Types of Coffee Certifications

Types of Coffee Certifications

Posted by Meera Nair on

As delightful as the beverage is, there’s also a side to the coffee world that’s more serious, that requires consideration, and that is usually overlooked by many. 

It is the real-world impact of coffee. 

What is the land like where coffee is grown? Who are the farmers working to bring us our daily dose of coffee? Do they get compensated fairly?

With coffee consumers becoming more knowledgeable about the industry, these questions naturally weigh into their decisions. 

That’s where coffee certifications come in. They determine what values and practices are adhered to in the production of coffee. Let’s take a look at each certification in more detail.


USDA Organic Certification

In simple words, organic coffee refers to coffee that is grown without synthetic fertilisers, chemicals, and pesticides. This certification is provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and guarantees that coffee meets strict standards as per the regulations set by them. 

organic coffee certification

In order for a final product to be labelled as organic, there needs to be transparency from farm to roaster. Especially in the cases of blends where more than one type of coffee bean is used, at least 95% of the total product needs to be organically produced to qualify for certification. 

Some people who opt for organic coffee do so because it’s perceived as the healthier alternative. Others recognise the environmental benefits of choosing it. From soil health to biodiversity, the measures taken to produce organic coffee make a difference to our ecosystem.


Rainforest Alliance & UTZ Certification

This next type of certification goes one step beyond environmental conservation. Its objective is to establish better standards of living for the workers, protect their rights, and improve farming techniques. 

Established in 1987 by Daniel Katz, the Rainforest Alliance certification was later merged with the UTZ certification in 2018. They have specific criteria that dictate farming practices required for Rainforest Alliance & UTZ-certified coffee. 

It is also applicable to tea, bananas, and cocoa cultivation. 

This certification earns merit because it guarantees better conditions for farm workers and minimises a range of environmental hazards like deforestation. 


Fair Trade Certification

You’ve probably heard of the Fair Trade Certification since it’s one of the most common ones differentiating coffee. 

As the name suggests, the objective of this certificate is to fetch better prices and ensure good working conditions and fair terms for coffee producers. Courtesy of movements like these, ethical trade practices are followed and exploitation of labour is prevented to an extent. 

fair trade coffee

The Fair Trade Certification enables ethical sourcing and instils the importance of transparency within the coffee supply chain. It is governed by organizations like the Fairtrade International and Fair Trade USA.


Bird Friendly Certification

The Bird Friendly Certification was launched in 1996 by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Centre for coffee and cocoa. What this certification does is foster bird habitats and preserve biodiversity on farms. 

In order for a farm to bear the seal of this certification, they must grow coffee under shade trees. This certification has to be renewed every 3 years and to pass the standards set by the SMBC, farms must have over 40% shade coverage.

The reason Bird Friendly-certified coffee enjoys a market of its own is that ecologists and bird watchers appreciate that coffee can be grown in a native forest setting where the ecosystem is not disturbed. 

The production of coffee is then chemical-free and much cleaner. 




Some farms collect more than one certification to amp up the value of their coffee. For instance, you can find coffee that is both Fair Trade and Bird Friendly.

Recently, we explored what it means to be a conscious coffee consumer and how you can take small but significant steps towards becoming one. 

Understanding the importance of coffee certifications is crucial in growing as a coffee consumer. 

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