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Does Coffee Need to Be Organic to Be Safe?
By choosing organic coffee, you are not only supporting farmers who utilize less pesticides and artificial fertilizers but also contributing to higher standards of living in developing nations. Furthermore, many certified organic brands comply with Fair Trade standards to support sustainable trading practices as well as ensure high pay rates for workers.
As long as you purchase organic coffee, chances are good that you won’t encounter chemicals or pesticides directly applied, they should usually burn off during roasting and ensure an uncontaminated cup. But for maximum peace of mind and maximum enjoyment when it comes to caffeine consumption, organic beans may be your solution.
Buying from a specialty coffee shop that roasts its own beans will likely guarantee organic products, since their production processes can be monitored closely to remove any undesirable residues prior to packaging and shipment. But when purchasing from larger stores or pod systems, be wary – the labels may indicate mycotoxins have been tested for, which are harmful toxins produced from mold growth during growing and storage; though not everyone may experience this as much, some may still be negatively affected.
Organic coffee is your best bet when it comes to avoiding mycotoxins in your coffee, since its growth was under controlled conditions and tested for mycotoxins by an independent lab. Unfortunately, not all brands offer certified organic coffee that has been thoroughly checked for mycotoxins and other contaminants before being offered for sale. It is therefore crucial that when selecting an organic brand it has also undergone stringent mycotoxin tests in addition to having its production monitored closely during storage and transport.
Organic certification can be time consuming and more costly for small farms compared to conventionally produced coffee, yet still offers less expensive options for consumers and peace of mind knowing their beans were grown without pesticides or other chemicals. Furthermore, the organic process supports regenerative farming methods which benefit not only the environment and community but also farmers themselves – so organic certification truly is a win-win scenario all around!