Does Starbucks Have Organic Coffee? Are They Fair Trade?

Coffee enthusiasts often wonder and ask does Starbucks have organic coffee? And start to question if their coffee is full of pesticides.

Health-conscious coffee lovers are always asking the right questions and coffee drinkers are increasingly looking for specialty coffees that are organic and pesticide-free.

Let’s face it: we all know organic food is tastier and healthier, so, does the coffee giant have organic coffee?

Keep reading to find out!

Can You Get organic Coffee At Starbucks?

Without beating around the bush, Starbucks coffee is not organic. Most of their coffee beans, literally all of them, are not certified as organic. Also, the milk that is used is not organic, neither is the sugar and other sweeteners.

To be fair, they do have a range of organic coffee beans that you can buy and take home with you. To make it truly organic, be sure to use organic milk and sweetener.

Read: How to make coffee with whole beans

Is Starbucks Coffee Full Of Pesticides?

Starbucks has no control at all over how many pesticides or what pesticides are used on the coffee farms that they get their beans from. They don’t own the farms, but they may have contractual agreements regarding the use of pesticides and which ones. This is something that is rare in the industry though.

They are probably the biggest coffee purchasers in the world. Few companies will purchase more than they do. The fact that they are one of the biggest buyers of coffee tells us straight away that they do not grow their own. Rather, they have a preference for ethical sourcing and fair trade coffee.

Still,

they have zero control over the amount of pesticides that are used by the individual coffee farmers. Being entirely balanced and fair, Starbucks does not have any more pesticides or contaminants in their beans than any other brand or coffee shop.

If you are concerned, then you should either stop drinking coffee or focus on organic coffee only.

There are some very good organic coffee brands that are worth a try. They sell good single origin coffee as well.

Read: What is the strongest type of coffee

Is Starbucks Coffee Mold Free?

Starbucks’ coffee is very well processed and roasted in house by themselves and their own facility which they get shipped to their outlets. Obviously, when they get to their outlets, their beans are in top condition, well stored and well taken care of.

This is not to say that their coffee cannot develop mold. All coffee can develop mold if it is not well taken care of. It is not known if Starbucks screens for mycotoxins, which are formed by mold. Purity coffee is one brand that screens for mycotoxins and ensures their beans are free from them.

Most countries do have strict standards in regard to the screening of toxins like mycotoxins. It is not particularly an issue.

Essentially, what I am trying to communicate well here is if you buy and store your beans poorly, regardless of which brand, and they grow mold it is not necessarily the fault of the brand.

Buy a proper coffee canister that is airtight and has a vacuum pump to vacuum seal it and a one way valve.

Is Starbucks Coffee Fair Trade?

Yes,

Starbucks is one of the biggest purchasers of fair trade certified coffee in the world. That is an undisputable fact. This is not to say that fair trade coffee is exploitation free. I can only comment on my own experience from 10 years ago and comments made by Thai coffee farmers.

They were, to be quite frank, not at all pleased with the low price paid by the company. Some felt it was rather exploitative given the price paid for a cup of coffee in their outlets.

Is Starbucks Ethically Sourced?

Yes,

Starbucks are very socially responsible in their approach to coffee and are C.A.F.E certified, Coffee And Farmer Equity, practices and have long term contracts with those that supply them with high quality coffee. This is very beneficial and has a positive impact on coffee farmers.

As pointed out earlier, my direct experience with Thai coffee farmers, their comments suggest this may not be the case.

What Is Starbucks Yukon Blend?

Starbucks Yukon blend is an organic coffee from the world’s most famous franchise coffee company. The beans come from Sumatra and Latin American coffee beans. It is earthy, lively in acidity with a lingering spiciness that is herbal and goes well with chocolate, cinnamon and oatmeal.

It is, I’ll be straight with you, it is one of the better organic blends I have tried. I say this as someone who is not at all a Starbucks fan.

Starbucks Organic Coffee Pods

It is not easy to find Starbucks organic coffee pods as generally speaking they don’t have an extensive range of organic coffee or organic coffee pods.

There are a lot of other coffee companies that produce organic coffee pods and capsules for both Nespresso and Keurig K-cups.

Does Starbucks Use Organic Ingredients?

Only 1.1% of Starbucks coffee is USDA-certified as organic. Unfortunately, there are GMO organisms in their coffee and ingredients list.

Frequently Asked Questions About Does Starbucks Have Organic Coffee

Does Starbucks Use Organic?

No, Starbucks coffee is not organic. In their outlets they use non-organic milk and coffee beans. The company does have some organic options in their Yukon Blend and French Roasts.

Is It Healthier To Drink Organic Coffee?

Yes, conventional coffee is treated with various chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers and toxic ingredients. Organic coffee beans are healthier due to containing fewer toxins and have the additional benefit of having a much better nutritional profile.

What Is The Best Organic Coffee On The Market?

There are a lot of very good organic coffee brands available. Purity coffee and lifeboost are the best two organic coffee brands. 

How Do You Know If Coffee Is Organic?

Organic coffee is produced free of chemical-based pesticides, fertilizers and is non-gmo. The packaging will indicate if the product is organic or not.

Does Starbucks Coffee Have Pesticides?

 Yes, unfortunately the majority of the coffee used by Starbucks has pesticides.

Why Do People Drink Organic Coffee?

Organic coffee has a higher amount of nutrients than regular coffee and fewer toxins. A morning coffee with elevated amounts of magnesium, niacin, potassium and B minerals is a good healthy start to the day.

Frappé-Ing It All Up – Does Starbucks Have Organic Coffee?

Does Starbucks have organic coffee? yes, Starbucks does have organic coffee in their Yukon blend, which is really delicious. However, only 1.1% of their coffee is organic, so the vast majority of their coffee is not organic.

Strictly speaking, if you order a Starbucks coffee that is organic, it may still not be organic if you order it with milk as their milk is not organic.

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Derek Marshall

Derek Marshall, a certified barista by the Specialty Coffee Association possesses over two decades of experience in specialty coffee shops. He holds professional certifications for coffee brewing and barista skills. Derek is also an author with authoritative books covering various coffee topics including specialty coffee, sustainability and coffee, coffee brewing, coffee recipes, coffee cocktails and books focusing on Brazilian coffee, Vietnamese coffee, Indonesian coffee and Malaysian coffee. As a barista for over two decades, Derek Marshall has worked in specialty coffee shops across the United Kingdom, Spain, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. His expertise extends to the distinct coffee cultures, specialty beverages, and brewing techniques of each nation. Functioning as a coffee consultant, Derek charges US$50 per hour. To learn more about Derek Marshall and Latte Love Brew, visit his About Me Page. For coffee inquiries, contact him at +34-639-410-375 or Derek@LatteLoveBrew.com, mentioning your name and location