Why Does Coffee Choice Matter?
As the weather continues to get colder and colder many of us are heavily clinging to a hot cup of coffee to start the day. While caffeine can have harmful effects on the body when consumed mindfully there is no reason not to enjoy a cup or two of coffee. However, there are potential dangers hidden inside coffee. For many, coffee can often be a decision driven by taste or price-point alone without much consideration about how it was cleaned, the method used to roast the beans , quality of the beans, and product freshness. One common concern hidden within coffee is the presence of mold and mycotoxins . A study done revealed that approximately 45% of commercially sold coffee contain Ochratoxin A which is a mycotoxin released by mold spores. Studied and known effects of exposure to Ochratoxin A include kidney damage, fetal development issues (very important for pregnant or breastfeeding moms), immune system effects, and has been listed as a possible human carcinogen. In addition, for those with compromised immune systems daily mold exposure through coffee can contribute to increased levels of sickness and an inability to fight infections. Therefore, it does not help that many of us drink more coffee daily through flu season when we need our immune systems functioning at maximum capacity.
So how can we make safer choices in something most of us enjoy daily?
Purchase locally roasted coffee. This is a primary reason that one of our first vendors is Silva Coffee Co. located right down the road that is roasted in ways we trust and done in small batches so that we never have had to compromise in the quality of the coffee we enjoy to also ensure our safety and limit mold and mycotoxin exposures. Studies have shown that roasting coffee can kill up to 95% of mold present in coffee beans and is extremely effective. However, there is a difference in the quality and safeness of how coffee is roasted. Large companies typically opt for a chemical roasting method whereas local artisan roasters are more likely to choose a wood roasting method. Personally, we like that Silva Coffee Co. used hickory and oak woods and that they are completely transparent in their processing. They believe in the quality of roasting and how this preserves the true intention of the bean and they have a desire to execute in a method that honors what they refer to as “old world design”. Their stance is also to only roast once a week helping us to reduce the amount of time that passes between when your coffee is roasted and packaged and when it hits the shelf for retail.
But what about the price? Yes a bag of artisan small batch roasted coffee will cost $16 and there is no denying that it is more expensive than Starbucks coffee sold on shelves for $9. However, you get two things when you purchase local coffee that has taken these steps to ensure quality and protect your safety : transparency and quality. Unlike large companies we know the owners are Silva Coffee and have walked through the process with them asking questions. It also ensures that if customers have questions we can reach out and ask those as well. These guys really have a heart for doing this well and we trust what they do. In addition, the quality of this product is safe and in my opinion the taste is far beyond anything comparable at a grocery store. So yes, the price is higher but one bag typically makes around 22 cups of coffee bringing your cost per cup to $0.72 . Compared to a drip coffee at Starbucks that will run you well over $3.
If you are interested in either of the blends we sell currently, use the code SILVA10 at checkout this week to save 10% on your first bag.
Research Links
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12016-017-8601-z?kbid=62548