Organic vs. Conventional Coffee: What’s the Difference, and Is One “Better?”

Do you love a cup of coffee first thing in the morning? Your habit is shared by over half the country’s population, since 65% of Americans drink coffee daily. Drinking coffee can be a great way to get your day started if you enjoy a caffeine boost. Some researchers have even suggested that coffee consumption may have health benefits (when accompanied by a healthy and balanced diet).

Most people give little or no thought to the farming methods that produce their morning Joe, so they’re happy to drink conventionally grown coffee. However, did you know there’s such a thing as organic coffee? Organic coffee is made from organic coffee beans, and it might make a difference in upgrading your coffee experience. Keep reading to learn all about the differences between organic and conventional coffee!

How Conventional Coffee Is Made

Conventional coffee is one of the most heavily chemically-treated plants in the entire world. That means that potentially toxic pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, and more are applied to coffee plants on a massive scale. While these chemicals aren’t likely to wash up in your cup of Joe, they heavily damage the soil where the coffee plants are grown. This means that conventionally grown coffee plants take up a lot of land. And because the soil has been heavily bombarded with harsh chemicals, it often takes years for it to become fertile once again. 

Another problem with conventional coffee is that it’s leading to the destruction of local ecosystems. Coffee plants naturally seek shade. However, these shade-seeking plants aren’t cost-effective to grow, so conventional coffee growers often breed hybrid plants. They can be grown closer together but need direct sunlight to flourish. As a result, hundreds of thousands of acres of vulnerable forests have been cleared to make space for coffee plants. 

How Organic Coffee Is Grown

Organic coffee is grown in similar soil conditions as conventional coffee, and the roasting process is the same once the beans reach their ultimate destination. However, there’s a lot going on between the beginning and the end!

In order to put an “organic” label on their coffee, coffee farmers must only use organic pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides on their coffee plants. They are also prohibited from using synthetic fertilizers. Instead, they rely on natural fertilizers, including compost, manure, and coffee pulp, to protect the soil from harmful chemicals.

Growing organic coffee beans takes significantly fewer resources compared to growing conventional coffee. In fact, some flora and fauna are enriched by organic coffee plant growth. Organic farms also emit significantly less carbon than standard coffee farms. Some organic coffee growers even repurpose plant matter that traditional farms throw away, such as coffee cherries. All in all, the organic production of coffee is far greener!

Which Is Better?

Even though organic and conventional coffee are farmed differently, research has not shown a significant difference in their effects on human health. However, the difference present in organic production methods matters to many people who are environmentally and socially conscious. If you prefer to get your produce and meat from farms that follow organic growing practices, you likely will gravitate towards organic coffee for the same reasons. If you prefer organic or raw milk rather than traditional cow’s milk, you’ll likely want to try organic coffee as an alternative to what you’ve been drinking all these years.

At The Old Dutch Cupboard, we’re not here to tell you what to put in your coffee — but we are encouraging people to buy organic coffee rather than conventional coffee. Since we’re dedicated to stocking both “standard” and organic products, we have an intimate understanding of why organic farms are often better, safer, and more humane for everyone involved in the growing process. When you choose organic, your morning coffee will make the world a little bit better, and we think that’s worth trying!

Shop Delicious Organic Food and More!

Hungry for tasty handcrafted cheese or delicious Nutty Novelties spreads? What about farm-fresh eggs or sustainably made ice cream? We have it all, so stop in at The Old Dutch Cupboard anytime and find healthy foods your whole family will love, including a huge variety of organic options. We’ll see you soon!