When shopping for coffee, certification helps you easily identify beans that have been cultivated and processed to meet certain standards. However, each certification is unique as it answers different questions about the product. To help guide your purchase decisions, this article will provide an in-depth look into some of the most popular certifications available today!
To guarantee that farms and coffee production adhere to certain standards, including environmental protection or abstinence from child labor exploitation, third-party organizations issue certificates referred to as "coffee certifications". This article will comprehensively examine the most beneficial ones.
Why coffee certification is needed
Obtaining certificates is essential for the coffee industry to thrive. Unfortunately, many of the countries growing coffee are impoverished and in need of resources that will help them sustainably develop technology, set production standards, and share research results. Certification companies provide invaluable assistance by imparting knowledge and experience to those communities so they can reach their full potential as a collective whole.
By certifying the quality of their production, everyone benefits, consumers gain assurance that the coffee was grown under specific standards and manufacturers realize additional profits from a boost in consumer confidence.
While certification doesn't guarantee that coffee is delicious, it does suggest that the producer takes care to grow good-quality beans. This reduces the odds of experiencing a truly bad coffee cup! Of course, roasting will still affect the taste but we are only talking about raw materials here. When producers put their minds to certifying their products, you can be sure they have kept quality in check from start to finish.
Here are the main coffee certifications:
organic
The most popular and widespread certification. The purpose of this certification is to support farmers who protect nature and take a responsible approach to the issue of sustainability.
To be granted this certification, plantations must forgo the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers for at least three years - with a few exceptions. For example, farmers can choose to utilize natural materials such as chicken manure, coffee grounds, or bokashi in their farming efforts instead of chemical-based substitutes. Furthermore, if any other crops are being cultivated nearby organically then they must arrange a reasonable distance away from each other to minimize soil erosion while simultaneously improving the local ecology.
Despite the subtle differences between different countries' versions of this accreditation, each conveys a consistent fundamental message.
This certification does not outline a stringent set of regulations for the workplace, yet still provides significant indirect benefits to employees. Worker health is significantly improved with organic farming methods as hazardous substances are kept out of production and away from workers. This starkly contrasts other industries that do not apply these same practices in their operations.
US Organic requirements
It is crucial to be aware that each facility and business involved in the handling of coffee prior to packaging must have an organic system plan. This can include a range of businesses, such as producers, (in some cases) special processing plants, exporters/millers, importers, and roasters before it reaches your local cafe or cup. Guarantee quality assurance at every stage from origin to destination requires a certification for every processing plant ranging between $300-1500 annually.
For a coffee producer to become certified organic, coffee must be produced under U.S. standards established by the USDA’s National Organic Program. Requirements for this seal include no use of prohibited substances on the land for at least three years, including most (but not all) synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Other certification requirements include a plan that demonstrates crop rotation methods that prevent soil erosion. It is also up to the farmer to pay for the certification every year, which is not feasible for the majority of farmers who are growing on only 1 hectare of land.
Despite the effort and time put into attaining certification, there are still potential disasters that could threaten a farmer's entire crop. From coffee rust to other diseases, these poor farmers must decide whether they risk losing their organic classification or losing multiple years of hard labor in one fell swoop. It is easy for us as consumers to forget about the livelihoods dependent on this luxury commodity we all enjoy; however, it is important never to overlook them.
There are a few interesting facts to keep in mind though:
- Despite the abundance of small farms that produce organic coffee free from synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, they often lack the financial resources necessary to obtain certification. They are unable to purchase chemical inputs but also can't afford an inspection for verification purposes, leaving them with no way of demonstrating their authentic practices.
- This vicious cycle is most commonly seen in impoverished nations such as Ethiopia and other African countries. Without certification, farmers are unable to demand a higher price for their coffee beans, thus leading to an inability to purchase fertilizer - which perpetuates the problem further.
- To receive the organic certification mark on its packaging, organic coffee must not only be managed separately from non-organic products throughout transportation and storage but also during roasting. As a result, not just the farmer is required to obtain official certification—the transport and roasting companies must meet strict criteria as well to be eligible to sell organic coffee online.
Fair Trade
This certification strives to improve the working conditions and wages of farms in developing countries, thus allowing for more fair trade. Not just coffee, but also other items are certified under this program which is especially favored by buyers from highly developed nations such as the United States and Northern Europe who practice informed consumer habits.
Fair Trade certification guarantees that no children toil on the plantation, and laborers are given fair compensation as per labor security laws - the organization routinely assesses working conditions on plantations.
As the central tenant of Fair Trade, farmers are provided with a bonus that exceeds the current market price for coffee. This additional compensation is contingent upon exchange levels, the country's coefficients, and compliance with labor protection standards as well as providing social support such as building schools for kids in need.
To determine the size of their allowance, organizational representatives conduct inspections on certified farms while simultaneously providing counsel to farmers in need and connecting them with potential buyers.
Fair Trade does not guarantee good taste and is mainly intended for the sale of coffee for mass consumption.
Rainforest Alliance (RFA) and UTZ
In 2017, two separate certifications amalgamated in a groundbreaking decision. Both of these organizations have been devoted to preserving the environment and upholding appropriate standards for workers. The integration process is expected to take three years before a unified certification standard will be developed by 2020.
Coffee thrives in tropical climates, which are home to more than 50% of the world's species. Unfortunately, deforestation and climate change have led to an alarming rise in animal and plant extinction rates - the highest on record since life began. Our certification is designed with this sobering reality in mind, it seeks to ensure that coffee can be grown without negatively impacting any organisms living within these biodiverse areas.
Unlike Fair Trade, the certifying company does not establish a minimum price for coffee, however, having this certification presents farmers with the advantageous chance to ask for a higher rate.
To earn their RFA certification, farmers must retain the natural courses of water and preserve vegetation between agricultural areas and public spaces. Furthermore, they are still permitted to use pesticides while safeguarding these measures.
The RFA upholds strict labor regulations that permit farms to abide by local minimum wage and maximum weekly work laws. Children under 15 are not allowed to participate in any form of employment, while those between the ages of 15-18 may be granted parental authorization for a job opportunity, however, children should never have their educational pursuits hindered due to working obligations.
Bird Friendly
This certification is similar in philosophy to the RFA but has a narrower focus.
More than three-quarters of coffee plantations have been deforested to make way for higher yields. Unfortunately, these efforts often come at a cost: the use of hazardous pesticides and fertilizers that are detrimental to nature's health. The impact this has on migratory birds is devastating - as forests disappear, so too do they. To help reduce this crisis among birds, scientists from the Smithsonian Institution created Bird Friendly Certification – one of the most rigorous certifications in all coffee production worldwide!
To be certified, all coffees must first meet the Organic standards. Additionally, at least 40% of coffee must be shade-grown underneath trees to preserve bird and insect habitats in nature. Most specialty coffee worldwide is cultivated through this method except for Brazilian beans - a process that allows berries to ripen more slowly and thus enhances the flavor of your cup!
Not only is Bird Friendly certification not connected to labor standards, but it has numerous other benefits such as "healthy" production. Just like with Organic certification, there are many advantages when you comply with these regulations.
Navigating the arduous and costly process of certification, it is no surprise that Bird friendly certified coffee is not easily accessible. Farmers dedicate copious amounts of time and resources to ensure their product meets high standards for excellence, making this unique variant difficult to find.
What need to know about Organic coffee
Through coffee certifications, producers can distinguish themselves from their competition, guarantee the excellence of their products, and showcase a commitment to employees and nature.
Not all certified coffee is of stellar quality, however, the act of purchasing this type of coffee helps to preserve biodiversity and aid growers. Furthermore, it can enable you to access specialty coffees with noteworthy tastes.
When it comes to the definitive measure of taste, there is no competition: The Q-grading system reigns supreme. To reach its highest tier - specialty grade coffee - coffees must score a minimum of 80 or higher on cupping tests.