Few things are better than a freshly-brewed cup of coffee in the morning. One of them is a freshly-brewed organic cup of coffee. Luckily for you, there’s no shortage of it in the market.
Of course, only an abundance of organic coffee can present you with an important question: what’s the best organic coffee?
Today, we’ll guide you through a list of the best organic coffee brands we’ve found. Let’s get to it!
In This Guide...
What’s Organic Coffee?
At some point, you’ve probably heard the word “organic” in reference to food or drinks: organic fruit, organic vegetables, organic juice. And now, you’re hearing about organic coffee. You probably think that’s it’s another substitute for “natural,” but what does “organic” exactly entail?
You can’t just label anything “organic.” In the U.S., the Department of Agriculture demands a certain set of standards to be met for a product to be labeled organic. When it comes to coffee, manufacturers can’t use pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. They can’t use any synthetic substances at all, period.
Organic coffee is produced with zero agrochemical interference. To be labeled as such, at least %95 of its beans must be grown under
The Difference Between Organic Coffee and Regular Coffee
If they’re grown in the same manner, then there’s no difference in taste between certified organic coffee and regular coffee. Without a label, you wouldn’t be able to tell the two apart. The differences lie in how they’re produced.
Agrochemical Interference
Regular coffee is full of chemicals: herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides. There’s an array of health risks associated with pesticides, especially regarding their use in coffee farming.
By taking out these ingredients, you’re taking the potential health risks out, making coffee overall healthier to consume.
If you have a weak stomach, organic coffee is better for your health. Chemicals present in regular coffee can sometimes cause harmful chemical ingestion. Since these chemicals are absent in organic coffee, the chances of chemical ingestion are reduced.
Organic coffee also has higher levels of antioxidants, which is beneficial for you. It also has more vitamins and nutrients.
With organic coffee, you’re getting a more natural energy boost. Plus, the caffeine present in organic coffee is more potent
Labor Conditions
You might be thinking about the effects regular coffee might have on your health. Whatever these effects are, they’re nothing compared to what actual farmers suffer through. Coffee farmers are exposed to a variety of toxic chemicals, causing health hazards for them.
That’s where organic coffee comes in. Unlike regular coffee, organic coffee is grown without chemical interference. You can safely forget about synthetic additives and pesticides.
Organic farming is compatible with labor standards. Since chemical interference is significantly decreased, there’s little harm that reaches the farmer.
Environmental Standards
Most importantly, organic coffee farming is compatible with environmental standards.
For example, organic coffee farming decreases the amount of fertilizer going into the ground. It also maintains partial forest canopy among other things.
Moreover, organic coffee farming trades chemicals for organic pesticides. Such pesticides include chicken manure and coffee pulp.
And it’s grown in forests as well, which is important because forested coffee farms offer a ton of benefits: they maintain soil fertility, tolerate unusual weather conditions, and keep regional ecosystems alive.
Check it out! Best Organic Coffee
After an extensive search, we could only present you with the very best. These coffees are rich, tasty, and available at varied price points.
Let's take a closer look at each of them.
Kicking Horse Ground Coffee
This dark roast coffee from Kicking Horse has a distinctive aroma. It smells like condensed sugar cane and cocoa powder, with the former being surprisingly pleasant.
That’s not even the best of it. This Arabica coffee has a multi-layered taste. You’ll notice the rich, dark chocolate first thing.
As for the rest, your taste buds will detect the rest easily: notes of cacao nibs, followed by brown sugar, and finished by roasted hazelnuts—thick, creamy, and smooth. It’s powerful but non-acidic.
As for the aftertaste, you should expect zero bitterness. You’ll be left a smooth and pure mouthfeel.
This coffee is also compatible with various brew methods. You could prepare it using a French press, drip machine, pour-over, or even cold brew.
Pros
- Dark without being bitter
- Smooth
- Low acidity
Cons
- Grind may be too fine
Get more information on Kicking Horse Coffee
Valhalla Java Whole Bean Coffee
Freshness is one of this coffee’s many strong points. It's a whole bean, so you know you’re getting one strong, super fresh cup of coffee.
This coffee is also certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which means it’s as organic as it can get.
The taste is like cigarettes packed in coffee beans. For some of you, this might sound unpleasant, but it actually translates pretty well on your tongue. The final result is smooth, non-bitter smokiness, with subtle hints of chocolate. No sugar or cream is needed; the taste is perfect on its own.
The best thing about this coffee is its power. It’s definitely heavy, and it’s not for everyone. One cup of it will give you one strong caffeinated punch to the gut. You’ll be buzzing, twitching, moving, and talking. In an office environment, this isn’t necessarily a good thing, so you should strictly keep this coffee inside your home.
To get all of that intense goodness, we’d suggest grinding the beans yourself. The aroma of fresh beans is mouth-salivating, and is a great coffee for a Moka pot!
Pros
- Incredibly strong
- Super caffeinated
- Ultra-fresh
- Certified by USDA
Cons
- May be too intense for some
Get more information on Valhalla Java Whole Bean Coffee
Bulletproof The Original Whole Bean Coffee
Are you on a Keto diet? If so, then this one's for you. This coffee could help you get your daily dose of fat, especially if you put some butter in it.
Better yet, this coffee is “cleaner” than most. The production process minimizes the presence of mold toxins, which can be common among coffee.
This medium roast strikes the perfect balance. It combines cinnamon and orange. Sipping it, you’ll notice the softest hints of sweet plum and caramel on the tip of your tongue.
However, you should remember that this is a light coffee. If you’re looking for an intense cup exploding with flavor, this isn’t for you. This is light, mellow, and low on acid. So while this coffee is going to give you a gentle pump of energy, you can rest assured you won’t get the dreaded caffeine jitters.
Pros
- Has no side-effects
- Compatible with Keto diets and intermittent fasting
- Good quality
- Minimizes the opportunity for mold toxins
Cons
- May be too light for some
Get more information on Bulletproof The Original Whole Bean Coffee
Subtle Earth Organic Coffee
Saying that this is a rich-tasting coffee is an understatement. All you have to do is to take a sip. Then, you’ll be left with a full mouthfeel, accompanied by a deep chocolatey flavor with notes of honey and caramel.
The best thing about this coffee is that it has a bite to it. This bite is owed to the natural sugars present in the bean; since they’re slightly caramelized, they give your coffee a soft, edgy roastiness. It does this without overpowering its flavor profile, so you get an overall balanced and pleasant taste.
This is another coffee that’s low on acid, which is a relief for our more sensitive coffee drinkers. It’s also certified by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF.)
Pros
- Great value for money
- Fresh
- Low-acid
- Mild, smooth flavor
Cons
- Can stone in the bag
Get more information on Subtle Earth Organic Coffee
Marley Coffee Organic Lively Up!
We’re going out on a big note. Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia, is largely heralded as the sacred birthplace of coffee. Its coffee is highly-prized, and for good reason.
However, this coffee isn’t only unique because of its origins. Its flavor profile instantly caught our eye: instead of indulgent smokiness and decadent chocolatey goodness, this coffee is fruity. It’s aromatic and floral, with distinct notes of blueberry and wine.
If you have stomach problems, then you’ll love this coffee. It has none of the acidic undertones that you’d find in other coffees. And it isn’t bitter, either.
The flavor itself isn’t very intense, but it’s incredibly smooth and fresh. Overall, it’s good if you need a caffeine-induced shake in the morning.
Pros
- Strong
- Zero bitterness
- Low-acid
- Mellow
Cons
- Isn’t compatible with espresso machines
Get more information on Marley Coffee
Choosing the Best Organic Coffee
Let's take a look at each of these organic coffees one more time. No matter what kind of organic coffee you are looking for, we have you covered with these selections:
How would you like to take a caffeine-induced beating in the morning? If you can handle it, then Valhalla Java Whole Bean Coffee is for you. This coffee is delicious but deathly strong. One cup is enough to wake you up and get you all jittery. Two will drive you into a shaky, talkative rush.
If you’d like something a little more mild-tasting, then you might want to consider Kicking Horse Coffee. This coffee offers a reasonable and satisfying energy boost. It’s creamy and flavorful, and not too domineering on the tongue. Basically, it’s mellow without being too mild.
If you are specifically looking for an espresso blend, then consider the Marley Coffee, which a low acid blend with all the deliciousness of an espresso blend, which is a great place to be.
If you are a fan of the Keto diet, then the Bulletproof The Original Whole Bean Coffee is a great choice for your coffee kick.
If you are looking for a blend that is low acid, with a complex flavor profile, consider Subtle Earth Organic Coffee.
No matter what you are looking for, this guide has something for you! For those whole bean options, be sure to check out our guide to coffee grinders.