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Mycotoxin-Free Coffee Brands

Filed underdairy-free, gluten-free, gluttony, healthy food, Paleo
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But is it moldy? © by spcbrass

I’ve been buttering up Dave Asprey’s Bulletproof Coffee for awhile now.  Drinking it in the morning is hands down the most exciting part about going to bed these days, which means this coffee really is all that, or my life is really sad.  Probably a little of both but I’m a half glass full (of butter) kinda guy.  So what’s the problem?

Well, besides my issue with the utter lack of protein in Dave’s version (which I tried to rectify), the price of Dave’s Upgraded (i.e. minimal-toxin) Coffee gives me the gag reflex.  Keep in mind that one area I won’t cut corners on is good health, but $25 per lb of coffee when I’ve been buying organic, fair-trade coffee for $11 per lb?  You can’t blame Dave though, not when alternatives are so difficult to find.  (Try googling “mycotoxin-free coffee brands” and I’ll race you to see who finds the most useless info.)

“Ma it’s 2012!  If it’s not on the first page of google it doesn’t exist!”

But wait, being an internet-spelunker is one of my hobbies (euphemism for OCD), so of course I had to go on a scavenger hunt.  Here’s to the beauty of the free market and informed Bulletproof Coffee lovers:

Fermentation: The Scapegoat?

If you’re gonna go all the way with Dave’s philosophy, you would look first for mechanical process (forced demicuilage) with no fermentation.  The problem is that a few reputable sources don’t agree with this.
Ex: I was really impressed with stumptowncoffee.com (Dave likes them too) for their strict quality control standards and direct trade partnerships with several estates that use forced demucilage: Ethiopia Duromina, Costa Rica Marvin Robles, Costa Rica Montes de Oro, Panama Duncan Estate, Honduras Finca El Puente.  They told me that the mycotoxin issue has more to do with the quality control of the water tanks and water sources than the methodology.  Sweetmarias.com, a leading source on green coffee beans and roasting also agreed and had this to say:

“(Mechanical process) is more about water efficiency. It’s more expensive because of the equipment, but it’s actually a lot more cost effective and can improve sorting and water efficiency.  (Dave Asprey’s) claim about the molds and bacteria is ludicrous though. That altitude on the farm isn’t really the greatest Guatemala has to offer either. These are some interesting claims. I can assure you that you have nothing to worry about mold or bacteria wise (with wet process).” - http://www.sweetmariascoffee.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=3578&start=0

So where does that leave us?  Well how about I give you both options and you pick?  Here are the criteria that I looked for:

1. Mechanical Process or Wet Process
2. High elevation
3. Single origin (single estate is best)
4. Available for purchase as of today (no point if you can’t buy it right?)

Disclaimer: I have no financial affiliation with or interest in any of the following companies.

 

Top Picks for Mechanical Process

Ethiopia Kaffa – Michiti Coop
Elevation: 6,200 – 6,900 ft
Roast: Unroasted green beans
Price: $7.30 per lb
Purchase: http://www.sweetmarias.com/coffee.africa.ethiopia.php#3345

Panama Carmen Estate
Elevation: 6,200 ft
Roast: Medium-Bold
Price: $12.75 per lb
Purchase: http://www.absolutecoffeecompany.com/apps/webstore/products/show/2822224

Guatemala Huehuetenango – Financa La Providencia Dos
Elevation: 4,265 – 4,765 ft
Roast: Medium to Medium-Dark
Price: $24.00 per lb
Purchase:  http://rosettacoffeeco.com/store/products/guatemala-heuhuetenango-finca-la/

Manzano Blend El Salvador
Elevation: 4,265 – 5,000 ft
Roast: Medium-Light
Price: $14.67 per lb
Purchase: http://store.yahoo.com/yhst-88038631192826/m12.html

 

Top Picks for Wet Process

Panama Kotowa Duncan 2012 Microlot
Elevation: 5,500-5,600 feet
Roast: Medium-Light
Price: $14.95 per lb
Purchase: http://www.klatchroasting.com/Kotowa_Duncan_Organic_Micro_Lot_p/pan_kot_dun_org_ml.htm

Ethiopian Yirgacheffe
Elevation: 4,400 – 5200 feet
Roast: Medium-Light
Price: $14.00 per lb
Purchase: http://www.martinezfinecoffees.com/ethiopia-yirgacheffe-fair-trade-organic-coffee.html

Ethiopia Sidamo
Elevation: 5,000-6,000 feet
Roast: Medium
Price: $14.08 per lb
Purchase: http://www.theroasterie.com/coffee/origin/ethiopia/ethiopian-sidamo
http://www.storehousecoffee.com/sidamo.html

Pitalito Estate of Columbia (Huila Region)
Elevation: 5,500 – 6,000 ft
Roast: Medium
Price: $15.49 per lb
Purchase: http://www.theroasterie.com/pitalito-estate-of-colombia

Mexico Chiapas “Altura”
Elevation: 4,000 – 6,000 feet
Roast: Medium
Price: $16.00 per lb
Purchase: https://caffeibis.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&category_id=10&product_id=8&vmcchk=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=40

If any of you have tried Dave’s coffee and end up trying any of these or other alternatives, I’d love to hear how they compare!

  • Paul

    Just to clear things up. Bulletproof coffee is $25 for 3/4 of a pound not for 1 pound, which makes it even worse that he charges that much.

    • http://blog.healclick.com/ Joey Chang

      actually it’s $18.95/lb, so a little more than $25/lb. Still not cheap of course.

      • http://twitter.com/bulletproofexec ʎǝɹdsɐ ǝʌɐp

        Shipping costs suck but I lose money on shipping…which is why the 5lb bags are $15.80/lb, which is competitive for any high end coffee. Remember that I actually run biogenic amine and mycotoxin tests on these beans, which costs a lot to do, but guarantees purity.

        • Eric O’Collins

          Welcome to the free market bro. You can defend the price all you want, but at te end of the day the number one concern to the consumer is the bottom dollar. If your prices were more competive you for sure would make way more money. I know I would love to buy your coffee, but my desire doesn’t chang the fact that I can’t afford it, thus I’ll be buying something cheaper.

          • Gary

            Maybe the dumb consumer who isn’t considering the effect of drinking or eating toxins has on your body. For $16/lb for that quality, I’ll gladly pay. Free market just means people decide, it doesn’t mean people buy the cheapest crap.

        • Sven

          It is a free market and I am glad that Dave is using it to bring true quality where none currently exists. If you feel that mycotoxin free coffee is important for health, don’t whine about the price, but instead find or create a better source.
          Dave has invested to create a truly effective nutrition plan. I am grateful for that. I will by his coffee and hope that other start to see a market and profitability in it.

        • Mark

          Hi Dave, Do you have any plans to make the upgraded decaf coffee available in retail stores in Manhattan soon?

  • ashley

    So, which one did you buy?

    • ashley

      I bought the Bulletproof brand the first time but also have a really hard time paying that much after shipping for 12 oz’s. I am looking at all of these wet process coffees and cant decide which Ill get. Did you ever try any of them? Or did you break down and buy Aspreys again?

      • http://blog.healclick.com/ Joey Chang

        Hi Ashley,

        I never actually bought Asprey’s brand. Maybe one day when I’m filthy rich off of pitching alternative brands (which will happen never).

        I ended up trying an organic Kona coffee because my dad force-fed me them as a gift from Hawaii. I would not recommend buying Kona because of the premium (and it’s also not the ideal elevation for mycotoxins). It also doesn’t feel any different than the blended organic french roast from Cameron’s.

        After I run out I’ll definitely follow my own advice and buy one of these. I’ll be happy to let you know then!

        If you’re in a mad rush, the first one I’d try is one of the cheaper mechanically-processed ones: Panama Carmen ($18.25/lb includes shipping) or the Manzano El Salvador ($15.24/lb includes shipping)

        *Shipping is calculated to California

        • ashley

          I took the plunge and bought 5 lbs from Cafe Ibis to save shipping costs, found a 10% code off their FB page which made 5 lbs $63, I hope I like it after buying that much!
          5lbs of Aspreys was $70 or 80 before shipping :( boo!

          • http://blog.healclick.com/ Joey Chang

            That’s a lot of Chiapas. I haven’t tried it but crossing my fingers for ya.

          • Ashley

            Ill come back and share!

          • Nathan

            ….. what happened?

  • Dave Asprey

    Here’s the deal – I spend thousands to lab test my beans to prove they have no detectable mycotoxins or biogenic amines. I designed the process (which is a lot more than just mechanical process) because of my own mold sensitivities. My small bag is $2 more than Peet’s or Starbucks or other artisan coffee. My large 5lb bag is $15/lb, not unreasonable for quality coffee.

    There are other studies of my coffee beans about to be published. There is a quantifiable difference!

    • http://www.facebook.com/htraul Howard A. Traul III

      I had Bulletproof coffee beans and four others tested in a lab for OTA and mold colony comparisons; they were no mold colonies on any of the samples tested. However, OTA did occur in ALL samples tested. The range for the samples was 11-15 ppb of OTA; Bulletproof coffee was 12 ppb. The other coffee beans tested were right off the shelf from an organic supermarket and they were as follows: a French Sumatra bean; an espresso suave bean; a classic espresso bean; and a Costa Rican coffee bean.

      • Robert Kemp

        So, Dave Asprey claims he can “prove they have no detectable mycotoxins”.

        You had them tested and OTA WAS detectable, and, what’s more, the levels of contamination were middle-of-the-road, compared to several generic coffees. Why isn’t anyone making a bigger deal out of this fact?

        • http://www.facebook.com/people/Alex-Hollins/660979174 Alex Hollins

          link please?

    • http://www.facebook.com/htraul Howard A. Traul III

      Let me follow up my last comment with a thank you to Dave though for introducing me to coffee+butter+coconut oil….DELICIOUS!!!

    • Pete Castelluccio

      Dave, I have not looked extensively for the publishings you referenced but are they currently available? I have just started educating myself on this subject so I would love to read any technical data that is available to support your statements.

    • RadRich

      Too bad you don’t sell your beans “green”. I like to roast my own coffee beans.

  • Kevin

    I ordered Dave Asprey’s Upgraded coffee, and yes, its a little steep after shipping. However, I have been making bullet proof coffee for the past 3-4 weeks and I do like it. Both taste and affect. One of the best coffee I have tasted, (of course this is personal opinion, I am no coffee connoisseur). With that said, as much as I like to order it again, I think I will have to look for alternative due to price and availability. I’ll totally paid $18.95/pound again if I can just get it off the shelf at my local store.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jim-Walker/100000736622420 Jim Walker

    Just like to add my two cents.
    Bulletproof coffee at $25 after shipping for 3/4 pound is simply too expensive (no matter how wonderful it is). The nearly $9 shipping fee is exploitative when postal service fixed postage is 5.50ish.

    I think $15 is pretty much the breaking point for most folks IMHO.

    If Bulletproof was $14.95 (without shipping) along with a reasonable shipping rate ʎǝɹdsɐ ǝʌɐp would probably be sell 10x more than he does now.

    Going to try Manzano Blend El Salvador next.

    • RadRich

      $25 is small potatoes. I’m sure you and everyone else has spend more on a movie or a meal. Plus, if you want “Bulletproof coffee” you have to buy the butter, coconut oil or MCT. Those products alone are more than the coffee per serving. Complaining about price for something that is better for you needs to be looked at from a different perspective. Why continue polluting your body with a product that is known to contain toxins when there’s a product for a few dollars more that doesn’t have it? It’s like buying a car that takes premium, but you can’t afford the premium gas so you put regular in the tank. Eventually you’re going to not only get shitty performance, but you’ll have issues with your engine over time. Besides, if you can’t afford premium gas, then you probably can’t afford a premium car. This type of analogy shouldn’t be considered when it’s regarding your health.

      IMHO, people should invest in the Bulletproof kit. Two 12oz bags of coffee and 32oz of MCT oil. $60 shipped. It’s like getting free shipping + you’re saving a few bucks because the MCT oil by itself is normally $29.

      • Judy

        Tried buying two kits and shipping ALONE to Canada (very close to the border) is $48.20. Sorry, but that’s too much. I don’t even spend that much watching movies and eating out in a restaurant.

  • Pacman

    I order the Bulletproof Coffee even tho it’s a little expensive.. Dave gives great information on his blog & his products are the shit !

  • keri

    Can I get any of these brands listed above in a Trader Joes, Whole Foods or Sprouts?

  • tint14

    sorry it was just a good pun about trying to rectify the coffee

  • RadRich

    Dave will be opening a chain of Bulletproof “Cafe’s”, 3 of which will be opening in San Francisco sometime this year, as said in his podcast interview with Joe Rogan: http://podcasts.joerogan.net/podcasts/dave-asprey-tait-fletcher