What Is Mycotoxin-Free Coffee? What Coffee Drinkers Should Know
Coffee is part of the morning routine in our house. Usually, that first cup gets poured before much of anything else happens.
Since starting The Lawman Coffee Co. here in Maryville, Tennessee, we’ve learned that people are becoming more interested in what goes into their coffee—not just how it tastes. One question we hear more often involves mycotoxins, mold, and coffee testing.
So, what exactly is mycotoxin-free coffee, and does it really matter?
What Are Mycotoxins in Coffee?
Mycotoxins are naturally occurring compounds that can be produced by certain types of mold. Coffee is an agricultural product, and like other agricultural products, it can be exposed to environmental conditions during growing, harvesting, processing, transportation, and storage.
That doesn’t mean people should suddenly be afraid of drinking coffee. We certainly aren’t.
For us, it simply raises a reasonable question: if we’re selling coffee to our customers, why not have it independently tested?
Is The Lawman Coffee Co. Tested for Mycotoxins?
Yes.
The coffee we sell through The Lawman Coffee Co. is independently third-party tested. Our testing has found the tested mycotoxins below the laboratory’s detection limits, along with no detectable mold or yeast within the parameters of the testing.
That distinction matters to us.
We’re a small family-owned business, not a giant coffee corporation with our own laboratory. When we make a statement about our coffee, we want something more behind it than marketing words printed on a bag.
Independent testing gives us—and our customers—another piece of information about the coffee we’re putting into those bags.
Does Mycotoxin-Free Coffee Taste Better?
Not necessarily.
Testing doesn't create great-tasting coffee. The bean, roast, freshness, storage, and brewing method all contribute to what ultimately ends up in your cup.
Our goal has always been pretty simple: we want a smooth cup of coffee that tastes good without the harsh bitterness and acidity that can ruin an otherwise good morning cup.
That’s also why we focus on quality Arabica coffee, small-batch roasting, freshness, and getting our coffee to customers quickly.
Is Mycotoxin-Free Coffee the Same as Low-Acid Coffee?
No. They describe two different things.
Mycotoxin testing concerns compounds that may be associated with certain molds. Acidity relates to characteristics of the coffee itself and how that coffee tastes and feels when you drink it.
You’ll often see “mycotoxin-free” and “low-acid coffee” discussed together online, but they shouldn’t be treated as interchangeable terms.
At The Lawman Coffee Co., we care about both quality testing and producing a smooth, low-acid cup of coffee.
Why Does Third-Party Coffee Testing Matter to Us?
This is probably the simplest part of the entire discussion.
Our name is on the bag.
When an order comes into our small family business here in East Tennessee, those aren't anonymous orders moving through some giant warehouse. We’re involved in getting that coffee packed and headed toward our customers.
Many of those customers come back month after month. Some have joined our Coffee Club. Others have simply made The Lawman their morning coffee.
We appreciate that trust.
Having our coffee independently tested is one additional step we can take to know more about the product we're putting our name on.
What Should You Look for When Buying Coffee?
Don't buy coffee based on one buzzword printed on the front of a bag.
Look at the whole picture.
Where possible, consider freshness, roast quality, transparency, testing, the type of coffee being used, and—probably most importantly—whether you actually enjoy drinking it.
Coffee shouldn't need to be complicated.
Whether you prefer a smooth medium roast like our Second Amendment Coffee, a darker cup like our All American Dark Roast, flavored coffee, whole bean, ground coffee, or the convenience of K-Cups, the ultimate goal is still the same:
Ready to find your next favorite cup?
Shop our complete Lawman Coffee Shop Collection.
That’s what we're trying to accomplish at The Lawman Coffee Co.
We’re a small family business in Maryville, Tennessee, and we appreciate every customer who gives our coffee a place in their morning routine.
Life is too short to drink bitter, acidic coffee.