Coffee is the second most traded product in the world. It is also a food crop that tends to be one of the most treated by chemicals.

Coffee that is grown organically is farmed without chemicals being used. Although many people do not notice a difference in taste, they do appreciate drinking coffee that was not produced at a harm to the environment.

If you want to drink an organic blend of coffee, you do have to be prepared to pay a little more for the product. Most who support the growing of organic coffee do not seem to mind the price increase.

Although the taste of organic coffee may not be all of that different, some people do report noticing that they seem to get less jittery from this brew than with regular coffee.

The popularity of organic coffee is on the rise. As little as five years ago, some companies were roasting approximately five thousand pounds of organic coffee each year. Now however, these same companies are roasting at least thirty thousand pounds of organic coffee yearly.

Be wary however, because not all organic products are the same. Some coffees that claim to be organic are in fact not. To be able to be officially labeled as organically grown, all of the coffee production process must meet a very strict criteria.

To be certified as organic means that a certifying organization that is independent will determine that the coffee was grown and treated without using any synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides or other dangerous chemicals.

You can be certain that the coffee you are purchasing is organic by asking your grocer if the organic coffee they supply has been purchased from an organization that is recognized and certified.

You can also watch the labels on the coffee. You will be looking for a label that is round and has a sun, bird and a tiny root tree. The label will say OCIA Certified Organic.

The Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA) International, is based in Bellefontaine, Ohio, and is recognized around the world as a farmer-owned and operated professional group of organic farmers and processors. 

Every year, they perform inspections in each state of coffee production. Coffee farms are carefully inspected by OCIA staff, who at the same time investigate processing plants, inspectors and distributors to ensure that organic coffee beans are not sprayed with chemicals or blended with coffee that is not organic. 

A large number of harmful pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and insecticides are commonly sprayed on coffee crops in many areas of the world. The long-term effects of these synthetic chemicals harm the environment, ground soil, water and create health risks for people.

One way to help thwart all of these problems is by giving farmers encouragement to start growing their crops organically. Unfortunately, organic farming is harder and yields less return than does non-organic coffee farming. 

Once you have organic coffee beans in your possession, you may wonder what the best way to use them may be.

Like with all coffee beans, organic beans should ideally be purchased and ground at home, as they are needed. Your beans stay fresh longer if they are ground on an as needed basis. Remember that the finer you grind your beans, the richer your coffee will taste.

Although you can of course use a typical drip coffee pot, you may want to consider trying a French Press to brew your organic coffee. All you need to do is stir in your coffee grounds with hot water. When you are ready to serve your brew, press down on a screen that will push your coffee grounds to the bottom. As there is no paper filter with this system, the natural oils of the coffee are released making for a wonderful cup of coffee.
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