Coffee beans are one of the world’s most heavily treated crops, yet organic farming offers an alternative that reduces chemical usage while producing cleaner beans, land, air and water quality. Furthermore, this form of farming supports forest preservation while feeding local wildlife that prey upon pests that threaten coffee plants.

Farmer who wish to become certified organic must go through an intensive certification process and pay fees to certifying agencies, while their coffee must meet stringent supply chain and manufacturing standards.

Origin

Starbucks is dedicated to supporting farmers and their families while improving farming practices. Since 2016, Starbucks has contributed close to $16 million in Fairtrade premiums – added on top of coffee purchase costs that go directly to farmer organizations – supporting social investments, economic development projects and education and training services in communities worldwide. Furthermore, 10 Farmer Support Centers exist where agronomists work directly with growers to share knowledge and improve farming techniques.

These initiatives aim to both improve the quality of coffee while decreasing its environmental footprint. Conventionally grown beans may contain pesticides which may pose threats to both the environment and people who drink the beverage. Organic coffee beans are healthier for consumers as they do not contain chemicals sprayed onto them during cultivation, while also typically being produced in smaller volumes which add flavor and quality. Starbucks offers several organic single-origin coffees, such as Organic Yukon Blend and Organic Shade Grown Mexico, that are available for sale. Organic Shade Grown Mexico coffee comes from growers in Chiapas, where Starbucks has been working alongside Conservation International to protect El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve since 1998. Look out for it in a light green package featuring a bird, though this has recently changed to solid green packaging.

Process

Organic coffee production goes far beyond forgoing synthetic pesticides and fertilizers; farmers use sustainable methods of farming that support soil health, biodiversity, water quality and deforestation prevention while encouraging balanced agriculture production processes that use less energy and resources; this makes organic coffee both eco-friendly and economical!

A cup of coffee’s taste depends heavily on its origins, climate conditions and processing techniques. Different regions have distinct coffee profiles that emphasize fruity, floral or herbal notes; roast type can further intensify these natural tastes for a harmonious cup that’s sweet yet smooth – organic coffee roasting without chemical additives is one way to preserve these natural aromas and flavors.

When selecting a cup of coffee it is essential to read its label and look for certifications such as USDA Organic or EU Organic. These certifications ensure that no chemicals were used when brewing this drink, while it’s also important to discover how the farmer grew and processed his beans.

Starbucks is committed to supporting organic coffee production and offers an extensive line of certified organic options, available as whole beans or ground coffee, that can be found throughout their stores. You’ll find them packaged either traditionally with light green packaging featuring a bird or more recently with dark green solid color packaging; both types can be found next to other whole bean coffee offerings in store shelves.

Ingredients

Starbucks’ primary issue lies with their use of GMO milk. Switching to organic milk – which prohibits feeders from feeding their cows GMO corn and soy – would erode Monsanto’s bottom line and promote an agricultural shift away from GMO crops and towards non-GMO and organic alternatives.

Starbucks also provides dairy-free milk options. Their coconut milk features water, coconut cream, sugar, tricalcium phosphate, salt sunflower lecithin carrageenan xantham gum guar gum and vitamin A palmitate; their almond milk includes: Filtered water organic evaporated cane juice sugar tricalcium phosphate natural vanilla flavor sea salt carrageenan xantham Gum Guar Gum and vitamin A palmitate.

Starbucks Organic Shade Grown Mexico coffee is another option, grown within a biosphere reserve and certified by Conservation International. Formerly packaged in light green packaging featuring an elegant bird motif; nowadays this solid green colour can be found on any Starbucks whole bean wall near you.