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What is organic coffee?

Many people prefer to eat responsibly every day, from organic farming, but also in a spirit of solidarity. What about coffee?

The coffee trees are cultivated for their intense flavor, mainly in the regions near the equator, and the production of quality coffee depends on a real know-how, which respects each step of the culture. A coffee grown and harvested with care will reveal its full potential and offer a divine body and aroma. However, not everyone who wants to produce organic coffee will do so, as it must be grown on land that has not received any chemical inputs in the last five years. Furthermore, organic coffee cannot come into contact with non-organic coffees during harvesting, storage or transportation, as this would alter its purity. Find out everything you need to know about organic coffee.

Producing organic coffee

Coffee is a widely consumed beverage, ranking third among the most consumed in the world. Faced with this craze and the constant need to produce coffee, responsible farming has become a real necessity. Indeed, the exploitation of coffee trees is known to participate in deforestation, intelligent and environmentally friendly cultivation is an excellent alternative to sustain coffee production.

The cultivation of an organic coffee meets production criteria. Indeed, the producers favor the use of compost to enrich the soil, as well as to feed and energize the coffee trees. Moreover, the cultivation techniques are above all traditional methods, favoring the use of responsible materials and solutions. The coffee trees are protected from parasites thanks to an ancestral technique, which consists of applying a mixture of ash and lime on the trees. The crops are designed to allow the trees to benefit from the natural resources of the land. For example, the coffee producers sow vegetation at the foot of the trees to produce an essential and natural thermal regulation that allows for successful production.

The production of organic coffee is not limited to the different techniques of exploitation, it also consists in privileging the storage of the harvest in jute cloths created from natural materials.

Understanding the characteristics of organic coffee

In addition to offering an environmentally friendly production, organic coffee has the excellent reputation of offering natural aromas and a very strong taste, highly appreciated by the fine palates of coffee lovers.

Organic coffee has the particularity of respecting the earth and being part of an ecological approach. In addition to this, the absence of chemical inputs also offers consumers the possibility of consuming a product without health risks. Indeed, the chemical substances used in non-organic crops are ingested during the tasting.

Finally, organic coffee is known to better retain its antioxidant properties. In addition, organic coffee is better for the planet, for health and for slowing down the oxidation of cells.

Determining the quality of a coffee

An organically grown coffee has an organic label on its packaging. In order to be sure to make a coherent choice, it is thus advised to turn to recognized labels.

Good producers and exporters of organic products prefer to be transparent with their customers, which is why the origin of the coffee is very often indicated on the product. Some countries have a reputation for producing excellent coffee, so choosing a coffee from a reputable country guarantees a successful and qualitative choice. Moreover, the higher the coffee is grown, the better it will be.

In principle, ecological awareness goes hand in hand with a responsible economy. To be sure to choose a coffee that respects the planet, but also the working conditions of everyone, choosing a coffee with the "fair trade" label guarantees the respect of these values.

Know the labeled cafés

The coffees from organic farming and labeled respect a set of specifications that allow the coffees to be certified organic coffee. The presence of organic labels allows more transparency between producers and consumers. These standards concern all types of coffee, whether it is ground coffee, coffee beans, soluble coffee, or even coffee in capsules or pods.

Six organizations award the certifications:

  • Agrocert;
  • SGS;
  • Quality France;
  • Certisud;
  • Ecocerf;
  • Certipaq.

An organic label certifies to consumers the absence of chemical inputs that are harmful to the soil, biodiversity and health.

Among the multitude of organic labels, the best known is the organic agriculture label, which appears on packaging in the form of an "AB" on a green background. Products bearing this logo comply with a European charter that prohibits the use of pesticides and synthetic chemical fertilizers.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) label is another well-known label for consumers, but it does not guarantee that the coffee comes from organic farming. On the contrary, this label guarantees the origin of a product from protected forest areas. Thus, the product does not participate in deforestation. In addition, this label certifies the respect of workers and local populations. How to identify this label? The logo of this famous label represents a white tree dominating the words "FSC" and displaying "Forests for all forever", all on a green background.

The third recognized label, Rainforest Alliance / UTZ, which represents a frog on a green background and a "UTZ Certified good inside" on a burgundy background. This label is synonymous with agriculture that meets environmental, social and economic standards. Products bearing this label offer a responsible and traceable product, in addition to guaranteeing a healthy consumption.

It is essential to keep in mind that the different labels are independent from each other and that not all organic coffees are from a solidarity agriculture. Moreover, many logos belonging to the " green labels " are not certified or conform to French standards, but still catch the eye of the consumer. However, they do not meet strict specifications. It is therefore important to identify the logos affixed to the packages of the coffees sold.

To summarize, choosing an organically grown coffee guarantees a product that respects the environment and the health of consumers. If the coffee produced is also part of a solidarity economy, the coffee producers meet ecological standards. Nevertheless, it is important to note that there remains a difference between an organic coffee and a fair trade coffee. As coffee is a widely consumed and highly appreciated beverage, consumers must be made aware of the social injustices that can exist between different producers, but also of the harmful effects caused by coffee production (deforestation, threatened biodiversity, etc.). Each intensive agriculture influences climate change and the working conditions of farmers. Therefore, to consume better is to consume in a responsible and reasoned way. Favoring labeled coffees is equivalent to reducing the impact of various harmful points, in addition to getting into the habit of better consumption. Finally, by consuming organic coffees, the consumer can drink a coffee devoid of chemical inputs, which does not expose him to health risks in the long term.

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