The words “organic” and “sustainable” have become buzzwords in the coffee industry. While many people look for that organic label when purchasing coffee, the truth about what’s in your cup goes far deeper than a certification. At Fika Coffee Roasting, we’re committed to sourcing the best coffee—whether it’s organic-certified or not—and here’s why.
What Does "Organic" Really Mean?
Organic coffee is grown without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or other chemicals, adhering to strict agricultural practices. While this sounds great (and it is in many cases), the organic certification process is expensive, time-consuming, and often out of reach for the small farmers who produce some of the best coffee in the world.
The Reality for Small Farmers
Many of the small-scale farmers we work with follow organic farming practices—and sometimes go even further in their dedication to sustainability and quality—but they lack the resources to obtain the official certification. For these farmers, their focus is on:
Healthy Soil Practices: Rotating crops, using natural compost, and avoiding harmful chemicals.
Environmental Stewardship: Preserving biodiversity and protecting local ecosystems.
Sustainable Farming Methods: Hand-picking coffee cherries and processing beans in ways that minimize waste and energy usage.
These farmers are deeply committed to their land and their craft, often using traditional methods passed down through generations. While their coffee might not carry the organic label, it’s every bit as high-quality, sustainable, and delicious as certified organic coffee—if not more so.
Why We Source Beyond the Label
At Fika Coffee Roasting, we’re not just looking for a certification; we’re looking for exceptional coffee grown with care and integrity. That means we prioritize:
Taste and Quality: The flavor of the coffee in your cup is our top priority. Whether it’s organic or not, the beans we source must meet our high standards for taste.
Farmer Relationships: We work directly with farmers and cooperatives that share our values. By forming strong relationships, we ensure transparency and trust in every step of the process.
Sustainability Over Certification: Many of the farms we partner with use sustainable practices that go above and beyond organic standards. By supporting these farmers, we’re investing in a better future for coffee growing.
So, Is Organic Coffee Worth the Hype?
The short answer: it depends and sometimes it is. We definitely purchase and roast certified organic coffee when it is great coffee. If the organic label helps you feel more confident about what you’re buying, that’s great—but it’s not the whole story. Coffee from small, independent farmers who prioritize sustainability, even without certification, can be just as ethical, environmentally friendly, and delicious. Some coffee roasters promote that they only sell certified organic coffee, but many times the organic certification disenfranchises the poorest farmers even though they follow organic practices.
We've seen many organic certified coffee farmers that are multi-million dollar businesses with thousands of acres of crops that farm conventionally, but use organic pesticides to earn their certification. Whereas, we've purchased coffee from small farms growing coffee under shade trees, relying only on fog and rain to water their crops, not be organically certified because of the cost.
When you choose Fika Coffee Roasting, you’re choosing a company that puts quality and values first. We carefully source every bean to ensure it aligns with our mission of exceptional coffee and meaningful connections—whether it carries an organic label or not.
Taste the Difference
We invite you to experience the care and dedication that goes into every cup of Fika Coffee. Visit us at our café in Snow Hill, MD, or shop online at fikabeans.com to explore our range of small-batch roasted coffees. By supporting Fika, you’re supporting small farmers, sustainable practices, and coffee that’s worth every sip—organic or not.
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