More and more people are consciously paying attention to their consumption. It makes sense, too—it protects the environment and its resources. As a result, more and more consumers are choosing organic products, and organic coffee, of course. But does organic coffee live up to the arguments of environmental friendliness, sustainability, and a clear conscience? Does organic coffee also taste like an environmentally friendly pleasure, and is it also the better way for coffee farmers to grow coffee? We ask ourselves these questions and will answer them in detail. Enjoy reading!
What is organic coffee?
There are strict standards for organic coffee that farmers must follow. In organic farming, this means that it must be grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Organic farming, among other things, does not use certain synthetic plant protection products and fertilizers. The quality of the coffee is maintained and not unnecessarily contaminated by pollutants. The alternative to chemical fertilizers is biological pesticides and herbicides. Farmers also use natural fertilization methods such as compost and green manure.
What are biological pesticides?
These are made from natural materials such as plant extracts, microorganisms, or other biodegradable materials. This is intended to target pests more precisely than chemical pesticides, which often kill beneficial organisms as well.
Types of biological pesticides
There are several categories:
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Microbial pesticides: Specific bacteria, fungi, or viruses are used against specific pests. The bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis is particularly well known; it releases a natural toxin that kills certain insect larvae without harming other plants and animals.
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Botanical pesticides: These are derived from plants that naturally contain toxins to control pests. Neem oil and pyrethrins, which have a broad-spectrum effect against pests, are well known.
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Biochemical pesticides: Pests are controlled through non-toxic mechanisms. For example, pheromone traps use sex hormones to attract pests.
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Plant resistance enhancers: Also known as biostimulants, plant resistance enhancers use natural compounds to strengthen the plant's immune system.
The environmental benefits of organic coffee
Organic coffee farming strengthens biodiversity on farms and protects ecosystems from monocultures. By avoiding chemical substances and promoting the growth of synergistic plants, the cultivation areas, water sources, air, and workforce are less burdened. Wildlife can continue to live on the land, and the soil remains rich in microorganisms.
The health and taste benefits of organic coffee
By avoiding chemical pesticides and fertilizers, organic coffee is richer in antioxidants. Growing it in healthy soil also results in a more intense aroma. Many organic coffee consumers believe that they tolerate it better.
How can I recognize organic coffee?
Organic coffees are marked for the end consumer with an EU organic logo, USDA Organic, or FairTrade certificate. This allows them to be sure that the coffee is grown without synthetic additives and has undergone strict quality controls.
Criticism of the organic coffee market
Unfortunately, as always, there are two sides to the coin, and certified organic coffee is not a panacea. For many coffee farmers, it is simply not possible to become organically certified despite organic farming, respect for nature and its inhabitants. This is because such a seal costs money. For small farmers who bring their harvests to community washing stations and support their families from the proceeds, the transition and certification process would lead to ruin. Here are further reasons why not every coffee farmer receives an organic seal:
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High conversion costs: Investing in new equipment and various organic fertilizers may not be financially possible for small farmers. The changed requirements for farming methods may also be impossible to implement or represent too great a financial burden for small and medium-sized businesses with low margins.
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Time-consuming certification processes: The process can take years. During this time, the farmer must already meet the requirements but cannot market their product as organic coffee and therefore cannot achieve higher prices. The bureaucratic effort is also too much for many to handle (keyword: access to education).
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Reduced yields: The transition and/or conversion of farms often leads to reduced yields. Whether the chemical burden in the soil must first be reduced or the shade management must first take effect. This burden is a death sentence for many farms.
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The fight against diseases and pests: In some regions, certain aggressive diseases such as leaf rust or pests are almost impossible to manage without chemical intervention. This would often result in the loss of an entire harvest, which would plunge the people on the farms into severe financial hardship that would be almost impossible to overcome.
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Market access: Especially in remote areas, farmers often sell to larger farms or directly at the ports for very low prices due to a lack of alternatives. Financially, this means they cannot build up reserves for investments and everything related to the organic coffee seal.
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Lack of knowledge and support: Access to information is particularly lacking on remote coffee farms. The transition requires comprehensive knowledge of organic farming and methods.
As you can see, meeting the requirements for organic coffee is not possible for everyone. Small farmers, in particular, face major economic disadvantages that are completely disproportionate to the potential benefits. The increased prices of raw coffee due to the seal can also deter buyers and send farmers into a spiral of debt.
Is organic coffee always more environmentally friendly?
In our minds, organic always stands for sustainability and resource-efficient methods. In fact, however, biological farming methods can also place a significantly higher burden on the environment. Due to lower efficiency, larger areas often have to be cultivated, which naturally results in a higher environmental impact.
Is organic coffee really strictly controlled?
No, that is simply not possible with the sheer number of certified farmers. Therefore, spot checks are carried out. What happens in the meantime? Nevertheless, trust should still be placed in this!
Organic coffee alternative: Direct Trade
Of course, organic coffee is quickly grabbed from the shelf and makes you feel good. However, in addition to certifications, there are other ways to learn more about the origin and supply chain of a coffee. We have listed for you why organic coffee can be a good choice, but also where there is a clear need for improvement. Direct Trade can enable more direct communication and more information about origin, producers, and the supply chain. However, uniform ecological or social standards are not automatically associated with this.
Direct Trade means that we know the coffee farmers and maintain relationships with them. This allows us to best inform ourselves about the circumstances on the ground and why the coffee is grown in the chosen way, and simply be sure that we receive the best quality for you. It is also a great feeling for us to know the people who grow and process our coffee so wonderfully. For example, our coffee farmer Eric from Rwanda. He founded Community Coffee Rwanda in 2017 and supports small farmers with knowledge and a shared washing station in southern Rwanda. Eric particularly wants to promote children with his project and supports the communities so that access to education is facilitated.
Many specialty coffee roasteries like ours pay attention to this way of sourcing their raw coffee. For this, we are happy to do without seals and certifications. When purchasing, we pay attention to traceable information about origin, producers, and the supply chain. And the coffee simply tastes really good!
Conclusion:
Organic coffee certainly has many advantages and is a real goal for many larger coffee farmers to sustainably convert their processes and thus achieve higher prices for their high-quality coffee. Nevertheless, it does not take into account the many problems that small farms in remote locations have. In the specialty coffee community, we love small farms that practice certified organic farming. The certification is deliberately rejected by many—higher costs for too few benefits. We often find lovingly grown coffee with incredible aromas, crazy nuances, and great stories behind the product. That is why we love what we do!
Now that you have been comprehensively informed about organic coffee, how will you decide?
Your SIMON&BEARNS Team
Organic Coffee: What the Certification Really Means
More and more people are consciously paying attention to their consumption. It makes sense, too—it protects the environment and its resources. As a result, more and more consumers are choosing organic products, and organic coffee, of course. But does organic coffee live up to the arguments of environmental friendliness, sustainability, and a clear conscience? Does organic coffee also taste like an environmentally friendly pleasure, and is it also the better way for coffee farmers to grow coffee? We ask ourselves these questions and will answer them in detail. Enjoy reading!
What is organic coffee?
There are strict standards for organic coffee that farmers must follow. In organic farming, this means that it must be grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Organic farming, among other things, does not use certain synthetic plant protection products and fertilizers. The quality of the coffee is maintained and not unnecessarily contaminated by pollutants. The alternative to chemical fertilizers is biological pesticides and herbicides. Farmers also use natural fertilization methods such as compost and green manure.
What are biological pesticides?
These are made from natural materials such as plant extracts, microorganisms, or other biodegradable materials. This is intended to target pests more precisely than chemical pesticides, which often kill beneficial organisms as well.
Types of biological pesticides
There are several categories:
The environmental benefits of organic coffee
Organic coffee farming strengthens biodiversity on farms and protects ecosystems from monocultures. By avoiding chemical substances and promoting the growth of synergistic plants, the cultivation areas, water sources, air, and workforce are less burdened. Wildlife can continue to live on the land, and the soil remains rich in microorganisms.
The health and taste benefits of organic coffee
By avoiding chemical pesticides and fertilizers, organic coffee is richer in antioxidants. Growing it in healthy soil also results in a more intense aroma. Many organic coffee consumers believe that they tolerate it better.
How can I recognize organic coffee?
Organic coffees are marked for the end consumer with an EU organic logo, USDA Organic, or FairTrade certificate. This allows them to be sure that the coffee is grown without synthetic additives and has undergone strict quality controls.
Criticism of the organic coffee market
Unfortunately, as always, there are two sides to the coin, and certified organic coffee is not a panacea. For many coffee farmers, it is simply not possible to become organically certified despite organic farming, respect for nature and its inhabitants. This is because such a seal costs money. For small farmers who bring their harvests to community washing stations and support their families from the proceeds, the transition and certification process would lead to ruin. Here are further reasons why not every coffee farmer receives an organic seal:
As you can see, meeting the requirements for organic coffee is not possible for everyone. Small farmers, in particular, face major economic disadvantages that are completely disproportionate to the potential benefits. The increased prices of raw coffee due to the seal can also deter buyers and send farmers into a spiral of debt.
Is organic coffee always more environmentally friendly?
In our minds, organic always stands for sustainability and resource-efficient methods. In fact, however, biological farming methods can also place a significantly higher burden on the environment. Due to lower efficiency, larger areas often have to be cultivated, which naturally results in a higher environmental impact.
Is organic coffee really strictly controlled?
No, that is simply not possible with the sheer number of certified farmers. Therefore, spot checks are carried out. What happens in the meantime? Nevertheless, trust should still be placed in this!
Organic coffee alternative: Direct Trade
Of course, organic coffee is quickly grabbed from the shelf and makes you feel good. However, in addition to certifications, there are other ways to learn more about the origin and supply chain of a coffee. We have listed for you why organic coffee can be a good choice, but also where there is a clear need for improvement. Direct Trade can enable more direct communication and more information about origin, producers, and the supply chain. However, uniform ecological or social standards are not automatically associated with this.
Direct Trade means that we know the coffee farmers and maintain relationships with them. This allows us to best inform ourselves about the circumstances on the ground and why the coffee is grown in the chosen way, and simply be sure that we receive the best quality for you. It is also a great feeling for us to know the people who grow and process our coffee so wonderfully. For example, our coffee farmer Eric from Rwanda. He founded Community Coffee Rwanda in 2017 and supports small farmers with knowledge and a shared washing station in southern Rwanda. Eric particularly wants to promote children with his project and supports the communities so that access to education is facilitated.
Many specialty coffee roasteries like ours pay attention to this way of sourcing their raw coffee. For this, we are happy to do without seals and certifications. When purchasing, we pay attention to traceable information about origin, producers, and the supply chain. And the coffee simply tastes really good!
Conclusion:
Organic coffee certainly has many advantages and is a real goal for many larger coffee farmers to sustainably convert their processes and thus achieve higher prices for their high-quality coffee. Nevertheless, it does not take into account the many problems that small farms in remote locations have. In the specialty coffee community, we love small farms that practice certified organic farming. The certification is deliberately rejected by many—higher costs for too few benefits. We often find lovingly grown coffee with incredible aromas, crazy nuances, and great stories behind the product. That is why we love what we do!
Now that you have been comprehensively informed about organic coffee, how will you decide?
Your SIMON&BEARNS Team