Coffee is one of the most widely cultivated plants in the world. With the rise of organic food trends, coffee is one of the many commodities that has a naturally-made and eco-friendly produced counterpart.
Even among coffee aficionados, organic coffee has been taken notice in recent times.
With the rise of global warming on the rise and the promotion of sustainability, there’s plenty of good reason to switch out to organic coffee.
By buying organic coffee beans, one can not only satisfy one’s self to a good fix but also help others through buying these beans.
Regular And Organic Coffee – What’s The Difference?
Coffee growth is only limited to certain places in the world. Optimal growing conditions lie mostly in tropical areas, collectively known as the coffee belt, which is located in the equatorial regions.
These areas, which have cool to warm climates, fertile soil, and few pests, make them perfect for growing coffee. Arabica coffee is reputedly grown in mountainous and hilly areas, while Robusta coffee can do well in sea-level areas and up to elevations of 800 feet.
The growing conditions and the types of soil affect the flavor and caffeine content of beans.
Temperatures also affect coffee production. For example, Arabica coffee grows at temperatures of around 64°–70°F (18°C–21°C), though it can tolerate up to 73°F.
With the demand for coffee increasing coupled with global warming foreseeing the loss of many valuable coffee patches, there’s bound to be some shortcuts in coffee production.
One key difference between organic coffee and regular coffee is that regular coffee plants are hybridized species created to sustain against harsh weather conditions and produce quick yields per crop. Coffee plants thrive in shady areas, but a crop grown in the dense forest is difficult to cultivate.
Forests are often cleared out to make room for coffee plants. During the rainy season, the lack of forest cover causes water runoff from the fields to potentially harbor toxic chemicals and pesticides applied on coffee plants, potentially ruining the water supply.
Organic coffee is grown the natural way. It uses natural fertilizers, such as manure, compost, and coffee pulp leftover from production and grown in areas within the forest range.
This method restores the natural fertility of the soil and provides a home for many of the wild plants and animals that live there. Forested farms growing organic coffee are well adept with resources to respond to the area’s weather patterns – a safe investment for coffee farmers.
Organic coffee is also certified by organizations and agencies, such as the USDA, to ensure the purity of the beans.
Are Organic Coffee Beans Better?
There are plenty of reasons why organic coffee beans are considered to be superior Because it is grown through sustainable means and is chemical-free, it is considered to be healthier than other types of coffee.
Many drinkers report that organic coffee tastes different than regular coffee. Most coffee companies are not willing to disclose what kind of chemicals that get into their product.
Organic coffee includes natural compounds effective in combating stress, fatigue, and improves mood, boosts metabolism, and strengthens the nervous system.
It is full of healthful antioxidants and does not carry the chemical risks of regular coffee that may affect the body. It includes choline, trigonelline, and chlorogenic acids.
Choline is a nutrient useful in most metabolic processes. Chlorogenic acids fight cardiovascular disease. Trigonelline has been proven to deter Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease.
Perhaps one of the biggest reasons why organic coffee is beloved by many who embrace it is because of its environmental sustainability. Organic coffee is typically grown in small-scale operations.
It emits less carbon dioxide than regular coffee plants. The types of fertilizers used often dictate whether the beans can be certified as organic or not.
Many organic coffee farmers limit their use of chemicals and pesticides and would often limit their quotas to meet environmental standards.
This may roughly translate to an increased price tag, but when ground and brewed, you can taste the difference.
Which Coffee Bean Is Healthier?
There are plenty of coffee bean varieties to choose from. They are made specially by breweries and coffee shops that come sold in ground form or bean form. Others may include a wide variety of flavors and concoctions as well as caffeine strength levels.
Arabica coffee beans account for 60% of the world’s total coffee bean production and are often prized for their flavor than Robusta.
Most suggest that Arabica coffee beans are better in quality than Robusta, but you can also try several other variants to see which suits your preferences.
Roasting levels can affect the nutritional benefits of coffee beans. In a study by Ciaramelli, Pialmoli, and Airoldi from the University of Milan, they found out that Arabica beans had a more proportional balance of healthy compounds than Robusta when roasted.
Another study by Dykowska et al. published in the Polish Journal: Annals of the National Institute of Hygiene discovered that antioxidants activities increased with every roasting despite the loss of natural antioxidants. They also suggested that light to medium roast beans have more nutritional value than dark roasted ones.
Extraction methods also account for the nutritional benefits one can get from a cup of coffee. A 2020 study by Janda, K. et al. suggest that brewing methods influence the coffee’s mineral content and antioxidant activities.
They found high levels of anti-oxidants in Aeropress Filter coffees with the lowest in made in French Presses. Many nutrients such as magnesium, manganese, chromium, cobalt, and potassium were retained.
How To Choose The Best Organic Beans
Being pricier than most coffee beans on the market, there’s plenty of good reason why choosing the best organic coffee beans requires a lot of research.
This is especially important when you’re buying high-quality organic coffee beans that is your money’s worth. Here are some of the ways one can make better decisions in choosing the best organic coffee.
Ensure that the coffee is USDA certified.
The “Certified Organic” is one label you should find on your coffee beans or grounds. The USDA’s National Organic Program sets standards to what coffee producers must do to certify as organic.
Requirements for the seal involve farmers paying for a certification yearly. This ranges from $700 to $3000 yearly.
The soil must be tested to be chemical-free for at least three years. This includes most commercial pesticides and fertilizers. Farmers must also demonstrate crop rotation methods that do not lead to soil erosion.
The beans must not be genetically engineered. Companies are expected to go through thorough inspections to ensure that guidelines are met. This involves every stage of coffee production, from seed to harvesting, roasting, and packaging.
Roasters can sell organic coffee only when organic coffee is manufactured, roasted, and packaged separately from other kinds of coffee, so to prevent contamination.
This requires roasters to own separate equipment to handle the beans or have organic coffee only sold on their portfolio.
Even when farmers have made USDA-certified organic coffee, they might lose the label when a roaster uses the same equipment to roast, grind, or package coffee.
Thus, it’s quite difficult to purchase coffee that is 100% organic from the seed to the supply chain, to the roasters and distributors. This may explain why organic coffee is slightly higher than your normal cup of joe.
But expect that the quality is higher and is tended with care as most farmers limit the production of organic coffee due to these restrictions.
Look out for other labels and be mindful of “fair trade” labeled coffee.
“Rainforest Alliance Certified” and “Bird-Friendly Certified” are also good indicators of legitimate organic coffee.
This means native wildlife was not harmed in the production of coffee beans in the forest.
These seals mean that farmers practice sustainability in their production. “Fair Trade” labels mean that the coffee was outsourced from local farmers and cooperatives.
This means that according to the organization that awards the label Fair Trade international, the coffee was bought at prices enough to cover production costs and paid to small-scale farmers.
“Fair Trade Certified” means that the coffee was bought from large-scale plantations where farmers follow certain standards in the minimum wage and employment security over its workers.
Know your preferences and caffeine level tolerance
There plenty of ways one can manipulate the flavors of a good brew. One must have knowledge of the beans’ origins and what are the differences between various beans.
Arabica coffee is known to have a smooth, slightly acidic taste. Robusta coffee is known to be dark and bitter.
Colombian grown coffee is reputed to have sweet, mellow undertones. Caffeine levels and flavor can be determined by different levels of roasting.
A darker roast is said to have a more pronounced body and deep flavor, while light roasts have crisp acidity levels and a lighter body. Roasting methods, grind types, and extraction tools can also affect the quality of coffee.
Contact your local barista and look out for other things listed on the label.
If still in doubt, your barista is probably your best bet. Ask your barista what kind of coffee is best for your tastes, your wallet, and your caffeine tolerance. Your barista can probably make one especially for you.
You must also refrain from buying coffee that claims to be 100% Arabica or 100% coffee.
This tactic is most likely to attract buyers and may not be the real thing. These companies are most likely not to show the quality of the beans. Also, check the roast date on the packaging to ensure that the coffee remains fresh when you brew it.
Support your local farmers
If the price deters you from buying organic coffee online, you can head out and go to the source itself.
If you live within the coffee-growing regions of the world, you may be able to snag a bag of beans straight from a local distributor or the farmers themselves.
This means that coffee is roasted and packaged in front of you, and you can secure a fair deal with the beans from the farmers. Beans that are locally made tend to be cheaper, unlike those imported from abroad.
Organic Coffee Product Reviews
Here are five of the best organic coffee beans you can buy on the market or online!
1. DEATH WISH COFFEE CO.
This coffee brand is purported to be “the strongest coffee in the world.” It’s USDA-certified organic with beans coming from India and Peru.
The New York-based coffee company claims to have their beans caffeine-packed through a thorough, intensive selection and roasting process. It’s made in small 65-pound batches overseen by a master roaster.
The recommended water-to-ground ratio is two and a half tablespoons for every six ounces to ensure a sweet spot in caffeine content and taste. You can also finely grind the beans to extract more caffeine.
Death wish is the best organic ground coffee, and the purest coffee on the market today.
Pros
- True to its promise, Death Wish’s caffeine content is not for the faint-hearted (Literally!).
- Highly effective, the taste is more robust than most dark roasts.
- This is a recommended fix for those needing plenty of energy, like college students.
- One cup contains a potent 600+ mg of caffeine, compared to 100-200 found in most plain black coffees.
Cons
- This coffee is best suited to those who can tolerate high caffeine levels. The FDA suggests a safe amount of 400 mg of caffeine.
- Coffee aficionados must take precautions to ensure that the product works well in their system.
2. Lifeboost Organic Coffee Beans
Life-boost may be pricey, but its gourmet quality has a wide variety of bean selections and roast levels.
Its organic, shade-grown, and single-sourced from farmers practicing sustainability measures.
The beans are sourced from Nicaragua and are grown pesticide-free. It 100% organic and guaranteed fair trade.
This is best tasting organic coffee, and the best gourmet coffee on the market!
Pros
- The coffee is highly flavorful as its price.
- It’s low acid and comes in wide varieties, including decaf.
- Each batch is tested for mycotoxins, toxic compounds coming from fungi.
- It’s perfect for cold brews, and it’s not too oily when ground and brewed.
Cons
- The only issue with this coffee is its price, but a high price sometimes is a good indicator that the beans have undergone many steps and measures that make it reasonable for its price.
3. Java Planet Organic Coffee
The family-owned coffee company since 2009 has been outsourcing its beans from Colombia, Guatemala, and Sumatra; the first two are certified to be Bird-friendly and fair trade certified.
The three beans of different origins are packaged separately. The Colombia organic is low acid coffee and is reputed to have a fuller body.
This is the healthiest organic coffee, and the overall best organic coffee in the world.
Pros
- Low acidity is attributed to its organic growing processes.
- It’s full favored that is gentle on the taste buds or the stomach.
- The aroma is a bit nutty, aside from the roasted smells.
- It’s worth a try and truly smells like exotic coffee.
Cons
- The beans may be over-roasted to some and must be ground finely to decrease the bitter taste.
- The coffee might be mildly acidic to others.
4. The Bean Coffee Company Organic Mocha Java
The Bean Coffee Company is USDA and CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) certified.
It’s a mix of Arabian Mocha and Indonesian Java, also known as History’s First Coffee Blend. It uses raw beans and processes them through innovative means.
Pros
- The medium roast has a fuller body.
- It’s complex and rich and has a nice balance of acidity and body in every cup.
- The beans are to be stored in airtight containers so as not to spoil and compromise freshness.
- It’s sweet with a hint of chocolate in every sip.
Cons
- The size of the beans may not make them easier to store.
- It’s slightly bitter and may take a bit of experimentation to get the proportions right to suit one’s palette.
5. CAFE DON PABLO SUBTLE EARTH ORGANIC GOURMET COFFEE
The beans are grown in dark, nutrient-rich soil. This means the beans have deeper flavors.
Its harvested from the high peaks of Honduras, where conditions are favorable for producing sophisticated beans. Artisan coffee growers use a compost called Cascara, from the fruit of the bean combined with vermiculture techniques to produce.
Pros
- The coffee may have taste traces of honey, and its bitterness is bound to keep you up in the morning.
- It also features a deep, pronounced body with profiles of caramel and cocoa.
- The coffee is also dense.
Cons
- Many long-time customers say that the quality of the beans has changed over time.
- Some beans tend to be pale, and others taste scorched and sour upon brewing.
OVERALL WINNER: LIFEBOOST COFFEE
Conclusion
There’s no secret hack to growing the best organic coffee beans but what remains consistent in every drink is the dedication and mindfulness growers and roasters abide by when crafting such delicate beverages.
Organic coffee can perhaps be a better investment for your health, and this too helps many in need, all while protecting wildlife and keeping coffee drinkers satisfied and energized.
We’d like to thank you for coming down over to see what we think of our coffee brands, and may this guide aid you in finding you a new favorite or add to your palate a new brew to kickstart your day.
