Best Organic & Mold Free Coffee Brands to Perk Up Your Day
Discover the best organic coffee brands (many are also mold free), so you can brew up the healthiest coffee at home. ☕
Raise your hand if coffee is your favorite food group. 🙋🏼♀️🤣
LOL – I actually consider myself a pretty well-rounded person and healthy eater – but don’t mess with my coffee!
When coffee is such an important part of your day, it’s important to make sure that it is as healthy as possible and is not harming the planet either. Fortunately, there are ways to do both, and still enjoy a totally delicious and invigorating cuppa.
To help you find the best organic coffee for your preferences, I put together this guide to clean coffee brands. Read, sip & enjoy!
At Mindful Momma we only endorse products we’ve personally researched, tested, and honestly love. We may receive commissions from affiliate links in this article including Amazon Affiliates. Full Disclosure
Is Organic Coffee Better?
As a coffee super fan, I love to share about the health benefits of coffee – including that fact that it has been associated with a reduced risk of several chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and Parkinson’s disease, as well as a lower likelihood of liver and endometrial cancers.
But what about organic coffee? Is organic coffee better than conventional coffee? Is organic coffee healthy compared to non-organic coffee? Is there good reason to switch to drinking organic coffee instead of regular coffee?
Absolutely yes – and here’s why!
- Coffee is one of the most chemically treated crops in the world. Organic coffee is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers, which which means those toxic chemicals aren’t making their way into your coffee cup.
- Organic coffee is safer for coffee farmers because they are not exposed to a high levels of chemicals.
- Studies have shown that organic coffee contains higher levels of polyphenols and other antioxidants than non-organic coffees.
- Organic farming practices are more sustainable for the long term health of the environment.
Organic Coffee Certifications to Look For
Third-party certifications can be a great way to ensure that you are buying the most sustainable, healthiest coffee beans available. Here are some of the most common certifications to look for when you are shopping for coffee:
(Note: Given financial constraints, not all coffee companies use third-party certifications. If you are buying coffee locally or from a small business, you may need to ask questions to understand their policies on use of pesticides, ethical treatment of workers etc…)
USDA Organic Certified Coffee – For coffee to get the certified USDA organic label it must meet stringent guidelines for the growing, processing and handling of the crop, including using no synthetic fertilizers or chemical pesticides.
Fair Trade Certified Coffee – There are two primary fair trade certifications used for coffee beans: Fair Trade Certified and FairTrade International. Each has some differences but the primary idea is that the certification ensures fair wages and safe working conditions for workers.
Rainforest Alliance Certified Coffee – When coffee production has this third-party certification, it serves to protect the rainforest through social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
Smithsonian Bird Friendly Coffee – When you purchase Bird Friendly® certified coffee you are helping to preserve critical habitat for birds and wildlife, fight climate change, and protect biodiversity.
Is There Mold in My Coffee?
Now that I’ve convinced you to switch to organic coffee, there’s one more thing to consider: mold and mycotoxins. Wait what? Does organic coffee have mold?
Mycotoxins are naturally occurring toxins that are produced by certain molds and fungi, and are prevalent in some food crops, including coffee. The mold grows under damp and humid conditions both during and after harvest or during storage. Mycotoxins are linked to adverse health effects from acute poisoning to long-term effects such as immune deficiency and cancer.
However, many people believe that mycotoxins are killed off during the roasting stage, so we should not be worried about them.
Either way, you may want to buy organic coffee from a company that does third-party testing for mycotoxins. To be honest, most brands do not do this, but you’ll find a few brands in the list below that do test for toxins.
Now that you’re an expert on organic, sustainable and mold-free coffee, let’s get to the brands!
Being the coffee lover that I am, I have tried many different brands of coffee over the years and I’m here to help you find the best organic coffee beans (or ground coffee if you prefer) for your needs!
Below you’ll find a listing of my favorite organic coffees. I’ve also shared my favorite blend from each brand that I’ve tried. Keep in mind, I’m a dark roast gal, so that influences my choices! ☕
Best Organic Coffee Brands (also Tested to be Mold Free)
Purity Coffee
Purity Coffee is on a mission to improve the world’s health through coffee – how can you not love that?!! They proudly source their beans from organic, shade-grown farms that use sustainable farming practices and use third-party testing to avoid mold and mycotoxins, and ensure high antioxidant levels.
- Sourcing: 100% Organic Arabica coffee beans from Central and South America
- Roast Options: Dark (Ease), Medium (Flow), Light-Medium (Protect), Decaf (Calm)
- Grind Options: whole bean, single-serve coffee sachets and coffee pods
- Certifications: USDA Organic Certified, Rainforest Alliance Certified, Smithsonian Bird Friendly, Demeter Biodynamic Certified
- Lab Testing for Mold and Mycotoxins? YES
- Pricing: $23.20 for 12-oz bag with subscription ($29 for a one-time purchase)
- My take: Purity coffee costs a bit more than conventional coffee but the flavor is fantastic and knowing it is organic and mycotoxin-free makes it worth it!
- My favorite roast: Ease Dark Roast
Take 20% off your first order with code MPRESTON at checkout
Bulletproof Coffee
Bulletproof was founded by Dave Asprey and specializes in clean coffee beans that are hand-picked from small farms, tested for mycotoxins and roasted in small batches.
- Sourcing: Small farmers in Central America including Guatemala, Colombia and El Salvador
- Roast Options: light roast (breakfast blend), medium roast (the original), medium dark roast (the mentalist), dark roast (french roast), decaf
- Grind Options: whole bean, ground coffee or pods
- Certifications: Rainforest Alliance Certified
- Note: Bulletproof coffee beans are NOT certified organic however, they claim to source from small farmers who are “passively organic” but can not afford the certification.
- Lab Testing for Mold and Mycotoxins? YES
- Pricing: $14.99 for 12-oz
- My take: An affordable mold free coffee!
- My favorite roast: The Mentalist
Kicking Horse Coffee
Kicking Horse is a Canadian based company that roasts 100% organic and Fair Trade, shade grown Arabica beans with a passion to create kick-ass blends.
- Sourcing: Peru, Colombia, Sumatra, East Timor, Uganda, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Mexico, Honduras and Ethiopia.
- Roast Options: light, medium, dark and decaf (Swiss Water Process)
- Grind Options: whole bean and ground coffee
- Certifications: 100% certified organic by ECOCERT, FairTrade International certified
- Lab Testing for Mold and Mycotoxins? YES (results are not posted publicly, but here’s their statement)
- Pricing: $12.95 for 10-oz bag
- My take: Very tasty coffee and I love that I can get it at a discount at Thrive Market. It’s also available on Amazon.
- My favorite roast: Kick Ass (dark roast)
More Organic Coffee Brands
Equal Exchange
Equal Exchange is on a mission to build long-term, fair trade partnerships with farmers around the world. They practice an authentic Fair Trade model that prioritizes equitable income, labor rights and safe working conditions for farmers and farm workers.
- Sourcing: Coffee growing regions around the world including Columbia, Ethiopia, El Salvador and more.
- Roast Options: medium roast, full city roast, vienna roast and dark roast
- Grind Options: whole beans, ground coffee
- Certifications: USDA Organic, certified “OU” Kosher
- Lab Testing for Mold and Mycotoxins? NO
- Pricing: $12.99 for 12-oz
- My take: I love that I can find Equal Exchange coffee at my local co-op and grocery stores so it’s easy to keep on-hand.
- My favorite roast: Love Buzz
Chamberlain Coffee
Emma Chamberlain started Chamberlain Coffee because she wanted coffee to be responsibly sourced and sustainably packaged, but also a special part of your day (a girl after my own heart!)
- Sourcing: 100% Arabica beans sourced from the Americas, Asia and Africa.
- Roast Options: light, medium, dark and decaf coffee
- Grind Options: whole bean, single-serve and coffee pods
- Certifications: Certified Organic
- Lab Testing for Mold and Mycotoxins?: NO
- Pricing: $20 per 10-oz bag
- My take: This brand has a bunch of fun flavors and would make a great gift!
- My favorite roast: Social Dog Medium Roast Blend
Peace Coffee
From its humble beginnings as a non-profit in Minnesota, Peace Coffee has been committed to 100% organic and fair trade coffee and a sustainable business model.
- Sourcing: 100% Arabica beans from a variety of countries including Guatemala, Ethiopia and Peru
- Roast Options: light, medium or dark roast
- Grind Options: whole bean, ground or single-serve coffee bags
- Certifications: USDA Certified Organic, Fair Trade Certified, Certified B-Corporation
- Lab Testing for Mold and Mycotoxins? NO
- Pricing: $18 for 12-oz (I can often find on sale locally!)
- My take: Peace Coffee makes fantastic coffee beans and I love that local wholesale orders are delivered by bicycle!
- My favorite roast: Twin Cities Blend (Peace Coffee is from Minneapolis, so this is a local coffee brand for me!)
Death Wish Coffee
Death Wish Coffee is on a mission to deliver sustainable, smooth and STRONG coffee to the people. A combination of arabica and robusta beans delivers a stronger kick, naturally. Affectionately known as the “world’s strongest coffee”.
- Sourcing: India and Peru
- Roast Options: medium, dark and espresso roast
- Grind Options: whole bean, ground and coffee pods
- Certifications: USDA Certified Organic, Fair Trade Certified
- Lab Testing for Mycotoxins? NO
- Pricing: $19.99 for 16-oz bag
- My take: A someone who loves dark, strong coffee, this coffee was perfect!
- My favorite roast: I’ve only tried the medium roast but it was plenty strong!
Thrive Market Coffee
Thrive Market sells high quality, organic and regeneratively farmed coffee under its private label brand in order to bring excellent coffee at affordable prices to more people.
- Sourcing: Peru
- Roast Options: dark, medium, light and decaf
- Grind Options: whole bean, ground and instant coffee
- Certifications: 100% Certified Organic
- Lab Testing for Mold and Mycotoxins? NO
- Pricing: $12 for a 12-oz bag
- My take: Love this organic, high-quality coffee! The value size 24-oz bag for $18.99 is a great price.
- My favorite roast: French Roast
- Note: You must be a member of Thrive Market to get their special pricing, but you can get 30% OFF your first order and a FREE gift when you join through my link.
Bizzy Coffee
Two friends in Minneapolis set out on a mission to create the best tasting cold brew coffee in the world. Cold brew has 68% less acid and up to three times as much caffeine compared traditional hot brewed coffee.
- Sourcing: Central America and South America
- Roast Options: light, medium, dark and decaf
- Grind Options: cold brew bags, ground coffee and whole bean coffee, as well as ready-to-drink cold brew coffee.
- Certifications: USDA organic certification
- Lab Testing for Mycotoxins? NO
- Pricing: $14.99 for 16-oz bag or $11.99 for package of 4 large cold brew bags
- My take: I appreciate the low acidity but strong flavor of this coffee.
- My favorite roast: Espresso Cold Brew Bags (I also occasionally grab their ready-to-drink cold brew in stores!)
If you like tea too, be sure to read our post about plastic-free tea bags!
Healthy Coffee FAQs
Can you buy organic decaf coffee?
YES! Most of the brands listed here offer a decaffeinated coffee option. A bonus is that they are most likely also decaffeinated using the Swiss Water Process method, which uses no chemical solvents and is considered the safest method.
Can you buy organic instant coffee?
You’ll be relieved to know that you can find organic instant coffee powder on Amazon and at Thrive Market (I have not tried these myself).
Purity Coffee and Chamberlain Coffee also carry single-serve coffee sachets. Similar to a tea bag, coffee sachets are steeped in hot water for 3 to 5 minutes. I’ve tried these instant coffee sachets from both companies and they are great in a pinch!
Which is better? Organic coffee beans or ground coffee?
Whole coffee beans generally retain their freshness longer than ground coffee. However, if the convenience of ground coffee makes your mornings less hectic, go for it! Personally, I prefer to purchase whole coffee beans and grind them freshly each day.
What’s your favorite brand or roast of organic coffee?
Dave Aspry now has a brand called Danger Coffee. It is organic and tested for mycotoxins. He has also added minerals back in. I think it tastes very good. You can get it cheaper on a subscription basis.
I need to try that one!