What is organic coffee and why does it matter?
More than a word
Before any coffee can officially be called ‘organic’, farmers need to prove that the beans and soil are free of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers.
Certification can take up to three years to achieve, and farmers have to use organic farming techniques that include:
- A sustainable crop production plan to protect against soil erosion and loss of nutrients through cover crop planting
- A natural pest prevention plan
- No use of synthetic pesticides or prohibited chemicals and fertilisers
- Inspection and testing of coffee before it can be sold as organic
- Accredited independent audits verify if organic standards have been met
Why does it matter?
Organic coffee combines taste and sustainability, because organic agriculture is based on four main principles:
- Health – enhancing the health of soil, plant, animal, human and planet
- Ecology – working with living ecological systems and cycles in a sustainable way
- Fairness – building relationships that are fair to the environment and humans
- Care – protecting the health and wellbeing of current and future generations and the environment