Organic coffee requires a certification from an independent agency that verifies no herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers were used at any stage during its growth or cultivation. This organic certification is overseen by a number of independent agencies, including the OGBA (Organic Growing and Buying Association,) the OCIA (Organic Crop Improvement Association,) and the European-based Demeter. Look for organic coffee from Zach & Dani's coming soon.

You May Already Be Drinking Organic Coffee

If you're unable to find an organic coffee you enjoy, take comfort in the fact that you may already be drinking organic coffee by default. Many quality-focused growers adhere to organic farming as their method of choice even though they shun the time-consuming organic bureaucracy. They simply don't see the logic in having a foreign agency bestow an expensive "blessing" on their normal way of doing things.

For example, Ethiopian and Indonesian coffee is widely considered to be among the most organic coffee on earth, yet neither is certified. Ethiopian coffee is naturally harvested from wild native trees and Indonesian coffee is naturally grown as a cash crop on small family farms. Even if these farmers wanted to alter their organic practices, the chemicals, pesticides, and fertilizers would simply be too expensive.

Also, although there are many reputable organic farms, some growers capitalize on the organic certification to help them sell an inferior bean grown in an inferior soil. In comparison, a quality-focused non-organic farm with environmentally sound practices may be the more sustainable approach, offering more reliable livelihoods for their workers. The bottom line: If you buy a high-quality arabica, there's a fair chance you're getting organic by default. It won't have the fancy organic sticker, but it won't have the heftier organic price tag either.

The Health Question

No scientific evidence shows that organic coffee is any better for you than non-organic coffee. Compared to other crops, such as carrots, green beans, strawberries, and tomatoes, coffee doesn't appear to pose the same health concerns. It isn't that chemicals aren't bad for you; it's that they're often processed out of the bean.

To process coffee you must first remove the skin and fruit of the cherry, ferment the bean, thoroughly wash the bean, and finally roast it at home at temperatures that can exceed 400 degrees. What's more, by the time it ends up in your cup, you're looking at a beverage that's 3% coffee diluted with 97% water. So it's not surprising that even coffee grown with chemicals and fertilizers routinely pass sensitive laboratory tests.

Want Coffee With a Conscience? Check Out Coffee Kids

Of course, the organic coffee movement does have environmental benefits and health benefits to the farmer. For those interested in social/ecological issues related to coffee, read about Sustainable Harvests and an organization called Coffee Kids. It helps direct contributions made on behalf of small, sustainable growers.