Learn why switching to organic coffee makes sense both for your health and the planet, and discover the best organic coffee brands to use for your daily brew 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.
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Benefits of Organic Coffee
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.
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.
A Note About Mycotoxins in Coffee
Now that I’ve convinced you to switch to organic coffee, there’s one more thing to consider: mold and mycotoxins. Wait what? There’s mold in my coffee?
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 couple brands in the list below that do test for toxins.
Best Organic Coffee Brands
Now that you’re an expert on organic and sustainable coffee, let’s get to the brands! Being the coffee lover that I am, I have tried many different brands of organic coffee over the years and I’m here to help you find the best organic coffee beans 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 in the French Press gal, so that influences my choices! ☕
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 Mycotoxins? YES
- Pricing: $19.20 for 12-oz bag with subscription ($24 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
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 Mycotoxins? NO
- Pricing: $8.50 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 Mycotoxins?: NO
- Pricing: $14.40 and up per 12-oz bag (depending on subscription)
- My take: This brand has a bunch of fun flavors and would make a great gift!
- My favorite roast: Witty Fox Hazelnut Blend
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 Mycotoxins? YES
- Pricing: $11.99 for 12-oz (with subscription)
- My take: I haven’t tried this one yet but plan to soon!
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 Mycotoxins? NO
- Pricing: $15 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!)
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 Mycotoxins? YES but results are not posted publicly
- Pricing: $11.99 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)
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 12-oz bag
- My take: A someone who loves dark, strong coffee, this coffee was perfect!
- My favorite roast: I’ve only tried the medium 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 Mycotoxins? No
- Pricing: $10.99 for a 12-oz bag
- My take: Love this organic, high-quality coffee! The value size 24-oz bag for $16.99 is a great price.
- My favorite roast: French Roast
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 $10.99 for package of 4 large cold brew bags
- My take: I appreciate the low acidity but strong flavor of this coffee.
- My favorite roast: Dark Roast ready-to-drink
What’s your favorite organic coffee?
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