Learn more about organic specialty coffee
At OR Coffee Roasters, our commitment to quality coffee goesbeyond labels. We value sustainable and organic farming, so we never buy coffee based on certifications alone. Many of our Ethiopian coffees are grown sustainably and without pesticides, yet they lack official "Organic Certified" labels due to the high costs of certification. Despite this, we continue to support organic certified producers like our Brazilian partners, the Dutra family. Join us as we explore the world of bio-certified organiccoffee and its benefits.
What is Bio-Certified organic coffee?
Bio-certified organic coffee is grown according to strict organic farming standards without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. Certification bodies such as USDA Organic and Fair Trade inspect and verify these standards. However, many small producers can't afford the high costs associated with certification, even though they practice sustainable farming.
The benefits of Bio-Certified organic coffee
Environmental benefits
Organic farming practices promote biodiversity, improve soil health, and conserve water. By choosing organic coffee, you help protect the environment.
Social impact
Many organic coffee farms adhere to fair trade practices, ensuring better working conditions and fair wages for farmers. This social impact is crucial to the organic movement.
OR Coffee and organic certified coffee
At OR Coffee, we don’t buy coffee for their labels. For example, all our Ethiopian coffees are sustainably grown and pesticide-free or ‘organic’, but unfortunately, we cannot call them "Organic Certified" because the official certification is too expensive for most producers. The same is true for us as roasters; we actually pay an extra fee for every bag of organic coffee we roast.
Does this mean we are against organic certified coffees? No, of course not! We believe strongly that sustainable farming is an important step towards a better future for our planet. For this reason, we work with organic certified producers, like our Brazilian friends from the Dutra family, who have worked many years towards producing coffee in a sustainable way. We are very proud of them! It is thanks to their hard work that we can sell organic certified specialty coffee in Belgium. However, it's important to be aware of these labels, because organic coffee is not necessarily specialty coffee. At OR Coffee, quality will always come first.
The journey of organic coffee from farm to cup at OR Coffee
Brazil
Since 2010, we have been collaborating with Walter and Ednilson Dutra. Their dedication has led to the development of a separate section within their Fazenda, exclusively for us. This area, Pedra Bonita, includes specific lots like Pedra Preta and Boa Sorte. The Dutra family grows over 500 acres of coffee sustainably and pesticide-free. In 2018, we encouraged them to obtain bio-certification for some of their coffees. Today, they are working towards certifications for all their coffee, setting an example of passion, hard work, and commitment to quality. Visiting the Dutra family annually feels like a reunion, reinforcing our strong bond and shared goals.
Colombia
Our journey with Colombian coffee began in 2016 when Tom visited as a judge for the Cup of Excellence. After several visits and building connections, we partnered with Adriana from Inconexus in 2019 due to the high quality and transparency she offered. Adriana's initiative in setting up coffee labs and working directly with producers to improve coffee quality has been instrumental. We now have a trusting relationship with Inconexus and the smaller producers they support, ensuring we receive high-quality coffee while supporting sustainable practices.
Peru
Our exploration of Peruvian coffee started in 2019, seeking delicious organic coffee. After visiting several producers, we established a relationship with one family in the Amazonas region. Despite modest production, the quality of their coffee was outstanding. We prefer sustainable relationships with trusted producers over purchasing from various sources annually. All the coffee from our Peruvian producer is organic certified, ensuring both quality and sustainability.
Ethiopia
In Ethiopia we have been working with different coffee producers via Direct Trade since 2018. For all our organic Ethiopian coffee we work with Welichu Wachu Industry PLC. This company, established in 2017, operates in the Oromia region and collaborates with over 1,400 smallholder farmers who grow coffee on 2,171 hectares of certified organic land. Welichu Wachu provides both fully washed and natural processed coffees, with production sites strategically located across the Guji Zone.
Welichu Wachu is dedicated to sustainable and organic farming practices, which align perfectly with our values. Their coffee is grown in fertile, well-drained soil at elevations between 2,050 and 2,300 meters above sea level, under the shade of native trees. The result is a high-quality coffee that reflects the unique terroir of the region. Our partnership with Welichu Wachu allows us to bring you exceptional Ethiopian coffee that is both organically certified and deeply rooted in sustainable practices.
Organic Specialty Coffee blends
At OR Coffee Roasters we sell our coffee as a single origin or as a blend of multiple coffees.
Would you like to discover the unique flavours of a country, then we recommend you to try one of our single origins. However, some people prefer to taste a more balanced cup and look for a more consistent flavour. For this reason we also offer two organic certified specialty coffee blends: Take It Slow is our bio certified blend for filter coffee and batch brew, and Close To Nature is our bio certified blend for espresso and full-automatic machines.
Learn more about our two organic blends here:
Discover other coffees from OR Coffee Roasters
6. OR School
Buying high-quality coffee is a great first step toward enjoying a delicious cup at home. But did you know that the way you brew your coffee is just as important? At the OR School, we offer various workshops to help you brew the perfect cup.
Learn more about specialty coffee through our introduction to coffee, home barista training, or filter coffee training. We'll teach you about different origins, let you taste specialty coffee, and help you pull the perfect shot of espresso for your cappuccino. Check the OR School training calendar for more details.
Subscriptions & OR Coffee for Office
If you're passionate about enjoying high-quality, organic certified coffee, why not consider a coffee subscription with OR Coffee? Our subscription service ensures you receive freshly roasted, sustainable coffee delivered right to your door. Perfect for home or office, our specialty coffee will keep you and your team fueled and inspired.
Contact us today to learn more and elevate your coffee experience with OR Coffee, at home or the office.