The Hidden Dangers of Mold in Coffee

I just learned that there is mold in coffee that we consume every day. Not all brands have mold, but when I learned this I had to look into this and learn more about it. As you can imagine, mold is not good for us. It can cause respiratory issues and even cause death. So does that mean we are slowly killing ourselves with every cup of coffee we drink? I will address that here, because understanding how mold develops in coffee, its potential effects on health, and ways to avoid it can help you enjoy your cup with confidence.

Mold can make its way into coffee beans primarily through the growing, processing, and storage stages. Coffee is grown in tropical climates, which are often humid—conditions that favor mold growth. If beans are not dried thoroughly after harvesting or are stored in damp conditions, mold can develop. Additionally, improper handling during transportation and storage can exacerbate the problem.

The primary health concern associated with mold in coffee is mycotoxins, particularly ochratoxin A, produced by certain types of mold. These toxins can be harmful if ingested in significant quantities. While occasional consumption of moldy coffee is unlikely to cause serious health issues for most people, mycotoxins can lead to allergic reactions, respiratory problems, and other health concerns in sensitive individuals.

From an aesthetic point of view, moldy beans can also affect the flavor of the coffee, leading to off-tastes or undesirable flavors. But, high-quality coffee producers often take steps to prevent and mitigate mold issues to ensure a better tasting product. Here's how you can make sure you're drinking a good cup of coffee.

By taking these precautions, you can minimize the risk of mold in your coffee and enjoy your daily brew without worry.

Of course you hope your coffee is mold free, but the sad truth is that 45% of commercially available coffee beans tested contained Ochratoxin A. Unfortunately in this study done by National Library of Medicine, it does not specify what "commercial" coffee companies it tested. In another study done by the Journal of Agricultural and food Chemistry, up to 55% of green coffee beans showed the presence of Aflatoxins.

It's also proven that coffee roasting does help reduce the toxins, but still nearly a third of roasted coffees contained that bad mycotoxin called Ochratoxin A. (Source)

At the end of the day, it's important to know what we are putting into our bodies. It's important to check with individual brands or roasters about their practices. Some of the following coffee brands say that they are free from mold.

Here are a few that say that are mold-free:

I saved up my money and finally bought an at-home espresso machine, so let's talk about the best beans!

When I was looking to invest in a fancy espresso machine to make a perfect latte at home, my sister-in-law, Kacey, suggested the Breville Touch. She has the same one at her house and she makes her own drinks every day. I also did my due diligence and went to Crate and Barrel and Williams Sonoma and spoke to the employees in the "coffee section." Everyone was so helpful. Many of them also suggested a Breville. So guess what? I bought a Breville Espresso machine!

I almost pulled the trigger on the Breville Touch Impress, but then I looked at the price tag. There was no way I could justify spending $1,499.00 on a "coffee maker." But the machine right below the Touch Impress was the Breville touch. The price listed for that was $999.00. I bought it through Rakuten, and they offered a $100 cash-back rebate if I bought the machine through QVC. So, I only spent $899.00 on this machine.

Even as I write that amount down I cringe, I'm not going to lie. In so many ways I can't believe I spent almost $1000 on a machine that makes coffees. Like, WHO AM I?

I have been buying Vermont Coffee Company coffee beans since 2020. During the pandemic my mom and I took a trip to Vermont and we noticed that almost every store sold coffee from the Vermont Coffee Company. I finally bought a bag and tried it out. It is really great, flavorful coffee! And you'll notice that they sell this brand at most grocery stores in Massachusetts. It makes a great cup of coffee or espresso.

https://www.stonewallkitchen.com/family-of-brands/vermontcoffeecompany-fob-landing.html

When I went to Williams Sonoma and tried their espresso drink from the Breville, they used Illy coffee beans. I didn't know that when I took my first sip, but once I did I turned toward the employee and said, "Oh my gosh what type of beans are these?!" It tasted so smooth, so dark, and so fancy. She told me it was Illy. You can find this brand at the grocery stores!

https://www.illy.com/en-us/eshop/coffee/ground-espresso-moka-coffee/ground-espresso-coffee-dark-roast-intenso/8840ST

La Mulita is a coffee company based in Rye, NH. Their store is right around the corner from my parents house and they make one hell of an espresso drink! They sell their beans in the store, and even ship as well! My brother-in-law loves the "mule fuel" espresso bean. If you have an espresso machine at home, I think you'll love their beans as well!

https://lamulitacoffee.com/

Truthfully, I have never tried coffee from Heartwood Roastery, but I plan on buying some to try it out! Someone on my Instagram page saw that I bought a Breville and told me she had the same one. She suggested her extended family's coffee company out of Ohio. She *claims* that these are the best beans for anyone's espresso machine. I'll have to report back after I try them!

https://www.heartwoodroastery.com/

Lavazza is another "go-to" coffee bean for the espresso lovers. They have a specific espresso bean that's very popular. The one I would suggest is the Lavazza Espresso Italiano.  According to their website you can, "Bring the Italian way of life into your home with Espresso Italiano. Our quality beans offer you a real espresso taste experience, ideal for any preparation method."

https://www.lavazzausa.com/en

https://country1025.com/listicle/coffee-that-supports-military/