Here’s a roundup of the best organic coffee beans that are free of pesticides. As a bonus, these beans may contain higher antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Some links found in this post are affiliate links, meaning we may receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Demand for organic products continues to grow year over year, and it includes coffee.
What exactly is organic coffee?
Organic coffee is environmentally sustainable and is likely to have a lower carbon footprint.
It is produced without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides and is grown in an eco-friendly way that is better for you and the planet.
Additionally, you may have heard of bird-friendly, shade-grown coffee, which is also certified organic (according to Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute) and is grown in the shade beneath a canopy of trees to promote a natural ecosystem for local species.
How do I know if my coffee is organic?
According to National Coffee Association USA, coffee drinkers who are looking to go the organic route should look for the organic certification seal by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service on the coffee packaging.
USDA provides standards for coffee in order to be approved as organic. These guidelines include factors like soil quality, pest and weed control, and the use of additives.
Organic vs. Conventional Coffee
Conventional coffee is usually mass-produced and grown on large-scale plantations. To produce as much as possible to meet demand, the farming methods used for conventional coffee generally use chemicals like synthetic fertilizer and pesticides. While it leads to more production, it can also lead to a significant negative environmental impact.
Best Organic Coffee Beans
There are so many organic coffee beans to choose from, and sometimes it can be difficult to decide which organic coffee beans brands to try.
Here are some of the best organic coffee beans we can’t get enough of:
- Subtle Earth Organic Coffee – Honduran Marcala
- Tiny Footprint Coffee – Nicaragua Segovia
- Mayorga Coffee – Mocha Java Blend
- Java Planet Organic Coffee – Colombia Organic
- Kicking Horse Coffee – Cliff Hanger Espresso Blend
- Stumptown Coffee – Hundred Mile Blend
- Equal Exchange Coffee – Organic Love Buzz Blend
- San Francisco Bay Coffee – Organic Rainforest Blend
1. Subtle Earth Organic Coffee – Honduran Marcala
- Blend: 100% single origin organic Arabica coffee from Marcala region in Honduras
- Roast Level: Medium-dark roast
- Tasting Notes: Sweet, rich, and deep chocolate flavor
This exceptional organic Honduran coffee from Subtle Earth is roasted to perfection to highlight its natural flavor characteristics and aromas. Their coffee beans are sustainably sourced and certified organic by CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) trade association.
2. Tiny Footprint Coffee – Nicaragua Segovia
- Blend: 100% single origin organic shade-grown Arabica coffee from Nicaragua
- Roast Level: Dark roast
- Tasting Notes: Apricot, fig, spice, notes of chocolate
Tiny Footprint Coffee is the world’s first carbon-negative coffee company, where they donate a portion of their earnings to fund reforestation. This single-origin dark roast coffee is fully washed and sun-dried before roasting to bring out the bold flavor profile.
3. Mayorga Coffee – Mocha Java Blend
- Blend: 100% organic Arabica coffee from Indonesia, East Africa, and Central America
- Roast Level: Medium roast
- Tasting Notes: Chocolatey, bright, earthy notes, fruit undertones
Mocha Java from Mayorga Coffee is a classic blend of two distinctly different coffees. It is a mix of bright, fruity Arabian (Yemen) coffee and complex, rich Indonesian (Java) coffee. Not only is Mayorga coffee USDA organic certified, but the company created a sustainable business model that always puts their coffee farmers first.
4. Java Planet Organic Coffee – Colombia Organic
- Blend: 100% single origin organic Arabica coffee from Colombia
- Roast Level: Medium-dark roast
- Tasting Notes: Caramel sweetness, citrus aroma, notes of cocoa, and brown sugar
Java Planet Organic Coffee is a family-owned coffee company established in 2009, as well as a Sustainability Award winner, who emphasizes beneficial impacts on people and nature. This single-origin Colombian coffee is USDA Organic and Rainforest Alliance certified, which also means the coffee beans are grown and harvested on farms that follow sustainable practices.
5. Kicking Horse Coffee – Cliff Hanger Espresso Blend
- Blend: Organic Arabica coffee blend from Africa, Indonesia, Central and South America
- Roast Level: Medium roast
- Tasting Notes: Complex, smooth, wild berry syrup with a cocoa finish
If you need help waking up and need something smooth and complex, this medium roast coffee blend from Kicking Horse Coffee is the answer. It is a complex roast with hints of dark cocoa balanced with berry notes which are good for your milk-based drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, or macchiatos.
6. Stumptown Coffee Roasters – Hundred Mile Blend
- Blend: 100% organic Arabica coffee blend from Africa, Central, and South America
- Roast Level: Medium roast
- Tasting Notes: Jam and toffee
Hundred Mile Blend from Stumptown is a sweet and versatile coffee blend consisting of certified organic African, Central, and South American coffee. It is a robust blend with tasting notes of jam and toffee, which is perfect for drinking black and enjoying like an espresso. Drinking black coffee doesn’t have to be boring anymore.
7. Equal Exchange Coffee – Organic Love Buzz Blend
- Blend: 100% organic Arabica coffee blend from Latin America, Africa, and Asia
- Roast Level: Medium-dark roast
- Tasting Notes: Molasses, toasted marshmallow, walnut
Love Buzz organic blend from Equal Exchange Coffee is sustainably grown by small-scale coffee farmers. This is a velvety smooth medium-dark roast coffee blend made from 100% organic Arabica beans with tones of dark chocolate, smoky, and malt. It has a dark and rich flavor profile that has a boldness that is well developed, but not in a bitter way.
8. San Francisco Bay Coffee – Organic Rainforest Blend
- Blend: 100% organic Arabica coffee blend from Central America
- Roast Level: Medium roast
- Tasting Notes: Sweet berry and dark chocolate
San Francisco Bay Coffee is a family-owned and operated company located in the heart of San Francisco. This organic Rainforest blend is certified organically grown and comprises coffee beans from Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala, and Indonesia. This blend works with all coffee brewers, including French press, Aeropress, Moka pot, pour-over, and drip coffee maker.
Updated February 2022. Originally published March 2017.
