What is organic coffee?

One of the most prominent features of an organic coffee bean is that the fertilizer used in the farm in which it is harvested must be 100% organic. When it comes to organic fertilizer, options include chicken manure, coffee pulp, bocachi, and general compost.

Synthetic fertilizers cannot be used. Also, in order to be approved by the USDA as certified organic coffee, farmers must follow some other strict standards as well while growing the beans. At first, weeds must be removed by using a natural gas flame weeder, having animals eat them, or removing them by hand. Also, genetically modified organisms (GMO) crops cannot be used in its production.

These plants are also cultivated in partial shade, where they are protected from sunlight. The shade also provides a place for birds which target coffee plant pests.

Conventional coffee beans are harvested with pesticides and chemical fertilizers, which is harmful for both the environment and human health.

Non-organic coffee beans are grown following certain rules. Like, in order to remove naturally occurring fungicides, the soil is fumigated. Sometimes, petroleum-based chemical fertilizers are used in farming. Before being planted, the seeds are also soaked in insecticides and fungicides. Chemicals are added to the water used for irrigation. Moreover, when the seeds start growing, they’re sprayed with weedicide.

Furthermore, these plants are more vulnerable to pests and disease as they are grown in direct sunlight.

There are several health benefits of organic coffee. Some are listed below:

Sources:

www.wikipedia.org

www.bakedbrewedbeautiful.com