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Best Organic Coffee Reviews 2022

These days with everyone taking about organic food and companies trying to jump the bandwagon of organic food, we start looking at everything labeled  organic with a cynical eye.

I felt the same when it came to organic coffee. But after a fair amount of research, I realized that opting for coffee that is organic is not a bad choice. You help the environment, you ensure that the coffee the produced using sustainable techniques.

And most importantly, you know that the coffee that you consume is healthier for your body along with tasting as good, if not better than your normal coffee.

Doesn’t that sound great? Let’s check the best organic coffee brands on the market today.

A. Best Organic Coffee | Our Top Picks

I. Mavericks Low Acid Coffee Review

Our #1 Recommended

Image of a bag of Mavericks organic coffee, rated as one of the best by Fourth Estate.

Mavericks’ low acid coffee is made of organic coffee beans. It has no added chemicals and additives to it., and 90% less chlorogenic than normal coffee, which means no heartburn. This coffee is roasted at a specific temperature to reduce chlorogenic acid.

The coffee is great for people suffering from GERD, IBS, and for people with a sensitive digestive system. People who are on a keto alkaline diet can enjoy a rich cup of bulletproof coffee with Mavericks’ coffee roast. The slow roasting process gives this coffee a nice flavor, and a very pleasant and sweet aroma. It is made in the USA which ensures great quality.

The coffee can be made according to your taste such as light, medium-light, medium or dark. The grounds are tested and verified by an independent laboratory for low acidity.

The coffee comes in a conveniently sized packing box and is provided with a zipper top to protect the coffee from catching moisture, keeping the coffee fresh and strong for a long period. It also has a built-in spout for easy pouring.

If you love coffee and are health cautious then this is the coffee for you.

Pros

  • 90% lesser Cholorogenic acid
  • No heartburn
  • Great for people suffering from GERD and IBS
  • Great flavor
  • High-quality

Cons

  • Mild unpleasant smell

II. Peru Approcassi Cajamarca Beans Review

We all know Peru is famous for its coffee. The coffee they produce is better than any other in the world. The farmers of the Approcass from Cajamarca province in Peru still use the same traditional technique and methods used by their ancestors since 1700 AD. To have a chemical-free farm the farmers have equipped their land with a micro-wet milling system. Farmers cultivate the crops in between trees to protect the crops from the sun. The beans are handpicked from May to September. Pulping of crops is also done by hand to ensure the quality and freshness of beans. The final step is the cleaning of beans. To clean the beans they are stored in huge fermentation tanks that clean them thoroughly.

The beans are shipped in the afternoon and are delivered the same day. You will receive a fresh bag of coffee beans that ensures quality and excellent taste.

This coffee has a rich and nutty flavor to it. You can use the coffee beans for any kind of coffee such as drip, fresh press, vacuum or expresso. The beans are also custom roasted, or you can roast the green beans at home according to your preference. Try a cup today and taste the excellence.

Pros

  • Chemical-free farming
  • 300+ year old techniques
  • Rich flavor
  • Shipped on the day of roasting

Cons

  • Some online reviewers commented that they got batches that were bad.

III. Colombian Sierra Nevada Magdalena Review

The Colombian Sierra Nevada Magdalena Finca Agroberlin, RFA, SMBC Coffee Beans are chemical-free. You can roast the green beans according to your style and preference and store them in a tightly sealed container. If the beans are roasted properly, then the grinder will grind the beans well. Colombian SMBC Coffee Beans come in different kinds roast, such as dark roast (Espresso), light roast (city), a medium roast (full city) and unroasted green beans. The beans are harvested between October to January on a high altitude region between 1,300-1,700 meters in Magdalena. The type of beans that are grown in this region is Typica, Caturra, Castillo, and Exceeso.

The coffee is made by a processing method wherein the beans are extracted from the pulp before drying. The wet processing requires specific equipment and an adequate amount of water. The beans are then moved to the dry mill to be dried on a large patio. The beans are roasted every morning and are shipped in the afternoon. The Agroberlin farm received its organic certificate in 1999.

This coffee is very flavorful and has unique cupping. The farmers exert a lot of effort to produce this coffee, and it has an outstanding fragrance and finish. Try this solid selection today. You won’t be disappointed.

Pros

  • Chemical-free
  • Lots of variety
  • Fresh
  • Good flavor

Cons

  • The espresso roast is very bitter

IV. Enema Review

Enema is free from all chemicals and is totally organic. To protect the crop from sun the coffee crops are cultivated in between trees and are grown in the shade. It is perfectly roasted and has a pleasing aroma to it. This is smooth and has an earthy taste to it. Café Mam was established in 1990 and provides organic, shade grown and fair trade beverage. Café Mam is managed by the native Mayan farmers living in the highland of Chiapas and México.

This coffee has less caffeine and a lower acid content so you can enjoy a rich cup of coffee without having to worry about your health. The blend is a light roast and has been cultivated for detoxification treatment, and it reduces toxins in the liver and digestive system. It also gives relief of migraine headaches, PMS and body aces.

This coffee is light brown in color and comes in an attractive package. You should store in an airtight, sealed container to keep it fresh. If you’re looking for a high-quality, healthy organic, this is the choice for you.

Pros

  • Chemical-free
  • Great aroma
  • Low acidic and caffeine content
  • Great for a detox
  • Reduces toxins in the liver and digestive system

Cons

  • Cord is short

V. Midnight Ride Blend Organic Coffee Bold Roast Review

The Midnight Ride blend has 90% less acidic content compared to other coffees on the market, making it is easy on your body. It is light to digest and does not give any heartburn. If you are a coffee lover and like to have a couple of times in a day then this is one is for you. It is also great for people suffering from GRD and IBS.

This coffee has a very clean, pleasant and sweet aroma and is very smooth on the palate. It does not have any bitter taste to it. Mavericks is one of the best-selling coffees in the US.

It is roasted at a certain temperature to reduce the amount of acid content. This procedure has been followed for the last 14 years and has proved effective and beneficial.

There are no added chemicals, and this is totally organic. It comes in hassle-free packaging, so you can store the coffee in a tightly sealed container or keep it in the same packaging. The packaging also has a built-in spout for easy use.

If you have any digestive issues, this might be the perfect organic coffee for you.

Pros

  • 90% less acidic content
  • Made in USA
  • Excellent quality
  • 100% organic
  • Easy to store

Cons

  • None to mention

VI. Jose’s Whole Bean Mayan Blend Arabica Coffee Review

Jose’s Whole Bean is a medium-dark roast. The beans are picked carefully to provide a rich cup of coffee.

It has no added flavor or chemicals. It is 100% organic. The medium-dark roast beans provide a rich and smooth cup of coffee, and it has a very floral and delicate aroma. The taste is sweet and chocolaty. Even though it is medium-dark roasted it does not have any bitter taste to it. It is mild and provides a full-bodied smooth finish.

Jose’s Coffee has expertise in selecting and roasting the finest beans from across the world. Since the beans are roasted perfectly, grinding it is an easy job. It takes a couple of seconds to grind the beans, and you can store it in an air-tight sealed container. Store the container in the refrigerator to protect freshness.

You will need 2 tablespoons of ground coffee for a cup of full-flavored coffee. Jose’s beans are 100% Arabica and USDA organic certified. Try this delicious organic beverage today.

Pros

  • No added flavor or chemicals
  • 100% organic
  • Rich and smooth taste
  • 100% Arabica
  • USDA organic certified
  • No bitter taste

Cons

  • Expensive compared to competition

VII. Nature’s Edge Fair Trade Shade Grown Coffee with MCT Oil Review

Nature’s Edge is a combination of fair-trade, dark roast coffee that has been roasted at a specific temperature for a specific period with high potency hemp oil.

It has the right amount of caffeine to keep you energetic, while possessing the calming effect of hemp, keeping you balanced throughout the day.

The coffee is hand-roasted to provide good quality and is full of flavor and freshness. It is made in the U.S.A, ensuring great quality.

Nature’s Edge has a variety to choose from, including a slimming blend packed with natural hunger-fighting supplements. Each option has a many health benefits to offer. The hemp extract has high potency hemp oil, The Vitality blend has natural hemp protein, and the Energize blend has hemp, MCT, ginseng, and ginger, The Slimming blend has hemp, MCT, Garcinia Cambodia, and The Brain boost blend has hemp, MCT, turmeric and cinnamon.

Nature’s Edge is a mix of coffee and a health drink. Store the coffee in the refrigerator to maintain the freshness for a longer period, and It is recommended to use a French press or a brewer – no paper brewers. For 8oz of water, 2 tablespoons of coffee are required. Each 10 gram of coffee has 10 MG of hemp oil.

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or on medication, consult with a doctor before consuming this tasty brew.

Pros

  • High potency hemp oil
  • Helps you balance energy and calmness
  • Good quality and flavor
  • Lots of variety and options
  • Includes natural supplements

Cons

  • None

VIII. Death Wish Ground Coffee Review

Death Wish ground is purely organic and is made of Arabica and Robusta beans. There is no caffeine or additives added to it.

These beans are slowly roasted using a unique technique with time and temperature variation. The beans are roasted until they turn dark brown, which gives an intense flavor. They are also roasted in small batches to ensure the quality and freshness of the beans. Master roasters roast less than 65 lbs per batch.

Death wish coffee has low acidity content so you can enjoy your coffee without any hesitation, and the coffee is smooth awith a nice aroma.

Arabica and Rubasta beans ensure this coffee is high in caffeine, helping you stayed focused for a longer time.

In every 6 oz cup there is 59 mg of caffeine per fluid ounce, which means it is 3 times more powerful than a normal cup of coffee.

The packaging maintains freshness, but once the bag is opened we recommend keeping it in an air-tight container to maintain its freshness.

Death wish coffee is the world’s strongest coffee, so if you’re looking for a potent source of energy, look no further. Try it today.

Pros

  • Great packaging which keeps it fresh
  • 3 times powerful than a normal cup of coffee
  • Fair-trade certified
  • Roasted in small batches to ensure freshness
  • No added caffeine or other additives

Cons

  • Made of Arabica and Robusta beans

IX. Cafe Don Pablo Subtle Earth Organic Gourmet Coffee Review

Subtle Earth’s organic coffee is full of flavor, and is made of 100% organic and GMO-free certified Arabica beans. There are no added chemicals or preservatives, and the roasting facility is food-safety certified and approved for organic production.

The fruit of the beans are decomposed and used as fertilizer along with vermiculture. Since fewer insects are present at the altitude that the coffee is grown, no insecticides are used. instead, farmers plant pepper as a repellent.

The coffee is rich and has a chocolaty taste and has a velvety body. It has low acid content as well. The perfectly roasted beans blend easily and you can choose from coarse to fine grounds. The packing maintains the freshness. Just grind and store in an air-tight container when possible.

You can make using the hand drip method, a traditional drip machine, or with an espresso machine.

Pros

  • 100% Arabica coffee beans
  • Certified organic by CCOF
  • GMO-free
  • Chocolaty taste
  • Low acidic content

Cons

  • Some batches are low in quality but they send you a replacement packet once you raise the issue

X. Tiny Footprint Coffee Review

Tiny Footprint has no added chemicals and is 100% organic. This cold press elixir comes in both light and dark roasts. The coffee is craft roasted in a vintage 90-kilo German-built probate drum roaster modified with computer-controlled, fuel-efficient ribbon burners.

Each batch is roasted to perfection and is tested before approving its sale. The beans are fair trade or rainforest alliance certified, and are sourced from the best organic growers and cooperatives from around the world.

Footprint coffee is the world’s first carbon negative coffee company. Roasting and training are done in Minneapolis, MN.

This is sweet and silky with subtle fruit and floral aroma infused with the cocoa-like body. For one ounce, add 6 ounces of water. Let it brew for 18-20 hours at room temperature. Then filter out coffee grounds and dilute it with a 1:1 ratio and store it in the refrigerator. It can last up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. You simply have to try this fantastic brew for yourself.

Pros

  • No added chemicals
  • 100% organic
  • Carbon Negative coffee company
  • Made in USA

Cons

  • Not great for a cold brew or a drip machine

Organic Coffee- The Ultimate Guide

What is Organic Coffee?

Organic coffee comes from beans that are grown in uncontaminated soil, meaning the soil doesn’t have any pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. Every country has different standards regarding what can be considered organic, however, the amount derived from true organic sources actually determines the difference. For instance, the FDA in the U.S.A. requires that 95% or more comes from organic sources to be classified as “Organic Coffee”.

Why Choose Organic Coffee?

When it comes to organic, you really cannot go wrong health-wise, and the difference between organic and conventional or regular is huge.

It is always best to buy organic from certified brands so you can safeguard your health and this amazing planet that we live on.

Research conducted at Newcastle University in England by an international team found that organic produce possessed 60% less toxic compounds than normal produce.

Organic farming helps sustain our ecosystem too. Organic is an excellent choice for any coffee connoisseur, providing health benefits and safe-guarding agricultural lands at the same time.

What Is Organic Growing?

When one thinks of organic farming, they mostly think that no fertilizers or pesticides have been used to grow organic crops. But, they do not know that both these things are very much needed to have

optimum results. Then you will ask ‘what is the difference’? Well, the types or/and methods used are the main difference.

Many growers went back to using old techniques with the absence of synthetic products. You can get the best results when you combine modern know-how with old growing techniques.

Processing

You can process coffee beans in two ways: dry and wet.

Dry Milling – It is a procedure wherein the fruits are dried under the sun. This is done before they are hulled (peeled). To ensure the drying happens evenly, hands are used to turn the beans or they are turned using some hand tools.

This method of drying coffee beans before they are peeled is followed by Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and South America. As a result of this method, the coffee derives its earthy, rich and natural flavor.

These features are usually associated with coffee that is organic.

Wet Milling – This method extracts seeds using water. Before the cherries dry, the seeds are extracted from them. The amount of water used here is significant because of which this process turns out to be very expensive and it is also not considered to be environmentally friendly.

Growing Beans

In certain countries, their regulations state that land can be suitable for the use of organic farming if it has been chemical-free for a set period of time. The time period is usually 3 – 5 years. This much time is required and enough for the soil to get rid of any chemicals.

But, in some countries, as per the standards they use, the crops are only required to be treated in a particular way. They do not take into consideration the soil contamination.

Organic Processing

You can process coffee beans using two methods – dry and wet.

The wet milling process extracts the seeds and separates it from the cherries by using water. Here, a good amount of water gets used because of which it is not considered to be environmentally friendly. But still, it is used extensively. The coffee produced using this method has a bright and fruity character. This process is expensive and the beans it gives are of the highest quality.

As compared to wet milling, dry milling is a totally different process. Here, the beans are kept open on a huge piece of nylon or cloth. This is done so they can dry nicely in the sun. The growers turn these sun-exposed beans either by hand or by using tools that help in turning them. The beans dry evenly this way. Once the beans dry, they are sent to be hulled or peeled. After this step they get roasted. This whole process gets completed in almost four weeks on an average.

In Asia, Africa, and South America, farmers use this process. The coffee produced through this method has an earthy and natural flavor.

 Roasting

Once the organic beans have been acquired by the company, it has to see to it that the coffee remain organic during the roasting process. This can be attained only if organic beans have been used in the roaster every time it has been used for roasting.

The condition for ensuring that the beans are organic is so that the roaster does not have any chemical residue left behind on its surface when it is used to roast non-organic beans. If this happens, the chemical residue would contaminate the organic ones.

Apart from this, any sort of additives and flavor enhancers should not be used while roasting. The end flavor should be derived mainly from the beans.

Decaffeinating

In order to term decaf as organic, certain decaffeination processes have to be followed. It could either follow the carbon dioxide process or the Swiss water process. The coffee produced through these methods is very flavorful apart from being able to maintain its high organic quality.

There are various other processes of decaffeination, but these pollute the beans by using too many chemicals. Hence the coffee derived from these other processes cannot be considered organic.

Benefits of Organic Coffee

Environmentally Friendly

Coffee farms counter deforestation. The beans of organic coffee grow in the shade. This shade is provided by planting trees around it. Thus a new habitat is created for the wildlife. Thus farms benefit our environment.

Organic is grown without the use of any chemicals. Hence the soil stays pollution-free. And because of the use of natural fertilizers, the microbe levels of the soil are intact.

Healthier For Humans

The treatment of regular coffee is done using pesticides, fungicides, and certain chemical fertilizers. All these toxins eventually enter your morning brew. But if you are using organically produced  beans then this problem will not be there.

Richer Flavor

Most connoisseurs argue that the taste of organic coffee is better than non-organic. But one cannot say with certainty that this is true or whether it has to do something with the placebo effect.

The most important thing to note is that more antioxidants are present in organic beans than those treated with chemicals. A drinker’s palate that is well experienced will sense the finesse and unique flavors of organic coffee.

Better for Farmers

A good thing about organic is that it is good from the business point of view. A majority of beans that are bought through fair trade farms guarantee sufficient wages to their workers. Also, they make sure there are no unethical practices like child labor and slavery.

Hence when you purchase organic, you know for sure that by doing this a good cause is getting supported. This is way better than giving corporates your money. Environment and human rights are mostly neglected by corporates in the bargain of making high profits.

Environmental Benefits

Organic coffee is not produced using any synthetic fertilizers. Because of this, the beans derived organically have great flavor and aroma. Soil fertility is sustained when there are no chemicals used. Pulp and compost are organic fertilizers which on being used benefit the soil a lot. All this helps fight climate change. The compounds emitted in nature are also limited because of using organic fertilizers.

As per researchers, conventional or regular beverage has a lot of chemicals and pesticides involved in growing them. The CS Monitor study result shows that regular coffee is being grown by using more than 250 pounds of chemical fertilizers. The suggestion it makes is that every one cup could have more than one thousand chemicals present. And these chemicals are usually linked to health issues and illnesses.

It is also found through scientific studies that insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides are being used to treat conventional coffees. These are used to kill pests and thereby double the coffee bean’s growth. What needs to be noted is that the insects are not the only ones harmed by this overload of chemicals. The coffee beans carry the toxins which get brewed into fresh coffee and are served in your cup.

A lot of problems arise when coffee beans are grown using chemicals. Nature gets affected. Air, water, and our land get polluted. This is the shocking reality of non-organic farms.

Types of Decaf Organic Coffee

Decaffeinating

Organic decaf is for those lovers who love coffee for its flavor and not for its kick. There are four ways for removing the caffeine out. However, only two methods are considered to be organic.

These two methods are the Carbon Dioxide Method and the Swiss Water Process. Fortunately, both these processes help to have the best flavor.

Swiss Water Process Coffee

Hot water is used in this method. Along with hot water, activated charcoal filter is used to help remove caffeine from coffee beans that are green. This is done before the beans are sent for roasting.

First, the beans have to be soaked in hot water. Very hot water helps dissolve the caffeine. The flavor oils are also dissolved. After this, the activated charcoal filter is used to run this water. This way larger molecules of caffeine are taken out while the smaller molecules of flavor oils are left behind.

Once this process is complete you will have a container of water having the coffee flavor and you will have the beans without any flavor. This process may not make sense when done for the first time. But, when beans of the next or new batch are made to go through this process, they get soaked in the extract of the previous batch. This will help take out the caffeine while keeping the flavor intact.

The Carbon Dioxide Method

CO2 is used in this method as a solvent so that caffeine can be removed. The beans soaked in water are placed and sealed in an extraction chamber made out of stainless steel.

After this liquid CO2 is pressurized into the coffee beans till 1000lbs. This CO2 helps draw out the caffeine and absorbs it. Later the CO2 is transferred to some other container. Here it gets back to its gaseous form. And it only leaves behind the caffeine. The CO2 is used again after the coffee is collected.

Though this is a very effective method, it is expensive. Hence manufacturers who can afford the high costs use it for bulk quantities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is going organic beneficial in any way?

Organic coffee that is 100% USDA certified contains extra vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals that boost our immune system. But, you also need to note that these qualities are available in other coffees. Hence, though organic has no health benefits exclusively, coffee does have it in general.

The most important benefit is for the environment is that it helps reduce deforestation. With extra canopy cover, organic can grow more and better as compared to conventional coffee. This helps forests to be conserved along with their vegetation and native wildlife. Also, many companies that have organic certification, give donations to those organizations that attempt to reverse deforestation effects.

There is also another benefit. When ecosystems are left intact, natural predators or pest deterrents like lizards and birds, are not disturbed. And due to this, very fewer pesticides have to be used. Leaf litter, natural decay, and bird droppings act as a natural fertilizer for plants.

After all, this all helps in production organically. It gets logistically feasible and sustainable to only use a natural product for boosting growth. Also, farmers or growers in this entire process get to know of the environmental impact it has.

Does organic = sustainable?

In short, the answer is NO. It is not necessary for organic coffee to be sustainable. Though most companies that have got the organic label, take necessary steps to ensure that their production entirely becomes sustainable, it is not a hard and fast rule laid down by the various certification companies.

This is why one cannot guarantee an organic certified brand to be socially, financially, or even environmentally entirely sustainable. Actually, the carbon footprint is larger when organic fertilizers are used as compared to the use of safer practices combined with conventional types of fertilizers.

What is the certification process like?

To make it simple, we will explain about the USDA certification. But, please note that apart from this there are few additional organic certifications in various other regions. These regions have different certification processes.

For a farmer to get certified by the USDA, he or she should have been practicing approved organic farming for a minimum of 3 years. This means he or she has not used any non-organic pesticides or agrochemicals for that period of time atleast. Also, the supply chain should also be certified to have practices that are proper and organic-friendly. Roasters need to involve specific types of equipment dedicated to roasting only. This is to save the organic beans from getting contaminated.

However, it is not feasible to have separate pieces of equipment for roasting if the batch is small. Hence many may prefer to produce only organic so that they don’t forego the whole organic market.

A Better Way to Vet Your Coffee

So after reading all this you by now must have got a fair idea that having an organic label does not essentially mean what others think it is. In a few cases, companies advertise the opposite of what it is. So the question here is, how does one know if they are buying brands that have been produced keeping the environment and ethics in mind?

We have learned from years of engagement with this industry that you can have the best quality beverage by doing proper research. You have stared your research journey when you started reading what we have mentioned in this article here and the products that we have reviewed above. However, do not depend solely on what we have said. Research further if you have to.

Check the links of various manufacturers’ websites. This way you could use the information provided by us to check for yourself if the missions of the brands are worth supporting. It is not easy to get the exact and entire list of pesticides used by these companies. But you can tell if the company is worth your support by checking how they present themselves in other areas.

The general rule is, it is better to stick to small-batch roasters and micro-lots. And looking at how well they treat the farmers, on how they package their product, etc will give you a good idea if they stand for important issues or not.

Our Top Pick: Mavericks Low Acid Coffee

4.9

User Rating 3 (2 votes)

Summary

The Mavericks low acid coffee is made of organic beans. It has no added chemicals and additives to it. It has 90% lesser chlorogenic than normal coffee which means no heartburn. It is roasted at a specific temperature to reduce chlorogenic acid. You can enjoy your coffee without any hesitation. It is great for people suffering from GERD, IBS and also for people with a sensitive digestive system. For people who are on a keto alkaline diet can enjoy a rich cup of bulletproof coffee with Mavericks roast.