Many people today are gravitating toward organic products. The dual concepts of organic farming methods designed to be more ecologically friendly and the use of natural fertilizers and pesticides appeal to both one’s sense of social consciousness and the health concerns about chemical pesticides and their effects. This is true in the gourmet coffee world too. But how does one confirm if their coffee is Certified Organic Coffee?
Check the label. An organic coffee sold in the U.S. must meet the USDA standards for organic foods. The USDA specifies two standards for labeling. “100 percent organic” specifies that all the raw product (excluding water and salt) and aids used in preparing the final product are organically produced. “Organic” specifies that at least 95% of of the raw product and aids are organic. The USDA Organic logo may also appear on the label. No other labeling such as “natural” specifies organic coffee.
You may also find labeling that indicates the coffee is Certified Organic Coffee, which is an indicator that the coffee has met regional certification standards for the area in which the coffee is grown. The certifying authority may also be listed.
Check on the roasting house. The roasting house must also be certified as an organic roaster, indicating they are maintaining the chain of organic practices in roasting and grinding.
Until next time, happy brewing.
We’re bombarded by the news: our sneakers were made by child labor in some third world sweat shop, that coffee we drink came from the labor of underpaid peasant farmers, etc., etc., etc. And don’t forget to reduce your carbon footprint. More and more we are called on to be socially aware of how we spend our dollars and the global environmental and human impact of how those things came to us.
For the gourmet coffee drinker one option is to buy Free Trade coffee. The combination of organic farming principles and the price protections afforded to the farmers seems an all around winner for the socially conscious consumer. Even McDonalds is moving towards using Free Trade coffee in its U.K. chains.
The big question now in the middle of the current economic recession is whether the need to stretch every penny as far as possible will override the urge to be a responsible citizen of the planet? Fair Trade coffee does come to us at a higher price, is it worth it? It’s your choice.
Until next time, happy brewing.
College campuses across the nation are a great place to spend an afternoon. This is true not only for the interesting architecture and buzzing student life but also for the general atmosphere. Especially if the college has a liberal bent, there is invariably a group of students protesting on a communal lawn or staging some sort of demonstration designed to make others aware of a social ill.
Regardless of whether these demonstrations actually change anybody’s mind, there is no doubt that they do raise awareness about particular issues that the group deems important. For example, one continued bone of contention among college students is the perpetuation of free trade products on the college campus. That’s why there have been many instances where fair trade certified organic coffee booths have been established right in the middle of campus. These booths often give the coffee away for free in order to let people know the high standards of quality that this coffee is held to.
Fair trade is more than just a social movement – it’s an organized response to what some skeptics term “capitalism run amok.” Critics of free trade label claim that it allows wealthy Western nations and large corporations to exploit small producers in Latin America, Africa and other areas of the developing world. According to the fair trade approach, producers are paid enough to live comfortably and make their operations sustainable. Some of the more progressive retailers have made a special effort to carry fair trade products, which commonly include coffee, tea, bananas, sugar and even cotton to make clothing. Fair trade coffee doesn’t represent a political statement, however. It’s more an expression of solidarity with the people who put their hard work and dedication into bringing us quality products