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Is All Organic Coffee Mold Free?
Your morning cup of joe may provide much-needed energy, but it could also contain mycotoxins which could pose long-term health risks if consumed regularly, making mold free coffee so important.
Assure your coffee is mold free by selecting an organic option which has been independently tested for mycotoxins and mold spores – Alex’s Low-Acid Organic Coffee is one such brand with this designation.
What is mold?
As one of the world’s favorite hot beverages, coffee may contain harmful mold and mycotoxins which may pose health risks. Mycotoxins may lead to fatigue and brain fog; however, these mycotoxins can be eliminated with proper sourcing and processing of coffee beans – opting for certified mold free coffee such as Alex’s Low-Acid Organic Coffee provides you with an energizing cup without worrying about your wellbeing!
Mold is a multicellular fungus best known for its role in decomposition. When exposed to moisture, mold spores may release mycotoxins which are toxic when consumed; two such mycotoxins include ochratoxin A and aflatoxin B1 produced by Aspergillus mold and which have been linked with cancer, liver damage and DNA damage in humans.
Exposure to mold spores may produce allergic reactions in vulnerable individuals, including watery eyes, runny nose, itching, coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing. Overexposure may even lead to more serious asthmatic and sinusitis symptoms as well as inflammation caused by conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis or other autoimmune disorders.
Coffee from non-organic or conventionally processed beans poses the highest risk of mycotoxins, with these beans typically exposed to chemical fertilizers and pesticides that damage both the environment and farmers who cultivate them. Furthermore, decaffeination processes release mycotoxins into the environment; such processes involve submerging green coffee beans in chemical solvents like methylene chloride or ethyl acetate prior to decafeinating them.
Reducing mycotoxins in coffee can be accomplished through responsible sourcing and processing. Our certified mold free coffee is grown using stringent practices designed to ensure safety from farm to store shelf and independently tested to be free from mycotoxins and mold, so choosing one like Alex’s Low-Acid Organic is your best chance at enjoying a cup of pure goodness. Click here for more details about how our coffee is tested for mycotoxins and mold.
How do I know if my coffee is mold free?
Mold is a part of nature and can be found in foods like grains, spices, nuts and coffee beans. Certain kinds of mold produce mycotoxins – toxic compounds which pose health risks to humans by depleting dopamine levels or damaging livers – which should be avoided at all costs. One method to ensure your coffee remains free from mold is purchasing it from companies who conduct independent tests to guarantee they’re mold free – for instance Alex’s Low-Acid Organic Coffee has been independently verified as mold-free!
Even with careful growing and storage practices in place, harmful mold spores still manage to find their way into many coffee sold in stores. This is likely because non-organic coffee has been exposed to chemical fertilizers, pesticides and other toxins which may be detrimental to both humans and the environment.
Organic coffee beans, on the other hand, typically use natural pesticides and fertilizers that are much safer to consume than their synthetic counterparts. Unfortunately, organic beans can still be susceptible to mold growth under humid conditions if improper growing methods are utilized and they need to be checked upon harvest for mold prior to sale. Therefore, it’s crucial that buyers find a company with robust growing techniques as well as thorough quality inspection processes after harvest to make sure it remains mold-free.
As with anything, the best way to tell if your coffee is mold free is by inspecting its scent, taste and texture. If the coffee tastes sour or bitter or has any dampness to its grounds this could be an indication that mold has taken root within its beans; or if your old beans have been sitting around too long they could start tasting off or losing flavor altogether.
To avoid moldy coffee’s harmful side-effects, select a brand with third-party lab testing and high customer satisfaction ratings. Mold free coffee should come from small independent roasters that utilize only top quality beans in their roasting and packaging practices – such as BUBS Coffee which pays tribute to Glen “BUB” Doherty who was killed while fighting in Benghazi in 2012. Its organically grown beans, Direct Trade certification, gentle roasting methods and nitrogen sealing seal make for the ideal package!
How do I remove mold from my coffee?
Any device designed to dispensing beverages, like water coolers and coffee makers, are susceptible to mold growth as their interior environments often include warm, moist air mixed with organic material that allows mold spores to thrive and form. As such, it is vital that your Keurig or K-Cup coffee maker be regularly and properly cleaned so as to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold in your drink. Luckily, cleaning one is relatively straightforward. Before reassembling, first remove and clean all detachable parts of your coffeemaker, including detachable pieces such as filters. Next, fill your reservoir half with white vinegar and half with hot water – allow this solution to sit for approximately 30 minutes, before running a cycle through with clean water through your machine and run another clean cycle of water through it before rinsing and drying before reassembly.
Mold and mycotoxins (natural fungal byproducts that produce unpleasant compounds) can have serious repercussions for both taste and health. Overstimulation, jitteriness, as well as other medical concerns, may arise as a result of exposure. Luckily, organic coffee consumption combined with proper storage practices can reduce mycotoxin exposure significantly.
Organic coffee beans are not only healthier for you, but they’re also better for the environment. Unlike non-organic varieties, USDA Organic coffee does not use pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides in its cultivation; rather, farmers use natural fertilizers and weed removal treatments such as fire to clear away weeds or allowing animals graze on them instead.
Reducing mycotoxins in coffee requires buying it in smaller batches and storing it properly – one way valve bags offer an effective solution, allowing carbon dioxide to escape while blocking oxygen entry to maintain freshness and flavor.
Additionally, to keep coffee beans as fresh as possible and decrease risks of mold and mycotoxins by storing your beans in the freezer or somewhere dark and cool.
How do I store my coffee?
Coffee should be stored in a dark, cool location that keeps temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit to preserve flavor and quality of beans. A tightly sealed container should also be used so as to exclude air and moisture for maximum effectiveness in preventing mold growth and bacteria development.
Mold and mycotoxins can pose a threat to many food items, such as grains, nuts, spices, fruits and vegetables. Mold infestation is especially prevalent in warm, moist climates; therefore it’s vitally important that food be stored correctly as well as selecting organically grown produce or purchasing certified mold-free coffee.
Mycotoxins are produced by molds and can be very harmful to human health if consumed. Mycotoxins may lead to nerve and liver damage as well as gastrointestinal distress; even worse, ingestion may even result in death!
Ochratoxin A and OTA, two common mycotoxins found in coffee, can be absorbed through skin contact or the intestinal tract and may lead to symptoms including nausea, diarrhea and stomach ache as well as increasing your risk for cancer and impacting immunity.
Although organically grown coffee may offer some relief to mold and mycotoxin problems, it cannot be seen as a comprehensive solution to their presence. Although organic beans don’t use synthetic fertilizers or pesticides in their production process, they still become susceptible to mold growth due to climate conditions in which they’re grown.
Assuming your coffee is safe is best achieved through finding a brand that independently tests their product for mold and mycotoxins, providing peace of mind that what you’re consuming is pure and healthy. Alex’s Low-Acid Organic Coffee offers both organic and mold and mycotoxin free assurance, grown by indigenous Mayan farmers using sustainable farming practices for over two decades and independently tested by an outside lab for mycotoxins and molds.