There’s no shortage of places where you can purchase quality whole bean coffee, from specialty shops and subscription services to supermarket shelves – and when it comes to organic options, things get more complex. First and foremost, keep in mind that organic certification does not necessarily translate to lower caffeine levels compared to non-organic options; rather, this depends on whether the beans were decaf or not and roasting processes, which can leave behind chemical residue.

Organic products may seem like they offer greater health and flavor benefits; however, companies marketing them to consumers in different ways don’t guarantee it. For instance, buying “organic coffee” from a grocery store doesn’t mean its beans were grown free from pesticides and fertilizers–it depends on who manages local certification governing bodies and whether or not they enforce compliance by farmers who adhere to those rules of certification.

As such, when searching online for organic coffee purchases, I prefer small-scale roasters who take pride in ethical and sustainable sourcing practices–including offering detailed descriptions of producers, farms and roasting processes. Plus, these businesses typically ship fast so your beans arrive without waiting weeks!