Organic farming is generally a great thing. Many foods, especially those consumed raw, taste better and are beneficial to us when they come from organic agriculture. But what about coffee? And why does organic coffee from the supermarket taste so bad?

Our coffees are largely grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers and are healthier than some coffees that carry an organic label, thanks to our careful processing and roasting methods. Let us explain why.

What does an organic certification stand for?

The issuer of a certification imposes certain requirements on farmers and promotes ecological agriculture. For example, synthetic fertilizers or pesticides are not allowed to be used. Often, nature and animal conservation are part of the criteria. The entire supply chain, up to the retailer (distributor), must be organic certified, which incurs significant costs that can amount to several thousand euros per year.

What do coffee farmers in Colombia do?

Many large farms get certified because they can demand higher prices for their products. This can have positive effects, such as raising awareness about environmental protection and the dangers of pesticides.

The downside is that smaller farms cannot afford certification, even though they have traditionally practiced ecological farming or may not fully meet the requirements. Farms in regions where no organic certified farms exist would attract the pests to their area by removing pesticides.

Is organic coffee beneficial for our health?

Analyzes of roasted coffees have also shown that pesticides are mostly degraded during the roasting process. Therefore, an industrially roasted organic coffee, due to its short roasting time at high temperatures, is less digestible than a non-organic specialty coffee.

What does that mean for Gallery4 coffee?

We work closely with our farmers and roasters and know that they are committed to the well-being of people, as well as the protection of nature and animals. Obtaining an organic certification would only add costs and extra work without providing real benefits. You can taste and feel the difference.

Therefore, our appeal to everyone is: Focus on (specialty) quality and fairness (direct trade) rather than the organic label.