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The last thing you want to think is, could there be mold in mycup of coffee?We typically laud coffee for its health benefits; it’s a great source of antioxidants and is potentially anti-inflammatory.
However, mold toxins have become a concern for many consumers. Coffee consumption shouldn’t generally make your heath worse, but the levels of mycotoxins (mold toxins) in your coffee could cause some harm.
Is there really mold in coffee? Mold can develop in/on coffee beans; however, the mold itself is not as harmful as its byproducts — mycotoxins. Not only can they be found in coffee beans, but also in cereals, nuts, dried fruits, and spices.
The Food and Drug Administration warns that mycotoxins can cause health problems such as neurologic impairment, liver damage, kidney damage, or heart failure.
But let’s be clear: The levels of mold in coffee are almost never going to be high enough to cause major harm. It’s a myth that most coffee is full of harmful levels of mold spores.
Let’s break down the facts.
Mold spores are fairly difficult to trace, so it’s hard to pinpoint exactly where they get in the coffee. Though there are plenty of opportunities for mold to grow, this doesn’t mean that it always does.
Several factors contribute to moldy coffee:
But surely mold can’t survive the roasting process, right? In reality, roasting can help get rid of mold but not entirely eliminate it. If roasting machines aren’t properly and regularly cleaned, mold can get into roasted coffee and subsequently brewed coffee.
Is coffee mold harmful? Trace amounts of coffee mold are not considered harmful, according to a 2015 study. However, heavy exposure over a long period can cause serious health issues.
The mold in coffee typically includes themycotoxinsochratoxin A andaflatoxin B1.
Mold is a multicellular fungus. Like any other fungus, it’s known for its role in decomposition. This is why keeping an eye out for mold matters — mold signals spoilage due to decay. Mold metabolites (the result of mold’s metabolism process) are called mycotoxins.
There are several hundred types of mycotoxins. Only a handful are harmful to humans if ingested. These include fumonisin, patulin, zearalenone, ochratoxin A, and aflatoxin B1.
The two most notorious foodborne mycotoxins are ochratoxin A and aflatoxin B1, both of which are produced by a specific type of mold, aspergillus. Both are considered carcinogens.
Ochratoxin A (OTA) has been linked to kidney damage, immune system suppression, and liver cancer.
The World Health Organization considers aflatoxin B1 among the most poisonous foodborne toxins. It has been linked to liver cancer and DNA damage.
What is coffee mold called? Coffee mold is just called coffee mold. When people discuss the harmful mold specific to coffee, they are usually referring to the mycotoxins produced by mold.
TL;DR — Exposure to tiny amounts of mold in coffee is common and not associated with significant health risks. But if you’re drinking coffee with significant mold content, it may causeside effects.
Long-term risks of mycotoxins have been established. But ingesting coffee mold can cause some possible short-term symptoms.
What happens if you drink moldy coffee? Drinking moldy coffee is unlikely to cause much harm. It’s not unusual to consume tiny amounts of mold in food. However, ingesting mold could cause a short-term reaction usually resolved within 24-36 hours.
For starters, the taste would likely be different. The coffee wouldn’t have the vibrant flavors you’d expect from a fresh brew. There might be an earthy or musty taste to it.
Taste aside, sometimes mold consumption can lead to side effects such as:
While it’s good to be aware of these possible symptoms, it’s also worth knowing you may not experience any symptoms. One 2021 study indicates that the OTA levels in coffee are very low-risk.
Trace amounts of coffee mold are difficult to avoid. But there are some ways to increase the likelihood of mold-free coffee.
To avoid coffee mold:
How do you make coffee without mold? To make coffee without mold, purchase the highest quality coffee, stow it carefully, and brew it near the purchase date. Some coffee brands boast mycotoxin-free coffee, which could be worth researching.
Coffee mold could be more prevalent than we’d like to think. One study showed that 45% of commercial coffee beans contain OTA. This sobering study might make us want to monitor our morning cup a bit more carefully.
You know coffee beans have developed mold if they have a coating of white fuzz. You can also detect mold if the coffee beans have different textures, smells, or tastes. It is worth noting that mold growth is not always detectable.
If your coffee has become moldy, the best thing you can do is throw it out. However, if you really want to save to beans, there’s a way.
What is the best way to clean mold from coffee?
Though this process helps extract mold from coffee beans, it’s not necessarily foolproof in getting every bit of mold out. Also, the vinegar can alter the taste of the coffee.
One of the best ways to ensure low to no mycotoxins is to buy high-quality coffee beans. Organic, pesticide-free coffee is best. Also, look for brands whose coffee beans were grown in high altitudes, as this means a drier climate.
Golden Ratio is better coffee incarnate. Skip the mold, bitterness, and acidity of the other guys and try gold coffee today!
