Organic coffee has been
steadily growing in popularity over the past few years. People are gravitating
towards it for its environmental and health benefits, but those aspects alone
do not tell the whole story. In this article we will examine 4 ways to differentiate
organic coffee from regular coffee.
1) Look for the USDA seal Since 2002 any food
that is at least 95% organic can be labeled with a USDA seal stating its
organic authenticity.If your coffee does not have the seal it may still be
organic, but the presence of the seal is a guarantee. 2)
Have a taste Many organic coffee drinkers swear that their coffee has
a cleaner and richer taste than its non-organic counterpart.If you are served a
particularly tasty or satisfying cup of coffee, ask your host or server if they
have treated you to some organically grown coffee.You may end up with an
organic surprise when you hear their answer. 3)
Have a smell Studies have shown that the aroma of coffee beans has a
relaxing and sleep inducing effect.Organic coffee beans tend to have a purer
smell than non-organic due to the vastly cleaner manner in which they are grown.Some
feel that this natural growth results in an even cleaner and more relaxing
aroma.The next time you have the chance, take a nice deep inhale of both and
see which one relaxes you more. 4)
Dont rely on the price Contrary to popular belief, organic coffee is
not always pricier than regular coffee.While there is typically a higher cost
involved in growing coffee organically, many specialty coffees that are grown
non-organically can be much pricier.Additionally, many smaller coffee sellers
do not have the name brand markups of the major players, so there is additional
savings in that regard.While price may be a clue as to the lineage of the
coffee you are considering purchasing, it is not a criterion on which you can
solely rely. While most consumers will
be able to differentiate organic and non-organic coffee at the point of sale,
this guide may help in identifying the difference in everyday life.Of course,
you could always just ask for organic, and ensure you are drinking the healthiest
possible coffee option.