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There’s nothing like the smell of fresh coffee to start off your morning! The promise of an entire day of energy and productivity seems to rest on that little cup. Whether you take your coffee black, decaf coffee with added cream and sugar or poured over ice, coffee is a versatile beverage that you can enjoy in a variety of ways.
When it comes to buying coffee, it’s important we not only think about taste but about the process through which our coffee was grown.
If you’re concerned about your health and the future of the planet, then there are plenty of good reasons you should pick organic coffee over conventional coffee alternatives.
What is organic coffee?
Organic coffee is coffee produced without the use of chemical-based fertilizers, synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or genetically modified organisms (G.M.O.s).
What makes organic coffee different from conventional coffee?
No pesticides.
The amount of chemicals and pesticides used in conventionally grown coffee crops is monumental. It’s estimated that farmers apply as much as 250 pounds of chemical fertilizers on every acre.
In countries like Brazil, Vietnam and Colombia where the majority of coffee is grown, there are few to no regulations, which means farmers can spray their crops with just about anything. In fact, some of these pesticides have already been banned in the U.S. and Europe due to their harmful effects on health.
The good news is that organic coffee is grown without synthetic based fertilizers and pesticides. You won’t have to worry about dangerous chemicals contaminating your morning brew.
Kind to the environment.
Not only is organic coffee safer for your health, it’s also beneficial for the environment.
Instead of relying on chemicals, organic farmers use sustainable practices that have been proven to significantly increase nutrients in the soil and promote biodiversity.
One such method is the use of “shade trees” to protect plants from overexposure to sunlight. Shade trees keep the coffee beans in prime condition and their foliage provides extra nutrients to the soil, resulting in higher quality coffee beans.
Kind to farmers.
Pesticides harm more than just the “pests” that are targeted, they also expose farmers to severe health effects.
Every year, thousands of coffee farmers die every year due to pesticide poisoning, leaving many families and communities devastated.
When coffee is grown organically, it reduces occupational hazards, creating a healthier, happier work environment.
Organic Coffee Vs Certified Organic Coffee
Many coffee companies use the term “organic” for marketing purposes when their products aren’t at all organic. To ensure that your coffee is organic, look for the UDSA organic certification seal on the label.
If a coffee brand is “Certified Organic” it means that the product has been grown and processed without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or genetic engineering and therefore has the certified organic label.
Other Third Party Certifications To Look Out For
Fair Trade
Fair Trade organization certifies ethical methods used in the trade of various products, including coffee. Fair Trade certification ensures that growers and workers are compensated with fair wages and living conditions. Fair Trade coffee offers the best coffee beans at a fair price.
Shade grown
Shade grown implies that the coffee was grown on farms that maintain tree canopy as habitat for native and migratory birds and other wildlife.
Rainforest Alliance
The Rainforest Alliance covers a number of ecological issues as well as community relations and fair treatment of workers. Certification is awarded based on a score for meeting a minimum number of an array of criteria
Can Flavored Coffee Be Organic?
Some coffee drinkers are purists but if you love some extra flavor in your coffee then there’s nothing wrong with that! You can add sugar and spices or you can skip all those steps by using flavored coffee.
From cinnamon, caramel, hazelnut, blueberry, pumpkin, chocolate to vanilla, there are many delicious coffee flavors to delight your taste buds using organic beans!
But not all flavored coffee is good for you. Believe it or not, some companies sell flavored coffee simply as a cover up for bad quality coffee beans. Even worse, some varieties contain toxic additives that could compromise your health.
Additives to avoid in flavored coffee
Propylene glycol
This chemical is used as a carrier for aroma in flavored coffee beans. Although it’s generally recognized as safe, it’s used in the production of antifreeze and can have adverse effects on the body.
Myotoxins
Mycotoxins are toxic byproducts of certain types of mold. There are two types of mycotoxins that can be found in coffee: Aflatoxin B1 and Ochratoxin A, both of which have been shown to damage the liver and kidneys in high doses.
What other Harmful Compounds Occur In Coffee?
Some chemicals emitted when whole beans are roasted can be toxic. These include:
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH)
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are suspected to be carcinogenic and mutagenic and have been reported in light, medium and dark roasted coffee samples including instant and decaffeinated brands.
Acrylamide
Roasted coffee beans contain small quantities of a compound called acrylamide. In high amounts, acrylamide can be harmful.
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10 Best Organic Flavored Coffee Brands to Try in 2023
The best organic coffee brands if you love light roast, medium roast, medium-dark roast, high quality, and a whole lot of flavor!
Some people claim the best coffee is grown at a high altitude or in Central America, but we think the best coffee is grown in an environment that lifts up its community and aims for the safety and well-being of others.
Java Planet
Java Planet is a USDA Certified Organic and Fair Trade Certified coffee brand that uses only specialty grade 100 percent Arabica beans, grown at high altitudes. All of their flavored coffee beans are infused with natural organic flavored oils derived from plant, vegetable, or fruit material and don’t contain any artificial or synthetic additives.
Flavors include chocolate almond bliss, cocohaze, cinnamon vanilla, and pumpkin spice and you can purchase a bag from $19.
Copper Cow Coffee
If you’re looking for premium specialty delicious coffee, try Copper Cow Coffee. The company sources all of its coffee directly from Vietnamese farmers to ensure sustainable sourcing, paying twice the market rate.
The flavor combos are low acid and endlessly delicious consisting of ginger, salted caramel, lavender and more.
Copper Cow Coffee is travel friendly and easy to prepare. It’s a fan favorite for a reason!
Death Wish Coffee
Death Wish Coffee is a win for eco-conscious coffee lovers. The company claims to sell the world’s strongest coffee which is also fair-trade and organic.
They’re known for their medium, dark roast and expresso roast coffees, but they also offer cult-favorite seasonal flavored options like Blue and Buried, brimming with natural flavors of homemade blueberry jam, luscious vanilla and sweet Vietnamese cinnamon. Who doesn’t love strong coffee with strong flavors?!
Death Wish Coffee can be purchased for $15-$20 per bag.
Bulletproof Coffee
Bullet Proof Coffee is not your average latte – it’s an energizing coffee drink designed to complement your eating style whether you’re on paleo, low-carb or ketogenic diets, as well as intermittent fasting and OMAD (One Meal a Day).
The company uses its signature combination of coffee and quality fats to help you feel satisfied, alert and focused for longer.
If you’re not in the mood for french press, you can grab their ready-to-drink Bulletproof Cold Brew Latte, which contains both energy-sustaining MCTs and collagen health benefits.
Ground Bulletproof Coffee can be bought at $15 a bag. They also offer pods and creamers too.
Thrive Market Organic Coffee
If you’d like to enjoy quality coffee without breaking the bank then Thrive Market has some of the cheapest organic coffee out there.
The membership-based market is on a mission to make healthy living easy and affordable for everyone by offering ethically sourced organic products.
Thrive Market Organic Coffee is available in ground and whole bean options, with flavors like vanilla nut coffee, toasted caramel coffee, blonde roast, and more. You can purchase a bag for $10-$16.
Lola Savannah
Lola Savannah coffee promises a great coffee experience for every occasion. Freshly roasted in Houston, Texas, you’ll find a large variety of exquisite Arabic beans with some seriously enjoyable blends such as coconut crème, banana, hazelnut, butter pecan, pumpkin spice, white Russian, nutterfinger, lola colada and so much more.
All coffees are free from chemicals, synthetic additives and certified organic.
An 10-ounce bag goes for $16.50 on the company’s website.
Charleston Coffee Roasters
Charleston Coffee Roasters’ mission is to deliver the finest, small batch, slow-roasted coffee as rich in flavor and character as Charleston itself. From Colombia, Honduras to Peru, the company painstakingly searches the world over for the highest quality coffee beans to create blends that have bold, unique & delicious flavors.
Charleston Coffee Roasters have truly mastered the craft of delicate, medium and dark roasts to always be smooth and never bitter!
Purchase a 12oz bag for $14.75.
Jim’s Organic Coffee
Jim’s Organic Coffee has been sourcing the finest organic coffee beans from around the world and roasting them to perfection since 1996. Jim’s is B-Corp Certified, Fair-trade and all their coffees are certified organic by the USDA.
Their freshly roasted collection includes Single Origins, Signature Roasts (Light, Medium, and Dark), Decaffeinated Coffees, and Naturally Flavored Coffees like French vanilla, double chocolate, hazelnut and pumpkin spice.
Purchase a 12oz bag at Jim’s Organic Coffee website for $14.99.
Four Sigmatic
Four Sigmatic is coming to disrupt your morning coffee ritual by adding something rather peculiar to your coffee – mushrooms.
The brand infuses dark roasted coffee beans with Lion’s Mane, and Chaga mushrooms to achieve a blend that balances the caffeine “jitters” with a healthy gut. It brews dark and nutty, and finishes smooth with no lingering after taste.
If you prefer ground coffee, you can purchase 2x bags of Ground Coffee with Lion’s Mane for $32 or 10 on-the-go packets for $15 that you only have to add hot water, stir, and go.
Grounds and Hounds
What if every time you sipped a cup of coffee, you were helping a pup in need? Well, now you can with Ground and Hound Coffee. The brand is committed to using the sale of the best organic and eco-friendly specialty coffees to support rescue organizations providing safe-havens for pups between homes.
On top of seasonal flavors like chocolate peanut butter and pumpkin spice, they have a new blend every month, certain flavors in small batches, free shipping and you can grab a bag from $13.99.
EKOCups – For The Keurig Machine
EKOCUPS’ mantra is to make more taste with less waste. With 30% more grounds per capsule than leading brands, every sip of Ekocups delivers robust coffee flavor, and their recyclable cups are better for the environment.
They offer light, medium and dark roasts, as well as decaf options in flavors like vanilla, burnt caramel, and hazelnut.
EKOCUPS coffee can be purchased starting at $19.99.
In Summary: Best Organic Flavored Coffeer
In our opinion, a good cup of coffee is made from the best organic coffee beans. High-quality coffee boasts bold flavor and doing good for our planet. Which coffee will you try next?
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