The Dirty Side of Coffee - and how to choose a better coffee to drink!

I LOVE my coffee. My family is Cuban and coffee is ingrained in our DNA- literally (no joke- according to genetic tests, I actually have a gene that makes me more likely to drink more caffeine ).

For years I swore by my family's favorite Cuban coffee brand ..... but then I realized it actually had high levels of pesticides and so I began my search for a better coffee. I then found an organic coffee which I loved, and drank that for years. But, after dealing with mold sensitivity for the past few years, I decided I needed to find an organic coffee that was also " mold free" .

Mold? Pesticides?

Yes- both of these can be found in varying degree in coffee.

Let's discuss

Pesticides

Conventional coffee is among the most heavily chemically treated foods in the world. Some of these chemicals used are unstable in heat and thus disappear after roasting, but others like glyphosate, can linger.

Additionally, the fact that the US has fairly lax standards for the Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) or Maximum Residue Limits of pesticides and herbicides in coffee beans compared to much of the world, does not help.Neither does the fact that some pesticdes that have been found in coffee like Abamectin, Cypermethrin, Dichlorvos, Disulfoton, Endosulfan, Haloxyfop, parathion-methyl, Permethrin, and Propiconazole do not have coffee MRLs in the US

The main problems, in regards to pesticide use in coffee, are usually the larger corporations.

Small-scale farmers that cultivate coffee on plots of land that are typically less than five hectares, generally do not use pesticides or at least not tons of these.The problem are large-scale farms, generally located in Brazil and Vietnam, who account for a disproportionate share of global production.

Bottom line? Look for:

- Certified organic coffee

- Coffee that comes from smaller farms

- Companies that test and share their pesticide testing is ideal

I like Great Circle Coffee’s Organic blend (GC Heart)

MYCOTOXINS

Mycotoxins can also be found in many coffee beans, albeit generally at very low levels.

Mycotoxins are toxins formed by molds, often develop in coffee beans when stored improperly. The types of mycotoxins that have been found in coffee are aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A - both believed to be carcinogenic. Other sources of these mycotoxins would be living in a home/ working in an office space where there is mold growing due to water damage, as well as other foods like peanuts, grains and beer and wine.

Many people will not be affected by these low levels of mycotoxins in their coffee (just like some people are not affected by mold growth in their home/school/work, while others will suffer health affects) but, in sensitive individuals, it could create havoc and add to your daily toxin load.

Additionally, ochratoxin A. has also been found in human breast milk which is something to consider if you are nursing and drinking coffee.

Do all coffees contain mycotoxins? Most probably do in very low levels.

But, since not all coffee companies test , its hard to say with certainty. We do know that:

- Decaf coffee tends to be higher in mycotoxins (caffeine, which is removed from decaf coffee, helps stop the growth of molds. Also note: the way the caffeine is stripped from the bean and what solvents and chemicals are used in that process can also be problematic with decaf. Some decaf coffees contain methalene chloride. To avoid, look for claims on product packaging such as solvent-free, chemical-free, Swiss-water, or certified organic. These decaffeination approaches don’t use harsh chemicals.).

- Instant coffee also contains higher levels

- mycotoxin levels can significantly be reduced with: wet processing, roasting beans and properly storing (at the manufacturing level not necessarily at home)

Bottom Line?

I honestly dont think that everyone has to throw away their (hopefully Organic) coffee just because they dont test for mycotoxins BUT if you are sensitive to mold, going through or have gone through mold remediation, if you are pregnant or nursing, I would consider finding a company that tests.

Also- its great practice to ask your favorite coffee supplier itf they are testing for mycotoxins because the more they are asked about this the more likley they are to start testing if they dont do so already!

What about coffee pods/ KCups?

If your coffee machine is a pod coffee machine, choose organic coffee pods when possible (purity coffee mentioned below has organic and tested for mycotoxins). However, generally I dont recommend these coffee pods because often the pods - particularly the ones made of plastic, have been found to contain bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol S (BPS) — two chemicals known to be endocrine disruptors. They are also likely contributing to microplastics in your coffee.

Pods made of metal are made of aluminum. Most of these have a plastic liner (which brings micro[plastics and bisphenol concerns). the time of contact between any aluminum and coffee is rather quick so not too much aluminum has been found in the brewed coffee.

Another reason to skip K cups? In 2014 there were enough K-Cups sold to circle the globe over 10 times … the environmental toll is huge,

What do I drink now?

We drink Purity Coffee at home. The reason is:

3rd party tested to be free of mycotoxins
Produced on regenerative organic farms (USDA organic too) that meet the highest standards in the world for soil health, animal welfare

I personally drink their EASE dark roast and choose their whole beans because these actually have the highest antioxidants and give the freshest taste

You can purchase Purity Coffee here ( affiliate link) and use discount code ‘3LITTLEPLUMS’ for 20% discount on your first purchase

Other Companies that are testing for mycotoxins in coffee:

REad my most “ My Top 4 Mold Free (and Organic) Coffee Brands”

sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9681499/

https://phys.org/news/2023-06-unsustainable-coffee-production-people-sick.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9681499/

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jafc.5b03327

https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/news/pesticides-food-latest-data-published

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6049681/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12903986/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7331030/#:~:text=A%20direct%20contact%20of%20Al,for%20high%20leaching%20to%20occur.