment and indigenous farmers.
How Is Organic Coffee Grown?
Organic coffee is cultivated without the use of synthetic chemicals. Different countries have different standards for what is accepted as organic. However, US regulations stipulate that for coffee to be labeled as “organic,” at least 95% of the beans must be grown under organic conditions.
Is Drinking Organic Coffee Healthier?
Coffee has many ingredients that help promote good health, including:
Vitamins and minerals that boost the immune system.
Antioxidants which lower the risk of certain types of cancer.
Coffee is made up of good things that can improve brain function and lower the risk of diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Type 2 Diabetes.
You gain these health benefits no matter which type of coffee you are drinking.
Does Organic Coffee Taste Better?
Organic coffee typically comes from smaller coffee plants planted under the shade of larger trees. This means that the coffee cherries ripen more slowly than if they were out in the hot sun. This may intensify the coffee flavors and result in a better-tasting brew. However, a lot of other factors affect coffee’s final taste, including processing methods and roasting. The average person won’t notice any appreciable difference in taste when drinking organic or non-organic coffee.
Does Organic Coffee Contain Fewer Chemicals?
Many people are concerned about pesticide residues remaining on food products. However, any chemicals used to grow coffee are unlikely to make it into the actual coffee bean. The coffee bean is enclosed in a thick coffee cherry pulp and is then roasted using extremely high temperatures. This means that if there are any chemical residues on the bean, they are likely to be burned off.
So, Here’s the Question:
If more expensive organic coffee doesn’t taste any better or isn’t any healthier than conventional coffee, why should you buy it?
The main benefits of growing organic coffee are that it is far better for the environment and the farmers and workers involved.
Environmental Benefits of Organic Coffee
Organic coffee is generally cultivated using a shade-grown method to provide natural pest protection. This results in the maintenance of natural environments. In comparison, conventional coffee is usually grown in direct sunlight, resulting in forests being cut down, trees and plants destroyed, and animals and insects losing their habitats.
Benefits of Growing Organic Coffee for Coffee Farmers
In many countries that grow coffee, highly toxic chemical products that have been restricted or banned in the US are still in use. Workers dispersing these toxins often have no training and inadequate protective gear. This means they are directly exposed to these harmful chemicals, which, among other things, can cause cancers and infertility. This can be devastating to the local farming community.
Purchase Your Fair Trade Certified, Organic Coffee From Operant Coffee
Every one of our tasty coffee blends contains only beans that are grown organically. Plus, we only use roasters committed to sustainable behavioral business practices by composting, recycling, and limiting waste. This ensures that you will be drinking organic coffee that is not only of high quality but also environmentally friendly.
Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
nothing is going to get better. It’s not. - Dr. Seuss