Organic coffee: why you should choose organic

If coffee is part of your morning ritual, it's worth paying attention to how it's grown. Conventional coffee farms may use synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, and organic certification limits these. Roasting reduces much of what might remain in the beans, so the biggest benefits of organic may be for the farmers, the soil and the water in coffee-growing regions. Shade-grown coffee also protects bird habitat.

Coffee itself offers polyphenols, plant compounds with antioxidant properties, and research links moderate intake with several health benefits.

When I shop for coffee, I look for:

• USDA Organic
• Fair Trade certification
• Shade-grown or Bird Friendly labels
• A recent roast date

Try this: enjoy your cup with breakfast rather than on an empty stomach, and follow it with a glass of water.