We have some news we're rather pleased about. Reads Coffee is now fully certified Organic by the Organic Food Federation, across both our coffee and tea operations.
We roast on an organic dairy farm here in rural Dorset, so organic farming is already part of our everyday surroundings. But certification is a different thing, and we didn't take the step lightly. Every stage now meets the strict standards organic certification demands, from the farms we buy from to the roasting of the beans that end up in your bag.
Why we made the switch
For us it was never a question of if, only when...
Growing organic coffee takes real dedication. Farmers can't use synthetic pesticides or artificial fertilisers, so they have to build healthier, more fertile soil instead. That means greater biodiversity and better long-term support for the farmers and cooperatives we work with. Many of them have farmed this way for generations, long before "organic" appeared on a label.
This isn't a marketing exercise either. Every certified coffee in our range is still chosen on quality and traceability first. Organic is an extra layer of assurance on top, not a replacement for good coffee.
What "certified organic" actually means
Organic is one of those words that gets used loosely, so here's what it means in practice:
- No synthetic inputs. Grown without artificial pesticides, fertilisers or herbicides.
- Independently inspected. Verified every year by the Organic Food Federation, not just self-declared.
- Fully traceable. Every step from farm to cup is documented.
- Better for biodiversity. Farming practices that protect soil health and the wider ecosystem.
Who certifies us
The Organic Food Federation has been certifying organic products in the UK since 1986. Their certification is backed by independent audits, strict production standards and at least one mandatory in-person inspection every year.
We'd rather you didn't have to take our word for it, so you can view our organic certificate here.
