Is There Mold in Coffee? The Truth Behind the Hype.

Reassurance from Coyote Ridge Coffee

At Coyote Ridge Coffee, we proudly partner with a Specialty Grade Roaster who upholds the highest standards of sourcing, processing, and quality testing. Every bean we offer meets strict specialty-grade criteria — meaning it’s not only flavor-packed but also tested for mold, mycotoxins, and other contaminants. You can trust that your cup is clean, safe, and delicious.

☕ Can Coffee Really Get Moldy?

Yes — like any agricultural product, coffee can be susceptible to mold, particularly during growing, drying, and storage. Two types of mold-related toxins (called mycotoxins) can sometimes be found in low-quality or improperly processed coffee:

• Ochratoxin A (OTA)
• Aflatoxins

These mycotoxins form under warm, humid conditions — often when beans are improperly dried or stored.

🧪 But Here's the Good News

Most high-quality coffee — especially Specialty-Grade — is tested for these toxins. Specialty beans are screened and must meet strict food safety standards long before they reach your cup.

Agencies like the FDA (U.S.) and EFSA (Europe) regulate acceptable mycotoxin levels. Beans exceeding these thresholds cannot legally be sold for consumption.

✅ Specialty Coffee: Mold-Free by Design

If you're drinking Specialty-Grade coffee from a trusted roaster, you’re already choosing one of the cleanest options available. Here's why:

• Specialty coffee follows strict production standards — from selective harvesting to precise drying methods.
• Reputable roasters test for mold, mycotoxins, pesticides, and heavy metals.
• Specialty-grade beans come from traceable and ethical supply chains, where quality is tightly monitored.
• If your roaster conducts regular testing (and ours does), you can sip with peace of mind.

🤔 So Why All the Hype About Mold?

The mold scare gained traction when a few brands began promoting “mold-free” coffee as a unique selling point, positioning their products as safer or cleaner than others.

While these campaigns increased awareness around food quality, they also spread unnecessary fear — often without solid scientific backing.

In fact, independent lab tests, including those by Consumer Reports, show that most commercial and specialty coffees contain mycotoxin levels far below harmful limits — and often none at all.

🔍 What You Can Do as a Coffee Drinker

If you're still concerned, here are three simple steps:

• Buy from reputable specialty roasters (like us) who are transparent about sourcing and testing.
• Ask if they test for mycotoxins — many do and are happy to share.
• Store your coffee properly — in a cool, dry, airtight container to keep it fresh and mold-free.

💡 Final Thoughts

Yes, mold can develop on green coffee beans — but with modern specialty coffee practices, the risk is extremely low. If your roaster uses specialty-grade beans and testing protocols, like Coyote Ridge Coffee's roaster does, you're enjoying some of the cleanest, safest coffee available!

So go ahead: relax, sip, and enjoy — without the mold fear.

Keep it brewing,

Joan