What Exactly Are Organic Coffee Beans/
Friday, 30. October 2009
More and more consumers are realizing the need to evolve with the times to get green smart. Growing organic produce is the ultimate starting point for such environmentally friendly projects, thus the increase in the popularity of organic beverages.
Organic coffee beans derive from coffee trees grown under an awning of taller growing trees and plants, usually banana trees. These natural tree awnings are the perfect shield allowing just enough sunlight and rain to seep through. 50% shade is ideal for the slow growing conditions sought. The falling plant leaves serve as a natural compost and mulch layer at the bottom of the coffee plants to retain moisture and top quality soil profile. No synthetic pesticides may be used on organically certified products.
Coffee beans enjoy a very large market share and are of highest value to traders with an estimated 70 Billion US Dollars trade value capacity. In previous years pricing had been manipulated and farmers were easily paid peanuts for their efforts and hard work, but with continued economic development, minimum prices for the beans have been set, counteracting the harsh effects of dips in the business cycle.
When ready for harvesting, seeds are carefully picked from the coffee trees as a tree produces a mere 2.20 pounds of coffee beans per year. The beans are soaked in water until no pulp is present around the seeds. The seeds are then dried in the sun and weighed. After the weighing, the seeds are prepared for their long journey across the world to various coffee drinking countries. The seeds are sacked and re-weighed where it’s then stored in special organic produce store rooms and safe guarded until auction and final shipment is done.
A downside to organic produce is the scarcity of the products. Organic foods have a tendency to be associated with higher prices to consumers due to the products’ steeper pricing in relation to conventional products. Prices are higher due to various direct and indirect influences such as low yields, higher labor requirements, business start-up financing and additional land needs.
Farmers of organic coffee beans have strict guidelines to following. The guidelines are prescribed by relevant Independent organic certifying organizations, Fair Trade and KNCU. These rules and regulations are drafted according to international supply standards. Compliance with these organizational requirements is a feather in the hat of the farmer as he or she knows the organic produce planted and cared for on his farm meets high international standard.
Farmers of organic coffee beans and their nations make a commitment to changing their lives for the better by taking positive actions in countries often labeled as third world. By participating in farming of organic coffee beans, these farmers are helping to build up their communities, establish better health care and education opportunities as well as creating brighter economic futures.
If you are looking at gaggia platinum vision you need to think if you will use them at home. Like any shiny new thing it may seem like a great idea but if you aren’t going to use them then dont buy. Home coffee machines