Sustainable spirits: the rise of organic ethanol in beverages

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By the 21st century, sustainability and eco-friendliness have emerged to be key factors in many people’s daily lives. Shopping for groceries, clothes, healthcare products, household appliances, we prefer to choose eco-friendly products over their outdated, polluter equivalents. This is no different when it comes to alcohol: the use of organic ethanol has recently become widespread.

Recognising the need for more and more environmentally friendly products across industries, companies try to keep up with the global shift to sustainability. One product of this global shift is the organic ethanol. Alcohol in general is used much more widely than just in beverages and food products: it is a key ingredient in many non-food products like perfume, beauty and hygiene products, pharmaceuticals, solvents for fats and oils, and more.

And that is exactly where organic ethanol revolutionises the market. But what exactly is organic ethanol and when can alcohol be labeled “organic”?

Organic ethanol

As the name suggests, organic ethyl alcohol is made entirely from organic ingredients. In organic farming, the crops are grown without pesticides, artificial fertilisers, sewage sludge. They are processed without ionising radiation or food additives. What is more, the distillation of organic alcohol is carried out in a dedicated distillery. To guarantee the organic origin of the product, there are several organic certifications issued by regulatory bodies.

Instead of using synthetic chemicals to control diseases and pests, natural alternatives and methods are implemented. Examples include using pesticides made from natural ingredients and encouraging natural predators as a form of pest control.

Food grade ethanol

What is food grade ethanol, and what makes alcohol food grade? Food grade alcohol is ethanol that is intended for human consumption. As the name suggests, food grade ethanol is mostly, however exclusively, used in food and beverage products. Any ethanol that is not denatured is considered food grade. Nevertheless, the distribution of food grade ethanol requires adherence to strict standards and regulations.