Most day to day Americans treat coffee all the same. They don't know where it is from, who it is made by, where it is grown, just that it has caffeine and can help them get through the day.
What if I told you that there is a massive difference in coffees that has stayed hidden for years, with major health implications?
Most Americans would want to know what those implications are, yet most are unaware.
It all starts with "USDA Organic" certified coffee.
Organic coffee is coffee that is grown without the use of synthetics and genetically modified plants, and adheres to commitments to sustainability of the plant's ecosystem.
There are plenty of additional requirements a coffee farm must undergo to obtain organic certification, each with their own health implications.
This is not a blog post simply suggesting "GMO's are bad for you". This is a look into coffee growing standards more broadly and how commercial coffee has lowered the bar at the expense of the health of Americans.
1. Synthetic Chemicals in Non-Organic Coffee
The presence of synthetic chemicals in coffee agriculture can have a detrimental adverse effect of leaving synthetic residue on the coffee beans.
While experiencing bodily harm after occasionally drinking non-organic coffee is low, when Americans drink one cup a day everyday for years, the effects can certainly add up.
In fact, a very small presence of these chemicals can even trigger allergic reactions to susceptible individuals.
Some studies also suggest that the presence of synthetics can have effects on the endocrine and neurological system.
2. The Use of Non-Organic Preservatives
You saw that right. Preservatives in coffee.
Sometimes, with ground coffee that needs a long shelf life, preservatives are added into coffee.
They are most commonly found in flavored ground coffee, as the artificial flavorings require some form of preservation.
The worst part is, the presence of preservatives in coffee & food in general does not have to be disclosed on the packaging.
It is scary to think that when we buy coffee from the store, we don't truly know what we are buying, let alone the health consequences of synthetic preservatives.
There are, however, organic preservatives, but those are not typically used in coffee.
3. The Environmental Impact of Coffee Agriculture
The health of the soil is a massive consideration for organic certification of coffee plants.
When large amounts of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides are used, the integrity of the soil diminishes over time.
That is why, under USDA organic standards, organic compost is used as fertilizer which enhances the soil's microbial ecosystem & ultimately creates a more natural plant.
While not an explicit requirement, most organic coffee farms elect to have their coffee as shade-grown.
When growing coffee in a more natural environment, the result is soil conservation, water conservation from canopy runoff, and reduced stress on the plant.
Best of all, shade grown coffee even tastes better.
When coffee is grown in the shade, it takes longer for the natural sugars to develop leading to more nuanced flavor profiles.
Should You Buy Organic Coffee?
Ultimately, consumers in America have the decision-making abilities to determine what they should or should not eat or drink.
That is why having the most accurate, transparent information about your food is of utmost importance.
The problem with the status quo coffee industry is that transparency is a mere sidenote.
Information about coffee that is not organic is not always available, nor is the coffee's origin or roast date.
See why the roast date of your coffee matters here.
Another consideration is cost. In most places, the cost of organic coffee is higher than non-organic.
However, at Happily Coffee Roasters, all of our organic coffee is the same price as our non-organic, so you don't have to choose savings over cost.
The literature on organic foods is vast, and has no clear cut answer. So, be sure to do your own research on whether you think it's the better choice.
We hope that this article has provided some clarity on what is organic coffee and the implications of buying organic.
If you're looking to start buying organic coffee, we highly recommend buying our single-origin specialty organic coffee from Chiapas, Mexico here.
If you have any opinions on anything we touched on, feel free to leave a comment on this article for discussion!