What Is Organic Coffee?

Organic coffee is grown using methods and 
materials that have a low impact on the 
environment. Organic production systems 
replenish and maintain soil fertility, 
reduce the use of toxic and persistent 
pesticides and fertilizers, and build 
biologically diverse agriculture. Third-party 
certification organizations verify that 
organic farmers abide by the law.

What does it mean to be certified?
In order for coffee to be certified and sold
as organic in the United States, it must be
produced in accordance with U.S. standards
for organic production and certified by an
agency accredited by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture. U.S. requirements for coffee
production include farming without synthetic
pesticides or other prohibited substances for
three years and a sustainable crop rotation
plan to prevent erosion, the depletion of soil
nutrients, and control for pests.

What is the size of the U.S. market?
Organic Trade Association data shows that
coffee sales in the United States amounted
to approximately $110 million in 2006, up
24 percent from the previous year. Other studies
show the figure could be much higher. A 2007
survey by Daniele Giovannucci and the Costa
Rica-based Sustainable Markets Intelligence Center
(CIMS) reported that approximately 65 million
pounds of organic coffee were imported into the
United States in 2006 with a retail value of
approximately $617 million. The authors estimate
the organic coffee sector represented 2.3 percent
of the total U.S. green coffee imports in 2006.
The 33 percent annual average growth rate for the
organic category documented by the researchers
between 2000 and 2007 dwarfs the estimated 1.5-2
percent projected annual growth rate of the
conventional coffee industry.

Where is this coffee grown?
This coffee is grown in 40 countries including
Bolivia, Burundi, Brazil, Cameroon, China, Colombia, 
Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, 
El Salvador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, 
Honduras, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Lao PDR, Madagascar, 
Malawi, Mexico, Nepal, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, 
Philippines, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timore-Leste, 
Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Republic of 
Tanzania, United States (Hawaii), Venezuela, Vietnam, 
and Zambia. The leading producer countries are Peru, 
Ethiopia, and Mexico.

What is the size of the world market?
Global sales reached 67,000 metric tons (or about
148 million pounds) in 2006, a 56 percent increase
from 2003 when approximately 42,000 MT were exported.
Forty-four percent of the total America, of which
approximately 85 percent was consumed in the United States.

What products are in the marketplace?
These coffee products now on the market include decaffeinated,
caffeinated, flavored and instant coffees, ice cream and yogurt,
coffee sodas, hard candies, and chocolate covered beans.

What do the labels mean?
The USDA organic seal can appear on any coffee product
that contains at least 95 percent organic ingredients
and that has been certified as organic by a certification
agency accredited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The coffee may also carry a label saying “100 percent organic”
or “Organic.”

Fair Trade
Fair Trade certification focuses on labor and trade
standards to provide small-farmer co-operatives a
guaranteed price above the conventional market. Not
all Fair Trade Certifiedä coffee is necessarily organic.
However, Fair Trade CertifiedTM does require strict
environmental stewardship such as prohibiting the use of
genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the most hazardous
pesticides. Seventy-eight percent of all Fair Trade CertifiedTM
coffee sold in the United States is certified organic.
n the United States, transactions must be audited by TransFair
USA to use a Fair Trade CertifiedTM label. Certified organic
producers of Fair Trade coffee receive at least $1.55/lb
(as of June 1, 2008).

Bird Friendly®
Bird Friendly® can only be used by operators that meet
inspection and certification requirements of the Smithsonian
Migratory Bird Center. All certified Bird Friendly® coffee
must also be certified organic. Bird Friendly® certification
requires that the coffee be shade-grown with a wide variety
of native shade trees and other shade-providing species. No
synthetic chemicals can be used in the processing of Bird Friendly®
coffee. For information on other eco-labels that may appear on
organic coffee, see www.eco-labels.org.
Article Source: Organic Trade Association
"Anytime Is Coffee Time!"

Cappuccino Coffee, Excellent Choice!

Cappuccino coffee is one of the best known blends not just in the United States but basically all around the world. Anywhere you go, whatever café or coffee shop you enter, you would certainly see a long selection of coffee with this type of blend. This only shows that more and more coffee connoisseurs prove the great taste and aromatic excellence of this java blend.

Among the many other types of coffee including latte, macchiato, espresso and mocha. For cappuccino vs latte which is this blend the most loved and preferred? It usually depends on your palette but this coffee blend is a captivating one for casual coffee drinkers and aficionados alike. The great news is that you need not shell out a big amount of money in buying your favorite cup of coffee because you could now make it at home.

A Variety of Recipes;

There are different recipes you could find in the internet and coffee books which could help you come up with your very own homemade caffeinated masterpiece. It is quite simple and foolproof and learning how to make this coffee blend only requires you to know the basics. For instance, the main ingredients are espresso and steamed milk. Nevertheless, due to the increasing modifications, style and diversity of the java blend you could now find other ingredients to mix.

Some coffee lovers experiment with the taste and mixture of their blend and add other recipes such as nutmeg, ground chocolate and colored candies to sprinkle on top of the froth. There are also choices of adding more milk, vanilla extract and so much more to give their blends an extra kick and boost to the palette.

Best Machines;

If you are making coffee at home or if you are starting your café, there are other essential must-haves such as having your own coffee maker or machine. Cappuccino-makers are vital tools in every kitchen especially if you have an insatiable thirst for this java blend. There are lots of brands and models of machines for your coffee making spree. Gaggia Platinum Vision Espresso and Cappuccino Maker, Capresso 121-01 Ultima Semi-Automatic Coffee and Espresso-Cappuccino Machine and Mr. Coffee ECM160 4-Cup Steam Espresso Machine are just few of the models to invest on.

Take note that these home appliances are very vital to your every day coffee making tasks and enjoyment. Make sure you find the model that suits your needs and has features that help you make great tasting and aromatic blends without the mess and fuss.

Although the frothy and foamy blend is undoubtedly a great treat for coffee lovers, it is quite difficult to deny that latte is also a popular choice. There are similarities between these two coffee blends however they also have distinct characters. This is entirely attributed to the mixture or ingredients used in making your cup of coffee.

Cappuccino is basically a balanced mixture of espresso, steamed milk and milk froth while latte is double shots of espresso and generous amount of milk without the froth. Froth in latte is usually for presentation sake only and not necessary part of your blend. "Anytime Is Coffee Time!"
Article written by; Coffeefacts!