How to enjoy your Costa Rican coffee sin químicos

If you, like me, derive a lot of pleasure enjoying your cup of morning coffee, these are 6 simple ways you can reduce the amount of toxins that can find their way into your cup of liquid gold:  

1. Buy coffee that’s been tested for mold

Having seen for myself how coffee beans are dried, fermented and stored in a very humid climate like the one we have in Costa Rica, I’d say with quite a degree of certainty that chances are high there’re mycotoxins produced by mold in your coffee. If consumed in large amounts, mold can accumulate in our bodies leading to allergies, brain fog, immune deficiencies, liver problems and even cancer. If you’re able to import ZenBunni, Kion or Purity Organic Coffee, these are great non-toxic options. So far I haven’t found Costa Rican coffee tested for mold though. Your best bet is working on keeping your detox pathways open to make sure that your body gets rid of any traces of mold and try to avoid other sources of chemicals instead (see below).

2. Buy (certified) organic coffee

This will reduce your exposure to pesticides and herbicides, among other things. Here are a few examples of certified organic coffee in Costa Rica:

• Roblesabanacoffee
• Cafe Britt
• Bella Tica

3. Choose high quality whole coffee beans rather than ground coffee

Some producers with questionable practices grind very poor-quality beans (including moldy ones) that you don’t want to end up in your body. 

4. Buy dark roast vs medium roast coffee

Whenever you roast anything above 120C/248F, a toxin cold acrylamide forms. It’s considered a carcinogen and a neurotoxin. Studies have found however that acrylamide levels peak early in the heating process and then decline. So lighter-colored coffee beans have more acrylamide than darker ones that are roasted longer. Also, instant coffee has 2x larger amount of acrylamide compared to roasted coffee

5. Try coffee alternatives

If you are a vivid coffee consumer, try adaptogenic herbal coffee  like Happiness powder by Anima Mundi once in a while. Mucuna beans will boost your dopamine and serotonin levels to keep you energized and elevated without the yo-yo dips that caffein produces. The remaining ‘happy herbs such as ashwagandha, rhodiola, albizzia and St John’s Wort will increase a sense of peace and happiness.

If you choose decaf coffee as your coffee alternative, beware that potent chemicals like ethyl acetate or methylene chloride (commonly used in paint removers, banned by EPA but not FDA) are often used to strip away caffeine.

6. Avoid coffeemakers made out of plastic

Unless you like your coffee with a touch of endocrine disruptors BPA/BPS/BPF that is …

How much is as important as what

I didn’t write this post to argue whether coffee is good or bad for us. Like with anything else, how much is as important as what we consume. So if caffeinated coffee is your only drink during the day, it’s probably wise to reduce overstimulation and try to maintain a healthy, balanced relationship with caffein. Along with reducing toxins commonly present in coffee!

Con Amor,

Milda