I tested a dozen organic coffee brands for five years, and I’m sharing only the very best. The best coffee is made with certified organic beans and is free of mold, harmful chemicals or pesticides.

For those of you who want to cut to the chase, the best organic coffee is Biodynamic Coffee by Holistic Roasters and Purity Coffee for drip, Fabula for French press, and Sacred Cups for instant coffee.

Why I Switched to Mold Free Coffee

Over 90% of commercial coffee is contaminated with mold. You might be wondering how the heck there’s mold in coffee and “what in the world are mycotoxins?!” Yes, I was as shocked as a Pikachu too. Coffee is susceptible to mold depending on the climate it grows in and how it’s processed and stored.

Mycotoxins are the chemicals produced by mold, which are commonly found at trace levels in various foods like cereal, peanut butter, nuts, and alcohol. The most commonly ‎encountered mycotoxins are Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), ochratoxin A (OTA), and fumonisin B1 (FB1). Most companies don’t go to the extra mile of third party testing their coffee to ensure it’s safe, and even organic coffee can still develop mold during the harvest, transport, and storage stages.

I also love drinking decaf coffee and instant coffee for convenience and these can be especially high in mycotoxins, which is why choosing clean coffee and trusted companies that prioritize transparency and integrity is important.

What to Look For in Organic Coffee

Here are some tips on how to read coffee labels so you can find the absolute best.

• Look for coffee that’s certified organic, 3rd party tested, mold-free, mycotoxin-free, single origin, shade grown, and low acid. You can also check if it’s made in small batches which allows for higher quality control.
• For ultimate quality, look for biodynamic, sustainably and regeneratively farmed coffee.
• Look for their mold testing lab results. Most companies who market themselves as mold free will also have their testing results available on their website or on request.

Coffee Certifications Explained

Here’s a quick snapshot at coffee certifications and what each one means. Certifications are a surefire way to know a company’s coffee has been verified by a third party.

I tried Biodynamic Coffee by Holistic Roasters (healthiest)

Biodynamic Coffee by Holistic Roasters to be THE healthiest coffee on the market, hands down. They not only tick all the usual boxes, but they go above and beyond across certifications, sustainability, freshness and transparency. Besides being lab tested (with results available on their site), USDA Organic and Specialty Grade, they’re also Demeter-certified Biodynamic and Ecocert certified. It’s a step above just organic coffee and means exceptional care has gone into every stage of growing, harvesting, processing, sorting, drying, and shipping. All their single origin Arabica coffee beans are shade grown using regenerative organic farming practices that improve soil’s natural fertility while eliminating the need for pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and chemical fertilizers.

They ship directly from their roasting facility within one week of roast date (they roast fresh every Mon & Wed). I’ve been drinking Biodynamic Coffee’s light, medium and dark roasts called Rubicon, French Roast and Rise & Shine using my moka pot, French press, cold brew maker and drip coffee machine and love the medium roast the most. The light roast is luxuriously smooth and easy on my stomach with zero acidity, and the medium and dark roast (plus decaf) have amazing depth and flavor! The medium also works fantastic for cold brew making (choose the French press grind).

Price: $19.95 for 10.5oz | $57.95 for 2lb | $133 for 5lb
How it tastes: rich, nutty and bold
Bean type: You choose your grind (whole bean, French press, pourover, drip, moka pot, medium espresso, fine espresso and very fine espresso)
Bag size: 10.5 oz, 2 lb and 5 lb (whole bean only)
Decaf available: Yes
✔ Produced on regenerative organic farms  ✔ Specialty Grade (85-87) ✔ 3rd party tested ✔ USDA Organic ✔ Demeter-certified Biodynamic ✔ Ecocert

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I tried Sacred Cups Coffee

Sacred Cups is a highly unique, mold free coffee brand with exceptional microlot coffees. This is coffee for people who care about quality, health, and helping the earth and communities who need it most. Sacred Cups uses rare, single origin beans cultivated by indigenous communities with an ancient heritage of coffee growing using regenerative or biodynamic techniques. Each roast is made in limited quantities, never mass produced and third party lab tested for mold, mycotoxins, pesticide residue, and heavy metals (certificate of analysis available on their site). My favorite is their Starday Medium Roast Coffee, which is a honey-washed bourbon microlot made by the Finca Santa Maria. It’s got such a distinct flavor profile that even my best store-bought organic coffee tastes flat after drinking this.

Some of their other standouts are:

• 18 Conejo: This is a USDA organic medium roast coffee that comes from the first Demeter Certified biodynamic coffee farm in Central America that’s family owned and led by women who descend from the ancient Lenca (the largest indigenous group in Honduras) and honor ancient Mayan agricultural traditions. It makes a rich, flavorful brew with chocolatey brown sugar notes.
• Finca Santa Maria Decaf: This is also an organic coffee that’s made by a women-owned and operated farm near Colombia’s Chicamocha Canyon and holds certifications for Organic, Rainforest Alliance, Smithsonian Bird Friendly, and the Con Manos de Mujer seal (recognizes leadership in environmental preservation, ethical labor, and women’s empowerment). No chemicals are used in the processing and activated biochar enriches the soil with healthy microorganisms which result in complex nutrients and flavors in the coffee. This exceptional coffee is made by 22 women who make decisions on the farm collectively with their families, community and ecosystems in mind.
• Aponte Inga Dark Roast: This honey-processed coffee is regeneratively-grown exclusively by the indigenous Inga people of the southwest region of Colombia, who’ve allowed Sacred Cups to share with the world. I’ve tried both their medium and dark roast and find both to have a uniquely layered and sweet complexity from being honey-washed and grown in nutrient rich volcanic ash.

Their instant coffee versions are the healthiest, best tasting organic instant I’ve tried to date.

Note that these are very special, rare coffee beans and are priced at a premium to give back to the indigenous communities they come from.

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I tried Fabula Coffee (best flavor!)

Fabula Coffee is USDA certified organic, fair trade, low-acid, mold-free, mycotoxin-free shade grown, small-batch made and tested at independent laboratories for more than 350 chemical compounds and mycotoxins. Their mold testing and lab results are available on request and they also test for 350+ chemical compounds. Fabula offers some of the most variety I’ve seen by an organic coffee brand. My favorite is the Dark Roast and their gourmet flavored coffee. I love how I can use my moka pot to make espresso (they do have a separate espresso blend), French press or Moccamaster machine, and it always tastes well rounded and full bodied.

When I get bored of my usual coffee I opt for their Buttery Caramel and Chocolate Nut, or their cold brew during summer. My only complaint is I am not a fan of their instant coffee, and I wish they had larger bag sizes because I run through mine so fast.

Price: $29.99 for 12 oz Available in stores at: Sprouts Farmers Market
How it tastes: sooo rich, flavorful and complex
Bean type: Ground, whole bean, pods, instant coffee, cold brew
Bag size: 12 oz only
Decaf available: Full decaf and half caff
✔ USDA Certified Organic  ✔ Specialty Grade ✔ 3rd party tested for more than 350 chemical compounds and mycotoxins ✔ Flavored coffee available

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I tried Purity Coffee (highest antioxidant levels!)

Purity’s organic coffee was the first clean coffee brand I started drinking several years ago and they remain consistently top tier. Purity is the only brand in the organic coffee world to test for BOTH mold and antioxidants, ensuring their beans retain both antioxidants and micronutrients. They actually tested over 100 coffee brands and found that their antioxidant levels are 65% higher than the competition. Purity Coffee is also B Corp certified, specialty grade, 3rd party tested and their coffee is produced on regenerative organic farms, making them of the best mold-free coffee brands on the market.

I find the taste of their organic coffee beans to be very clean and luxuriously smooth. Purity’s new organic instant coffee is the best in the game in my opinion. Ease, which is their Dark Roast, is so rich and full-bodied. They’re the only organic coffee brand with a 2/3 decaf option, which I actually found convenient for when I want less caffeine but not totally decaf.

Price: $29 for 12 oz | $139 for 5lb
How it tastes: smooth, clean, crisp
Bean type: Ground, whole bean, pods, instant coffee and single serve bags
Bag size: 12oz and 5lb (whole bean only)
Decaf available: Full decaf and 2/3 decaf
✔ Tested to have 65% higher antioxidant levels ✔ B Corp Certified ✔ Produced on regenerative organic farms  ✔ Specialty Grade ✔ 3rd party tested

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I tried Lifeboost Coffee

Lifeboost makes low-acid, sustainable, toxin-free coffee that’s mountain shade grown in one of Nicaragua’s National Protected Areas. Their light roast is so easy on the stomach and smooth. The medium roast tasted nutty and robust enough but maybe just a touch sour and lacked the complexity and uniqueness that other coffees that cost $28 had. People seem to really love this brand, especially those with sensitive stomachs, so I may be in the minority here! I can confirm that it tastes low acid and smooth though. I also preferred Lifeboost to Allegro Coffee. I always update this post with new coffee I’m trying and right now I’m loving their Fermented Wine Infused Coffee. Super unique twist to my regular cup! What sets them apart is they have THE largest variety of flavored coffee options I’ve seen, including infusions.

Price: $28.99 for 12oz ($2.33 per oz)
How it tastes: low acid and smooth
Bean type: Ground, whole bean, pods, cold brew
Bag size: 12 oz
Decaf available: Full decaf and half-caff
✔ Certified Organic ✔ Fair trade and Direct Trade ✔ Flavored coffee available

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I tried Vitacup Low Acid Perfect Coffee (budget!)

VitaCup is USDA Organic, low acid, and third-party tested for mycotoxins and pesticides, AND they’re easily available at Target and major grocery stores. What really sets it apart is the vitamin infusion: they add things like ginseng, electrolytes, turmeric, and fiber right into the coffee, and they’ve got specialty blends too, like a mushroom coffee and a caffeine-free magnesium blend for sleep. The taste is clean and smooth, noticeably richer than what you’d expect at this price point.

I find their little packets especially convenient when I’m traveling to developing countries or staying at airbnb’s where organic coffee and decaf isn’t available. I can definitely tell the taste is soo much richer than commercial options. I love that Vitacup affordable, and a versatile, functional drink for those looking to get in extra nutrients. They offer such a wide variety of vitamin-infused coffee: electrolyte coffee, fiber coffee, mushroom coffee, magnesium caffeine-free coffee for sleep.

Price: $18.95 for 10oz Available in stores at: Target
How it tastes: clean, smooth
Bean type: Ground, whole bean, pods and instant coffee
Bag size: 10 oz and 20 oz
Decaf available: Yes
✔ Produced on regenerative organic farms  ✔ Specialty Grade ✔ 3rd party tested free of mycotoxins

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I tried RYZE Organic Mushroom Coffee (low caffeine alternative)

For a healthy coffee alternative that STILL tastes somewhat similar to coffee, I love RYZE Mushroom Coffee and get them at my local Target store. RYZE does have a lighter, earthier taste than typical coffee. RYZE is certified USDA Organic and the mushrooms are grown organically and sustainably right in California. There’s still some Organic Arabica coffee, but each cup contains less than half the caffeine of a regular cup of joe. I love that it has 6 different mushrooms Cordyceps, Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Shiitake, Turkey Tail and King Trumpet plus a bit of healthy fat from organic MCT oil and no sneaky additives or sweeteners. I have a tendency to drink way too much coffee, so I like to alternate with RYZE’s coffee alternative and mushroom matcha to not overcaffeinate myself. The downside is it’s super pricey as a one-off purchase and I think it’s only worth it if you want to commit to a subscription. Side note, I’ve tried quite a few Four Sigmatic products, but I prefer RYZE’s quality.

Price: $40.50 for 6.35 oz Available in stores at: Target
How it tastes: earthy 😂
Bag size: 6.35 oz only
✔ USDA Organic ✔ Functional adaptogenic mushrooms with organic arabica coffee

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I tried BulletProof Coffee The Original Ground Coffee

Bulletproof Coffee is a solid healthy coffee brand and easily accessible at all the major grocery stores like Target, Walmart and Sprouts. They sustainably source from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms and are 3rd party tested for toxins and mold to ensure safety (testing results aren’t disclosed on their site). It’s got faint sweet and nutty notes that are super subtle but Bulletproof tastes flatter compared to other organic coffee I’ve tried. I do appreciate that they’re reasonably priced for mold-free coffee that’s still high quality and would consider them to be a great option for people who can’t spend over $20 for a bag but don’t want to go super cheap either.

Price: $19.99 for 12 oz Available in stores at: Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Sprouts Farmers Market, Target, Walmart, Vitamin Shoppe, GNC, and Earth Fare
How it tastes: rich and nutty
Bean type: Ground, whole bean and pods
Bag size: 12 oz and 36 oz
Decaf available: Yes
✔ Rainforest Alliance Certified  ✔ Sustainable sourced ✔ Specialty Grade (evaluated by the Specialty Coffee Association) ✔ 3rd party tested

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I tried Kion Coffee

Kion Coffee is 100% organic, Specialty Grade Arabica sourced from fair-trade cooperatives in Honduras, and every batch is third-party tested for mold, mycotoxins, and pesticides. The results aren’t disclosed on their site and available on request. The beans are USDA Organic Certified and roasted locally in Boulder, Colorado then nitrogen-flushed 24–48 hours after roasting to preserve freshness before they ship. I’ve tried Kion’s decaf, light, and medium. The decaf is fairly one note but the light and medium have a clean, smooth taste with subtle nutty notes.

Price: $24.95 for 12 oz
How it tastes: clean and rich with sweet notes
Bean type: Ground and whole bean
Bag size: 12 oz only
Decaf available: Yes
✔ USDA Organic ✔ Specialty Grade ✔ 3rd party tested

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A Note on Organic Decaf Coffee

It’s important to know that decaf coffee & instant coffee are higher in mycotoxins. That’s why people are always saying instant coffee isn’t good for you. If you drink caffeine-free coffee only, then I highly recommend opting for a brand that third party tests for mold, mycotoxins, pesticide residue, heavy metals and contaminants. Pregnant women and people with health conditions are more vulnerable to the effects of these trace chemicals.

Most coffee manufacturers today use chemicals that are commonly used in paint removers like methylene chloride and ethyl acetate (this is the main ingredient in my nail polish remover!) to strip away caffeine. My all-time fave decaf is Biodynamic Coffee and fave instant decaf is Purity Coffee. The levels that remain are under FDA limits, but I’d rather avoid since there ARE methods that don’t require the use of these toxins.

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