Facts of life for coffee hounds

In my microscopic “surface search” for the cool and the “not so hot” (pun intended!) coffee manufacturers, let’s just say that I have “seen the light!”

I will start with some primary definition to enable you to more clearly absorb what is being said about the various brands. My source for this column is from YouTube: “8 US Coffee Brands to Avoid.”

Ochratoxin A: A highly toxic mold-produced mycotoxin (from Aspergillis and Penecillium) that contaminates food commodities, worldwide, some of which include cereals and coffee beans.

Mycotoxins: Toxic chemical compounds produced by certain fungi (molds) that contaminate any crop “pre or post” harvest.

Industrial chemicals: Unintentional substances entering the food supply through environmental pollution or packaging threatening neurotoxicity, cancer or DNA mutation.

Robusta coffee beans: Low quality coffee beans that are bitter and grown in low lands (Viet Nam and Brazil) and sold, usually, to large box discount retailers while still keeping a large profit margin.

I think it is shameful that this country has loose to no standards for our coffee whether it is grown here or shipped in. Europe has rigid standards and quality control specs inclusive of independent testing and bean inspection.

Here are the top eight worst coffees as You Tube denoted in descending order:

1) Folgers: They find mold on coffee beans, pesticide residue, various industrial chemicals and usage of Robusta beans—cheapest and inferior bean.

2) Maxwell House: Exact same findings; no surprise as they are owned by same company.

3) Dunkin Donuts: High percentage of pesticides; the package allows oxidation (killing off the antioxidants which are good for us). This coffee is actually different from what is served at the retailers.

4) Starbucks: Let us just say that premium pricing doesn’t guarantee “purity,” just pays for advertising. They over roast their beans to where the few nutrients are ruined and gives the coffee a very bitter taste.

5) Eight o’clock Coffee: This has repeatedly had issues with staleness, inferior beans and roasting methods. It has a harsh, bitter and fermented taste.

6) Cafe Bustelo: This is definitely a discounted coffee sold in Walmart and the “dollar-type” retailers. They get the bottom of the barrel beans and absolutely no quality control in their processes or packaging.

7) Great Value - Walmart’s brand: Need I say more? Bargain price and still a healthy profit margin which tells it all.

8) McCafe: Again, not the same as what you get in the retail eatery. They cut corners in it all for the sake of the profit margin.

On a more positive note, we have a few very good coffee brands we wanted to pass along to our readers:

1) Stump Coffee

2) Purity Coffee

3) Bulletproof

4) Peak Performance

5) Trader Joe brand coffee

6) Peet’s Coffee (we use this and love it)

These last two are a coffee made from mushrooms and they are delicious; no bitter taste at all. It is a little unconventional in the flavor, but still good and very beneficial for you—chocked full of nutrients!The two mushroom coffees that seem to be favorites are Four Sigmatic and Ryze. In a future column I will discuss the nutritional benefits of drinking mushroom coffee.