Ember Coffee Co.

Can You Freeze Coffee Beans? Yes, you can freeze coffee beans to extend their freshness, but only if you do it correctly. Store beans in an airtight, moisture-proof container, freeze them once (don't refreeze), and only freeze whole beans you won't use within 2 weeks. When done right, freezing can preserve coffee for 1-3 months without significant flavor loss. If you've heard conflicting advice about freezing coffee, here's what actually works and when freezing makes sense. Why Freezing Coffee Can Work Coffee goes stale through oxidation, moisture exposure, and loss of aromatic compounds. Freezing slows these processes significantly by: Stopping oxidation (cold temperatures slow chemical reactions) Preventing moisture absorption (if sealed properly) Preserving volatile aromatic compounds Fresh-roasted coffee is best within 2-4 weeks of roasting. If you've bought coffee in bulk or won't finish a bag in time, freezing is better than letting it go stale on your counter. The Right Way to Freeze Coffee Beans Step 1: Use an Airtight Container Coffee absorbs odors and moisture like a sponge. Use a vacuum-sealed bag, airtight freezer bag, or jar with a tight seal. Remove as much air as possible. Step 2: Portion It Out Divide beans into single-use portions (enough for 1 week of brewing). This way, you only thaw what you need and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Step 3: Freeze Whole Beans Only Never freeze ground coffee — it has more surface area and degrades faster. Ground coffee also absorbs moisture more readily. Step 4: Thaw Properly Let frozen beans come to room temperature before opening the container (this prevents condensation). Once thawed, use within a week and don't refreeze. When Freezing Makes Sense You bought coffee in bulk at a discount You received a gift bag you won't finish soon You want to stockpile a limited-edition roast You brew coffee infrequently When NOT to Freeze Coffee You'll use it within 2 weeks (just store it airtight at room temp) The beans are already stale (freezing won't reverse staleness) You don't have proper airtight containers You'll be opening and closing the container repeatedly Freezer vs Fridge Never refrigerate coffee. Refrigerators are humid and full of odors. Coffee will absorb both. Freezers are much drier and colder, making them suitable for storage if done correctly. How Long Can You Freeze Coffee? Whole beans: 1-3 months (best quality) After 3 months: Still safe but flavor declines After 6 months: Noticeable staleness Best Storage Practices If you're not freezing, store coffee: In an airtight container In a cool, dark place (pantry, not counter) Away from heat sources In the original bag if it has a resealable zip and one-way valve Frequently Asked Questions Can you freeze coffee beans twice? No. Repeated freezing and thawing creates condensation, which degrades flavor and can make beans soggy. Does freezing coffee reduce caffeine? No. Caffeine content stays the same whether coffee is fresh, frozen, or stale. Should I grind before or after freezing? Always freeze whole beans and grind after thawing. Ground coffee loses flavor much faster. Can I freeze coffee in its original bag? Only if it's fully sealed and airtight. Most coffee bags aren't freezer-safe once opened. Will frozen coffee taste as good as fresh? It's close but not identical. Freezing preserves 85-90% of freshness if done correctly. Fresh is still best, but frozen beats stale. Fresh is Still Best Freezing is a preservation tool, not a freshness hack. The best coffee is freshly roasted and used within a few weeks. At Ember, we roast in small batches and ship quickly so your coffee arrives at peak freshness. Order what you'll use in 2-3 weeks, and you won't need to freeze it at all.Shop our air-roasted coffees →

Here's the uncomfortable truth: "ethically sourced" has no legal definition. Unlike "organic" (regulated by the USDA) or "Fair Trade" (requiring certification), any company can call their coffee "ethically sourced" without meeting any specific standard. The term appears on bags everywhere — from genuine commitment to pure marketing spin. So how do you know what you're actually buying? Understanding the spectrum from greenwashing to genuine ethical sourcing helps you make informed choices. Why "Ethically Sourced" Isn't Enough No Standard Definition According to Sedex, "ethically sourced isn't a coined label with a standard legal definition. There's no official institution approving its use in consumer marketing." The term is similar to "natural" on food packaging — meant to appeal to conscious consumers but not regulated in any particular way. The Greenwashing Problem A TerraChoice study examining 2,219 products found that over 98% contained some form of greenwashing. More than half of green claims are misleading or unverifiable. In January 2024, the National Consumers League filed a complaint alleging that Starbucks misleads consumers by marketing coffee as "100% ethically sourced" despite documented labor abuses at certified suppliers. This illustrates how even large brands using the term can face scrutiny. What This Means for You When a bag says "ethically sourced" without specifics, you're trusting the company's interpretation of the term. That might mean rigorous standards and verified practices — or it might mean very little. [.] The Spectrum: What "Ethical" Can Actually Mean Ethical sourcing exists on a spectrum from minimal compliance to genuine partnership. Minimal Compliance At the low end, "ethical" might mean: Meeting legal requirements (which vary by country) Buying from certified cooperatives without further verification Making vague commitments without measurement Certification-Based The middle ground uses third-party certifications: Fair Trade minimum prices and premiums Rainforest Alliance sustainability standards Organic certification for environmental practices Bird Friendly for habitat preservation Deep Partnership At the high end, ethical sourcing means: Direct relationships with farmers Transparent pricing that supports living wages Regular farm visits and quality feedback Long-term purchase commitments Investment in farm-level improvements The Real Problems in Coffee Sourcing Understanding what ethical sourcing addresses requires understanding what can go wrong. Farmer Poverty According to Fairtrade International, 44% of the world's coffee farmers live in poverty. At least 5.5 million coffee farmers earn below the international poverty line of $3.20 per day. Coffee farmers typically receive only 7-10% of the retail price. One-third earn less than $100 per year from coffee production. The commodity price (C price) often hovers around $0.80-$1.10 per pound — roughly the cost of production. Without premiums, farmers make no profit. Child Labor The ILO/UNICEF 2024 report found 138 million children engaged in child labor globally, with 70% in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Labor lists coffee as produced with child labor in 13 countries including Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. In Honduras, up to 40% of workers during coffee-harvesting season are children. In Brazil, child labor rates are 37% higher in coffee-producing regions, with children as young as 6 working up to 10 hours per day. Living Wage vs. Minimum Price Fair Trade's minimum price ($1.80/lb for washed Arabica) provides a floor but doesn't guarantee a living wage. Fairtrade International itself acknowledges the minimum "is not enough for all farmers to progress toward a living income." SCA research found that in El Salvador, farmers receive a median $3.50/lb while a living wage requires $6.64/lb production cost. The gap between what farmers earn and what they need remains significant. Certifications: What They Actually Mean Fair Trade What it guarantees: Minimum price floor (currently $1.80/lb for washed Arabica) $0.20/lb premium for community development Democratic organization requirements Third-party audits Limitations: Farmers receive only about one-sixth of the price premium paid by consumers Certification costs can exclude small farmers Minimum may not reach living wage levels Rainforest Alliance What it guarantees: Environmental sustainability standards Some labor protections Third-party verification Limitations: No guaranteed minimum price Only requires national minimum wage (not living wage) Allows 30% certified content with full seal use USDA Organic What it guarantees: No synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers Annual third-party verification Limitations: Doesn't address labor conditions Doesn't address fair compensation Bird Friendly (Smithsonian) What it guarantees: 100% organic certification Shade-grown requirements (40% minimum canopy) Habitat preservation for migratory birds Limitations: Doesn't directly address farmer wages Limited availability Direct Trade (Not a Certification) What it can mean: Direct farmer relationships Quality-based pricing premiums Transparency about sourcing Limitations: No governing body or standards Anyone can use the term Relies entirely on roaster integrity What to Look For Green Flags Specific farm or cooperative names: Genuine ethical sourcing can tell you exactly where coffee comes from — not just "Colombia" but which farm, which cooperative, which region. Published pricing: Some roasters disclose what they paid farmers. This transparency indicates accountability. Regular producer visits: Ethical relationships require presence. Roasters who visit origins can verify conditions firsthand. Long-term commitments: One-time purchases don't build sustainable relationships. Look for ongoing partnerships. Traceability information: Region, altitude, variety, and processing method indicate the roaster knows their supply chain. Red Flags Vague claims without specifics: "100% ethical" or "sustainably sourced" without details is marketing, not accountability. No certifications and no relationship details: If there's no third-party verification AND no specific sourcing information, the claim is unverifiable. Prices too low to support ethical premiums: Quality coffee costs money to produce ethically. Rock-bottom prices can't fund living wages. Refusal to discuss sourcing: Legitimate ethical sourcing welcomes questions. Defensiveness or vagueness suggests the claims don't hold up. Beyond Certifications: What Actually Helps Farmers Price Matters Most Certifications provide floors, but farmers need prices above cost of production to thrive. The most impactful ethical sourcing pays quality-based premiums that exceed certification minimums. Relationships Over Transactions Long-term buying commitments give farmers income stability to invest in quality improvements, environmental practices, and their families' futures. Transparency Creates Accountability When roasters publish sourcing details and pricing, they create accountability that benefits everyone. Consumers can verify claims; farmers gain recognition; the industry improves. Frequently Asked Questions What does "ethically sourced" mean on coffee? "Ethically sourced" has no legal definition — it can mean anything from verified fair trade practices to vague good intentions. Without specifics or third-party certification, the term is essentially marketing. Look for details about where coffee comes from, what farmers were paid, and whether claims are independently verified. How do I know if coffee is truly ethically sourced? Look for specific farm or cooperative names, third-party certifications (Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, Organic, Bird Friendly), published pricing information, and evidence of ongoing farmer relationships. Red flags include vague claims without details, lack of traceability, and prices too low to support ethical premiums. Is Fair Trade coffee really ethical? Fair Trade provides real protections — minimum prices, community premiums, and third-party audits. However, the minimum price may not reach living wage levels, and research shows farmers receive only about one-sixth of the consumer premium. It's better than commodity trading but not a complete solution to farmer poverty. What's the difference between Fair Trade and Direct Trade? Fair Trade is a formal certification with minimum prices, third-party audits, and standardized requirements. Direct Trade is an unregulated sourcing approach based on direct farmer relationships. Fair Trade guarantees a floor; Direct Trade can pay higher premiums but has no verification. Both have strengths and limitations. Does ethically sourced coffee cost more? Usually yes. Ethical sourcing costs include: certification fees, higher farmer payments, traceability systems, and relationship maintenance. If coffee is significantly cheaper than comparable quality beans, the price difference may come at someone's expense in the supply chain. Where Ember Stands We believe in specificity over slogans. When we say coffee is ethically sourced, we can tell you exactly what that means for each bag: Which farm or cooperative grew the coffee What we paid and how it compares to Fair Trade prices How long we've worked with that producer What certifications apply (if any) Some of our coffees carry Fair Trade or organic certification. All meet our standards for transparency and fair compensation. We visit origins when possible and maintain relationships over years, not transactions. "Ethically sourced" should mean something specific. Ask us — we'll tell you exactly what it means for any coffee we sell.Shop our air-roasted coffees →

You've probably seen "organic" on coffee bags and wondered if it's worth the extra cost. It's a fair question — organic certification means something specific, but whether that translates to better coffee in your cup depends on what you're actually looking for. Here's our take as roasters who source organic coffee: the organic label matters, but not always for the reasons people think. Let's look at what the research actually shows about organic coffee — the real benefits, the limitations, and what you should consider before deciding. What "Organic Coffee" Actually Means USDA organic certification isn't just a marketing term. According to the USDA National Organic Program, it requires specific farming practices: No synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers — the National List specifies exactly what's allowed and prohibited Three-year transition period — land must be free of prohibited substances for at least three years before organic harvest Annual inspections — farms undergo yearly audits by USDA-accredited certifiers 95% organic content — products labeled "organic" must contain at least 95% certified organic ingredients The Strengthening Organic Enforcement Rule, fully implemented in March 2024, added even more rigor: mandatory fraud prevention plans, import certificates for all organic coffee entering the U.S., and enhanced supply chain traceability. So when you buy certified organic coffee, you're getting beans grown under genuine regulatory oversight — not just a marketing claim. The Environmental Case for Organic Coffee This is where organic certification has the strongest evidence behind it. Soil Health A study published in PMC compared organic and conventional coffee farms in India over the long term. The findings were striking: Metric Organic Farms Conventional Farms Soil Quality Index 0.98 0.87 Organic Carbon Change +15.6% -16.7% Microbial Population 34% higher baseline Macrofauna Population 31.4% higher baseline Water Holding Capacity 54.8% 47.0% The researchers concluded that "coffee soil under long-term organic system has better soil properties compared to conventional system." That's not a small difference — organic farming was actively building soil health while conventional farming was depleting it. Biodiversity Research from Nature Scientific Reports found that organic farms demonstrate greater diversity of soil microorganisms, higher Shannon-Wiener diversity index scores, and increased soil respiration rates (15.4% higher than conventional). Carbon Footprint Life cycle assessments show organic coffee production generates less environmental impact: Conventional coffee: 0.26-0.67 kg CO2e per kg Organic coffee: 0.12-0.52 kg CO2e per kg Research in MDPI Sustainability confirmed superior sustainability scores for organic coffee (146.10 mPt) compared to conventional (218.50 mPt). The Health Question: What Actually Ends Up in Your Cup? This is where things get more nuanced — and where some of the marketing around organic coffee oversimplifies the science. Pesticide Residues Yes, conventional coffee farming uses pesticides. A comprehensive review in PMC identified common ones: organophosphates, pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, and even some legacy organochlorines. But here's the critical context: processing dramatically reduces exposure. The same research found: Washing reduces pesticide residues by 44-87% Roasting at 230-240°C eliminates 62-100% of certain pesticides Brewing removes 92-100% of whatever remains Research from the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry confirmed that after roasting, several pesticides including chlorpyrifos ethyl, permethrin, and cypermethrin were not detected in roasted beans. Does this mean pesticides don't matter? Not exactly. The health concerns are most significant for: Farm workers with direct exposure Communities near coffee farms Environmental contamination For consumers drinking the final product, the risk is substantially lower than the raw numbers might suggest. Antioxidants and Polyphenols Here's something interesting from 2025 research published in PMC: the comparison between organic and conventional coffee isn't straightforward. In raw beans, conventional coffee showed higher levels of: Chlorogenic acid (161.81 mg/g vs. 108.09 mg/g in organic) Catechin and caffeic acid Overall antioxidant power But organic beans showed higher levels of: Gallic acid Epigallocatechin gallate Quercetin (compounds with anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties) And here's the twist: in brewed coffee (what you actually drink), organic infusions showed "significantly high sum of identified polyphenols" compared to conventional brews. The takeaway? The health differences are real but complex — and may actually favor organic in the final cup. What About Taste? Research here is limited but interesting. A 2022 study by Flores-Chavez et al. in the *International Journal of Food Properties* found: Organic coffee was perceived as more vibrant, citrusy, and fruit-forward Conventional coffee leaned toward darker, harsher, more generic bitter notes Some of this may relate to plant stress response — organic farming naturally stresses plants by limiting synthetic inputs, which can prompt higher antioxidant production and potentially more complex flavor development. But taste is also influenced by origin, processing, roasting, and brewing. The organic vs. conventional difference is one variable among many. A well-grown conventional coffee from a careful producer may taste better than a poorly processed organic one. The Limitations of Organic Certification We believe in organic coffee, but we also believe in being honest about its limits. The Yield Problem Research from Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems found that organic coffee yields are approximately 22% lower than conventional farms. Lower yields mean: More land needed to produce the same amount of coffee Higher prices to make farming economically viable Potential land-use trade-offs The same research from Nicaragua found that higher farmgate prices for organic-certified coffee were "mostly nullified by lower yields resulting in insignificant net revenue gains" for farmers. Certification Isn't Everything According to research in Frontiers in Sustainability: Only 9% of consumers fully trust voluntary organic labels Some operations meet only minimum requirements without exceeding standards The proliferation of private certifications creates consumer confusion Fraud Concerns Controls in the organic sector have historically been "insufficient, fragmented or non-transparent." Some farms claim organic methods but still use prohibited products. Green coffee is often commingled during shipping, creating fraud opportunities. The 2024 Strengthening Organic Enforcement Rule addresses many of these concerns, but trust in the supply chain still matters. What This Means for Your Coffee Choices So is organic coffee worth it? That depends on what you value. Organic is worth it if you care about: Environmental sustainability and soil health Reducing synthetic chemical use in agriculture Supporting farming practices that protect biodiversity Potentially higher polyphenol content in your brewed cup Worker and community health in coffee-producing regions Organic may be less important if you're focused on: Personal health risks from pesticide residue (roasting eliminates most) Guaranteed better taste (too many other variables) Supporting farmer livelihoods (price premiums don't always reach producers) What Actually Matters for Quality Coffee Whether organic or conventional, these factors affect your cup more: 1. Specialty grade certification — quality scoring ensures you're getting good beans 2. Freshness — how recently was it roasted? 3. Processing method — washed, natural, honey all affect flavor 4. Roasting quality — even great beans can be ruined by bad roasting 5. Sourcing transparency — do you know where your coffee comes from? Why We Choose Organic at Ember At Ember, all our coffee is certified organic — not because we think it's a magic label, but because it aligns with how we want to source. Organic certification is a floor, not a ceiling. It guarantees certain practices, creates traceability, and supports environmental stewardship. But we also look for: Small-lot producers we can build relationships with Specialty-grade quality (organic doesn't guarantee quality) Ethical pricing that actually reaches farmers Processing methods that bring out the best in each origin The organic label is one piece of that puzzle. The rest comes from caring about the whole supply chain — from the farm to your cup. Frequently Asked Questions Does organic coffee have fewer pesticides? Yes, by definition — organic certification prohibits synthetic pesticides. However, roasting and brewing eliminate 92-100% of pesticide residues from conventional coffee anyway. The bigger impact is environmental (soil health, water quality) and on farm workers who handle the raw product. Is organic coffee healthier than regular coffee? The evidence is mixed. Recent research shows organic brewed coffee may have higher total polyphenols, while raw conventional beans have higher chlorogenic acid. Both types provide the health benefits associated with coffee consumption. The main health advantage of organic is avoiding synthetic chemical exposure — most relevant for workers and communities, less so for end consumers. Why is organic coffee more expensive? Lower yields (about 22% less production), higher labor costs, certification fees, and supply chain requirements all contribute. The certification process itself requires annual inspections, documentation, and compliance tracking. Does organic mean better taste? Not automatically. Quality depends on origin, variety, processing, and roasting more than organic status. Some research suggests organic coffee tastes more vibrant and fruit-forward, but a well-produced conventional coffee can taste better than a poorly processed organic one. How do I know if organic certification is legitimate? Look for the USDA Organic seal and check that the producer is certified by a USDA-accredited certifier. The 2024 Strengthening Organic Enforcement Rule added import certificates and enhanced traceability requirements, making fraud harder than it used to be. The Bottom Line Organic coffee is worth it for reasons that go beyond personal health — environmental stewardship, worker safety, and sustainable farming practices. The health benefits for consumers are real but nuanced, and taste depends on many factors beyond the organic label. What matters most is finding coffee that aligns with your values and tastes good in your cup. Organic certification is one way to ensure certain standards are met. But it's not the only thing that matters — sourcing, quality, freshness, and roasting all play a role. At Ember, we choose organic because it's part of how we think coffee should be grown. Combined with careful sourcing and air roasting, it's how we make sure you're getting coffee that's good for you, good for farmers, and good for the planet.