Around the world coffee is the second most traded item in the world, coming in just behind crude oil (although a distant second we’re sure). How ever as more and more people are paying attention to what they’re drinking and eating, organic coffee is sneaking up in the market share race.
Organic coffee wasn’t a real concern when coffee first gained people interest way back in 800 AD. It was a drink reserved for the wealthy and royalty, even in 1800’s when Brazil claimed the honor of having the largest international coffee crop, still no one was concerned where or with what the beans were grown.
Fast forward to toady, and there are strict rules and regulations for how any food product can or cannot be grown. Especially if you’re looking to grow an organic product. Organic coffee is primarily grown in mountainous areas, where insecticides and fertilizers can become part of the lower watershed once they’re washed down the hills from heavy rainfalls.
Many companies today are providing organic coffee, each require certification and designation as per the Organic Food Production Act set fourth in 1990. This act outlines the requirements for growing organic coffee, as well as how their testing can be carried out and what they must do to hold onto their certification.
Growing Fields Must Be Certified Organic
Now it’s not just the growing and handling that must be considered and certified organic when growing coffee. The ground that it grows in must also be free of any ingredients or non-organic substances for at least the last 3 years.
Because the act requires so many intricate modifications to the regular growing process, organic coffee will cost a little more then a non organic brand. Healthy conscious consumers are willing to pay the price for the better beans. AS most organic growers believe that growing the beans with only natural methods and no artificial chemicals helps keep the natural flavor.
Whether the taste is superior to a non-organic coffee is up to the coffee drinker, but there’s no arguing that the organic growing process produces a healthier bean for us to make our favorite cup of joe from.