|
What is organic coffee?
Ever wonder what organic coffee really is? Well, organic coffees are grown using environmental low-impact methods and materials. To produce organic coffees, growers must incorporate growing methods that maintain soil fertility. Growers must also use a reduced amount of toxic and persistent pesticides. The farmers' methods are verified by third-party organic organizations.
What does "certified organic" mean?
In order for coffee to be certified and sold as organic in the United States, it must be produced in accordance with U.S. standards for organic production and certified by an agency accredited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. U.S. requirements for organic coffee production include:
- It must have been grown on land without synthetic pesticides or other prohibited substances for three years.
- There must have been a sufficient buffer between the organic coffee and the nearest conventional crop.
- The farmer must have a sustainable crop rotation plan to prevent erosion, the depletion of soil nutrients, and control for pests.
Where does organic coffee come from?
Organic coffee is grown all over the world, and is grown in many of the same countries as non-organic coffees.. The leading producers include Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Peru.
The United States grows organic coffee in Hawaii.
What organic coffee products are in the marketplace?
Organic coffee products now on the market include caffeinated, decaffeinated, flavored and instant coffees, organic coffee ice cream, coffee sodas, hard candies, and chocolate covered beans.
How is organic coffee decaffeinated?
Most non-organic coffees are decaffeinated chemically. Organic coffee, however, must be decaffeinated using a certified organic decaffeination process to maintain the organic integrity of the beans. The most common organic decaffeination process is the SWISS WATER process, using only water to remove caffeine.
What labels might you see on organic coffee and what do they mean?
The USDA Organic seal can appear on any coffee product that contains at least 95 percent organic ingredients and that has been certified as organic by a certification agency accredited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The coffee may also carry a label saying “100 percent organic” or “Organic.”
Fair Trade
According to TransFair USA, Fair Trade certification focuses on labor and trade standards to provide producers with a guaranteed price. All Fair Trade coffee is not necessarily organic. However, Fair Trade does require environmental stewardship. Approximately 85 percent of all Fair Trade Certified coffee sold in the United States is also certified organic. In the United States, coffee must be certified by TransFair USA to use a Fair Trade label.
|
