Best organic and mold-free coffee & matcha (2025)
- balancedtoat
- Mar 25
- 3 min read
Coffee and matcha are daily rituals for millions worldwide, offering not just a caffeine boost but also moments of comfort and focus. However, the purity of these beverages is often overlooked, as contaminants like heavy metals, pesticides, and mold can pose significant health risks. Opting for organic and mold-free options ensures a safer and more enjoyable experience. Especially when it's an item that's being consumed daily by so many, quality matters.
Global Coffee Consumption: A Snapshot
Coffee remains one of the most consumed beverages globally. In the 2020-2021 period, approximately 167 million 60-kilogram bags of coffee were consumed worldwide. The United States led with 26.98 million bags, followed by Brazil at 22.4 million bags, and Japan at 7.39 million bags.
The Hidden Dangers in Your Cup
Heavy Metals: Contaminants such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury can infiltrate coffee and tea plants through polluted soil and water. Chronic exposure to these metals may result in organ damage, developmental issues, and an elevated risk of cancer.
Pesticides: Conventional farming often employs pesticides to protect crops. However, residues can linger on tea leaves and coffee beans, leading to potential health concerns like hormonal disruptions, neurological problems, and certain cancers. A new study just came out showing prenatal environmental exposure to pesticides can cause irregular and heavy periods for teenagers.
Mold and Mycotoxins: Improper storage of coffee beans can promote mold growth, producing mycotoxins harmful to human health. Studies have detected measurable levels of these toxins in both roasted and unroasted beans.
The Case for Organic and Mold-Free Choices
Selecting organic and mold-free coffee and matcha offers multiple benefits:
Health Assurance: Organic products are cultivated without synthetic pesticides, reducing exposure to harmful chemicals.
Purity: Mold-free certifications ensure that the products are free from contaminants that could compromise health.
Environmental Responsibility: Organic farming practices promote biodiversity and soil health, contributing to a more sustainable planet.
What to look for when shopping:
-Organic
-Tested for mycotoxins
-3rd party testing, transparent with lab results (this is key)
Also great:
-Regeneratively farmed
-Ethically sourced
-Attributes of a coffee bean to look for when looking for mold-free: Whole beans, grown at high altitude, single origin, arabica beans, shade grown,
☕️Best coffee brands:
-Organo
-Chameleon Cold Brew
-Purity Coffee
-Paleo Valley
-Kion
-Bulletproof
-Kicking Horse
-Spirit Animal
-Isagenix
-Subtle Earth
-Scout & Cellar
🍵 Best matcha brands:
-Chafinity
-Matcha Bloom
I'll be doing a separate post on tea because tackling microplastics is another issue :)
What about decaf?
In addition to following the recommendations above, if you drink decaf, look for "Swiss Water processed". The process to extract caffeine from beans requires chemicals. The Swiss Water Process is a chemical-free method that removes caffeine while preserving coffee’s natural flavor and beneficial compounds. If you aren't getting Swiss Water processed, then the beans you are consuming are being removed using chemicals. Solvent-based decaffeination methods use chemicals like methylene chloride or ethyl acetate, which may leave behind trace residues and alter the coffee’s taste. These solvents are not only used in coffee processing but are also found in industrial products like paint strippers, nail polish removers, and degreasers. Not something I personally want to be consuming! And again, trace amounts of a chemical add up if you are regularly consuming it.
Sources:
Comments