Molds that produce mycotoxins can contaminate coffee beans at various stages of production and storage, but fortunately there are steps you can take to minimize mycotoxin exposure while still enjoying your daily cup of Joe.

Look for organic coffee that comes from shade-grown and high altitude farms and boasts certifications such as USDA Organic, Rainforest Alliance Bird Friendly and Demeter Biodynamic.

How it’s grown

Organic coffee is produced using rigorously regulated practices from planting to consumption, such as soil management, shade growing and natural pest control. Fair prices for farmers are prioritized while protecting wildlife habitats – giving consumers peace of mind knowing that the beans in their cup are free from synthetic chemicals that may damage both human health and the environment.

Chemical fertilizers and pesticides used on conventional coffee farms pollute the water, damage ecosystems, and make it harder for plants to absorb nutrients. Furthermore, their use has been linked to diabetes and cancer in humans.

Organic farmers avoid these potentially hazardous chemicals in favor of more natural solutions such as crop rotation, composting, green manuring and cover crops to maintain healthy soil and prevent any nutrients depletion. These techniques also serve to build stronger crops with greater nutritional content that help strengthen their soil.

Organic farming prioritizes shade-growing and promotes biodiversity in its ecosystem. Trees’ shade helps regulate temperature and moisture levels while reducing wind erosion and the amount of water lost through harvesting. Farmers who specialize in producing organic coffee often plant additional trees as part of their land management strategy.

Organic coffee harvesting processes involve handpicked beans that do not contain synthetic chemicals, which must then be dried under controlled conditions to preserve its nutrients and flavor, yielding fresher tasting beans than their conventional counterparts.

Organic coffee offers a healthier alternative to regular coffee, without traces of chemicals lingering in your cup. Plus, when you enjoy organic, you know you are contributing to protecting the environment while lowering health risks for yourself and your loved ones!

How it’s processed

When looking for mold free coffee, knowing the source and processing methods of your beans is absolutely critical. Conventional coffee production processes use synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers and fungicides that leave toxic residues both on the bean itself as well as its surrounding environment.

Organic farming eliminates these harmful chemicals that have an adverse impact on both human health and the environment, while certifications ensure products meet USDA standards in regards to growing, processing, handling and audits to maintain high-quality controls.

The USDA organic seal ensures that coffee you buy is 100-percent organic, meaning no synthetic pesticides or fertilizers were used during its cultivation process. Other certifications like Rainforest Alliance, UTZ and Fair Trade offer additional assurances of environmental, social and economic sustainability in its supply chain.

Select mold free coffee that has been roasted and ground without the use of chemical solvents such as methylene chloride or ethyl acetate – these solvents may release mycotoxins that can be carcinogenic or neurotoxic; use a coffee grinder with burrs or French press to grind your beans as they’re being roasted instead.

Always store organic coffee in a dark, dry area and regularly inspect it for signs of mold; any identified should be discarded immediately to prevent contamination of the rest of the batch. For longer term storage periods, use a food-grade desiccant pack to absorb excess moisture and keep spoilage at bay; alternatively switch from single use plastic pods for something like French Press or pour-over systems to reduce waste as well as exposure to potential mycotoxins. With these simple steps in place, organic coffee can not only benefit your body but taste incredible as well! Until next time sip away! – Erin McMillan PhD

How it’s stored

Organic coffee’s mold-free status depends on its handling, storage and roasting practices. Mycotoxins such as ochratoxin A can form due to damp conditions in poorly ventilated environments or poor storage or handling practices; mycotoxin levels in organic coffee tend to be much lower due to an absence of the fungi that produces these mycotoxins in its bean.

Many consumers drink organic coffee because they believe it to be better for the environment, but did you know that organically grown and roasted coffee tastes better as well? According to a 2024 Food Quality and Preference study from Spain’s Universidad de La Rioja, their researchers discovered that consumers’ preference between organic and non-organic coffee wasn’t solely determined by physical attributes, but also world care motives like utilitarianism evaluations that reinforced organic coffee’s superior taste perceptions.

Organic farming refers to farming techniques wherein farmers do not rely on synthetic chemicals in producing their coffee; instead they employ natural fertilizers such as manure and byproducts from the coffee industry for fertilizing purposes, while compost is often used. They also employ non-chemical ways of pest and weed control such as using animal waste or byproducts to allow weeds to form and manually removing them when necessary.

This approach helps protect farmers, the land, and water supplies in their vicinity from pesticide runoff, while at the same time helping preserve unique regional ecosystems and improve soil fertility. Furthermore, growing coffee under shade helps it be more resilient against extreme weather patterns.

Though organically-grown coffee may be safer for farmers, it does not completely negate all of the harmful effects of pesticides in water and air surrounding farms. According to Areej Merhi from Lebanese American University’s 2022 narrative review, even certified organic coffee may contain harmful residues such as organophosphates, pyrethroids and carbamates from non-organic cropping practices that transfer directly or through cross contamination in processing, brewing and transport.

How it’s roasted

Organic coffee has never been more widely available – from third-wave shops and monthly subscription services, to supermarket shelves stocked with it – than it is now. While organic coffee may not be your go-to for daily enjoyment, selecting high quality organic beans offers many health advantages that may make your morning beverage even more nutritious and rewarding than before.

Organic coffee beans are grown using sustainable practices and natural fertilizers instead of petroleum-based pesticides, to maintain soil health. Organic farms don’t use conventional herbicides or pesticides which helps preserve water sources while providing more nutrient rich soil that reduces erosion and other environmental problems. Additionally, conventional herbicides or pesticides cannot be sprayed on their crops due to certification standards governing organic farms.

Once green coffee beans have been harvested, they need to be dried in order to get ready for roasting. Unfortunately, this can create an unsafe, humid and warm environment which promotes mold growth as well as mycotoxins such as ochratoxin A and aflatoxins – making for an unsafe production process and mycotoxin production.

To ensure that coffee beans are safe for consumption, they must be roasted at low heat and for only a short period. Longer roasting times at higher temperatures have been linked with cancerous growths in animals studies; organic coffee has shorter roast times at lower temperatures which helps mitigate this issue.

Roasting also helps eliminate mycotoxins while simultaneously minimizing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), formed during incomplete burning of organic material during roasting and linked with various cancers in humans. By forgoing artificial flavors or additives, organic coffee remains free from these potentially hazardous chemicals.

Although the world presents us with plenty of challenges, all significant change starts with one person taking an exemplary stand for what’s right. When choosing organic coffee beans you ensure a beverage which is tasty yet healthful; without mold or other harmful bacteria.