In terms of chemicals, coffee is one of the most heavily treated crops of any agricultural commodity.
In order to mass produce coffee, traditional growers often clear wide swaths of land, predominantly in the rainforest, where the crops receive direct sunlight all-day. This all-day exposure to the sun weakens the immune system of the coffee crops and makes them more vulnerable to pests and insects.
Hence, it is one of the reasons that coffee requires such large amounts of pesticides and insecticides. This also explains why shade is very important.
Many of these pesticides and insecticides sprayed directly on the crops end up in the coffee that people drink on a daily basis and therefore harm our bodies. These chemicals also cause damage to the soil and pollute the local water supply.
Furthermore, workers who have tremendous exposure to these chemicals suffer greatly.
When the beans are harvested, they are washed with water. This water, which now contains many different toxic chemicals, is released back into streams, rivers and the soil. This creates a vicious circle with new plants growing in pesticide-laced soil producing poor-quality coffee.
The clearing of fragile rainforests, where coffee is grown, represents an incredibly serious threat to global warming.
Over the last forty years or so, approximately 2/3rds of the rainforest in Central America and Mexico has disappeared.
Why you should choose Organic:
Organic farmers do not use harmful or super-toxic chemicals on their coffee crops. The coffee that you drink is as “clean” as possible. This means you are not putting dangerous pesticides or insecticides into your body each morning.
An organic farm has to be chemical-free for at least three years. Plus, it should be at a considerable distance from non-organic farms, so that they are as far away from the presence of pesticides as possible.
Delicious coffee beans are what you get when you grow them in soil which is rich in natural fertilizers. The fact that they’re free of chemicals means that you will taste nothing but pure coffee. It’s not just the taste of organic coffee that will get to you. Its aroma, too, is one of a kind and is sure to leave you asking for more.
Organic farmers nurture the environment and minimize soil erosion through re-forestation, the use of ecological methods to control pests, the recirculation of water whenever possible and the propagation of different species of native trees, which also provides important refuge for migratory birds.
When you buy organic coffee, you are supporting farmers in many third world countries who are committed to the environment and are helping to promote biodiversity.
Organic coffee is chemical-free and high in antioxidants, which can prevent cancer and inflammation in your body. Want to bust the Monday morning blues and beat the weekday-stress? Sip on organic coffee and let it work its magic!
Just as much as recycling is important, so is your choice of coffee. By choosing Organic, locally roasted coffee, you are supporting Local business, the environment, and you are supporting a healthy life for yourself and Coffee farmers far and away.
Click here to see our certified organic coffees!
sources:
http://www.organicangels.com/blog/5-reasons-to-drink-organic-coffee/
https://livingmaxwell.com/organic-coffee