At Horsham Coffee Roaster, we’ve always been passionate about sourcing exceptional coffee that not only tastes incredible but also supports sustainable and ethical farming practices. Since 2019, we’ve proudly held organic certification on some of our coffees (Organic Blend, Organic Decaf and occasional single origins) through the Soil Association.

After much consideration, we’ve decided to step away from organic certification. This wasn’t an easy decision, and we know it may raise some questions. We’d like to take a moment to explain why we’ve made this change – and reassure you that our commitment to high-quality, responsibly grown coffee hasn’t wavered.

The Challenges of Organic Certification

The reality is that sourcing organic certified specialty coffee has become increasingly difficult. This isn’t because producers are abandoning sustainable farming methods or turning to harmful practices – far from it. Many of the growers we work with continue to farm using organic techniques, even if they no longer hold certification.

For many smallholder farmers, maintaining organic certification can be a significant challenge. The process often involves extensive paperwork, strict auditing, and rising costs that aren’t always feasible, especially for smaller farms in remote areas. It’s not uncommon for producers to let their certifications lapse simply because the administrative burden outweighs the benefits. Several coffees that we've purchased over the years are still being produced using sustainable, natural farming methods but without the certification.

What’s Changing (And What Isn’t)

Our approach to sourcing great coffee remains the same. The farmers and cooperatives we partner with are still dedicated to growing coffee in ways that protect biodiversity, avoid harmful chemicals, and support their communities. In many cases, the farming methods used are indistinguishable from organic practices – the only difference is the absence of formal certification.

Here’s what you can expect moving forward:

Organic Blend

Our popular organic blend will see a name change, but the heart of the coffee remains the same. We will continue sourcing beans from the same Central and South American co-operatives that focus on environmental stewardship and sustainable farming. The quality, flavour, and ethical foundation of the blend won’t change – just the certification label.

This coffee has now been renamed 'Cooperative Blend'

Shop our Cooperative Blend

Organic Decaf

Our decaf coffee will typically come from the same producers that we've always sourced coffee from and will always be processed using a chemical free method. This will typically be Swiss Water, Mountain Water or the Co2 method.

The quality, flavour, and ethical foundation of the product won’t change – just the certification label.

Shop our Decaf Coffee

Why This Matters

Stepping away from organic certification allows us to expand our sourcing options and work with more producers who grow exceptional coffee but may not have the means to pursue certification. This flexibility means we can continue to offer outstanding coffee at fair prices, supporting farmers while ensuring that you – our customers – get the best possible coffee.

At Horsham Coffee Roaster, our mission has always been to build relationships with producers who share our values and to bring their incredible coffees to your cup. We believe that by focusing on transparency, quality, and sustainability (with or without certification), we can continue to make a positive impact on the coffee industry.

If you have any questions about these changes, feel free to reach out to us at info@horshamcoffeeroaster.com. Thank you for your continued support and understanding.

Coffee Grown To The Highest Sustainable and Ethical Standards

View all