5 Red Flags To Look For In Coffee — From Mold To Roast Date & More

Before we dive in, let us say this: In general, coffee delivers plenty of health benefits, such as providing noteworthy antioxidant polyphenols1, supporting cardiovascular health2, and even balancing gut bacteria3. Depending on what beans you choose, these health benefits may fluctuate—for example, some blends contain significantly more polyphenols than others. So, investing in your beans is about way more than taste (though that's a worthy motivation too).

Organic coffee stands out because it's free from the pesticides and other chemicals often used on conventional coffee farms. Given that coffee is generally consumed once or twice a day (or more), this organic certification is noteworthy. 

Organic food producers are restricted from using synthetic pesticides, which leads to low residue levels in foods and lower pesticide exposure for consumers4.

When looking at your bag of beans, you may or may not see a roast date—it's not technically required by law for coffee companies to disclose it. 

However, many premium coffee brands with high-quality beans will include the roast date on their packaging to indicate freshness and transparency—take this as a good sign.

If you're a coffee snob, then you may already know that arabica beans tend to have a smoother and richer flavor than robusta beans.

Robusta beans have a stronger and more bitter taste, which delivers a pungent note that many people prefer to skip—hence why they're often used in blends rather than on their own. They aren't harmful healthwise, but they just may not provide the best flavor.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, "Some foods—such as grains, dried beans, dried fruits, and coffee—are susceptible to fungus or mold that produce toxins5 known as mycotoxins." 

This one isn't too surprising but still a good reminder: Grinding your own beans will ensure you're getting the freshest cup possible. 

This premium coffee blend undergoes comprehensive, third-party lab testing in the U.S. for mold, mycotoxins, heavy metals, and over 300 pesticides.†

Rigorously tested for caffeine, theobromine, and polyphenols too, our premium, whole coffee beans exceed industry-leading quality standards for potency, purity, and taste experience. 

The counter-worthy blue bag contains USDA-certified organic arabica beans from regions in Africa, Latin America, and Indonesia. The blend is high in polyphenols and low in acid, giving it health-protective benefits that go down easy. These beans are just as wonderful for espresso as they are for larger cups—just grind them on a finer setting than you would for a drip or pour-over coffee.