11 Best Organic/Mold-Free Coffee in 2024

This article will go over the best organic and mold-free coffee in 2024

Hi, I’m Tim, a coffee lover and former barista. I make my own coffee and espresso every day and am always trying new coffee brands and types.

I’ve been on a recent organic coffee kick and know which ones are the best. 

My top choice for organic mold-free coffee is the Volcanica Sulawesi, Celebes Kalossi. Because it is organically grown, Rainforest Alliance Certified, and Fair-Trade Certified. Plus it tastes great. 

However, not everyone has the same tastes in coffee. What I like the best may not suite your preferences. 

So, I made a list of the top 11 organic/mold-free coffees to cover everyone.  

Let’s get started. 

Top 11 Organic/Mold-Free Coffees

1. Volcanica Sulawesi, Celebes Kalossi – Best Overall
2. Stumptown Coffee Roasters Holler Mtn. Coffee – Runner Up
3. Lifeboost Coffee Espresso Ground Coffee – Best For Espresso
4. Death Wish Ground Coffee – Most Caffeine
5. No Fun Jo Decaf Ground Coffee – Best Decaf
6. Kicking Horse Coffee, Medium Roast – Best Budget-Friendly 
7. First Colony Organic Whole Bean – Best Whole Bean
8. Cold Brew Organic Coffee – Best For Cold Brew
9. VitaCup Perfect Instant Coffee Packets – Best Instant Coffee 
10. Wandering Bear Organic Cold – Best Ready-to-Drink Coffee
11. Explorer Cold Brew Coffee – Best Coffee Concentrate 

11 Best Organic/Mold-Free Coffees in 2024

1.Volcanica Sulawesi, Celebes Kalossi – Best Organic Coffee

The Volcanica Sulawesi, Celebes Kalossi whole bean coffee is our number one choice because it is organically grown, Rainforest Alliance Certified, and Fair-Trade Certified. And it has a great flavor. 

It is a medium roast with unique maple syrup and cherry tasting notes. It has an intense full-bodied flavor, a characteristic that all Volcanica roasts share. Additionally, it has a mild acidity and a distinct spicy aroma.

This Volcanica roast has a slightly higher price than the other options on this list. 

But, its price is justified by the unique taste derived from how and where the beans grow. Volcanica exclusively cultivates its coffee beans at high elevations in volcanic regions, which is a distinguishing factor.

These beans are grown in high-altitude, volcanic regions on Sulawesi Island. 

This region’s soil gives the coffee beans its unique flavors. In high altitudes, coffee plants absorb more nutrients and minerals, which leads to a unique flavor. 

These whole beans come in a large, 16-ounce bag. Volcanica recommends storing them in an airtight, opaque container. To maximize their freshness, store them in a cool, dry, and dark area. 

Some customers observed a noticeable level of acidity in this coffee, even though it has a low acid composition. However, it is possible they used too much or stale grounds when they brewed it.

Personally, I did not think it was too acidic.

Volcanica Sulawesi, Celebes Kalossi whole beans, and all other coffee from the brand are organically grown and carry certifications from Rainforest Alliance and Fair-Trade. 

These certifications demonstrate that the coffee is ethically sourced, farmed, and processed.

Looking for a lower-cost alternative instead? Perhaps our runner-up, the Stumptown Coffee Roasters Holler Mountain Coffee, is right for you. 

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2. Stumptown Coffee Roasters Holler Mtn. Coffee – Runner Up

Stumptown Coffee Roasters Holler Mountain Ground Coffee is suitable for your everyday coffee needs. It offers a pleasing flavor profile that is mild enough for your morning routine, and it is USDA-certified Organic.

This Stumptown Coffee is a medium roast and is not overly strong or bitter. It has a great taste, with light citrus undertones that some dislike.

That said, if you like medium roasts, there’s a high chance you’ll love the Holler Mountain ground coffee. Its caramel and hazelnut flavors make pair great with milk or your favorite creamer.

It has a medium grind size, which is suitable for drip coffee machines, pour-over systems, and some cold brew methods.

It’s too large for French presses, but if you want to use it in your Moka pot or espresso machine, you can grind it finer.

Stumptown Coffee Roasters Holler Mountain ground coffee is pricier than other ground coffee on the market. However, it is less expensive than our top choice, the Volcanica Sulawesi.  

But it is USDA Organic certified, which usually adds a premium to the cost. This ensures it has no pesticides and GMOs and ensures ethical sourcing. 

Stumptown Coffee Roasters includes the roast and packaging date on each bag of coffee, which helps you choose the freshest one. 

Furthermore, the Holler Mountain grounds are available in two sizes – 12 oz and 18 oz bags.

You can buy it on Amazon, most online merchants that sell coffee, and your local grocery store.

If you’re looking for a great organic coffee for your Delonghi or Breville espresso machine, the Lifeboost Coffee Espresso Ground Coffee up next is our top choice. 

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3. Lifeboost Coffee Espresso Ground Coffee – Best For Espresso

The Lifeboost Coffee Espresso ground coffee is the best organic and mold-free choice for espresso drinkers. It is USDA-certified organic, has zero additives, and has a full-bodied flavor. 

This espresso ground coffee has lower acidity compared to other brands because its coffee beans grow in a high-altitude region, enabling them to absorb more nutrients and enhance their flavor, just like the Volcanica roast. 

This Lifeboost espresso coffee has a bold, rich, and smooth flavor. It is rich and powerful and is a great choice for espresso fanatics.

Best of all, you can enjoy it with milk, creamers, and sugars without overpowering its flavor profile.

The Lifeboost Coffee Espresso ground coffee is available in a 12 oz bag and includes the roast date so you can optimize its freshness.

Furthermore, the espresso grounds are USDA Certified Organic (by NFC) and undergo third-party testing for mycotoxins and pesticides, making it one of the most natural and clean options available in the market.

Many individuals find the taste of Lifeboost espresso grounds enjoyable. If it is too strong for you, you can add creamer or try a lighter roast coffee instead. 

Like most organic coffees, this Lifeboost espresso roast is more costly compared to other similar brands.

However, it is organic and comes from the high-altitude growing regions in Nicaragua’s mountains, which enhances its nutrient absorption, flavor, and richness.

Want more of a caffeine kick? The Death Wish Dark Roast Ground Coffee is my recommendation. 

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4. Death Wish Dark Roast Ground Coffee – Most Caffeine 

The Death Wish Dark Roast ground coffee is the best choice for people who want a strong, organic cup of coffee with the most caffeine possible. 

A single 8 oz cup of this Death Wish coffee gives you a huge 472 mg dose of caffeine, which is more than double the caffeine content of the average dark roast.

Death Wish uses unique coffee beans and a special roasting process to achieve this high caffeine content. 

This dark roast coffee has a bold, robust, and full-bodied flavor while also being smooth.

The coffee has a balanced flavor profile with hints of cherry and chocolate, appealing to those who enjoy a stronger taste.

Death Wish Dark Roast comes in a large 16 oz bag and K-Cups. Its packaging labels the roast date, so you can choose the freshest bag.

And most importantly, it is USDA organic Fairtrade certified, which means it is ethically farmed and grown without pesticides. 

The Death Wish Dark Roast has a medium-coarse grind size, making it a great choice for pour-over brewing and drip machines.

If you prefer a higher caffeine content, having double the amount with this Death Wish coffee is certainly appealing.

However, it is not suitable for everyone, especially if you are sensitive to caffeine. In that case, I recommend you don’t drink too much of it on your first try or avoid it entirely. 

If you need a decaf coffee for your afternoon coffee fix, see the No Fun Jo Decaf Ground Coffee up next. 

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5. No Fun Jo Decaf Ground Coffee – Best Decaf 

No Fun Jo Decaf Ground Coffee is a medium-dark decaf that is my top recommendation for those who want a great-tasting, organic coffee with zero caffeine.

No Fun Jo uses the Swiss Water Process to remove 99.9% of the caffeine content from this coffee. The Swiss Water Process uses water, temperature, and time to remove it. [1]

This process is chemical-free, which means it can maintain its USDA organic and Fairtrade certifications. Additionally, it has zero artificial sweeteners, additives, or flavorings.

Since it contains even lower levels of caffeine compared to other decaf coffees, it is a great choice for those sensitive to caffeine.

The No Fun Jo Decaf Ground Coffee has a distinctive flavor of blueberry and milk chocolate and comes in a 12 oz bag. Its smooth texture makes it easy to drink.

This coffee has a medium-coarse grind, which is suitable for various coffee brewing methods such as drip machines, French presses, cold brews, and pour-over.

The No Fun Jo Decaf Ground Coffee has a higher price compared to other decaf options, but its lower caffeine content, great taste, and organic certifications make it worth the extra cost.

Looking for a budget-friendly organic coffee instead? The Kicking Horse Coffee, Smart Ass, Medium Roast up next won’t break your bank. 

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6. Kicking Horse Coffee, Smart Ass, Medium Roast – Best Budget-Friendly 

Kicking Horse Coffee, Smart Ass, Medium Roast Grounds is a cost-effective and flavorful choice for those seeking affordable organic ground coffee.

This medium roast coffee has a rich aroma and flavor profile, with notes of tart red currant, sugar cane, and milk chocolate. It has a smooth taste and a honeyed berry body that pairs well with milk or creamer, or you can enjoy it black.

The coffee comes in a 10 oz bag and has a medium grind size, making it suitable for drip coffee, pour-over, or cold brew methods.

Kicking Horse Coffee’s Smart Ass Medium Roast Grounds are USDA-certified organic and Fairtrade-certified, which means it was ethically grown with environmental standards in mind.

The price is lower than other ground coffees, making it a good option for those on a budget. The packaging also clearly labels the roast date for freshness.

Kicking Horse Coffee sources Arabica beans from Africa, Central America, and South America and blends them into a diverse flavor profile.

One potential drawback is that it contains less coffee per bag, with a size of 10 oz, compared to other brands that offer sizes of 12-16 oz.

However, having a smaller amount of grounds could be advantageous as it may allow you to use it all before it becomes stale.

The Smart Ass medium roast coffee has distinct tasting notes of sweet syrup and vanilla bean. 

However, it may not be suitable for everyone, as some online reviewers have noted that it is too bitter for their preference.

If you prefer a whole bean coffee instead, the First Colony Organic Whole Bean Coffee is a great choice. 

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7. First Colony Organic Whole Bean Coffee, Peruvian Andes Gold – Best Whole Bean

The First Colony Organic Whole Bean Coffee, Peruvian Andes Gold coffee, is the top organic whole bean option because of its certifications and established relationships with small, sustainable farms.

The coffee is made from 100% Arabica beans that are grown in northern Peru on the slopes of the northeast Andes Mountains. It is a medium roast with a well-balanced combination of strength and flavor.

The Peruvian Andes Gold coffee is slightly sweet, and it pairs well with most creamers. It also tastes great black. 

Some people may find it too bland, but I personally find it flavorful. It’s possible that those individuals didn’t use enough grounds in their brewer or overpowered it with milk or creamers.

One potential downside of this coffee is that it comes in a large 24 oz bag. Thankfully, the bag is resealable to help maintain its freshness.

Lastly, this coffee is USDA-certified organic, Rainforest Alliance Certified, and has the highest certification possible for food safety and quality–level 3.

This means this First Colony coffee is one of the most organic and environmentally friendly coffees on the market today. 

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8. Cold Brew Organic Coarse Ground Coffee, Colombian Supremo, Dark Roast – Best For Cold Brew

The Cold Brew Organic Coarse Ground Coffee by Cold Brew Labs is the best organic coffee specifically made for cold brewing.

The coffee is a dark roast with subtle tasting notes of chocolate and nuts, and has a smooth texture. It is made from 100% Arabica, Colombian Supremo coffee beans.

This coarse-ground coffee is suitable for all cold brewing methods, including French presses (i.e., plungers), mason jars, and pitchers with a coffee filter.

The coffee is available in 16 oz and 32 oz bags that are nitrogen-sealed and have competitive prices compared to other brands. Additionally, it is certified USDA organic.

A potential drawback of this coffee is that you can easily overpower its subtle flavor with milk or cream. Unless you drink it black or with just a touch of cream, you may find it lacking in taste.

The Cold Brew Organic Coarse Ground Coffee is made from specialty, high-quality Columbian Sumpremo beans.

This Cold Brew Organic Coarse Ground Coffee is a highly affordable option for cold brewing.

If you prefer instant coffee instead, I suggest trying the VitaCup Perfect Low Acid Instant Coffee Packets instead. 

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9. VitaCup Perfect Low Acid Instant Coffee Packets, Dark Roast Coffee – Best Instant Coffee 

The VitaCup Perfect Low Acid Instant Coffee Packets is the best organic instant coffee because it comes in convenient single serving packets and is USDA-Organic and Fairtrade Certified. 

This is an instant coffee that comes in a pack of 24 single serve packets. It is quick and easy to use; just grab a packet, tear it open, and mix the contents with 8 oz of hot water. 

It is best for people who want ‌quick, organic coffee without the prep and cleanup involved with traditional brewing methods. 

This Vitacup coffee is more expensive than other instant coffees on the market.

However, since it is chemical-free, USDA organic, Fairtrade certified, and has no artificial ingredients, the extra cost is worth it. 

Additionally, it is a low acid coffee, which means it is better for people with sensitive stomachs. But some customers state it lacks flavor. 

Want a ready-to-drink organic coffee to eliminate prep time altogether? The Wandering Bear Straight Black Organic Cold Brew Coffee is my recommendation. 

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10. Wandering Bear Straight Black Organic Cold Brew Coffee – Best Ready-to-Drink Coffee

The Wandering Bear Straight Black Organic Cold Brew Coffee is the best ready-to-drink organic coffee because of its convenience, great taste, and certifications. 

It comes in a large, 32 oz container that holds five servings of cold brew coffee. It is shelf-stable before you open it and stays fresh for seven days in your fridge. 

However, you can drink it up to 30 days after opening, it just will be a bit stale. 

It is USDA certified organic and Fairtrade certified. Wandering Bear only uses 100% organic, high quality ingredients and uses ‌recyclable packaging. 

It has a higher than average caffeine level of 150 mg per glass, about the same as two shots of espresso. 

This is great if you like caffeine, but if you have a sensitivity, you should probably avoid this coffee. 

If you want a coffee concentrate instead, consider the Explorer Cold Brew Coffee Regular Caffeine Concentrate up next. 

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11. Explorer Cold Brew Coffee Regular Caffeine Concentrate – Best Coffee Concentrate 

The Explorer Cold Brew Coffee Regular Caffeine Concentrate is the best organic coffee concentrate because it is USDA organic, Fairtrade certified, and tastes great. 

It is a coffee concentrate, which means you add a small amount of it to hot or cold water to make your coffee beverage. 

Just mix one to two ounces of this Explorer concentrate with six to eight ounces of hot water or milk and stir. 

If you want it stronger, just add more concentrate to your water or milk. 

You can make a cold brew coffee with this concentrate in seconds, which is much faster than the overnight method for traditional cold brewing. 

Plus, you can use this Explorer Cold Brew coffee concentrate ‌in various baked desserts and ice creams. 

This is one of the most convenient ways to brew cold brews, but it is much more expensive than brewing it with whole beans or pre-ground coffee. 

That said, it does have a long shelf-life and it can make many servings of coffee depending on the ratio you use. 

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Organic/Mold-Free Coffee Buying Guide

Here are some factors to consider before purchasing ‌organic/mold-free coffee. For more details, read our complete coffee-buying guide.

What to Consider	Why it’s Important
Roast	You can get a light to dark roast organic coffee.
Coffee Type	Whole-bean coffee has a longer shelf life than pre-ground coffee, but you need to grind the beans yourself. There are also options of instant, ready-to-drink, and coffee concentrate available.
Grind Size	The grind size you need varies depending on the brewing method, such as French press, cold brew, drip, pour-over, espresso, Moka pot, etc.
The right type for your beverage	The taste of coffee is influenced by various factors such as the type of coffee bean, caffeine content, and growing region.
Certifications	Certifications such as USDA organic and Fairtrade are crucial to some.
Price/Budget	You can find affordable to expensive organic coffee. In general, it costs more than coffee without an organic certification.
Single vs. multi-origin	Single-origin coffee beans generally have a more consistent flavor than multi-origin beans.
Packaging/roast date	A recent roast or packaging date means the coffee is fresher.

Roast

The roast level of organic coffee ranges from blonde, light, medium, and dark. You can also find espresso roast organic coffee. 

Blonde and light roasts have the least intensity and can easily be overpowered by milk and creamers.

Medium roasts have balanced flavors and strength, making them a great option for brewing in drip machines, pour-over brewers, French presses, and cold brews.

Dark and espresso roasts have the boldest and strongest flavors and go best with espressos and cold brews. 

However, you can use any roast level for any brewing method. Some just go better together. 

The roast level you choose depends on your personal preferences, but here is what I recommend for each roast level.

Roast	Flavor	Best for
Light roast	Mild to medium	Coffee drinks
Medium roast	Medium	Coffee drinks, cold brew
Dark roast	Strong	Coffee and espresso drinks
Espresso roast	Very strong	Espresso drinks

Coffee Type

When choosing an organic coffee, your main options are whole beans or pre-ground coffee. However, you can find instant, concentrate, and ready-to-drink coffee that is organic as well. 

Whole beans have a longer shelf life after you open them, usually lasting up to four weeks. Grinding the beans yourself also results in fresher coffee and enhances the aroma in your home.

In contrast, pre-ground coffee is more convenient due to its easy measurement and immediate use in coffee brewers.

Using pre-ground coffee means less cleaning but has a shorter shelf life in comparison to grinding your own beans.

Instant coffee is an even more convenient option as it only requires adding it to hot water, stirring, and drinking. However, its taste and lower quality are often lacking.

Coffee concentrate can be a cost-effective and convenient choice as well. Just combine a small amount of it to hot or cold water and mix it together.

Ready-to-drink coffee, also known as bottled coffee, typically is the most expensive choice but requires no prep time at all. 

Coffee Type	Benefit	Drawback
Whole beans	Freshest possible coffee	More prep and cleaning time
Grounds	Less cleanup, cheaper	Goes stale faster
Instant	Fast prep time, affordable	Lacks in taste and flavor
Concentrate	Easy preparation	Shorter shelf life, expensive
Ready-to-drink	Zero prep time	Expensive

Grind Size

The grind size of organic coffee affects the brewing process by influencing the interaction between coffee grounds and hot water, affecting the speed and efficacy of the brewing.

The grind size directly impacts your coffee’s flavor and strength.

Smaller grind sizes make a stronger cup than coarse grind sizes.

Different brewing techniques require specific grind sizes. For example, French presses need coarse grinds, drip brewers need medium grinds, and espresso machines and Moka pots need fine grinds.

Using an incorrect grind size can lead to grounds ending up in your coffee or possibly causing damage to your brewer.

Read more about this in our coffee grind size guide. Here is the grind size I recommend for each brewing method.

Grind Size	Best for
Fine	Espresso machines and Moka Pots
Medium	Drip machines, cold brew, and pour over
Medium-coarse	Drip machines, pour over, cold brew, and French press
Coarse	French press and cold brew

Certifications

When choosing an organic coffee, you need to look for USDA Organic and Fair Trade certifications.

A USDA-certified organic coffee is free from artificial preservatives, flavors, colorings, or other additives.

Fairtrade means the coffee was sustainably farmed and sourced. It signifies that the farmers and communities involved were provided with fair compensation, assistance, and supervision.

A Rainforest Alliance certification ensures that there is no damage caused by the growing regions of the surrounding rainforests.

When selecting an organic coffee, I recommend you get one that holds these certifications to ensure a natural and ethical product.

Use the table below to review these certifications, and read our coffee certifications guide to learn even more.

Certifications	What it means
USDA Organic	Cruelty and chemical free and transported safely.
Fairtrade	Protects the farmers who grew the coffee beans.
4C Certification	Protects the farmers who grew the coffee beans.
Rainforest Alliance Certification	Ensures no deforestation.
Smithsonian Bird Friendly	Looks after the birds living in the coffee farms.

Price/Budget

When shopping for organic coffee, it is important to consider the price and quality.

In general, organic/mold-free coffee costs more than regular coffee.

Lower-quality coffee is generally priced lower, while higher-quality coffee is typically priced higher. However, there are occasional opportunities to find good deals.

A 12 oz bag of organic whole-bean coffee typically has a price range of $11 to $29, which can vary based on factors like quality and brand.

Type	Cost range per 6-oz cup of coffee (budget to high-quality)
Instant coffee	$0.13 to $0.25
Ready-to-drink coffee	$2 to $5 (per bottle)
Pre-ground coffee	$0.16 to $0.32
Single-origin whole-bean coffee	$0.32 to $0.54
Multi-origin whole-bean coffee	$0.22 to $0.41
Specialty pour over coffee	$0.29 to $0.51

Single-origin Vs. Multi-origin

One should consider the origin of organic coffee before making a purchase.

Single-origin coffees are produced by sourcing beans from only one country, region, or farm.

Single-origin coffees typically have consistent flavors and distinct tasting notes due to their focus on a specific variety of coffee beans and their growing region.

Single-origin coffees are typically pricier than blends from multiple regions but are sometimes cheaper.

In contrast, multi-origin coffees use beans that come from multiple locations, typically two or more countries or regions, and sometimes use two or more species of beans.

Due to the diverse origins and species of the beans, there is a wide range of combinations, resulting in a greater variety of flavors.

On the other hand, multi-origin blends may occasionally have inconsistent flavors and unappealing tastes, which generally makes them a more budget-friendly option.

Although it is easier to produce a single-origin organic coffee (since the roaster only has to work with one farm or one region), multi-origin organic coffees are common. 

Single Origin Coffee Benefits

Here are the advantages of single-origin coffee beans/grounds.

• Consistent flavor profiles and texture
• Robust tasting notes
• More strength and boldness

Multi-origin Coffee Benefits

Here are the advantages of using multi-origin/blended coffee beans/grounds.

• Typically cheaper
• Different combinations can make unique flavors
• Blended tasting notes

To learn more, see our complete guide on single-origins and coffee blends.

Packaging Date/Roast Date

When choosing organic coffee, it is necessary to consider the packaging and/or roasting date.

Some coffee brands include a packaging date or roast date on their packaging. Typically, the packaging date is the same as or one day after the roast date.

For optimal flavor and quality, I recommend getting an organic coffee that has been recently roasted.

When making an online purchase, it can be difficult to verify the packaging or roast date.

However, it is possible to contact the seller and politely request a newly produced batch instead of one that has been stored for a long time.

Best Brands

As you look for organic coffee, consider these top brands– Volcanica, Lifeboost, Kicking Horse, Deathwish, and Stumptown.

Every brand offers a range of organic coffee options, including whole-bean, pre-ground, instant, and ready-to-drink varieties, which are likely to cater to your personal taste preferences.

In addition, these brands can be found in almost all retailers, such as supermarkets, grocery stores, and online marketplaces such as Amazon.

Our Verdict

Here are my top 3 organic coffee recommendations. They all taste great, are certified organic, and make a pleasant brew.

• Our top choice, the Volcanica Sulawesi, Celebes Kalossi has wonderful cherry and maple syrup tasting notes and a great medium roast level. 
• The Stumptown Coffee Roasters Holler Mtn. Coffee is our second choice because of its rich flavors and widespread availability.
• The Lifeboost Coffee Espresso Ground Coffee is our top choice for espresso because it has low acidity and will surprise you with its unique flavors from its growing region in Nicaragua.