Organic coffee

Demand for organic coffee beans is steadily increasing, as more and more consumers want to order organically grown coffee. That's why our coffee roastery has been certified organic since 2019. We'll explain what the organic seal stands for, how organic coffee differs from conventionally grown coffee, and why coffee can come from sustainable agriculture even without organic certification.
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Organic coffee from Süssmund Kaffee

Bio Kaffee kaufen von der Kaffeerösterei Süssmund Wien

Order organic coffee in our online shop since 2019

Due to the extensive requirements, our coffee roastery wasn't yet certified organic when it was founded. However, as we grew, we were able to meet all the requirements for organic certification in our production process, which led to the production and marketing of organic coffee in our online shop. Since 2019, our customers have also been able to order coffee beans from certified organic farming.

When designing our product range, we consider many factors that influence our purchasing decisions. Organic certification is playing an increasingly important role in this. Ultimately, as a coffee roaster, sustainable, organic cultivation of green coffee is particularly important to us to protect people and the environment. In this way, we are committed to maintaining intact biodiversity and the health of coffee harvesters in the countries of origin.

Bio Kaffee bestellen von Süssmund aus Wien

Organically grown coffee without organic certification

In principle, many small coffee farms practice organic farming even though they are not certified organic. Organic certification is expensive, extensive, and time-consuming, which presents a significant hurdle for smaller producers. Therefore, even non-organic certified coffee can come from sustainable organic farming. In some cases, the barriers listed below simply prevent certification for small farms in the foreseeable future.

One example is coffee from Kenya or Ethiopia. Here, coffee cultivation is largely carried out on small-scale farms. The coffee bushes often grow in forest gardens among other crops. The shade of the trees slows the coffee plants' growth, which increases the quality and improves the taste of the coffee. Fertilization is usually done with organic substances from the farm itself.

Since very few smallholder farmers can process their coffee cherries themselves after harvesting, they deliver them to so-called "washing stations." In this process, several smallholder farmers join together to form a cooperative so that their coffee beans can be processed for export. Due to the large number of small coffee farms that supply a washing station, organic certification for all members is often difficult to achieve. Therefore, there are very few certified organic coffees from Kenya or Ethiopia, even though most of them are grown according to organic farming principles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the EU organic seal stand for

The EU Organic Seal certifies agricultural products from domestic, EU, and third countries that are marketed as organic products on the European market. It is the most well-known organic label for organically grown agricultural products. Its most important provisions include the prohibition of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the prohibition of pesticides and other chemical fertilizers in food production. In addition, there are numerous regulations aimed at improving animal welfare. However, these are not relevant for organic coffee production.

Who checks compliance with the regulations?

The provisions of the EU directives governing the marketing of organic products are verified by the relevant organic control body. In the case of Süssmund Kaffee, the prescribed standards are monitored by Austria Bio Garantie as part of an annual audit. This audit checks both the comprehensive documentation of the issued organic certificates for the green coffee, as well as numerous regulations regarding storage and the production process. Agricultural inspections of the coffee farms or cooperatives are the responsibility of a regional organic control body in the country of cultivation. Upon compliance with all regulations, this body issues an organic certificate, which allows the coffee to be exported as organic coffee and marketed to coffee roasters.

How does organic coffee differ from conventionally grown coffee?

Organic coffee differs from conventionally grown coffee primarily in the type of crop protection and fertilizers used. While conventional agriculture often uses pesticides, organic coffee is fertilized primarily with organic substances. This particularly benefits the surrounding flora and fauna, which are severely affected by the use of pesticides. In organic farming, a variety of agricultural techniques can achieve similar long-term yields, but without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. This preserves biodiversity, keeps the soil healthier, and prevents harvest workers from being exposed to harmful substances.

Are non-organic certified coffees harmful to health?

No, because any residues decompose during coffee roasting. At the high temperatures, organic compounds are converted into CO₂, which escapes as a gas during coffee roasting. Therefore, no pesticides can be detected after coffee roasting, and therefore do not pose a burden to the human body.