WHAT IS ORGANIC COFFEE?

Introduction to Coffee

Were you aware that coffee is the second most popular beverage in the world after water? And coincidentally, it is the second top-selling product in the world after oil. There are no two ways about it — coffee makes the world spin. Whether you drink it to charge yourself up after a long and deep slumber or down a mug before rushing off to work, it's a key ingredient to living your best and most active life.   

What does 'organic coffee' mean?

In pure lay terms, the best organic coffee is made and produced without synthetic fertilizers or chemical-based pesticides. As a rule, the best organic coffee comes from plantations where all fertilizers used during cultivation are 100% from natural or organic sources. It can be chicken manure, coffee pulp, or even general compost. 

 Where fertilizers like potash, phosphates, or synthetic nitrogen are used, the resulting coffee cannot be termed "Organic Coffee."

 And then there's also the time element. Usually, any organic farming requires at least three years of cultivation using only natural fertilizers and pesticides so that no chemicals come into contact with the coffee plants. Additionally, you must implement a sustainable crop rotation plan to prevent erosion and depletion of soil nutrients and control pests using natural methods.

 And finally, the coffee that comes from the plantation must also have been processed and packed without using any chemicals/artificial agents.

Where does organic coffee originate from?

As per statistics provided by the Center for Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education in Costa Rica (CATIE), nearly 75% of the world's organic coffee comes from Latin America. Till the last decade, Peru was the world's largest exporter of organic coffee. Honduras, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, and Guatemala are significant producers. Many Asian and African countries, like Indonesia and Ethiopia, produce organic coffee.

Is organic coffee healthier? 

As we know now, as non-organic/conventional coffee is treated with many chemicals and toxic ingredients, it's safe to say that organic instant coffee is the healthier option for you. Due to the simple fact that it's not treated with chemical-based pesticides, fungicides or phosphates, Organic Coffee is generally considered higher in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. And, since you're not drinking coffee exposed to these toxins, you are automatically reducing your likelihood of ingesting dangerous chemicals that could harm your health in the long run.

There are a few reasons why Organic Coffee is considered the healthier option, as opposed to conventional coffee:

• Organic Coffee is grown without using pesticides and other toxic chemicals - Statistics show that almost 97% of coffee beans are conventional or non-organic and are treated extensively with pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other harmful and often toxic chemicals. And for obvious reasons, these chemicals then make it into your morning brew.

• As Cultivating Organic Coffee is safer for coffee planters - As you must have known by now, growing organic coffee is not only healthier for personal consumption and more sustainable for the environment, it's way safer for coffee growers! A small survey of coffee farmers in Eastern Jamaica found that many suffered from multiple adverse health side effects linked to pesticide handling. When coffee is grown organically, daily contact with toxic chemicals is automatically eliminated for the coffee growers, creating a healthier and happier work environment.

• It promotes better soil & water quality - It has now been proven beyond reasonable doubt that organic farming results in better and safer coffee for human consumption. Not only that, but it's also substantially more beneficial for the environment in which the coffee is grown. Without toxic chemicals, farmers need to use much more sustainable and environment-friendly practices for growing coffee, which has been proven to increase nutrients in the soil significantly.

Is organic coffee necessary?

If you're a coffee addict (as 80% of the world is), it's always better to have natural and non-toxic organic coffee than conventional coffee. These are the factors working in favor of organic coffee:

1. It is Chemical Free - As mentioned above, coffee is amongst the most intensely chemically treated plants produced, meaning that conventional or non-organic coffee is literally and figuratively soaked in farm chemicals. Traditional plants grown using these methods transfer the substances in the body and deposit them in body fats. Various studies have already flagged these pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides to cause cancer and irreversible damage to the reproductive and nervous systems.
2. It has significant health benefits - 100% Organic decaf coffee contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants needed by the body for several health benefits, like protection from damaged cells and boosting the body's immune system. Strong Organic Coffee contains pure organic caffeine, acting as an instant energy booster and enhancing optimal brain function.
3. Sustainability - Coffee plants grow profusely in the shade, benefiting the ecosystem. They are instrumental in conserving wildlife, birds, and vegetation and preventing soil erosion and diseases. And unlike conventional coffee, organic coffee does not need any deforestation, thus enriching the ecosystem.
4. Taste Factor - It is said that delicious coffee directly results from the soil it's grown in. So, planting organic coffee seeds in soil rich in natural and chemical-free components ensures that you taste the purest coffee. 
5. Benefits for the coffee planter - Most often, the growers and farmers who produce certified organic coffee are "Fair Trade" compliant, which guarantees a higher pay rate to employees.

Summing Up on Organic Coffee

No matter how you love your coffee – whether brewing a pot at home or savoring it sip-by-sip at the local coffee joint, always make sure you're drinking good and natural stuff. We say this because every time you buy products with organic labels, you automatically become part of a global movement devoted to upgrading the standards of living for farmers in third-world countries. 

Get your pack of fantastic-tasting coffee from Alcoeats now.