COFFEE 101

ORGANIC COFFEE BEANS

HEROES.com organic coffee products use beans purchased from coffee farms certified organic.

The term "organic coffee" refers to coffee that is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Instead, organic coffee is cultivated using natural and environmentally friendly methods. The origins of organic coffee are closely tied to the broader organic farming movement, which emerged in the mid-20th century.

The development of organic coffee can be traced back to the 1970s. The organic farming movement sought to promote sustainable and ecologically sound practices, emphasizing soil health, biodiversity, and the well-being of consumers, farmers, and communities.

Organic coffee cultivation typically involves:

• Natural Pest Control: Farmers use companion planting, natural predators, and other techniques to control pests instead of relying on synthetic pesticides.
• Composting and Natural Fertilizers: Organic coffee farms often use compost and natural fertilizers to enrich the soil and promote healthy plant growth, avoiding synthetic chemical fertilizers.
• Crop Rotation: To maintain soil fertility and reduce the risk of pests and diseases, organic coffee farms may implement crop rotation strategies.
• Biodiversity: Organic coffee farms often prioritize biodiversity, planting a variety of crops and trees to create a more resilient and balanced ecosystem.
• Certification: Many organic coffee producers seek certification from organizations such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) or other international certifying bodies. This certification ensures that the coffee meets specific organic standards.

Today, organic coffee is a significant segment of the coffee market, and many consumers actively seek out organic options due to concerns about environmental sustainability and a desire to support more ethical and ecologically friendly agricultural practices.

COFFEE BREWING METHODS

There are several popular coffee brewing methods, each with its unique process and resulting flavor profile. Each brewing method offers a unique experience and allows coffee enthusiasts to explore different flavor profiles and brewing techniques based on their preferences and needs. Here are some of the most common methods along with their benefits:

THE DECAF PROCESS

The Mountain Water Process is a method used to decaffeinate coffee beans without the use of chemicals like traditional decaffeination processes. This method is also known as the Swiss Water Process, and it's considered a more natural and environmentally friendly approach to decaffeination.

Here's an overview of the Mountain Water Process:

• Green Coffee Soaking: The process begins with a batch of green (unroasted) coffee beans. These beans are soaked in water to create a green coffee extract.
• Green Coffee Extract Filtration: The green coffee extract is passed through activated carbon filters. These filters are designed to capture and remove caffeine from the extract. The activated carbon is selective to caffeine, allowing other compounds that contribute to the coffee's flavor to remain in the extract.
• Flavor Retention: The filtered green coffee extract, now containing the coffee flavor compounds without caffeine, is used to soak a new batch of green coffee beans. Since the extract already contains the flavor elements, only the caffeine is extracted from the fresh batch of beans, leaving the flavor intact.
• Repetition: This process is repeated until the desired level of decaffeination is achieved. The Mountain Water Process is known for maintaining the coffee's original flavor profile more effectively compared to some chemical decaffeination methods.
• Drying and Roasting: Once the decaffeination process is complete, the decaffeinated beans are dried and then roasted just like regular coffee beans.

The Swiss Water Process is certified organic and kosher, making it an attractive option for those who are concerned about the use of chemicals in decaffeination.

Decaffeinated coffee processed using the Mountain Water Process is widely available, and it is often labeled as such to appeal to consumers seeking a chemical-free decaffeination method.

COFFEE & CBD

Benefits of Adding CBD to Your Coffee

When you wake up in the morning, what is one of the first thoughts to enter your mind? If your answer is coffee, you aren’t alone. It is estimated that over half of all American adults drink coffee and that more than two billion cups of coffee are enjoyed around the world daily.

But what about adding CBD oil to the mix? If you’ve never considered adding CBD to your coffee, we understand. The two are revered for practically opposite reasons–caffeine is a natural stimulant that can boost alertness and provide a rush of energy, while CBD is most often used to calm the mind and promote full-body relaxation––and combining them may feel counterintuitive. But, these two plant-derived substances balance each other out and may provide a wealth of wellness benefits when taken together.

MORE ABOUT COMBINING COFFEE & CBD