Start your day right with an excellent cup of coffee to boost energy, wake you up, and help you feel more alert and focused. But for health or environmental reasons, organic coffee may be best. In this article, we’ll look at what to consider when selecting an organic option and help you select one suitable for you and your lifestyle needs.

Organic coffee stands apart from non-organic in terms of its use of chemicals, with organic farmers employing natural pesticides like neem oil and copper sulfate as alternatives to synthetic ones like pesticides. Furthermore, only plant matter-derived fertilizers such as manures are utilized versus chemical synthesized products which could potentially pollute waterways or land. Furthermore, sustainable farming practices are used by organic farms so no protected areas need to be cleared out for their crops to flourish.

Non-organic coffee often uses synthetic fertilizers and herbicides that are harmful to the environment. While these synthetic chemicals may increase yield, they also pollute soil and water resources. By contrast, organic fertilizers derived from animal manure or composted organic material provide more natural ways of feeding plants while organic farmers typically employ stricter labor practices and take measures to limit environmental impact.

Accrediting coffee as organic can be an expensive endeavor for farmers. For certification, coffee beans must undergo rigorous testing and inspection by third-party agents, while being stored away from non-organic beans to prevent cross contamination – this can be quite an expensive undertaking for small farms who may not have the means to pay.

If a company claims their product as organic, the USDA requires them to present proof that all of the ingredients used are indeed certified as such, including traceability from farm to factory. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen and therefore it is important only buy organic coffee from companies with an established track record and excellent reviews.

Consider also that organic labels may be misleading. The USDA does not certify entire farms; only products containing at least 70% organic ingredients qualify. This could mislead consumers into believing they’re purchasing 100% organic items.

Organic coffee may differ from its non-organic counterpart in that not all producers roast and package their beans in an identical fashion, leading to inconsistent flavors and increased risk of contamination.

When looking for organic coffee, the ideal selection is one that is both shade-grown and USDA-certified organic. At The Exotic Bean, we carry fair-trade certified organic brands Paradise Mountain and Four Sigmatic that both meet these criteria; both offer options such as nootropic infusions.