Are you looking for the truth about organic coffee vs regular coffee? I got you.
People have become conscious about what they eat and drink, especially because of their health. Coffee lovers are not exempt.
By Lilian.
Published 09.01.2022.
Affiliate disclosure
This page may contain affiliate links – we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through these links. This is at no extra cost to you.
In fact, there’s rising popularity of organic coffee.
Unfortunately, some coffee lovers cannot even tell the difference between organic coffee and regular coffee.
Together, let’s explore 7 things to think about when comparing organic coffee vs regular coffee.
By the way, have you had a look at our resources and deals page yet?
Now. First things first, think about:
The Difference Between Organic Coffee vs Regular Coffee?
For most people, it’s all about the price – organic stuff is always more expensive.
But, it’s not just about the price.
What’s the Meaning of “Organic”?
The word “organic” is a real catchphrase these days.
You hear it everywhere, read it everywhere, even on food labels at the grocery store.
You’ll even find organic tampons and mattresses!
This buzzword “organic” refers to foods grown without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, GMOs and other disputed, toxic approaches.
So, how does Organic Coffee Differ from Regular Coffee?
The main difference is in the quality of the coffee beans.
Dr. Wakefield defines organic coffee as coffee that’s produced from coffee beans grown without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides.
The coffee farmers only utilize 100% organic fertilizer.
It could be chicken/cow/pig manure, coffee pulp, general compost, or even bocachi – organic fertilizer.
On the other hand, regular coffee is coffee produced from coffee beans grown with conventional growing methods.
That is, the beans are treated with chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Because of these farming methods…
…regular coffee has some risks every coffee aficionado should think about.
What are the Dangers of Non-Organic Coffee?
Non-organic coffee is farmed using loads of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, etc. Ingesting traces of these chemicals into the body is quite a risk.
Besides this, so much energy and water is used up in the production of non-organic coffee.
What’s more, these chemicals are also not good for the environment.
But does this mean it’s bad to drink this type of coffee? Not at all!
If you’re not so concerned about your health, then there’s no reason you should miss out on your morning cup of coffee.
In fact, regular coffee comes with loads of benefits as mentioned hereafter.
What are the Benefits of Organic Coffee vs Regular Coffee?
There’s so much debate about the benefits of these two coffees.
Let’s delve right into them!
Benefits of Regular Coffee
Coffee is Healthy
Irrespective of its form, coffee has very unique benefits.
A registered dietician, Rachael Link, identifies the benefits of coffee, ranging from higher energy levels, a lower risk of Type 2 Diabetes, lower depression rates and longevity.
Other benefits include better brain, liver and heart health!
There are More Options to Choose From
Without a doubt, there are more conventional coffee farms than organic coffee farms.
What does this mean?
You have a greater variety of regular coffee than organic coffee.
Whether you’re an average drinker or a coffee connoisseur, with regular coffee, there’s always something for you!
Most Regular Coffees are More Affordable than Organic Coffee
Regular coffee farmers more likely than not enjoy government subsidies, which lowers their production costs.
In addition, the production process for regular coffee is not as labor-intensive and capital-intensive as is the case with organic coffee.
The result is a lower price for most regular coffees in comparison to organic coffees.
Benefits of Organic Coffee
It Grows Without Chemical Fertilizers and Pesticides
Unlike regular coffee, organic coffee plants are not exposed to any chemicals for their lifetime.
That is, the farmers have to adopt natural methods to remove weeds, increase soil fertility and manage pests.
In fact, the U.S National Organic Program (NOP) specifies that for coffee to be termed organic, it must have grown on a farm that has not been put through chemical farming methods for at least 3 years.
Because of this, you can be sure that your daily cup of organic coffee has no chemicals that could risk your health in the future.
It has More Nutrients Than Conventional Coffee
Coffee is not really a nutrient/vitamin bomb, but it contains traces of essential vitamins/nutrients.
Because there are no chemical materials added to organic coffee beans, nor to the organic soil, organic coffee will definitely carry more minerals and vitamins than regular coffee!
According to Venetian Coffee Roasters, organic coffee has more magnesium, potassium, Vitamin B, and niacin.
The organic nutrients found in organic coffee serve to reduce stress, increase mood, improve the immune system and also boost metabolism!
Organic Farming Methods are Better for Coffee Farmers
Get me right. I’m not here to claim that organic coffee farming is a cheap affair.
For one, it requires organic certification, which needs loads of cash.
But in the long run, according to Jeremy Hance, it’s more profitable than conventional farming methods.
They get to charge more for their product!
They’re able to pay their workers higher wages than regular coffee farmers.
What’s more, as Dan Simms puts it, organic farming also protects farmers by keeping them away from handling chemicals that could harm them.
There’s no danger that they’re going to inhale a pesticide!
Organic Coffee Farming is Better for the Environment
A study conducted at Stanford University found that organic farming methods emit less carbon than conventional farming methods.
Because there’s no use of chemicals and/or synthetic fertilizers in organic coffee farming, we get to conserve the land, soil, water, and even the air around!
Remember that chemicals have a way of getting into the soil and water around the coffee farms.
It is harmful for the people living around these areas when they use the same soil to grow their food.
Organic coffee farming avoids all this mess.
So now, with the above benefits of organic and regular coffee, you’re wondering:
Is Organic Coffee Better than Regular Coffee? Is it Healthier?
The answer is Yes, and No.
Why is it Better?
According to Holly Roser, (regular) coffee is the most pesticide-sprayed crop in the world.
Take how farmers manage weeds as an example.
Regular coffee farmers start by fumigating the soil to ensure there are no fungicides in the soil.
When the weeds come up, they spray pesticides to dry up those weeds.
For the organic coffee farmer, they will employ natural methods such as getting animals to eat the weeds, removing the weeds by hand, or a natural gas flame weeder to burn them off.
The result is definitely much healthier coffee than the chemical-ridden regular coffee!
Why is Organic Coffee Not Necessarily Perfect?
According to the Natural Force, a popular healthy lifestyle organization in the US, coffee is not necessarily perfect just because it has that “organic” label.
Not at all.
This is because certification doesn’t put into consideration important aspects such as the quality grade of the beans.
Certification also doesn’t consider testing for mycotoxins and mold, nor is it an assurance that the coffee roasting companies employed the safest methods to ensure the coffee is not exposed to unsafe byproducts.
There’s also no guarantee that the coffee’s healthy antioxidants are preserved in the organic coffee roasting process.
That aside, have you considered the differences in taste?
Read on!
Does Organic Coffee Taste Better than Regular Coffee?
According to Edoardo Zanato, the CEO of Coffee Extraction, organic coffee has a fruity, nutty flavor, thanks to the natural farming processes. It’s also very appealing.
This is a sharp contrast to the sour and bitter taste of regular coffee.
As you think about the taste of organic coffee, it’s important to also think about sustainability.
Is Organic Coffee Sustainable?
In comparison to regular coffee, organic coffee is far much more environmentally sustainable.
According to the Corporate Coffee Systems, organic coffee leaves smaller carbon footprints.
What’s more, for organic coffee farmers to get certification, they must have strategy for crop rotation to reduce the risk of soil erosion.
Even better, farmers don’t have to cut down trees to do organic coffee farming because organic coffee actually grows in the shade!
With all the above information in mind, you should finally consider whether organic coffee is worth it.
Considering all the factors discussed above, there’s no doubt that organic coffee is the way to go.
It’s healthier, tastier and more sustainable!
The only downside is that, for most varieties, organic coffee is a little more expensive, and not worth their money.
But isn’t this the premium we pay to enjoy healthier, tastier, more sustainable coffee?
Photos by AnnieSpratt and Pexels
