At New Kings Coffee, our coffee is proudly organic certified, but this Organic September we wanted to explain what this certification means for us…and for you.  

What is ‘organic’?

‘Organic’ is a certification that means a number of things and can be granted by a number of authorised control bodies. The measures a product has to meet include the way it’s made or grown, the way it’s packaged and even the way it’s labelled.

When organic-certified food is grown, it is done so without additives, growth regulators, pesticides and man-made fertilisers. Farmers instead use a variety of other methods such as biological pest control, animal and plant-based fertilisers, weeding by hand (rather than relying on pesticides) and crop rotation. Most forms of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) are banned too. When it comes to the keeping of livestock, veterinary medicines and genetic modification are also prohibited. Animals are required to be kept in more natural and free range environments.

In terms of packaging and labelling, 95 per cent of the ingredients have to come from plants and animals that have been grown and cared for in a way that meets the above organic standards. There are certain allowances for ingredients that are not available organically however, such as gelatin. Despite this, all artificial colourings and sweeteners are prohibited. A company then applies for organic certification, and if granted, can include the official organic logo on their packaging. Certification boards carry out regular and rigorous testing to ensure all standards are being met at all times. Our coffee is certified organic by The Soil Association which is seen as the gold standard of organic certifications boards. 

Is organic better?

The banned chemicals and methods of farming carry a risk of polluting the land and water. This will have a knock-on effect on wildlife, ecological balance and biodiversity. The safeguarding put in place for livestock means better animal welfare overall. Organic farming is also better for soil and helps to ensure good farming conditions for generations to come. Due to these factors, at New Kings Coffee we see organic food as the superior option to non-organic food. Sustainability and feeding back into the community are two of our biggest goals and we believe organic certification helps us reach them.

Organic food, in a similar way to food that meets Fairtrade standards, tends to be slightly more expensive. This is because farmers and producers rack up extra costs in order to meet organic standards. Prohibited methods are often cheaper and require less manpower. For example, the use of pesticides may only require one person to lay down the chemicals, but weeding-by-hand requires more than one person to be done efficiently. Ensuring you’re shopping locally is a good way to cut costs on organic food as these products do not include expensive shipping costs and international import taxes.

Is organic food healthier?

We’ve discussed why organic certification was the best choice for our business, but what about for YOU, the consumer? The answer to this is simple. 

The lack of pesticides, antibiotics and hormones in organic food is a massive positive. A study published by the National Library of Medicine shows that organic food, which tends to be fresher, can be higher in nutrients such as iron, magnesium, vitamin C and phosphorus. Particularly for people with pesticide allergies, only buying organic food is a great way to ensure you will not have an allergy flare up.

Another benefit of organic food is that it is exposed to more rigorous checks. While plenty of legislation is still in place for conventionally produced food, organic food is regularly checked to ensure standards are being met. This makes it more likely for any potential issues to be caught further up the production chain.

At the end of the day, we all want to make the best choices for ourselves, our families, our wallets and the community. At New Kings Coffee, we know that organic is the best choice for our business and customers, and we are proud of our organic-certified coffee. It means our products are less likely to carry harmful chemicals and helps us meet our goals of being environmentally, socially and economically sustainable producers.