Coffee Explanations

by Matt Gibson

Mycotoxins are toxic compounds that are present on coffee and other dried goods that come from mold. Mycotoxins are present in lots of different foods, but are especially significant in dry goods, such as grains, nuts, cereals, and coffee. Mycotoxins are responsible for causing all kinds of health problems, including cardiomyopathy, brain damage, kidney disease, cancer, and hypertension. Coffee with high levels of mycotoxins can often taste bitter, causing drinkers to add flavoring agents to their coffee to offset the bitterness, such as sugars and creamers. 

Mycotoxins are mostly found in low quality coffee brands. Cheap coffees are available at cut rate prices because they are made with low quality beans. Many budget priced coffee brands make blends which are composed of different kinds of coffee beans, sometimes mixing beans that are grown in many different parts of the world. When companies are sourcing their coffee beans from a variety of different countries, there is a much greater chance that some of the beans they are using contain mold. When coffee is stored in damp conditions, especially in buildings with poor ventilation, it is much more susceptible to mold formation. 

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QUESTION: Are year old coffee beans still good? I have an old can that I opened up and only used half of. –William G

ANSWER: Year old coffee beans may still be good if they were kept in an airtight package and stored in a cool, dry location. Coffee beans don’t typically go bad in the traditional sense. Coffee beans do not typically rot, deteriorate, or become spoiled when stored correctly. However, when stored incorrectly, or when exposed to oxygen, moisture, or humidity, coffee beans can deteriorate rather quickly.

If your coffee beans have been exposed to the elements, or have any contact with moisture or humidity, they could no longer be worth putting to use. Be sure to check your coffee beans closely, especially if they were exposed to moisture, to look for signs of mold, or other growths, and throw them out if you find any evidence of damage.

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QUESTION: Does old coffee make you sick? I am staying at a cabin and I only have a bag from last year. — Edward F

ANSWER: The short answer is no, with a few exceptions. For the most part, the good news is, old coffee beans, or even old coffee grounds will not make you sick or give you food poisoning. The brew that old coffee produces, however, will not taste as good as fresh coffee and might even taste stale, or have a bitter taste. There are exceptions to this rule, however. Old coffee that was not stored in a well-sealed, airtight container can go rancid in certain cases. If the beans or grounds were not sealed properly, were exposed to water, or have developed mold or growths, then it could be rancid coffee and there is a good chance that it will make you sick, even if the pot of coffee is brewed with boiling hot water. 

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by Matt Gibson

What the heck is chicory coffee? Chicory is the ground root of the large rooted chicory plant, known scientifically as Chicorium Intybus Sativum. The plant is also known as coffee chicory, as it is commonly used to make a coffee substitute or additive, due to the similar aroma and flavor of its roots. Chicory contains no caffeine, but the grounded root is more water soluble than coffee, so less is needed compared to coffee, to make a strongly flavored drink. 

Coffee Chicory is a close cousin to another subspecies of Chicorium Intybus which is commonly known as French Endive. Though it is viewed as an invasive weed in the US, in Europe, it’s a widely cultivated vegetable with many common uses. The roots are either used to feed livestock, or processed to create inulin, a sweetener that is commonly added to reduced-calorie foods. The blanched leafy greens can be used in salads and other fresh fare. Though related, endive and chicory each have their own unique appeal. Chicory is primarily cultivated for its roots, which are ground and used as a coffee substitute or additive.

Chicory root naturally contains no caffeine, so if you really love the taste of coffee but can’t stand the way it makes you feel because of the caffeine, give chicory a try and see if you don’t like it better. 

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QUESTION: Why is Folgers coffee so good? They sell it everywhere and I think it’s way better than the other brands in the grocery store. – Olivia J

ANSWER: Folgers is the number one selling brand of pre-ground coffee in the United States, and has been for decades. Folgers found early success by being one of the first companies to offer ready-to-brew ground coffee at a very affordable price. Their flashy red canister quickly became a mainstay in kitchens across America.

With an aggressive advertising and marketing campaign that dates back to the late 1800’s, expanding in the 1960’s when the company was purchased by Procter & Gamble, Folgers became America’s go-to coffee. In 1963, Folgers became the top-selling coffee brand in America, and they have held that position ever since. The iconic Folgers TV commercial jingle is a tune which nearly every American can recite on demand, boasting that their coffee is, “the best part of waking up.”

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QUESTION: What time should you drink black coffee? Only in the morning, or something else? – Jared L

ANSWER: Coffee drinkers love to start their day off with a hot cup of joe. The caffeine boost that people get from coffee is, for some folks, the only way to start off their mornings. Those that depend on coffee to start off their day, however, oftentimes end up drinking coffee all day long as well. When you intake caffeine late in the day, it can adversely affect your sleep cycle.

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by Matt Gibson

Have you ever wondered, what kind of coffee does McDonald’s restaurants use? Coffee enthusiasts don’t usually think about fast food chains when they think of good places to get a gourmet cup of coffee or premium roast coffee. Most coffee drinkers think of the local, family owned coffee shops, coffee roasters, and fancy coffee spots for premium-roast coffee. That’s why it may come as a surprise to coffee lovers to learn that McDonald’s actually serves high-quality, gourmet coffee drinks sourced from 100% arabica high-quality coffee beans. 

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by Matt Gibson

The wide world of coffee is always expanding. New coffee companies and small-batch roasters are popping up at higher rates than ever before. That’s because the search for premium coffee has become a much more popular quest in the modern world. With the rising popularity of the pour over and french press brewing methods, more and more people are seeking out higher quality coffee beans than ever before. Serious coffee enthusiasts buy small batches of single-origin whole coffee beans and grind them at home just before brewing. The days of overproduced, pre-ground, budget blends are slowly fading away, while the demand for high-grade coffee beans is steadily rising. 

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QUESTION: Is black coffee good for weight loss? I usually drink it with cream and sugar, but I guess I’m willing to try it black. — Edward H

ANSWER: Coffee comes along with lots of useful health benefits for coffee drinkers to enjoy. This elixir for concentration and focus is also known to reduce the risk of liver disease and type 2 diabetes. Drinking coffee moderately is linked to all kinds of other health benefits, including reducing the risk of cancer, Alzheimer’s, and cirrhosis of the liver as well as helping with mood improvement and fighting off depression. 

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