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Organic Gourmet Coffee
Organic gourmet coffee basically means that the bean is allowed to mature without the aid
of chemicals(see common chemical list below). The same goes for the processing and
roasting of the beans. To be certified organic requires that these practices are observed
and documented 3 years running. Member plantations are inspected monthly to insure
ongoing compliance. Beans from each farm are also inspected at picking and at
processing, as required by the stringent certification process.
Shade-grown coffee provides a natural alternative to herbicide use, provides for rich
compost, and supplies important habitat for migratory and native bird species.
Here is a list of just some of the more common chemicals used on non-organic
coffee farms.
Endosulfan (brand name Thiodan)- pesticide used against coffee cherry borer. Effects
the central nervous system, and in animals causes kidney, testes, and liver damage.
Class II (moderately hazardous).
Chlorpyrifos (brand name Dursban)- pesticide used against coffee cherry borer and
coffee leaf miner. In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency banned most
household uses in 2000. It has caused human deaths, and has been linked to birth
defects. It is extremely toxic to birds, freshwater and marine organisms, bees, and other
wildlife. It can bioaccumulate and effect bird reproduction. Class II.
Diazinon (brand name Basudin)- pesticide used against coffee borer. Not very toxic to
mammals unless inhaled, it is nonetheless highly toxic to wildlife. In the U.S. where it is still
commonly used on turfgrass, diazinon has caused the second largest number of total
known incidents of bird mortality of any pesticide. Class II.
Disulfoton- pesticide used against leaf miner. In the U.S., restricted use due to its high
toxicity to mammals by all routes of exposure. Degrades or is metabolized by plants into
harmful compounds that are very persistent in the environment. Class 1a, extremely
hazardous (highest toxicity).
Methyl parathion (a.k.a. ethyl parathion, parathion)- pesticide used against leaf miner.
One of the most toxic pesticides, highly restricted in U.S. Very toxic to birds when ingested
or through skin exposure. Also highly toxic to animals and fish. Persistent in soil and will
bioaccumulate. Areas sprayed with this chemical should not be entered for 48 hours. It is
banned in Indonesia and restricted in Colombia, but Pesticide Action Network reports that
there is evidence that methyl parathion is not used safely in Central America and is
regularly misused in developing countries. Class 1a, extremely hazardous.
Triadimefon (brand name Bayleton)- Copper-based fungicide used to against coffee
rust. Only slightly toxic to birds, little is known about its effect on humans, but it is a
suspected that there is potential for reproductive problems with chronic exposure. The
major concern is that long-term use of copper-based fungicides is copper accumulation in
soils, such as been found in coffee farms in Kenya and in Costa Rica. Little is known
about long-term effects in tropical ecosystems. Class III (slightly hazardous).
Cypermethrin- A synthetic pyrethroid used against coffee cherry borer. Generally low
direct toxicity to birds, but ingestion via contaminated insects causes mortality in young
birds. Extremely toxic to fish other aquatic organisms, and should not be applied any
place where it may drift into water. Class II.
Organic gourmet coffee basically means that the bean is allowed to mature without the aid
of chemicals(see common chemical list below). The same goes for the processing and
roasting of the beans. To be certified organic requires that these practices are observed
and documented 3 years running. Member plantations are inspected monthly to insure
ongoing compliance. Beans from each farm are also inspected at picking and at
processing, as required by the stringent certification process.
Shade-grown coffee provides a natural alternative to herbicide use, provides for rich
compost, and supplies important habitat for migratory and native bird species.
Here is a list of just some of the more common chemicals used on non-organic
coffee farms.
Endosulfan (brand name Thiodan)- pesticide used against coffee cherry borer. Effects
the central nervous system, and in animals causes kidney, testes, and liver damage.
Class II (moderately hazardous).
Chlorpyrifos (brand name Dursban)- pesticide used against coffee cherry borer and
coffee leaf miner. In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency banned most
household uses in 2000. It has caused human deaths, and has been linked to birth
defects. It is extremely toxic to birds, freshwater and marine organisms, bees, and other
wildlife. It can bioaccumulate and effect bird reproduction. Class II.
Diazinon (brand name Basudin)- pesticide used against coffee borer. Not very toxic to
mammals unless inhaled, it is nonetheless highly toxic to wildlife. In the U.S. where it is still
commonly used on turfgrass, diazinon has caused the second largest number of total
known incidents of bird mortality of any pesticide. Class II.
Disulfoton- pesticide used against leaf miner. In the U.S., restricted use due to its high
toxicity to mammals by all routes of exposure. Degrades or is metabolized by plants into
harmful compounds that are very persistent in the environment. Class 1a, extremely
hazardous (highest toxicity).
Methyl parathion (a.k.a. ethyl parathion, parathion)- pesticide used against leaf miner.
One of the most toxic pesticides, highly restricted in U.S. Very toxic to birds when ingested
or through skin exposure. Also highly toxic to animals and fish. Persistent in soil and will
bioaccumulate. Areas sprayed with this chemical should not be entered for 48 hours. It is
banned in Indonesia and restricted in Colombia, but Pesticide Action Network reports that
there is evidence that methyl parathion is not used safely in Central America and is
regularly misused in developing countries. Class 1a, extremely hazardous.
Triadimefon (brand name Bayleton)- Copper-based fungicide used to against coffee
rust. Only slightly toxic to birds, little is known about its effect on humans, but it is a
suspected that there is potential for reproductive problems with chronic exposure. The
major concern is that long-term use of copper-based fungicides is copper accumulation in
soils, such as been found in coffee farms in Kenya and in Costa Rica. Little is known
about long-term effects in tropical ecosystems. Class III (slightly hazardous).
Cypermethrin- A synthetic pyrethroid used against coffee cherry borer. Generally low
direct toxicity to birds, but ingestion via contaminated insects causes mortality in young
birds. Extremely toxic to fish other aquatic organisms, and should not be applied any
place where it may drift into water. Class II.
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