What is Organic Coffee Certification?

The mission of Organic Coffee production is to create a verified sustainable agriculture system that produces coffee in harmony with nature, supports biodiversity and enhances soil health.

"Organic" certification traces back to 19th century practices formulated in England, India and the US. Since 1967 it has developed into an internationally recognized system with organic coffee production throughout the world. This certification has more than 40 nations supplying the global market with organic coffee, more than any other certification.

What is Organic Coffee production?

• Organic coffee beans, produced without the use of pesticides or herbicides, are beneficial to both the producer and the consumer.
• Certified organic production emphasizes recycling, composting, soil health and protection of the environment.
• These practices turn out to be cost effective and socially responsible.
• The soil is enriched with compost, green manure and organic amendments.
• Weeds and pests are controlled through crop rotation.
• Beneficial insects and selective use of natural, non-chemical pesticides are common practice in organic agriculture. Organic coffee is shade grown.
• The yield tends to be lower than non-organic coffee but the quality is superior, thus justifying the higher cost.
• Organic coffee growers are committed to the environment and to the people living in the land.

Another way to describe organic growth practices is sustainable farming. What does this mean?

• Organic farming reduces pollution and uses renewable resources whenever possible.
• For example, a sustainable, organic farm will reuse coffee husks as heating fuel instead of cutting down trees.
• The same farm will plant trees to replace those used for heating or other purposes.
• The organic coffee farmer will minimize water consumption and recycle used water.
• Organic, sustainable coffee farming recommended practices emphasize education and higher wages for workers as well as improved working conditions.
• There are differences in organic procedures from one farm to the next as well as from region to region and country to country.
• However, certifications are a big positive step towards improving life conditions and coffee trade practices.

Organic Coffee certification is a growing one with high acceptability among farmers, workers and consumers. Organic certified coffees include, for example, Colombian Supremo Organic, Peruvian Shade Grown Organic, and Salvador High Grown Organic. There are differences between the coffees well worth tasting.

• Colombian Supremo Organic offers full flavor coffee that is naturally exquisite and fresh with a "clean" rich taste. Salvador High Grown Organic has a rich flavor and aroma. It is bright on the tongue with a clean finish and is considered a rare coffee.
• Peruvian Shade Grown Organic is shade grown using traditional organic methods on the eastern Andean slopes and is fairly traded. This coffee has a rich aroma, bright acidity, milder semi-sweet flavor, and medium body.

So, what about a cup of Peruvian Shade Grown Organic?

Timothy ("Tim") S. Collins, the author, is called by those who know him "Gourmet Coffee Guy."
He is an expert in article writing who has done extensive research online and offline in his area of expertise, coffee marketing, as well as in other areas of personal and professional interest.

Come visit the author's website: http://www.ourgourmetcoffee.com.

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