How do you choose your coffee beans? Coffee aficionados say that one of the primary factors in making a great cup of coffee is by choosing the right coffee beans. But are you positively picking the right coffee beans? Do you know that not all coffee beans are organic? Do you know that organic coffee beans are different from regular coffee beans? These are the surprising facts about coffee beans.
I was stunned the first time I heard that not all coffee beans are organic because honestly, I thought that all coffee beans I bought from the merchant are organic especially when it is indicated that it is a “single-origin coffee.” I know some of you are also surprise when this is the first time you read about organic vs. regular coffee beans. So to my curiosity, I did my research on the types of coffee beans specifically, organic and regular coffee beans, and here’s what I found out.
Organic vs. regular coffee bean
Organic coffee beans are not a kind of a golden coffee, meaning they are not a different species from regular coffee beans like Robusta and Arabica. The only separation between organic coffee beans and other beans is the cultivation process of which the beans are organically grown and were not use of synthetic products or pesticides for pest but instead nurtured without the use of pesticides or herbicides.
However, some organically graded coffee beans in the market are grown with pesticides, but the pest control that had used is said to be a natural pesticide for coffee and not synthetic chemicals of which commonly applied to large producing coffee farms.
Most coffee beans are prone to diseases, and it easily attracts insects, that is why most farmers, particularly to large coffee farms, are using pesticide for pest control. That is why most of the conventional coffee beans that are in mass production are often not organic.
The organic coffee beans need utmost cultivation that uses no synthetic fertilizers or chemicals for farming, which result in cleaner beans. Organic coffee is grown using nonchemical fertilizers, like coffee pulp, chicken manure, or compost. It had said that organic farming is much sustainable in combating climate change by releasing less carbon than in chemical farms. As a result of organic farming, coffee beans are healthier, richer in taste, and more potent in antioxidant properties.
Does organic coffee is pricier than a regular coffee bean?
Yes, there is a price difference between conventional and organic coffee. Organic coffee is pricier due to its sustainable horticulture method. Most of the organic coffee beans are grown in lush forest and not in farms giving a place of habitat for wild plants and animals, nurturing soil fertility, and preserving unique regional ecosystems alive. Coffees that are planted in the forest is a lot resilient and better equipped to handle climate change. And you can taste the difference between organic and regular coffee beans. Organic coffee is smoother and has a cleaner taste than conventional coffee beans.
Resources: Bean Box, "Fact and Fiction: What is Organic Coffee?" , Equal Exchange , "Organic vs, Conventional Coffee"
