Saturday, October 31, 2009

Will I Taste The Difference With Organic Coffee?

By Bart Forcey

Environmental awareness has awakened the sense in consumers to preserve the resources supplied by mother nature. What better consumable to start the earth saving project of organic farming with than growing of organic coffee beans?

The largest producers of organic coffee beans are located at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro on the African continent. Coffee trees grow abundantly under a tent formed by tall growing banana trees. This method of mixed planting is used to shield the coffee trees from harsh weather conditions while allowing the necessary amount of sunlight and rain to penetrate. The coffee trees are mulched and composted by mother nature via falling leaves from the coffee tree itself as well as that of the banana trees. Natural mulching and compost means natural moisture retention and high soil quality. For the organically certified farmers to comply with prescribed standards only natural, organic-based pesticides may be used.

Coffee beans firmly occupy the second spot just after oil in terms of world trade.Although seemingly unimportant to the average person, this little seed has a market capacity of an estimated Seventy Billion American Dollars. Trade organizations fixed minimum prices on the beans as pricing in the past had been hit hardest by price fluctuation caused by market conditions. Minimum price fixing could not have come at a better time as coffee farmers and traders will not suffer the impact of worldwide recession.

When harvest time arrives, ripe berries are plucked from the tree with care as the tree only yields an estimated 2.20 lbs beans per year. The berries are soaked in water to soften the outer pulp. Residual pulp is removed until the coffee beans are clearly visible. The beans are then left to dry in the sun. Dried beans are sacked and weighed. Specially designed areas are allocated for organic products in each country of origin. Beans are auctioned and shipped to various destinations across the world.

A downside to organic produce is the scarcity of the products. Organic foods have a tendency to be associated with higher prices to consumers due to the products' steeper pricing in relation to conventional products. Prices are higher due to various direct and indirect influences such as low yields, higher labor requirements, business start-up financing and additional land needs.

Farmers of organic coffee beans have strict guidelines to following. The guidelines are prescribed by relevant Independent organic certifying organizations, Fair Trade and KNCU. These rules and regulations are drafted according to international supply standards. Compliance with these organizational requirements is a feather in the hat of the farmer as he or she knows the organic produce planted and cared for on his farm meets high international standard.

Farmers of organic coffee beans and their nations make a commitment to changing their lives for the better by taking positive actions in countries often labeled as third world. By participating in farming of organic coffee beans, these farmers are helping to build up their communities, establish better health care and education opportunities as well as creating brighter economic futures.

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