Organic vs Conventional Coffee: Does It Actually Matter?
From The Roast it Yourself Podcast by The Roast it Yourself Podcast
March 6, 2026 · 10 min · Episode 93
About this episode
The episode explores the differences between organic and conventional coffee, focusing on pesticides, processing methods, and the implications of organic certification.
Organic coffee is often seen as the “better” choice—but what does that really mean when it comes to the coffee you roast and drink? In this episode of the Roast It Yourself Podcast, Stephen and Catherine tackle a thoughtful listener question about the difference between organic and conventionally grown coffee, specifically when it comes to pesticides and whether they actually affect the coffee bean itself. The conversation digs into how pesticides interact with the coffee cherry, why processing methods like washed, natural, and honey can change the equation, and why the organic certification label doesn’t always tell the full story about how a coffee is grown. Along the way, they also discuss the economics of organic certification, why many farms follow organic practices without paying for the certification, and how roasters actually evaluate coffees when deciding what to buy. If you’ve ever wondered whether organic coffee really makes a difference—or how much it should matter when choosing green coffee—this episode offers a balanced, practical perspective from two industry professionals. Topics covered: Do pesticides affect the coffee bean or just the fruit? How processing…
People in this episode
Hosts: Stephen, Catherine
Topics covered
- organic coffee
- conventional coffee
- pesticides
- coffee processing methods
- organic certification
- coffee economics
- cup quality
Keywords
- organic coffee
- conventional coffee
- pesticides
- coffee processing
- organic certification
- coffee quality
- coffee economics
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Roast It Yourself Podcast
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