Today, many passionate coffee lovers prefer organic coffee over traditional one, and for a good reason! It not only tastes great but also provides you with a whole host of benefits – from a better mood to a stronger immune system. If you’re ready to switch to organic coffee brands too, you’re in the right place! Here, we’re covering everything related to organic coffee, its benefits, types, and top brands. After reading our organic coffee reviews, you’ll be able to choose a product that will meet all your needs! Interested? Then let’s get to it!
Top 10 Best Organic Coffee: Comparison Table
| Brand | Type | Roast | Single Origin/Blend | Certifications | Volume |
| Lifeboost | Whole bean | Medium | Single origin | USDA | 12 oz |
| Volcanica | Ground | Medium-light | Single origin | Rainforest Alliance, Fair Trade | 16 oz |
| Café don Pablo | Whole bean | Medium-dark | Single origin | CCOF | 2 lb |
| Death Wish Coffee Co. | Ground | Dark | Blend | USDA, Fair Trade | 16 oz |
| Real Good Coffee Company | Whole bean | Dark | Single origin | USDA | 2 lb |
| Mayorga | Whole bean | Dark | Blend | USDA | 2 lb |
| Kicking Horse by Lavazza | Whole bean | Medium | Blend | Fair Trade | 2.2 lb |
| Peak Performance Coffee | Ground | Medium | Single origin | USDA | 12 oz |
| Newman’s Own | K-Cups | Medium | Blend | USDA, Fair Trade | 96 pods |
| Lavazza | Whole bean | Light | Blend | USDA Organic, Canada Organic, UTZ & Euro Leaf Organic | 2.2 lb |
What Coffee Is Considered Organic?
Walk through any grocery and you’ll see lots of foods and drinks that are labeled “organic”, including coffee. But, what really goes into that bag of organic coffee beans?
Organic Growing
It’s obvious that organic coffee must grow without pesticides and other chemicals. However, there are several additional factors to consider. So, if you want to be sure you get the best organic coffee in the world, pay attention to:
- Where the beans come from: Coffee is produced in different corners of the world, there are Colombian, Brazilian, Kenyan coffee, etc. But if you want truly organic beans you should look for the region with strict requirements to soil where the crop grows. Some places require that soil is chemical-free for up to 5 years to make sure all residue is gone. While others care only for particular crops. It means there can be some residual chemicals from previous plants.
- Research whether the company grows the plants in the shade (as it must be): It minimizes insects and other pests, so there is no need to apply pest control solutions. Plus, it affects many other aspects too, such as the taste.
Organic Roasting
Love dark roast coffee? Want to go organic? Well, genuine organic dark roast coffee must be done in the roaster that has never been used to toast anything other than organic beans. Of course, no additives or chemicals must be used during the roasting process.
Do check this! Growing organically doesn’t mean roasting organically!
Organic Processing
The following thing to consider is the way the manufacturer processes beans. Dry processing is better since it’s faster, easier, and eco-friendly. You can dig even deeper and find out what type of containers the processed beans are shipped in.
When you check all these factors, you can be sure you buy top organic coffee. But how and where to check this information? The answer is – standards and certifications.
What Are Global Organic Standards?
In fact, standards vary from country to country. For instance, the USA, Europe, China, and Japan have their own rules. However, there are some common things for all countries, e.g., to grow organic coffee, farms must not use synthetic fertilizers, chemicals, GMOs, antibiotics and they have to regularly rotate crops.
USDA Organic
The most important certification for our country is the USDA certification.
Here, we’ll highlight some of its key points:
- There is a long list of prohibited substances.
- The soil must not have any prohibited chemicals for 3 years before authorization.
- Accredited agencies annually inspect farms to make sure they keep to the standards.
- The accredited agencies can certify organic farms in any country around the world. That’s how Colombian coffee or Sumatra coffee can be USDA certified.
Other Certification Types
Certifications offer various third-party assurances to the buyers, that’s why you should care whether your coffee is certified.
Take a look at the most reliable certifications:
- Smithsonian Bird Friendly Certification: It ensures the coffee is 100% organic, shade-grown, and bird-friendly.
- UTZ Certification: It encourages farmers to utilize good agricultural practices and manage their farms with respect for the planet and people.
- Rainforest Alliance Certification: This seal ensures that the product you choose contributes to a better future for people and the planet.
Benefits Of Organic Cofee
There are numerous benefits of buying organic coffee, here are just some of them:
Organic Coffee is Healthier
Whole bean organic coffee provides your body with plenty of benefits. It contains antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and boosts the immune system. Besides, pure organic caffeine acts as a great energy booster and improves brain functioning.
Chemical-free
Traditional coffee is drenched in farm chemicals. All these insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides are considered to cause damage to the nervous and reproductive systems and even can lead to cancer.
Better for Environment
Some manufacturers cut down trees so that their coffee grows faster in the sun. Insects, animals, and birds lose their natural habitats because of it. Organic farms grow their crops in the shade which is much better for the planet. Plus, many organic coffee reviews from users claim that such a java even tastes better too.
Better for Farmers
Most farmers who make certified organic products are Fair Trade compliant – it guarantees higher salaries to workers. Besides, farmers who use organic growing methods are not forced to handle poisons and pesticides for their job, making their working environment safe and comfortable.
Best Organic Coffee Brands
Our organic coffee reviews won’t be complete without mentioning the best brands available on the market.
Lifeboost
Lifeboost is one of the best organic coffee brands, it’s produced on the tiny 6-acre farm in a nationally protected region of Nicaragua. The crops are grown in the shade, on virgin soil on the top of a mountain. In spring, farmers hand wash and sundry the mature beans, making them so delicious. Lifeboost company provides you with high-quality, healthy, and eco-friendly java.
Volcanica
This Ethiopian brand is owned by the family that started working with coffee generations ago. They offer tens of different organic coffees. If you are looking for the best organic flavored coffee, pay special attention to Volcanica – flavor notes include lemon, blueberry, and blackberry.
Cafe Don Pablo
Cafe Don Pablo brand produces 100% organic, non-GMO, arabica coffee, plants grow in the shade at high altitudes. Farmers grow, roast, pick, and process their own beans in Columbia. Every batch of beans has its unique character and is roasted to order. Coffee features a clean finish and low acidity, making it the best-tasting organic coffee.
Death Wish Coffee
Death Wish coffee is named for its super high caffeine content and extraordinary strength – it boasts 728 mg of caffeine per 12 ounces! For comparison, the regular tall Starbucks’ dark roast coffee has 130 mg of caffeine. This organic ground coffee features an expert blend of both robusta and arabica beans, making it the best quality, delicious wake-up call you can get in the morning. Death Wish Coffee is certified organic, fair trade, and even kosher products.
Real Good Coffee Company
If you love a bold and spicy flavor, you should try the Real Good Coffee brand. It produces an organic, full-bodied, single-origin dark roast java. The flavor notes include subtle lemon, bell pepper, and cedar. These 100% organic Arabica beans are grown with care, processed, and packaged in Seatle.
Conclusion
Coffee is a great way to start your day, however, you should only choose healthy coffee brands. Otherwise, you can end up with a poor quality drink that can lead to undesirable consequences (headaches, jitter, anxiety, etc.). And of course, these same side effects can show up even if you drink the highest quality coffee. Thus, remember never to drink more than the daily safe caffeine intake – 400 mg.
And with that said, hopefully, our list of the best organic coffee 2023 will help you find a brand that meets all your needs!