organic traveller coffee

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The Very Best Organic Coffee

In this article

• Best overall
• Best less-expensive
• Best citrusy flavor
• Best for versatile brewing methods
• Best medium roast
• Best low acidity
• Best with mushroom powder

From third-wave shops to monthly subscription services to well-stocked supermarket shelves, it’s never been easier to find a fresh cup of organic coffee . But what do you get when you pay for that certification? Katie Carguilo, coffee manager at Counter Culture Coffee, says buying organic means supporting the development of a more sustainable, petroleum-based-fertilizer-free growing environment where workers are exposed to less risk.

Choosing organic is not, however, a guarantee of a healthier or better-tasting cup of coffee . When synthetic pesticides are sprayed on the outside of a conventionally grown coffee tree, the bean, which is the seed of that tree’s fruit, is protected from harmful chemical exposure by both the fruit and inner husk, says Shauna Alexander, vice-president of coffee and sustainability at Stumptown. Both of these are removed during processing, and any lingering chemicals are burned off through roasting. As for taste, it would be nearly impossible to discern the difference between a cup of conventionally grown coffee and organic.

Still, buying the latter can be worth it if you care about the health of the planet and that of the workers who bring coffee from the farm to your cup. To find the best organic coffees , we consulted a panel of experts, including roasters, subscription-service providers, and Strategist staffers. Note: While all of these coffees are organic, they don’t all carry the commonly seen USDA seal. Some are certified by CCOF , others by OCIA . For each coffee, we’ve noted what the certification is.

What we’re looking for

The flavors of organic coffee are as wide-ranging as those of traditional coffee, from lightly roasted beans that are sweet, acidic, and fruity, to dark roasts with the rich flavor of chocolate and spices . We’ve described the type of roast (light to dark) and most prominent tasting notes of each coffee below.

While you might know the single easiest way to up the flavor of your coffee at home is to grind the beans just before brewing, for some, bagged ground coffee is just more realistic — especially during the week. We’ve noted what forms the coffees come in.

Most of these coffees come in the standard-issue 12-ounce size, which is enough to make about 16 cups of coffee at 12 fluid ounces each. For a cup-a-day drinker, that might be enough for about two weeks if you live alone. If you have multiple drinkers, you’ll want to buy a bigger bag — some brands, like Real Good Coffee Co., ship two-pound bags. One thing to note here: Unlike buying bagged coffee in person at a café or from a subscription service , buying bags online might mean you won’t always find a “roasted on” date (some buyers would rather know the roasted date as flavor tends to deteriorate the longer it sits).

Organic coffee doesn’t necessarily mean better taste — but it sure means a higher cost. The price range in our list runs from about 91 cents to over $3 per ounce for whole beans. While that might not sound like a lot of money, it can add up quickly for a one- (or three-) cup-a-day coffee drinker. Here, we’ve included the price per ounce for each pick.

Best overall organic coffee

Flavor: Medium roast with bittersweet chocolate and caramel notes | Bean type: Ground and whole bean | Bag size: 12-ounce, 18-ounce, or 5-pound bags | Price: From $1.25 per ounce

Stumptown was the only roaster mentioned twice by our experts, with the Holler Mountain blend taking the win, as it’s easier to find in stores and online. (Our other Stumptown pick, seen below, is only available at select Whole Foods.) But don’t let the ubiquity of this OCIA -certified blend fool you into thinking it’s a basic coffee. “It has some African coffee acidity and a caramelly base of a Central or South American coffee,” says Suyog Mody, co-founder of Driftaway Coffee in Brooklyn. “It tastes like a perfectly balanced roast.” And whether you like to switch between drip, pour-over , or espresso , the caramel and citrusy flavors come through with any method. Mody says he drinks this black most often to enjoy the sweet, almost berrylike notes, but “it would go well with some cream if needed, but it’s sweet enough that it doesn’t need sugar.”

Best (less expensive) organic coffee

Flavor: Dark roast with a punchy, earthy flavor | Bean type: Ground, whole bean, and Keurig pods | Bag size: 2-pound bags | Price: From $0.91 per ounce

I brewed a few cups with these dark, oily beans using the pour-over method and found the flavor to be rich and woodsy, with a touch of an acidic finish. This is a solid cup of strong coffee, especially if you like it black, and works well as an espresso and bold cold brew , too. USDA-certified organic, Real Good Coffee’s Arabica beans come in a two-pound bag, which is a plus if you have multiple drinkers in the house (though that might be a bit much for a single person to finish and still have fresh beans at the end). While dark roasted coffee can easily veer into burnt-tasting, Real Good’s flavor is balanced and a bit spicy, which you can temper with a sweetener. Overall, I was surprised by the value of this coffee as it was about 20 cents less per ounce than the next least-expensive option on this list.

In a previous version of this story, Real Good’s Organic Dark Roast was also named our best Arabica beans with a 4.5-star rating on Amazon and nearly 6,000 customer reviews, many of which call out that the blend doesn’t have a bitter taste. “Unlike the strong, harsh flavor of some popular coffee chains, this coffee is aromatic and has a nice, smooth taste,” one buyer says. “But it has enough caffeine to keep you going.” Note that while I tested the whole beans, if you’re not a fan of grinding at home , the Organic Dark Roast also comes ground or as a 36-pack of Keurig cups.

Best organic ground coffee

Flavor: Medium roast with citrus and caramel notes | Bean type: Ground and whole bean | Bag size: 12-ounce bags | Price: From $1.25 per ounce

For an option we do recommend ground, this fair-trade, USDA-certified Arabica blend is a mix of medium-roast and oilier Vienna roasted beans. “The beans are aromatic, rich, and flavorful with hints of bittersweet chocolate undertones and boasts a perfect blend of acidity,” says Miles Butler, co-owner of Philadelphia’s Many Hands Coffee Co. “It’s great coffee at a good price and a great cause,” Butler adds, citing that the company helps Mexican farmers deal with a coffee-leaf fungus, according to the roaster’s website . Equal Exchange is one of the few options that is easy to find offered as ground and whole-bean .

Best organic coffee with citrusy flavor

Flavor: Medium-light roast with a smooth, bright citrus flavor | Bean type: Whole bean | Bag size: 12-ounce, 24-ounce, and 5-pound bags | Price: From $1.12 per ounce

The ratio and types of beans that go into a bag of Counter Culture Coffee Apollo change throughout the year, depending on availability, but the goal is always the same: a bright, citrusy, and sweet Ethiopian coffee. And that’s exactly what Strategist senior editor Jen Trolio likes about it. “It’s very smooth and very agreeable with no bitterness,” she says. “I’d almost describe it as crisp.” Certified by CCOF , the Arabica coffee is darker than most single-origin beans but still considered a medium-light roast. Counter Culture also offers this blend in a range of sizes, making it easier to dial in how much your household goes through.

Best organic coffee for versatile brewing methods

Flavor: Light roast with fruit-forward flavor | Bean type: Whole beans | Bag size: 12-ounce bags | Price: From $3.33 per ounce

This USDA-certified, whole-bean blend is a favorite of Tom Saxon, co-founder of Batch Coffee roasters in the U.K. “The Bright blend is a great coffee across the board because it’s roasted to just short of medium, so it performs well in any brew method,” says Saxon, who uses it for everything from espresso to a cup of pour-over. “It’s a blend that still has the balance and depth to extract a delicious velvety espresso that cuts through milk while also producing a bright and complex cup of brewed as a pour-over.” From East Africa, the coffee has a fruity taste, with what Blue Bottle identifies as hints of blueberry, lemon zest, and raisin.

Best organic coffee with medium roast

Flavor: Medium to dark roast with full-body flavor | Bean type: Whole bean | Bag size: 12-ounce bags | Price: From $1.33 per ounce

If you’re a Whole Foods shopper, you might recognize this bag, which is usually on store shelves (though it’s not as widely available as our best overall pick, Stumptown’s Holler Mountain). “I would say it’s a darker roast but still on the light-to-medium side,” Trolio says. “And I usually avoid anything labeled ‘dark roast’ and stick to lighter ones whenever possible.” Certified by OCIA, this coffee has a full-bodied taste that feels a little thicker when you drink it, Trolio says, which would be ideal for those who hate weak, watery coffee. The Ethiopian coffee is smooth, with an almost tea -like floral aroma and background notes of honey and citrus.

Best organic coffee with low acidity

Flavor: Medium roast with butterscotch flavor | Bean type: Ground, whole bean, and instant coffee | Bag size: 12-ounce bags | Price: From $2.33 per ounce

Lifeboost offers a bean with low acidity that doesn’t skimp on complex flavor. “The coffee comes out tasting sweet — think caramelly, butterscotchy, and chocolaty,” says Jordan Resenacker, co-founder of Atlas Coffee Club. “It has a little bit of roasted-nut and milk-chocolate notes to it, and if there’s any acidity, it’s a touch similar to what you’d find in a red apple or pear.” The Arabica beans are grown in Nicaragua and are USDA-certified. [Editor’s note: Lifeboost’s instant-coffee Go Bags are out of stock.]

And as a less expensive option at just over $1 per ounce, try Subtle Earth Organic Gourmet Coffee’s medium-dark roast , which took the title of best low-acid organic coffee beans in a previous version of this story, with many reviewers praising its smooth, flavorful taste. One avid coffee-drinker who tries to “stay away from coffees that are overly acidic or fruity” says this is the best one he’s found so far, calling his purchase “a complete win, and I am seriously enjoying every cup of coffee I’ve had from it.”

Best organic coffee beans with mushroom powder

Flavor: Dark roast with notes of dark chocolate and nuts | Bean type: Ground, whole bean, and coffee pods | Bag size: 12-ounce bags |  Price: From $1.64 per ounce

“What I love about this coffee is the rich, not acidic flavor, that is almost chocolaty,” says Strategist senior writer Liza Corsillo. “It doesn’t give me the jitters like other drip coffees do.” Four Sigmatic adds two mushroom powders — lion’s mane and chaga — to its dark-roasted, USDA-certified organic Arabica beans. While the flavor tastes like traditional coffee, those two powders can help reduce stress , boost your immune system, support memory, and increase energy levels, according to the Cleveland Clinic . In a previous version of this story, one Amazon reviewer supports the claim of better focus, writing that they feel “more aware” and adding that “it tastes good and is easier on my stomach than normal coffee.”

Some more coffee we’ve written about

Our experts

• Miles Butler, co-owner of Many Hands Coffee Co. • Liza Corsillo, Strategist senior writer • Suyog Mody, co-founder of Driftaway Coffee • Jordan Rosenacker, co-founder of Atlas Coffee Club • Tom Saxon, co-founder of Batch Coffee • Jen Trolio, Strategist senior editor

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Today’s Top Clicked

Best Organic Coffee (Top 11 Picks)

Fluent In Coffee is reader-supported. We may earn a small commission if you buy via links on our site.  Learn more . 

In a hurry? Our top pick for the best organic coffee is Lifeboost Optimist Light Roast .

If you want to really taste the nuances in your coffee, organic is the way to go.

Plus, then you avoid adding harmful chemicals to your diet!

If you’re ready to jump on board the organic coffee train, keep reading. I’ve rounded up the best organic coffee brands so that you can start sipping on a morning brew you love. 

Let’s get to it! 

Table of Contents

Best Organic Coffee In 2022 (Top 11 Picks) 

• Lifeboost Optimist Light Roast   (Best Overall)
• Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Coffee (Best for Experienced Coffee Drinkers)
• Kicking Horse Three Sisters (Best Budget Blend)
• Death Wish Organic Dark Roast (Best Dark Roast)
• Cameron’s Coffee Organic French Roast (Best for Espresso Drinkers)
• Subtle Earth Don Pablo Light Roast (Best for Light Roast Lovers)
• Tiny Footprint Organic Cold Brew Coffee (Best for Cold Brew)
• Camano Island Roasters Organic Sumatra Dark Roast (Best for Beginner Coffee Drinkers)
• Marley Coffee Organic One Love Ethiopian YirgaCheffe (Best for Drip Coffee Drinkers)
• Real Good Coffee Company – Dark Roast   (Best Premium Coffee)
• Java Planet – Colombian Medium-Dark Roast (Best Aroma)

1. Lifeboost Optimist Light Roast   

Lifeboost Optimist Light Roast is a richly flavored coffee with a subtle acidity.

Lifeboost coffee is grown under shade and in a humid environment. Thanks to this cultivation method, the coffee’s moisture remain intact.

These beans are irrigated with spring water and dried in the sun, which gives them a bright flavor .

This organic coffee is rich in antioxidants and is USDA-certified. This certification guarantees that there are no pesticides, toxins, or heavy metals. The beans are also picked by hand to guarantee quality of the bean.

The flavor of these coffee beans is simultaneously smooth and bold. It has a medium body.

The light roasting of this bean keeps the coffee’s natural flavors. That makes it super tasty, especially if you prefer to drink your coffee black.

Speaking of drinking your coffee black, the downside to this roast is that it’s actually not great with milk. Because it’s such a light roast, you lose the flavor of the beans when you start adding milk and sugar.

• Although it’s a light roast, it’s lower in acidity, so it’s good for people who like low-acid coffee
• They’re non-GMO, so there are no plant modifications in them
• Single-origin, so you get to experience a lot of subtle tasting notes
• They’re lightly roasted, so you can taste the coffee’s natural flavors
• They’re lightly roasted, so they don’t pair well with milk and sugar

2. Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Coffee, Organic

The beans used in Ethiopian Yirgacheffee Coffee are unique because they’re cultivated from wild Arabica coffee trees.

The plants are grown at elevations between 1,700 and 2,200 meters above sea level. 

Actually, these beans are considered to come from the best high-altitude crops in southern Ethiopia. Since high altitude coffee beans have fuller, richer flavors, I’d say that’s a pretty good reason to buy them!

The flavor of this coffee is smooth with fruity hints of lemon, blueberries, and blackberries that please the palate. The light-medium roast of this blend allows the winey and fruity flavor tones to come through at their best.

This coffee has a bright acidity, which results in a complex flavor.

The only downside to these beans is their aroma. Even though it’s complex, it tends to be on the weaker side.

One thing that’s cool about these beans is that they’re roasted on a made-to-order basis. This ensures that the coffee arrives as fresh as possible to maintain the high quality of the beans.

It should be noted that its quality packaging guarantees a longer shelf-life for these beans.

• They’re harvested at high elevations, so you get a premium bean
• Has a complex flavor, so you get some very nuanced flavors in your coffee
• Roasts on a made-to-order basis, so the coffee stays as fresh as possible
• It has a light to medium body, so it’s great for beginner coffee drinkers

Cons  

• The aroma is a bit weak, so your coffee’s scent lacks power

3. Kicking Horse Coffee Three Sisters 

Kicking Horse’s Three Sisters blend is an incredibly aromatic coffee. The fragrance of this coffee is toasted coconut, sweet nuts, and chocolate malt.

At first, it may seem strong, but after two or three cups, you get used to it and fall in love with the bold taste.

In the medium roast of Three Sisters, there are almost imperceptible hints of bitterness. What you can feel from this blend is its acidity, but it’s not too strong.

The flavors of these beans are woody and earthy. As for the body of these beans, it’s pretty well-rounded and has a strong mouthfeel.

And of course, a nice perk of these beans is that they’re pretty affordable for an organic blend. Even if you’re on a budget, you can still enjoy these beans.

I like the packaging design because it references the trio from the Canadian Rockies. Despite the cool design, the packaging isn’t resealable, so I recommend using an airtight container to store the coffee beans. 

• Fairtrade certified, so it’s ethically grown coffee
• Has a powerful aroma, so you get a rich-smelling cup of coffee
• There is no bitterness in the drink, so it’s a good pick for those that like smoother coffee
• Has a strong mouth-feel, so you get a well-rounded cup of coffee
• The bags aren’t resealable, so you can lose the aroma pretty quickly

4. Death Wish Organic Dark Roast 

Death Wish coffee brand claims to have the strongest coffee in the world. To be honest, I was afraid to try this coffee because I thought it would taste too strong and bitter, but I was wrong!

This coffee is a blend of Arabica and Robusta beans. The flavor of these coffee beans is surprisingly smooth and not overly bitter. It can be enjoyed at any time of the day.

Despite the powerful flavor, you’ll still notice nuances associated with earthy aromas. A few of these include tobacco, damp earth, cherry, and dark chocolate.

As you might have guessed from the name, this blend’s caffeine content is at least double that of other types of coffee. So, it’s good for starting the day with an extra kick of energy. 

However, that’s not great for individuals with heart problems. Plus, the roast date isn’t listed on the bag. So, you can’t guarantee the beans’ freshness.

• Has a high caffeine content, so you get a big energy boost for your day
• The bitterness is almost imperceptible, so you get a strong cup of coffee without it being overpowering
• Great value for the price, so it’s a good pick for those on a budget
• They’re low acidity coffee beans, so it’s great for those who like smooth coffees
• It’s high in caffeine, so it’s not ideal for people who have heart problems or caffeine-sensitivity
• It doesn’t say the date of roasting on its packaging, so it’s unclear how fresh the beans are

5. Cameron’s Coffee Organic French Roast 

Cameron’s Organic French Roast is made of 100% Arabica beans which provide a wide variety of aromas. 

The coffee beans are dark, moist, fresh, and easy to grind.

This coffee is handpicked and roasted in batches. Because of that, you get a super consistent roast. 

As for the aroma, I can say that it’s very rich. The flavor of this coffee has hints of nutty and caramel flavor. 

What’s not so great about this blend is that its two flavored varieties, vanilla and hazelnut, feel very artificial. Even though they claim to be organic, the taste might suggest otherwise.

Also, the brand doesn’t specify the coffee’s growing region. While that’s not essential, it can leave you to wonder exactly where the beans were sourced from.

• Is a robust coffee, so you get a full-bodied brew
• Has a rich crema, so it works well for espresso
• Has a super smooth texture, so it feels great in the mouth
• Is hand-roasted, so you get an even and high-quality roast
• The hazelnut and vanilla flavor varieties feel pretty artificial, so it’s best to skip the flavored blends
• The growing region isn’t specified, so it’s hard to tell where your coffee is sourced from

6. Subtle Earth Don Pablo Light Roast 

Subtle Earth Organic Coffee is a great option for those who want a positive impact on our environment. It’s made with 100% Arabica beans grown in the region of Honduras. Its beans are grown under the shade and at high altitudes.

This product is USDA and CCOF-certified, so you’re definitely getting an all-natural coffee blend.

What’s cool about this coffee is its production method. To fertilize the coffee, they use the fruit that separates from the coffee bean. Thanks to that, the brew has a bold flavor and a full body with subtle fruity notes.

Other notes you can taste include dark chocolate, caramel, cocoa, and honey. Plus, the beans are slightly caramelized, which gives the lightly roasted beans a sweet aftertaste.

The one thing to note about this coffee is that experts have complained its quality has decreased in recent years. So, it might not be as premium a pick as some of the other organic blends out there.

• Roasted to order in small batches, so you get fresh coffee
• They’re lightly roasted beans, so you get a sweet aftertaste
• The coffee’s fertilization process is natural, so it brings out fruity flavors in the beans
• GMO-free, so there are no additives or chemical processes involved
• The quality has decreased in recent years, so it’s not as premium as some other organic blends

7. Tiny Footprint Organic Cold Brew Coffee

If you love cold brew coffee, you might want to look into Tiny Footprint’s Organic Cold Brew Coffee blend.

Tiny Footprint shade-grows its beans that are 100% Arabica from Ethiopia. It’s certified organic and fair trade. It’s also the only company in the world that produces carbon-negative coffee!

In case you’re not sure what that is, it means that the company produces less than zero carbon waste when producing coffee.

Apart from this, the brand contributes to the Mindo Cloudforest Foundation with each sale of coffee made. This means that with the profits, the reforestation of the Cloud Forest in Mindo, Ecuador, is helped.

In terms of taste, this coffee has distinctive notes of walnut, blueberry jam, apple, caramel, and chocolate. It has a sweet flavor that balances very well with the notes already mentioned.

Unfortunately, despite the balanced flavor, the coffee has a weak aroma. If you love that rich coffee scent in the morning, this coffee isn’t the best pick.

• The brand uses carbon-negative production processes, so it’s super environmentally friendly
• The flavors are sweet and subtle, so it’s perfect for cold brew
• The company donates to the Mindo Cloudforest Foundation, so it gives back to the community
• Consists of 100% Arabica beans, so you get a very pure flavor
• Low in aroma, so you won’t get a rich-smelling brew

8. Camano Island Roasters Organic Sumatran Dark Roast 

Camano Island Roasters only produce organic coffee, so they’re a brand you can trust if it’s chemical-free brews you’re after.

This particular roast is a robust coffee with a great repertoire of fruit flavors and light touches of smoked notes and caramel. The body is complex, and the aroma is reminiscent of dried fruits and nuts.

This coffee tastes sweet and persistent, and the beans have a low acidity level. It’s an ideal option for those who are newly entering the world of coffee and aren’t used to strong, intense flavors.

To guarantee the roast’s freshness, the product gets shipped out 48 hours after roasting. Plus, since they’re certified special-grade beans, you get a super high-quality brew.

The downside to this coffee is that it’s pretty low in caffeine. If you’re after a morning pick-me-up, this isn’t the best choice.

• Single-origin, so you can really taste the flavors in each cup
• Shipping within 48 hours after bean roasting, so you get a fresh brew
• The beans are the top 1% special grade, so they’re premium beans
• The flavors are smooth and balanced, so it’s great for those who are new to coffee drinking
• It’s low in caffeine, so it’s not ideal for those who want a caffeine kick in the morning

9. Marley Coffee Organic One Love Ethiopian YirgaCheffe 

Bob Marley’s legacy inspired this organic coffee blend. The coffee is grown sustainably and ethically and is sourced 100% from Ethiopia. 

The beans are roasted by hand before being shipped out as pre-ground or whole beans. They’re always sent in environmentally-friendly packaging. 

Another cool thing about this coffee is that it has the British Soil Association Organic certification. This certification handles reviewing even the smallest detail of the coffee beans, from the farm where it was grown to the packaging used. 

The flavor of this coffee is so smooth that it glides across the palate, producing a very pleasant sensation. The flavor notes that One Love possesses are fruity, wine, and aromatic.

 Due to its medium body, this is a great pick if you enjoy drip coffee.

The only problem with the blend is that it expires quickly. As a result, you’ll need to drink it about 3 weeks after opening a bag.

• Perfect for drip coffee
• Its packaging is organic and doesn’t contain any type of transgenics
• It has a medium body with fruity, aromatic, and wine nuances
• Subtle scent
• Expires quickly, so you should drink it within 3 weeks of opening it

10. Real Good Coffee Dark Roast 

Real Good Coffee’s Dark Roast is made from 100% Arabica beans sourced from Sumatra. They’re quite strong, so they can be quite bitter for those who are not used to a strong taste. 

This dark roast is rich and smooth where you can feel toasty hints of bell pepper, lemon, and cedar. That’s a lot of variety, especially if you’re already an avid coffee fan.

Their beans are roasted on small sustainable farms. The beans of this coffee are suitable for most coffee machines, such as a French press, espresso machine, and drip machine, among others.

The beans also come in recyclable containers for a positive contribution to the planet. Although that’s not a must-have when bean shopping, it’s certainly a nice perk!

The downside here is that these beans don’t specify their roasting date. That means they don’t have a great freshness guarantee.

• It’s a full-bodied bean, so it pairs well with milk and flavor additives
• Made from 100% Arabica beans, so you get a balanced brew
• Single-origin, so you can really taste the nuances of the beans
• Packaging made with 100% recyclable materials, so you can give back to the environment
• It doesn’t specify the roasting date of the bean, so you can’t be sure how fresh they are

11. Java Planet Colombian Medium-Dark Roast 

Java Planet’s Colombian Medium Dark Roast beans are grown under the shade of guava and banana trees on bird-friendly farms. Because the beans are grown in higher altitudes, they have a better shelf life.

They use 100% Arabica beans which have floral and chocolate notes. The flavor is pretty intense, with a high level of caffeine. Despite that, they’re not very acidic.

When tasting these beans, you can feel a flavor of allspice at the beginning. As the flavor evolves, you feel dark chocolate with a subtle touch of walnut at the end.

These hints are mixed with a smoky and nutty aroma. As a result, you get a complex taste that’s great for coffee pros.

The downside to this coffee is that it’s pretty heavy on the tongue. This can make it a bit heartier than some people might want.

• Has a rich aroma, so you get a potent-smelling cup of joe
• Balanced and complex flavor profile, so it’s great for coffee connoisseurs
• Acidity levels are minimal, so it’s smooth on your palate
• Roasted in small batches, so you get an even and consistent roast
• Has a heavy texture, so it can be a bit weighty on the tongue

Choosing the Best Organic Coffee: A Complete Buying Guide

In this sea of organic coffee beans, there are always some better than others.

To help you weed out the best from the rest, there are a few things to keep in mind. Here’s what to look for when selecting the best organic coffee brand for you.

Trusted Certification

There are different organic standards that many people have not even heard of. Standards may also vary depending on where the coffee is grown.

For example, in the US, the standards for certification are set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) .

If your coffee has the “USDA certified organic” label, then you know that the product contains at least 95 percent pure ingredients. This doesn’t include water or salt.

Many coffee producers ( such as Lifeboost coffee ), built their branding around these standards. It serves to show they’re dedicated to making their coffee as healthy as possible.

Many people believe that organic coffee beans are 100% free of pesticides, but the truth is that this is not completely prohibited. Pest control mechanisms and natural fertilizers can still be used.

Although the USDA certification is one of the most popular, it’s not the only one out there. There are also OCIA International and Quality Assurance International (QAI) , to name a few.

Organic coffee growers also have to meet the standards of the countries where their coffee will be marketed and sold.

IN A NUTSHELL When shopping for coffee, look into the certifications of the country you’re sourcing your beans from. That way, you make sure you’re getting organic coffee beans that really are up to snuff.

Another thing to think about when shopping for organic beans is the roast. You see, organic coffee must be roasted in a roaster that only produces organic beans.

This is because if it has been used with non-organic products, there could be chemical residues that are transferred to the organic coffee.

Another difference is that in an organic roaster, you cannot add any substance to improve the performance of the roaster. No additives or other chemicals are added during the roasting process .

Of course, you’ll also want to think about the type of roast as per your preferences. The most common types of regular coffee roasts include:

• Light roast : In this type of roasting, the coffee bean is cinnamon in color and has no oil on the surface. It’s ideal for filter coffee machines. It has a pronounced acidity and highlights the original flavors, such as fruit and herbs. It’s higher in caffeine than a dark roast if measured by volume.
• Medium roast : The bean, at this point, has a darker hue, and it makes a balanced brew.. Similarly, with this type of roasting, the beans don’t have oil on the surface. This type of coffee is perfect for filter coffee machines as well as for espresso machines.
• Dark roast : The color is almost black and shiny due to the heavy amount of oils present on the surface. It’s the most suitable for espresso machines. It has notes of chocolate or cocoa. There will be more bitterness.

IN A NUTSHELL When choosing the roast, think about what type of coffee profile you’re looking for. That way, you’ll be able to pick beans that suit your palate.

Ground vs Whole Bean

Another factor to think about when hunting down the perfect coffee beans is whether you want ground or whole beans.

Ground coffee is the most consumed because it saves us a lot of time when preparing our cup of morning coffee. If you have a grinder at home , then you will probably opt out for a pre-ground coffee.

Thanks to vacuum packaging, many coffees can retain their aromas and flavors. Beyond that, ground coffee is the cheapest option.

On the other hand, whole-bean coffee stays fresh for much longer. And, since you’ll grind them right before brewing your coffee, you get a much stronger aroma.

IN A NUTSHELL If you already have a grinder, the answer is simple: whole coffee beans are probably best. On the other hand, pre-ground beans are likely the best choice if you don’t have a grinder or are in a hurry.

The best organic coffee is definitely the Lifeboost Optimist Light Roast . This blend is organic, USDA-certified, and heavy in antioxidants.

Besides that, the coffee’s light roast and low acidity make it ideal for both beginner and advanced coffee drinkers!

Of course, if you decide not to go with this coffee, that’s up to you. Just make sure to look at the certifications, roast, and grind when hunting down organic coffee in the grocery store.

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The Best Travel-Friendly Instant Coffee

By Andrea Whittle

All products featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

I noticed a trend in my email inbox recently. Over the course of a week, I received a slew of pitches about "travel-friendly" coffee, each of them in a different form: a ready-made espresso shot, a fancy-sounding instant coffee, a combination French press thermos, a vacuum-sealed cold brew pitcher, even a portable single-serving pour over device. And since I've had my fair share of lukewarm, metallic-tasting airplane coffee over the years, I was intrigued. What is "travel-friendly" coffee? Would it be worth taking on my next trip? And is it actually... good ?

To find out, I arranged a taste test with a group of Condé Nast Traveler staffers. We limited ourselves to coffee products that are truly simple, small, and lightweight enough to add to a typical backpack or tote—no overly complicated, bulky, or heavy options allowed. Still, there was a huge variety of travel-friendly options: Forto espresso shots, Dripkit pour over packets, and even a Nescafé instant latte that's made in Malaysia and is a top seller on Amazon. Here, the highly unscientific but undeniably useful results of our deep dive into the best travel-friendly coffees.

The All-Around Winner: Joe Specialty Instant Coffee

How does it taste? We tried it both hot and iced (the crystals dissolve instantly no matter the water temperature) and both versions were better than most of regular coffee you would encounter anywhere. It was a perfect analogue to the real deal, served at Joe locations around New York City: Bright, a little fruity, and very strong. We were honestly floored by how delicious it is.

Would you travel with it? Absolutely. It comes in thin brown paper sachets—which one editor noted were the only biodegradable option of the bunch—and they're basically weightless. You could easily throw a week's worth of these in your bag and not notice the difference.

Could you make it on a plane? Yep, easily. I could see myself adding a sachet to one of those mini water bottles they give you, shaking it up a little, and pouring it over ice.

Is it better than airplane coffee? Far superior. By orders of magnitude.

What situation is it ideal for? Airplanes, hotels with crappy coffee machines, bus trips, train rides, you name it.

Buy it: $19 for a pack of six, amazon.com

The Millennial-est Option: Dripkit Pour Over Packets

How does it taste? Very good! This portable pour over kit packs flat but folds out into a filter pre-filled with ground coffee. It makes a delicious, smooth, not-at-all bitter cup, though it's a little on the weaker side in terms of flavor. Dripkit will offer a rotating selection of single-origin beans every couple of months; the one we tried out was from a family farm in Guatemala.

Would you travel with it? Yeah! Each pre-filled filter comes in a slim packet about the size of a ten-pack of wet wipes.

Could you make it on a plane? No, unless you’re willing to ask the flight attendant to hang around your seat to pour three rounds of boiling water over your little cup. (Please don’t do that.)

Is it better than airplane coffee? Yes—but you can't really make it on a plane.

What situation is it ideal for? It's solid option for coffee snobs who end up in a hotel room without a coffee machine.

Buy it: $28 for a pack of 10, dripkit.coffee

The Amazon Bestseller: Nescafé Malaysia 3 in 1 Instant Coffee Sticks

How does it taste? This one stumped us all. This imported Malaysian variety of Nescafé is the best-selling instant coffee on Amazon, but it barely tastes like coffee; it's somewhere in between Ovaltine and a very weak latte. One editor called it "comforting," but the consensus was that it's sweet, slightly malty, and thick.

By Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner

By Madison Flager

By Melissa Liebling-Goldberg

By Paris Wilson

Would you travel with it? Sure. Easy to throw a few sachets in a backpack.

Could you make it on a plane? Yes, all you need is hot water and a stirrer.

Is it better than airplane coffee? If you like your coffee milky and sweet, absolutely.

What situation is it ideal for? Airplanes, or anytime you need something that tastes like a warm hug.

Buy it: $13 for a bag of 28, amazon.com

The Most Understated: Tandem Coffee Time and Temperature

How does it taste? Truly delicious. It's hard to believe how good this coffee tasted after just adding water.

Would you travel with it? Absolutely.

Could you make it on a plane? Yep, just ask for some hot water.

Is it better than airplane coffee? 100 percent.

What situation is it ideal for? It's great for making a quick cup of coffee on the airplane or in a hotel room, but it's also good to keep on hand for whenever you need a caffeine boost (and hot water is nearby).

Buy it: $15 for a box of six, tandemcoffee.com

The Goop -iest Option: Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee

How does it taste? Like coffee that you made in a vessel that you had previously used for miso soup. Funky. But not... terrible either? Another Amazon bestseller, it's a combination of organic instant coffee and powdered Cordyceps and Chaga mushrooms, which are very in as supplements right now.

Would you travel with it? Yes, if I were Gwyneth Paltrow.

Could you make it on a plane? Yes, all you need to add is hot water.

Is it better than airplane coffee? No.

What situation is it ideal for? Wellness fanatics in transit.

Buy it: $12 for a box of 10, amazon.com

The Mass Appeal Pick: Starbucks VIA Instant Pike Place Roast

How does it taste? Like your average cup of Starbucks: not amazing, but solid. Works as well iced as hot, too.

Would you travel with it? Yes.

Could you make it on a plane? Yes!

Is it better than airplane coffee? It's maybe a tiny bit better.

What situation is it ideal for? Since it tastes about as good as an average cup of airplane coffee, I'd say this would be good for long bus rides or train rides.

Buy it: $6 for a box of eight, amazon.com

Uncategorizable: Forto Espresso Shots

How does it taste? It comes in regular (sweetened and unsweetened), vanilla latte, mocha chocolate latte and Hershey’s chocolate latte. The regular is potent, and the rest are so cloyingly sweet that they pack more punch than a Frappuccino. One editor's scathing take: "It tasted like it was coffee made in a lab, if the only materials the scientists had on hand were various grades of jet fuel."

Would you travel with it? Maybe? Each pre-prepared shot comes in a two-ounce plastic cup, with a rigid plastic lid and a peel-off seal. (Each is also stamped with a perky, coffee-related slogan like “expresso yourself” or “take your best shot.”) At two ounces each, they do meet TSA restrictions on liquids, though you'd have to pack them in the same plastic bag as the rest of your toiletries.

Could you make it on a plane? Trick question: They're already good to go.

Is it better than airplane coffee? If you like your coffee very strong and very sweet, yes.

What situation is it ideal for? Whenever you're on the move with no access to hot water and you need a sugary caffeine kick.

Price: $12 for a pack of six, amazon.com

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10 Best Organic Coffee Brands 2024 – Top Picks & Reviews

There is nothing better than drinking that first cup of morning coffee with a clean conscience. One way to do this is to buy organic coffee, which is environmentally friendly and may be healthier for you and your family.

Coffee is often grown in environmentally sensitive places, so organic growing techniques can help maintain healthy local populations of wildlife while also maintaining a healthy environment.

Keeping that in mind, we wrote some reviews of different kinds of organics you might run across while looking to purchase coffee. We included a guide to give you a better idea of what to look for.

• Comparison of Our Favorite Brands in 2024:

The 10 Best Organic Coffee Brands:

• 1. Lifeboost Dark Roast Coffee – Top Pick

The best Organic coffee we’ve tasted is Lifeboost Coffee’s Dark Roast . These beans aren’t just Organic — they’re also single-origin, mycotoxin- and pesticide-free, and shade-grown in the mountains of Nicaragua.

It’s an impressive coffee variety, and the flavor doesn’t disappoint either. We found this dark roast smooth, low-acid, and easy on the stomach, while maintaining plenty of rich, chocolatey flavor. It’s not overly dark and there isn’t a hint of bitterness.

The only downside is how dangerously drinkable this tasty coffee is — and the high price. These are gourmet coffee beans, and the cost reflects that. Still, Lifeboost’s coffee is delicious, smooth, and healthy .

All in all, Lifeboost’s dark roast coffee is the best organic coffee available this year.

• Outstanding flavor
• Organic, single-origin, mycotoxin- and pesticide-free
• Smooth, low-acid, and very drinkable
• No bitterness
• Fairly expensive
• 2. Bulletproof The Original Ground Coffee Gourmet Organic Beans – Top Ground Coffee Pick

Bulletproof Premium Medium Roast isn’t just a coffee, although it is our choice for best organic ground coffee. Paired with the ghee from grass-fed cows and octane oil, it’s more of a coffee system. The only thing you do is make the coffee according to your preferred method and enjoy yourself.

You’re also going to pay for it. It’s one of the pricier cups of coffee available. It isn’t enough that it’s going to scare us away. In fact, as we progress, we’ll meet some coffees priced high enough to make this look like a bargain–basement deal.

• Superior flavor
• Clean aftertaste
• Rainforest Alliance Certified
• 3. Café Don Pablo Decaf Swiss Water Process Colombian Coffee – Top Decaf Pick

It’s no mystery why we made Café Don Pablo’s Colombian Gourmet Coffee our top decaf pick. It’s got excellent flavor and consistently delivers it. That’s a great achievement for a decaf coffee. It’s also full of body.

Unlike a lot of other decafs , this one was processed with water, not chemical solvents. Also unlike a lot of decafs, it’s not the most expensive coffee on the shelf. It’s a pretty good value.

It is decaf, so if you’re looking for a regular coffee, this one isn’t that. The bags are also not vacuum sealed, so even though these are whole beans and not grounds, you’ll want to transfer them to a storage container as soon as you get it to maintain maximum freshness.

• Full-bodied
• Chemical-free processing
• Good flavor for decaf
• Bags not vacuum sealed
• 4. Kicking Horse Coffee “Kick Ass”

Growth in the coffee market has created a lot of space for creative naming. It’s great that Kicking Horse Coffee thought to give the name Kick Ass to one. This is a great coffee, and could easily compete for one of our top spots. It’s got a great, rich flavor accentuated with just a tinge of smokiness.

We also think it would make an outstanding cold brew. The problem is that it comes pre-ground for drip machines. That means more of the grounds would leak through a filter cylinder and into your coffee in most systems. Because it can’t live up to its full potential, we couldn’t give it either of our top spots for regular coffee.

• Good flavor
• Ground coffee
• 5. Death Wish Ground Coffee The World’s Strongest Coffee

Death Wish isn’t exactly branded to be an everyday coffee. If it were, the company might not suggest that you drink it at your peril. But we get that it goes with the marketing gimmick that it’s the world’s strongest coffee. We kind of suspect that’s not the case, but it doesn’t matter because this is one good cup of coffee.

It’s a dark roast, so it doesn’t quite have the caffeine of a light or medium roast. What it does have is a rich, robust flavor that doesn’t have the bitterness of less masterful roasting.

It’s expensive, probably one of the most expensive coffees available, so you’re paying for that excellence. Also, we suspect, for a bit of the branding.

• Money-back guarantee
• 6. Equal Exchange Organic Ground Coffee

Equal Exchange makes a lot of different coffees, from light roasts to dark. We split the difference between the two and looked at its Breakfast Blend, a medium roast.

Its two best traits are that it’s 100 percent Arabica beans, which means it’s a good low-acid option for people who have stomach issues, and its price. With Equal Exchange, you can get some pretty good coffee at a pretty good price. We’re talking potentially half what you’d pay for Death Wish, the highest reasonably priced coffee we evaluated.

There are some trade–offs. While it’s a good-tasting coffee, it’s not a flavor that will make you sit up and yell. The other thing is that while you can get whole beans from Equal Exchange, this one is pre-ground. Pre-ground beans lose their freshness much more quickly than whole beans. That might not be a big deal if you grind your own beans at the store, but there’s no guarantee when they are packaged ground.

• Great value
• Pre-ground coffee
• Less flavorful
• 7. AmazonFresh Organic Fair Trade Peru Ground Coffee

Amazon does well with just about everything it touches, and its K-cups have a pretty good reputation, so we were intrigued by how it’d do with ground coffee.

Like the Equal Exchange, the Peru Ground Coffee is 100 percent Arabica beans, so it’s low acid and suitable for people with mild stomach issues. Like that one, it’s also a flavorful coffee that here has to compete against some stellar opposition. It’s not down here at seventh because it’s bad. It’s here because the first six are just that good.

One drawback is that because it’s an Amazon product, it has a limited distribution network. Equal Exchange, by contrast, you can buy at lots of places beyond just through Prime. Depending on how long it’d take Prime to get the AmazonFresh coffee to you, you‘d better have faith that you won’t run out for up to two days.

• Limited distribution
• 8. The Organic Coffee Co. Ground

If we have something positive to say about a product, we like to start our reviews saying it. In this case, we just simply can’t avoid the issue of how much The Organic Coffee Co.’s Ground French Roast is. We’re at a loss to explain why it costs five times more than some coffees we evaluated, and double the price of the second–highest-priced one.

Sometimes it’s a matter of quality: something is just so excellent compared to its competition that it warrants that kind of price. Sometimes something is made of rare, difficult-to-find materials and has to get priced because of that. Here, we’re just not sure.

It’s a good, flavorful coffee. We like it and would be tempted to drink it more frequently. But, ye gods, the price. Plus, it also just doesn’t have the aroma that you want to wake up smelling.

• Great flavor
• Outrageously expensive
• Not as rich an aroma
• 9. Jeremiah’s Pick Coffee Organic Mocha Java Ground Coffee

Jeremiah’s Pick Mocha Java Ground Coffee is a blend of Arabica and Java beans intended to give you a coffee that is both a little bit spice and a little bit chocolate. The question is whether it succeeds.

We found that it has a bit of an identity crisis, frankly. It’s not sure if it wants to be robust and complex or fruity and subtle. It just splits the difference and instead is a bit weak. If you’re looking for something that won’t punch you where it counts, this is your coffee. If you’re looking for something that will, this isn’t it.

What we did like is that it does have a nice spicy quality. Coffee doesn’t always get that right. Often, it just takes a casual swing at that before moving on to trying to knock you over and steal your wallet. This does a good job getting that right.

• Spicy flavors
• Identity crisis
• 10. Tiny Footprint Coffee – The World’s First Carbon Negative Coffee

If Tiny Footprint’s first carbon-negative coffee is going to save the planet, it’ll do it by making non-coffee drinkers of us all. We do like the commitment to making a sustainable coffee. Coffee as a product has a pretty significant carbon footprint, so it’s nice to see someone make an effort to not only make a product that doesn’t make it worse, but tries to turn things around.

We hope the company goes back to the drawing board. Not only is this coffee extraordinarily expensive, but it’s also weak and watery.

• Environmentally sustainable

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Organic Coffee Brand

We put together this guide to help you figure out which organic coffee combines great flavor and social consciousness to give you coffee that will perk you up without feeling like a drag to drink.

• What does organic mean?

In food circles, organic has been something of a buzzword since the 1990s. It was then that the market started to get big for organic foods like coffee.

Organic is mostly a name for environmentally-friendly coffee. It’s grown naturally, without chemicals like pesticides and antibiotics, benefitting the land it’s grown on and potentially your health.

• Certified Organic

Coffee is mostly grown outside of the US, so the organic label can help you feel confident in the growing practices. If you want to buy organic coffee, make sure it’s certified organic.

The main label to look for is the USDA Organic certification , which assures you that the coffee was grown without pesticides, genetic engineering, or synthetic fertilizers.

Keep in mind that small producers and operations like community-supported agriculture farms may not be certified but can still grow based on organic principles.

• Other Certifications

Other certifications to look for include Bird Friendly  and Rainforest Alliance . The Smithsonian Institute’s Bird Friendly certification ensures the protection of bird habitats, and the Rainforest Alliance works to protect the environment and the farmers. You can also look for shade-grown on your coffee bags. This allows for the preservation of rainforest canopies, though there isn’t a certification for it.

• Kind of Roast

A basic question is always going to be your desired roast. Lighter roasts tend to lend themselves to fruitier, lighter flavors, while dark roasts are heated longer, producing a flavor that is more robust and sometimes bitter.

Espressos and lattes are usually made with dark roasts. Coffees flavored with natural spice tend to lend themselves to a medium roast. Light roasts have the fruitiest tastes and the most complex flavors. You can read more about roast types here.

• Beans vs. Grounds

One question you’ll certainly want answered is whether you want ground coffee or whole beans. The answer to that depends on how quickly you use coffee, how you store it after purchase, and – most importantly – how you brew it.

The big difference is that ground coffee loses its potency faster. Whole beans are also more versatile. If you buy those, you can grind them to the consistency of however you’re brewing coffee. If you’re making cold brew, you can grind them coarse. If you like espresso or pressed coffee, you can grind them fine.

Pre-ground coffee does have an advantage if you’re just scooping it out of the bag for a drip coffee maker, which uses a medium grind. You can just scoop grounds into the filter and get brewing.

Price is always a consideration when buying anything. When it comes to organic coffee, expect to pay more for the care used in raising the plants. But you don’t need to toss money away. With a little extra research, you can get a great deal. Or you can gird yourself to pay extra for something really special.

Lifeboost Coffee’s Dark Roast beans don’t stop at Organic — they’re also free of pesticides and single-origin — and the flavor is just about perfect. It was our pick for the best organic coffee brand (whole bean) and our top pick overall. Bulletproof’s Premium Medium Roast was our top choice for the best organic ground coffee. It’s just a little too pricey to get our top slot. Café Don Pablo’s Decaf Colombian was our pick for the best decaffeinated organic coffee. It has good, consistent flavor and is full of body. The bags are not vacuum sealed, so you’ll want to transfer it to an airtight, darkened container to maintain freshness.

We hope that these reviews and buying tips help you find coffee that’s delicious and organic. You can protect the environment and your health without sacrificing your tastebuds. An amazing, sustainable cup of coffee awaits!

Table of Contents

Kate MacDonnell

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Comparing 15+ Organic & Clean Coffee Brands (Free of Mold & Mycotoxins)

Just when my husband thought my coffee addiction couldn’t get any worse…I ordered over $250 worth of coffee. It was all in the name of research, I promise! If you’ve been following this blog for any time, then you’ll know I am a hardcore coffee snob. So I thought it would be fun to test out some popular clean, organic coffee brands on the market and let you know which are *indeed* the best ones! Consider this a Clean Coffee Directory, if you will. It was a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it 😏

Okay, let’s brew this!

This post contains affiliate links . Thank you for supporting my caffeine addiction.

Table of Contents:

• Wait…My Coffee is Dirty?! Why Clean & Organic Coffee is So Important!

What Type of Coffee to Look For

Healthy home brewing tips, a quick guide to coffee certifications, a note about decaf: opt for naturally processed, how to properly store your coffee beans.

• Top Shelf Grind
• Biodynamic (Holistic Roasters)

Bulletproof

Clean coffee co., danger coffee, four sigmatic, healthy bean.

• Kicking Horse

Natural Force

Peak performance.

• My Final Thoughts About Clean & Organic Coffee: Worth It?

Wait…My Coffee is Dirty?! 🤯 Why Clean & Organic Coffee is So Important!

According to the National Coffee Association (I love that this is even a thing) , roughly 62% of Americans drink coffee daily. You are my people! ☕️ And maybe this is just me trying to justify my own addiction, but there are numerous health benefits to consuming it:

• Rich in polyphenol antioxidants ( research says even more than cocoa and tea!)
• Associated with improved liver health
• Boosts physical and cognitive function (more blood flow to the brain)
• Can help you live longer (this is according to Harvard , folks)

Of course, not everyone reacts well to coffee and it’s best to drink it in moderation. But I can personally attest that it makes me a better and happier human being.

Avoiding Pesticide Contaminants in Your Daily Cup of Joe

The downside…coffee is one of the most chemically treated crops in the WORLD. According to CS Monitor , up to 250 pounds of chemical fertilizers are sprayed per acre of conventional (non-organic) coffee . Yikes! Kinda makes you think twice about grabbing something from Starbucks, huh?

Currently, the U.S. government does not have maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides used on coffee beans, and there are about 42 different pesticides used on coffee worldwide . This doesn’t include chemicals that have been banned globally but are possibly still used illegally.

Choosing organic coffee is obviously pertinent for your health, but also for the safety of the workers who grow and harvest the beans. Not to mention, think of the bees, the soil, and the residue that can run off into the local water systems!

Mold, Mycotoxins, and Yeast…Oh My!

Aside from pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides, there is another aspect of coffee cultivation that we need to be aware of. Mycotoxins! These are naturally occurring toxins that are produced by certain molds and fungi. They can be found in coffee, dried fruits, chocolate, and other common food crops.

The most prevalent mycotoxins found in coffee are Ochratoxin A and Aflatoxin B1 . These are not purposely added, but rather, the contamination can happen at multiple stages of the coffee production process. Whether that be when the coffee cherries are growing, being stored, or transported. They are more typically found in lower-quality coffee brands.

In fact, one study showed that 91.7% of green coffee beans are contaminated with mold which is shocking!

Other terms you might hear about when it comes to clean coffee:

• Acrylamide is a naturally occurring chemical and it’s often found in cooked foods like bread, french fries, and cookies. The way coffee is roasted can alter the level of acrylamide (for example, darker roasts are generally lower in acrylamides) . High levels of it have been shown to cause cancer in lab animals.
• Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are compounds that might be present in roasted foods but are considered genotoxic and carcinogenic in humans . This is really only a concern with coffee if it’s roasted too extremely hot.
• Yeast can be used to naturally process the coffee after picking and sometimes residues are left behind.

In essence, you’re never going to 100% avoid mycotoxins in certain foods because they are naturally occurring. But there are coffee roasters that go above and beyond to test throughout the process to ensure you’re getting a cleaner cup.

General Tips for Choosing & Consuming the Healthiest Coffee

Here are some tips for properties to seek out when choosing a coffee brand. Of course, these are general guidelines and a good starting point; don’t feel like you need to find a coffee that checks every single box!

Organically Grown: Certified organic is best, but it’s costly to get the certification which some small farms simply can’t afford. Plus many farms are only a couple of acres, if not less, so the price might not be justifiable. This ensures that the coffee isn’t treated with chemical pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, etc. and is not genetically modified.

Whole Bean: Just grind your own right before you brew each morning! I love my Conical Burr Grinder . Not only does this mean you’re getting the freshest properties of the bean, but when coffee comes pre-ground, it’s more prone to contamination and mold.

High Altitude: Coffee that is grown in cooler, higher mountain temperatures is less likely to grow mold. Above 1,200 meters is an ideal starting point.

Arabica: Roughly 70% of coffee sold is from the Arabica variety, as opposed to Robusta. Robusta has higher caffeine levels but is more likely to contain mycotoxins.

Single Origin: Some coffees are blends of beans from different regions. Single origin just means that they are all the same bean from the same place. There is less of a chance for cross-contamination when you know the exact source.

Wet Process Method: Or washed. This is when the coffee is pulped and then rinsed with water to remove layers of fructose and sucrose. As opposed to dry processed (natural) which are dried in the full cherry prior to de-pulping. Mycotoxins are more likely to form during the drying stage of processing, so beans that are washed are less likely to have molds and fungi .

Shade Grown: Coffee that is grown in the shade better supports forest ecosystems (healthier soil, sustains pollinators, birds eat the pests, etc.) and doesn’t require synthetic chemicals to thrive. It also means the land hasn’t been cleared for farming. This falls under the Bird Friendly certification (mentioned below) .

Smokeless Roasting: Some roasters use smokeless technology which minimizes the risk of acrylamides.

Nitrogen-Flushed Bags: Unlike oxygen, nitrogen doesn’t contribute to your coffee going stale. Many roasters choose to flush packaged bags with nitrogen and force the oxygen out. This increases the shelf life of your beans. You might also see one-way valves on a bag; they let carbon dioxide out while coffee degasses but don’t allow air in. I always thought those valves were just for smelling the coffee before you buy it, but ya know, science! 🤓

Ditch the Pods & Single-Use Plastic Servings: I know K-Cups and pods are convenient, but not so much for the environment! Plus, when hot water comes in contact with the plastic, there is a potential for leaching into your coffee .

Use Plastic-Free Brewing Equipment: To avoid having your hot coffee come in contact with plastic, opt for methods such as glass pour over or French press to brew. Check out my Guide to Eco-Friendly Coffee Brewing for a list of zero waste brewing options, including unbleached compostable filters. Better for you and the earth! 🌏

Related post: “ A Complete Guide to Non-Toxic & Eco-Friendly Kitchen Supplies ”

Brew with Filtered Water: Trust me, using pure water to brew your coffee makes a HUGE difference in the taste! First of all, tap water often contains dozens of contaminants such as chlorine and heavy metals. Secondly, filtered water has the right balance of minerality and pH which leads to a much finer pairing to let your coffee’s flavor profile shine. I use a Pure Effect Ultra 3-Stage Water Filter 🚰

Related post: “ Common Tap Water Contaminants & Choosing the Most Effective Water Filter ”

Steep Cold Brew in the Fridge vs. Room Temperature: This pains me to say because *technically* the correct way to steep cold brew is 12-18 hours at room temperature (I still do it!) . However, if you’re trying to be mindful of pathogens and bacteria growth, you can also let it steep in the fridge. Keep in mind, you might not get as intense of a flavor, so it will require a slightly longer brew time in the fridge to extract the goodness (18-24 hours) .

USDA Certified Organic: This means ​​at least 95 percent of the coffee was grown under organic conditions. Farmers aren’t allowed to use synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, and nothing is genetically modified. It does cost money to acquire this certification, so you might see “organically grown” or just organic without the seal.

Fair Trade Certified™: This means the product meets rigorous social, environmental, and economic standards such as safe working conditions, environmental protection, sustainable livelihoods, and community development funds. This also has a cost involved; you might also see similar terms such as “directly traded” or “ethically sourced” which don’t necessarily have standards behind them.

Rainforest Alliance Certified: ​​A non-profit organization that works with coffee farmers to conserve biodiversity and promote sustainability. They teach good land-use practices and require that a certain percentage of land used for farming doesn’t negatively impact natural bodies of water and forest covers. This also prohibits destructive activities and promotes safe working conditions for farmers.

Bird Friendly®: As part of the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center’s conservation program, this means the farms provide adequate, forest-like habitat for birds (shade grown and no deforestation) . Bird Friendly also means that the coffee has been certified organic! 🦜

Specialty Grade: This signifies that the coffee has been thoroughly inspected and sorted to ensure that the beans are free from defects (such as chips and cracks) by the Specialty Coffee Association. It needs to score over 80 points on a 100-point scale. Many people can become certified throughout the production chain: farmers, green coffee buyers, roasters, baristas, and even you, the consumer! Every step of the entire process is monitored for quality.

Listen to this podcast interview…

If you prefer to consume information via audio, you can listen to my interview on the Maison Pur podcast about this topic! We cover many points from this blog post about clean coffee, what to look for when buying beans, the best mold-free brands, and more 🎙

Just don’t even bother with decaf (just kidding!) . But seriously, if you DO go the decaf route, make sure the brand uses a natural, non-solvent-based method such as the Swiss Water Process . It removes 99.9% of the caffeine molecules using just pure water. It was ​​first discovered in Switzerland in the 1930s. Other caffeine extraction methods can involve a synthetic chemical solvent like methylene chloride or ethyl acetate .

Swiss Water Process is also amazing because it retains the flavor and beneficial antioxidant properties of your coffee! Some of the chemical solvents can alter the flavor, aroma, and natural oils of your cuppa joe.

It’s also noteworthy to mention that caffeine is a natural anti-insect and antifungal defense mechanism for the plant. So when you make a bean decaf, it becomes more prone to mold and less able to protect itself. Therefore, choosing an organic and clean cup of decaf is a smart move.

Bare Minimum: Go Organic!

I realize this is probably overwhelming! If you’re looking for a cleaner cup of coffee, I would suggest that the MOST important thing is to choose beans that are organically grown . A lot of roasters won’t necessarily have the USDA Organic certification but still use organic farming practices.

For example, there are a lot of local roasters in Milwaukee where I live that offer organically grown coffee but don’t have the certification. I still feel good supporting them and drinking it! Do what you can, and if you’re ready to take it to the ultimate next level, keep reading for extra CLEAN & ORGANIC coffee brand options!

You’ll want to keep your coffee stored in an airtight container (preferably not plastic) in a cool, dark, dry place such as your pantry. Keep it out of direct sunlight, and don’t use a clear container if it’s exposed to a lighted area. You can just keep it in the original bag, too, as long as it seals well!

Light, heat, and moisture will affect your beans. Moisture, of course, can lead to mold growth. But heat and light will prevent your beans from staying fresh which can alter the taste. Proper storage is key to keep your coffee beans from oxidizing! Avoid storing it in the fridge or freezer; the change in temperature going in and out can actually cause condensation to build up. Not to mention, coffee grounds will act like baking soda and absorb other odors from your fridge.

I personally try to use up a bag of coffee within two to three weeks of opening for maximum freshness!

Rating 15+ Clean & Organic Brands (According to a Coffee Snob)

Now that you’re educated on all things clean coffee, it’s finally time for the FUN part! I admit, I have known about “clean coffee” for a while but still chose to just buy from local coffee shops (which mostly use organic practices) .

But I’ve actually been dealing with some gut issues and trying to avoid yeast; so I wanted to up my coffee game and find ones that are beyond organic!

Plus, some of my readers have asked for recommendations. And I am honored! I am picky about coffee, which my husband can attest to. You will not catch me drinking Folgers or gas station coffee. I’m very annoying to travel with because we HAVE to go out of our way to find THE best local coffee shops 🤣

While you’re reading this, keep in mind that we might have different taste preferences for coffee! I gravitate towards a light roast that’s bright, vibrant, and fruity. Light roasts tend to have more of an acidic kick, too. But rest assured, if you’re a dark roast lover, there are plenty of options for you here!

Best Tasting Roasts & Becca’s Top Picks:

Thrive market (5th place).

I have been a long-time member of Thrive Market and they have really been stepping their coffee game up recently! They’re a Certified B Corp, carbon-neutral, and purposefully driven. This is where I buy a lot of groceries and pantry staples for a reduced price. You do have to be a member to buy from Thrive, but it’s completely worth it (especially since their coffee is a more affordable option in this post!) .

Related post: “ How I Save Money on Natural, Organic Food with Thrive Market ”

Price: $11 for 12 oz. bag, $17 for 24 oz. bag Roast Options: Light, Medium, Medium (Sprouted) , Dark (French) , Flavored (Vanilla, Hazelnut, Pumpkin Spice) Grind Options: Whole Bean, Ground, Instant Decaf Available: Yes (Swiss Water Process) Region: Peru (Arabica) Certifications: USDA Certified Organic Lab Results: Not publicly available Other Notes: Regeneratively grown, directly and ethically sourced from sustainable farmers

They don’t have test results available, but I reached out and was told the coffees undergo annual testing for yeast, heavy metals, and mold to ensure it is not detected. I’m mostly impressed that it’s regeneratively grown!

Becca’s Taste Test:

I tried the Blonde Roast (light) to try and mmm, it’s good stuff! It does have a slight burnt and bitter taste to it, but with some lighter hints of brown sugar, apple, and almond. I also made a batch of cold brew with it which helps take down the acidity and bitterness…yum! If you like the Starbucks blonde roast, this would be a healthier swap for sure. I’ll definitely get this again with future Thrive orders.

My readers can take 30% off their first Thrive order + a free gift when using my link!

Shop Thrive Coffee Here

Purity (4th Place/Best Medium Roast)

I admit, I saw lots of bloggers rave about this one over the years and was skeptical; it was one of the first clean coffees I heard about. Purity was founded by Andrew Salisbury after his wife was experiencing health issues and he set out to create the purest coffee on the market. Their goal is to present scientific research to prove that coffee is beneficial for our health and I am HERE for it!

Purity is one of the most transparent about their process and results which I appreciate. They provide copious amounts of in-depth education on their blog, too. They even analyzed their coffee compared to over 46 different brands (including some in this guide!) and found theirs to have an average of 65% higher antioxidant content.

Each of their coffees is specifically roasted to target certain health benefits. For example, the Protect roast has a higher level of CGA (chlorogenic acids) and bioactive compounds to support liver health and metabolic vitality.

Price: $24 for 12 oz. bag ($19 if you subscribe) Roast Options: Light-Medium, Medium, Dark Grind Options: Whole Bean Decaf Available: Yes, and 1/3 caffeinated (Swiss Water Process) Region: Nicaragua, Honduras, and Colombia (high altitude, Arabica) Certifications: USDA Certified Organic, Rainforest Alliance Certified, Demeter biodynamic certified (some) Lab Results: Available on their website Other Notes: Smokeless roaster, nitrogen-flushed bags, sourced from sustainable farms, regeneratively grown

I tried ALL of their coffees. My favorite from Purity is the Protect light-medium roast. It’s bright, juicy, tart, and with sweet citrus/apple notes and some subtle nuttiness. Very flavorful! If they had a Light only roast, they would for sure be higher up on my list because I love everything this company is doing!

My second pick from them would be the original Flow medium roast. It’s smoother, kind of chocolatey, with hints of roasted nuts (their most balanced blend) . Has a little tart kick at the end. The Calm decaf is very similar but without the caffeine! They also have a 1/3 caff (2/3 decaf) roast called Balance which is a medium roast.

And lastly, their Ease darker roast. This is the least acidic and much gentler on the stomach. It has naturally occurring prebiotic benefits too! This one is too dark for me, but it’s smooth with a dark chocolate and roasted walnut taste.

For a more in-depth review of Purity and to learn even MORE about each of their roasts, check out this blog post .

You can use coupon code ORGANICALLYBECCA for 20% off your order!

Shop Purity Coffee Here

Also available on Amazon here . Discounts not applicable.

Fabula (3rd Place)

Fabula’s cutesy branding really intrigued me! “ Fabula ” means story and they believe that every bean has a story to tell. The founders traveled to Peru and were taken aback by the clean, pure coffee from the mountainside. Then Fabula was born! They partner with One Tree Planted non-profit and I also like that they roast the coffee RIGHT before it ships to you for maximum freshness. They have plenty of options for roasts!

Price: $30 for 12 oz. bag (save 25% if you subscribe or buy multiple bags) Roast Options: Light, Medium, Dark, Dark Cold Brew, Espresso, Roaster’s Special (seasonal rotations), Turkish, Flavored (Vanilla, Hazelnut, Buttery Caramel, Chocolate Nut) Grind Options: Whole Bean, Ground, Coarsely Ground (cold brew) Decaf Available: Yes, and Half-Caff (Swiss Water Process) Region: Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea (single origin, high altitude, Arabica) Certifications: USDA Certified Organic Lab Results: Not publicly available, but they will send you results upon request Other Notes: Low acid, small batch, fairly traded (not certified)

Fabula tests each new batch of green coffee for over 350+ chemical compounds (including mold and mycotoxins) at independent labs. They only provide coffee that tests 100% clean.

I tried the Medium Roast and Light Roast . They actually don’t taste dramatically different to me and I enjoy both, but there are distinct qualities between them. The medium roast is richer and smoother with hints of chocolate, brown sugar, caramel, and nuts. The light roast is more bitter and vibrant with notes of apple, sweet almonds, and berries. It’s really interesting because both of them have almost a tiny floral aftertaste. The light roast is my favorite of the two and I would for sure buy it again in the future because it’s deeeeeeelicious!

You can use the coupon ORGANICALLYBECCA for 25% off your order!

Shop Fabula Coffee Here

Lifeboost (2nd Place)

Founded by chiropractor Dr. Charles Livingston who was on a quest to find the healthiest cup of coffee that’s gentle on the stomach. I did have some sticker shock when I saw the price, but the taste makes up for it. In summary, I’m very impressed with the quality of this brand and what they offer. They test for 400+ mycotoxins, heavy metals, pesticides, etc. and have the data to back it up.

Price: $35 for 12 oz. bag ($25 if you subscribe) Roast Options: Light, Medium, Dark, Espresso Dark, Blonde Espresso, Flavored (Hazelnut, Birthday Batter, Maple Cinnamon, Pumpkin Spice, lots more) Grind Options: Whole Bean, Ground Decaf Available: Yes, and Half-Caff (Swiss Water Process) Region: Nicaragua (single origin, high altitude) Certifications: USDA Certified Organic Lab Results: Certificate of Analysis (not immediately available on the website but they’ll provide it if you ask!) Other Notes: Fairly traded (not certified) , sun-dried, spring water washed, low acid, burlap bags available upon request

I tried the Optimist Light Roast and it’s amazing! My second favorite of the clean coffees I tried. It’s bright, mildly fruity, smooth, and a slight acidity kind of hits you in the back of the tongue (if that makes sense, trying to be fancy with my coffee taste descriptions here, haha) ! It also makes a fabulous cold brew. Would totally get this again as a subscription.

Lifeboost also has a second light roast from Africa that I like! It’s from Uganda and a portion of the proceeds go to fight the endangerment of two subspecies of giraffes.

You can use the coupon BOOST15 for 15% off orders $50+ or code BOOST20 for $20 off orders $100+!

Shop Lifeboost Coffee Here

Top Shelf Grind ⭐️ (1st Place Becca’s Fave!)

Top Shelf Grind is a roaster from Seattle. I had never heard of them before researching for this post, and they seem like a smaller company, but I am really happy to have discovered them. Their mission is to “offer the best coffee in the world for the highest achievers.”

Price: $15 for 10 oz. bag Roast Options: Light, Dark Grind Options: Whole Bean, Ground (with Lion’s Mane mushroom) Decaf Available: No Region: Peru and Colombia (single origin, high altitude, Arabica; the dark roast is a blended Robusta) Certifications: USDA Certified Organic, Fair Trade Certified (just the light roast) Lab Results: Not publicly available; claim to be free of mold and mycotoxins and roasted in a sterile facility Other Notes: Small batch, direct to farm relationships, hand washed

I tried the Liquid Gold (light roast) and OMG you guys. It’s my favorite one. Yep, I said it. It’s beautifully bright, tart, flavorful, yet smooth. I taste some notes of apple, honey, and maybe even some milk chocolate. The ultimate test was to also make a batch of cold brew from this to make sure that it’s tasty brewed hot and cold. And I can confirm that it also makes a delightful cold brew 👌 So thrilled to keep drinking this and I’m glad it lives up to the name!

Shop Top Shelf Grind Coffee Here

Runner-Up Clean Coffee Brands I Tried:

Biodynamic (by holistic roasters).

Biodynamic is extremely impressive! Their tagline is “no compromise coffee” and they have great certifications. Not only are they organic and tested free of contaminants, but they are regeneratively grown and Demeter-certified biodynamic which is like UBER organic. The quality can’t get much better than this!

Price: $20 for 10.6 oz. bag (save 20% if you subscribe) Roast Options: Light, Medium, Dark (French) Grind Options: Whole Bean, Ground (for French Press, Pour Over, Coffee Maker, Moka Pot, or Espresso) Decaf Available: No Region: Honduras and Brazil (single origin, Arabica) Certifications: USDA Organic, Demeter, EcoCert Lab Results: Available for each roast on the website Other Notes: Shade grown, 100% compostable bags, regeneratively grown, family-run farms and co-ops

Becca’s Taste Test:

I tried Rubicon (light roast) which is delish! It’s subtly fruity but not much bite or acidity. Rise & Shine (medium roast) is on the bold side for a medium roast. It’s rich but still balanced and smooth.

You can use the coupon ORGANICALLYBECCA for 15% off your first order!

Shop Biodynamic Coffee Here

You’ve probably heard of this brand as they are more mainstream! Founded by well-known biohacker Dave Asprey. They also made Bulletproof (a.k.a. butter coffee) a trend 🧈 which I personally think is quite delicious in fall and winter. You can probably find this brand in stores such as Whole Foods and Fresh Thyme.

Price: $16 for 12 oz. bag Roast Options: Light, Medium, Medium-Dark, Dark Grind Options: Whole Bean, Ground Decaf Available: Yes (Swiss Water Process) Region: Central or South America depending on the season (single origin, high altitude, Arabica) Certifications: Rainforest Alliance Certified Lab Results: Not publicly available Other Notes: Grown using organic farming practices but not certified, directly purchased from farmers

For how big of a company Bulletproof is, I am surprised that they don’t publish the lab results testing for mold, mycotoxins, etc. I even reached out to customer support and they basically just told me they don’t share them publicly. So as far as we know, according to the website, the beans are “sustainably washed, mechanically dried, and tested for toxins” but that’s about all I could find! 🤷‍♀️

I tried their Light Roast Breakfast Blend . Overall, it tastes pretty good and I love that it’s a light roast. It has a vibrant and bright taste upfront, but the total flavor is kind of subtle and muted. There are some citrus and orange notes to it. I would drink this one again.

Shop Bulletproof Coffee Here

Founded by cardiologist Dr. Jack Wolfson who focuses on natural heart health 🤎 I had never heard of this brand before researching this post, but they are doing some cool things! The beans are grown in Honduras by women seeking economic independence to support their families and formed their own cooperative in 1993. The beans are harvested by hand using regenerative farming practices (there’s even a compost production plant that helps foster coffee quality) .

Price: $22 for 12 oz. bag (save 20% if you subscribe) Roast Options: Light, Medium, Dark Grind Options: Whole Bean Decaf Available: Yes (Swiss Water Process) Region: Honduras (single origin) Certifications: USDA Certified Organic Lab Results: Chemical Analysis and Microbiological Report Other Notes: Donate 5% of sales to the Friends of Honduran Children, nitrogen-flushed bags, smokeless roaster

I tried their Light Roast and it gets a thumbs up from me! 👍 It’s very smooth and almost has a creamy taste to it, yet there’s a brightness and pop of tart to it. Unique and I would surely get this one again.

Shop Cardiology Coffee Here

Dynamize touts “no more shitty coffee” and I love it! The CEO Brandon Miller came from a farming background and had an understanding of how farmers around the world were being taken advantage of and getting the short end of the stick. Dynamize aims to trade fairly and provide honest wages (over double the fair trade minimum!) while providing a clean cup of coffee. They also work with a lot of athletes with similar passions, such as surfers and snowboarders.

Price: $22 for 12 oz. bag ($19 if you subscribe) Roast Options: Light, 50/50, Dark Grind Options: Whole Bean, Ground Decaf Available: No Region: Costa Rica (single origin, high altitude, Arabica) Lab Results: Not publicly available Other Notes: Direct farmer partnerships, fairly traded (not certified) , sustainably grown

They have a proprietary Dynamize washing and drying method to prevent mold but I’m not sure what that entails! They boast about being mold free, tested for toxins, no chemical pesticides, sustainable practices, zero monocropping, and microgranic farming concepts.

I tried the Light Roast and it’s not my top favorite light roast, but overall, it’s yummy! There are definitely notes of apple, brown sugar, and vanilla. Maybe even some citrus. It’s interesting because it’s mellow with some bitterness at the same time. I actually like the smell of the beans better than the taste, but I would drink this one again.

Shop Dynamize Coffee Here

Magni is a newer brand that strongly believes organic farming should be non-negotiable, and I’m down with that! They test for over 350 chemical compounds and roast the beans on demand so they’re delivered fresh to your door.

Price: $29 for 12 oz. bag (25% off if you subscribe) Roast Options: Light, Medium, Dark Grind Options: Whole Bean, Ground Decaf Available: Yes Region: Mexico, Peru, Honduras (single origin, high altitude) Certifications: USDA Certified Organic Lab Results: Not publicly available, but they will send you results upon request Other Notes: Fairly traded (not certified) , small batch, low acid, sustainably grown, donate $1 for every bag sold to help poverty in Africa

I tried Magni’s Light Roast and think it’s lovely! It’s sourced from Oaxaca which holds a special place in my heart since I studied abroad there in college. It has a unique aroma and taste; it’s quite soft for a light roast but also bright and crisp at the same time. I get some notes of almond and a touch of black tea or some floral at the end. It’s pleasant as a cold brew, too. I’d buy this one again!

Shop Magni Coffee Here

Other Clean Coffees I Tried:

This brand was intriguing to me and makes a lot of really big claims! However I was left with questions after browsing their website, just looking for clarification on some things, but I never heard back from them so I can’t quite form an informed opinion yet.

Price: $15 for 12 oz. bag Roast Options: Medium-Dark, Dark Grind Options: Whole Bean, Ground Decaf Available: No Region: Honduras and Papua New Guinea (each roast is single origin) Certifications: Rainforest Alliance Certified (just the Honduran roast) Lab Results: Available on their website Other Notes: Organically grown, hand-picked, hand-washed, sun-dried

First of all, you can only purchase their coffee via Amazon which is a bit strange. And the test results that they publish aren’t backed up by a certificate of analysis so I don’t know how often they’re exactly tested. They claim to have undergone CDFA multi-residue screening. And the Medium-Dark roast says “toxin-free” while the Dark roast says “toxin and mold-free” so I’m not sure if only one is truly clean. I’d love more info from the brand.

I tried the Medium Dark Roast and would NOT get it again. It actually made me cough when I took my first sip! It has some nutty and woody notes but a minor hint of brightness. Too dark for my liking.

Shop Clean Coffee Co. Here

Dave Asprey does it again! The concept behind this coffee is intriguing. Aside from using mold-free beans, Danger infuses more than 50 trace minerals, nutrients, and electrolytes into the coffee. Since coffee can deplete your body of minerals and electrolytes, the idea is that this coffee helps counteract and balance those deficiencies. I think this is meant to be used as a bulletproof-style drink with butter and MCT oil for those who like to fast in the mornings.

However, the patent-pending blend is proprietary so we don’t know exactly what’s in it; Danger states that “the minerals themselves are ancient plant minerals called Fulvic and Humic and within them is the minerals.” In my opinion, I would love more transparency from the brand. Hopefully, as they grow, we’ll be able to learn more!

Price: $25 for 10.9 oz. bag ($23 if you subscribe) Roast Options: Medium, Dark Grind Options: Whole Bean, Ground Decaf Available: Yes (ethyl acetate process derived from sugar cane) Region: Central America (single origin, Arabica) Lab Results: Not publicly available; claim to be third-party tested free of mold, mycotoxins, and pesticides Other Notes: Sourced directly from farmers

I tried the Whole Bean Medium Roast and it’s decent but not spectacular. It actually tastes a little burnt and metallic to me. Like the minerals make it taste kind of funky. I wouldn’t get this one again.

Shop Danger Coffee Here

Another brand that you have probably heard of; they were early pioneers of the mushroom coffee movement 🍄 Because they use mushrooms, adaptogens, superfood powders, etc. in their coffees, they all come pre-ground or in an instant coffee packet (except the Think roast) . One of the benefits of including adaptogens is that you might experience less of a “coffee crash” or jitters. You can usually find their products at health food stores like Whole Foods and also on Thrive Market .

Price: $17-21 for 12 oz. bag Roast Options: Medium, Dark Grind Options: Ground, Instant, Whole Bean Decaf Available: Yes, and Half-Caff (Swiss Water Process) Region: Honduras, Guatemala, Colombia (each coffee is from a different region but all roasts are single origin, Arabica) Certifications: Fair Trade Certified, USDA Certified Organic, CCOF Certified Organic Lab Results: Not publicly available but have in-depth Quality Standards on their website

I think if you’re interested in the extra health benefits of adaptogens, then you might enjoy these coffees. But if you’re more of a coffee flavor snob like me and want to focus on the coffee itself, this brand probably isn’t for you.

I tried the Happy Gut Mushroom Coffee with Probiotics which is a medium roast. It has organic Chaga and turkey tail mushrooms, yacon juice powder, and probiotics. I don’t really notice a mushroom taste with this one, but it does taste a little soapy almost like the smell of bubbles. Interesting! Overall, it’s rather bright, a little fruity, but bitter at the same time. Not too bad but I probably wouldn’t get it again.

Shop Four Sigmatic Coffee Here

Thompson’s Healthy Bean Coffee is a brand that one of my readers suggested I try. I couldn’t find much info about the brand but it’s a small business out of California. One of their roasts is actually infused with matcha, chia, and rooibos tea which is interesting!

Price: $20 for 11 oz. bag ($16 if you subscribe) Roast Options: Medium, Semi-Dark (infused with matcha, chia, rooibos tea) , Dark Espresso Grind Options: Whole Bean, Ground Decaf Available: Yes (Water-based process) Region: Central America (high altitude) Certifications: USDA Certified Organic Lab Results: Not publicly available at the moment but working on making resources available Other Notes: Fairly traded (not certified) , low acid (~50% lower chlorogenic acid levels) , small batch

I tried the Thrive Morning Roast (medium roast) and it’s good but not anything that blows me away. It’s flavorful but balanced and not very tart (the low acid means it doesn’t have that typical kick) . I taste some woody/earthy flavors and it’s on the smoother side. Probably would not get it again since there are many other lighter roasts I prefer but it’s not bad!

Shop Healthy Bean Coffee Here

Kicking Horse 💰 Best Budget-Friendly Option!

Kicking Horse is a fairly large brand! 🐴 In fact, the Italian coffee conglomerate Lavazza owns an 80% stake in the company. You can likely find their coffee at your local grocery store or places like Fresh Thyme and Thrive Market .

Price: $12 for 10 oz. bag, $30 for 2.2 lb. bag Roast Options: Light, Medium, Dark Grind Options: Whole Bean, Ground Decaf Available: Yes (Swiss Water Process) Region: South America, Central America, Africa, Indonesia (high altitude, Arabica, beans are purchased single origin then blended in-house) Certifications: USDA Certified Organic, Canada Organic Certified, Fair Trade Certified, ECOCERT Lab Results: Not publicly available; they claim results have always been negative from molds, bacteria, and yeast by an independent lab Other Notes: Female CEO, roasted in Canada, 95% of beans are wet-processed, purchased directly from farming cooperatives

I tried the Smart Ass (medium roast) and it’s just okay in my opinion; it’s quite flavorful but a tad burnt and bitter tasting. There are some hints of chocolate and berry. I wouldn’t get it again. But the Hola (light roast) is better! The downside is that you can only get it pre-ground and not as whole bean. But it’s not tart like many light roasts are; it’s smooth and has kind of a nougat/caramel taste to it! I typically prefer to support smaller roasters so I probably wouldn’t get it again even though the taste is good.

Shop Kicking Horse Coffee Here

Kion is a brand that I saw numerous bloggers and influencers rave about, so I had some pretty high hopes! They’re a company out of Colorado that also makes supplements and energy bars. It’s pronounced key-on and “Ki” is a Japanese term that is often described as “something that cannot be defined.”

Price: $25 for 12 oz. bag Roast Options: Medium, Dark Grind Options: Whole Bean, Ground Decaf Available: Yes (Mountain Water Process) Region: Mexico and Honduras (blended origins, Arabica) Certifications: USDA Certified Organic Lab Results: Not publicly available; they claim to perform a third-party test on every batch for mold and mycotoxins Other Notes: Nitrogen-flushed bags, smokeless roaster, from fair-trade coffee cooperatives (not certified)

I tried the Medium Roast and it definitely has a strong, smooth, bold flavor. I detect some dark chocolate notes and a hint of spices. I enjoy how smooth it is, but probably wouldn’t get it again; it’s too dark for me, even the medium roast! I think I’d need some creamer if I got it again (but that feels like cheating to me 😉 ) .

Shop Kion Coffee Here

Natural Force is a certified B Corp™ and a One Tree Planted reforestation partner. They offer wellness products such as MCT oils, protein powders, collagen peptides, and of course, coffee! This is surely a company that goes above and beyond to certify its products and is extremely transparent to consumers.

Price: $28 for 12 oz. bag Roast Options: Medium, Dark Grind Options: Whole Bean, Ground Decaf Available: Yes (Swiss Water Process) Region: Colombia (single origin, high altitude, Arabica) Certifications: USDA Certified Organic, Rainforest Alliance Certified, Vegan, Paleo, Keto, Gluten Free Lab Results: Certificate of Analysis Other Notes : Hand-picked, smokeless roaster, directly traded from sustainable plantations

I tried the Decaf Medium Roast and Regular Medium Roast. Both are actually kind of dull and don’t have much power behind them—the decaf especially. It’s supposed to be low acid too, so maybe if you can’t handle a strong-tasting coffee you’d like this brand. The taste is pleasant, it’s just not very bold. I notice some hints of caramel and cocoa in it.

Shop Natural Force Coffee Here

Another one I’ve seen on the ‘gram. It’s an organic instant coffee powder that has organic Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) spore powder mixed in. The spores are loaded with nutrients and can be helpful for immune support and contain antimicrobial compounds . The way the spores are harvested impacts the quality, and it has to be timed just right for maximum benefits, which is why this coffee is on the expensive end.

Price: $55 for 25 sachets Roast Options: Medium-Dark Grind Options: Ground (Instant) Decaf Available: No Region: Brazil Certifications: USDA Certified Organic, ECOCERT Lab Results: Not publicly available; routinely test in a cGMP facility for mold and toxins Other Notes: Fairly traded (not certified)

I tried the Gourmet Organic King of Coffee and am not a fan. If you’ve tried instant coffee, then you might know it has a distinct flavor; I can tell this was instant coffee by the taste alone. It’s bitter, bold, and the mushroom flavor is pretty apparent. I have tried using more water for a different ratio and still don’t really care for it. Perhaps if you like a darker roast and want the added mushroom health benefits you’d like this.

Shop Organo Coffee Here

Peak Performances was founded by Talor Zamir after he suffered from pain and inflammation all over his body and started looking for holistic solutions. Aside from coffee, they sell superfood powders, collagen, and supplements.

Price: $23 for 12 oz. bag Roast Options: Medium, Dark Grind Options: Whole Bean, Finely Ground, Coarsely Ground (for cold brew) Decaf Available: Yes (Swiss Water Process) Region: Guatemala (single origin, high altitude, Arabica) Certifications: USDA Certified Organic, Fair Trade Certified Lab Results: Not publicly available, but they will send you results upon request Other Notes: Donates to Vitamin Angels with each purchase

They test for mold at two separate stages of the process: first when the green coffee is imported (moldy shipments are rejected) , and then once again after the coffee is received at Peak Performance.

I tried the Medium Roast and it’s decent, but not outstanding. It’s darker, but not overly strong, and there are hints of caramel and brown sugar. It doesn’t seem very acidic either, more mellow!

Shop Peak Performance Coffee Here

My Final Thoughts About Clean & Organic Coffee…Is it Worth it?

Is seeking out “clean” coffee 100% necessary? I don’t totally think so. In my opinion, at least make it a priority to find smaller roasters that are certified organic or at least use organic practices. Of course, taking it a step further to purchase from brands that go above and beyond to ensure no mold and mycotoxins is great!

I personally still plan on supporting some of my favorite local Milwaukee coffee shops that offer organically grown coffees, especially since nothing has to be shipped to me. But I’ll also buy from some of the brands listed in this post here and there (especially Top Shelf Grind and Lifeboost, yum yum!) .

Download the Brew It Like Becca ebook for even MORE coffee content!

Brew It Like Becca: The Ultimate Guide to Brewing the Healthiest & Tastiest Coffee at Home is a 31-page PDF that has EVERYTHING you want to know about making the most delicious (and healthy!) coffee at home. It features similar info that you read about in this post, PLUS some bonus content:

• How-to brewing guides for cold brew, pour over, French press
• Equipment you’ll need (with a focus on plastic-free and sustainability)
• Printable quick reference brewing guide cutouts (to put on your fridge, for example)
• 15+ tasty cold brew recipes (such as Thin Mint Cookie and Salted Sweet Cream Cold Foam!)
• Homemade plant milk recipes if you prefer dairy-free
• Pantry staples and shopping list

It’s seriously a MUST-HAVE if you’re a health-conscious coffee lover!

Download Brew It Like Becca ebook here

What are your thoughts on the clean coffee trend? I’d love to hear in the comments below! Or let me know if there are any awesome brands I missed that should be included in this list. Thanks SO much for reading! Cheers ☕️

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Written by: Becca

Becca is a blogger, wife, and dog mom living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Having seen firsthand the benefits of switching to a natural lifestyle herself, she's passionate about helping women make the switch to clean beauty products, organic skincare, and a holistic way of life (without the stress of being perfect about it!). View all posts by Becca -->

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60 comments on “comparing 15+ organic & clean coffee brands (free of mold & mycotoxins)”.

Definitely going to try the Purity option! Such an informative and thorough guide! Love.

Thanks, Maddie!

That was very interesting . I was getting from golf shores alabama. Visited the place but now I know more thanks Sue Tetzlaff

I have a question! Do you happen to know of any cleaner companies I could get non-roasted beans from? My husband loves to roast his own beans but I’ve had no luck finding any beans that meet these standards. Thanks!

Hi Joelle! Hmm, I’m not sure actually, I’ve never really noticed brands that do that. I would recommend reaching out to brands and see if they’ll be willing to let you buy the green beans!

Thanks for the great and detailed information. I have tried Kion, Lifeboost, Kicking Horse and Purity from your list. Lifeboost is definitely the winner for me. I could tell a big difference in how I felt after drinking it each day. Kion is good but if you get the ground beans, they leave a lot of sediment on the coffee when brewed. Purity was ok for me. I could tell a difference in the way I felt, but the flavor was too weak for me. I didn’t notice any difference from drinking Kicking Horse and after trying two different bags, I overall felt like the coffee was watered down. Going to try Top Shelf now!

Oh wow look at you, you’ve tried a bunch! I hope you love the Top Shelf one as much as I do! 🙂

I appreciate this article!! Thank you for the research and honest feedback. Very helpful for those wanting to make a change in the coffee department, but without all of the rigamaroll. 🙂

Aw, thanks so much for checking out the article!

Hi Becca. Thanks for the type of information I’ve been looking for! I noticed you are a light/medium roast drinker but I prefer a REALLY BOLD cup of coffee. Which from your list would you advise? Thank you

Hi Mark! You might like Kion, it’s really bold or at least I thought so!

Are all the coffee brands you reviewed mold and mycotoxins free?

Yes, and for each brand, I include whether or not they have the test results publicly available.

What is your recommendation for the least bitter with a rich flavor? Is there one that you would rank as the cleanest? Thank you!

Purity is the most transparent with their process so I’d pick them for “cleanest.” It’s hard to say which would be least bitter; you probably prefer a medium/dark roast where I prefer a Light (lights are usually more bitter/acidic). But the Cardiology one was pretty smooth.

Have you tested or looked into fabula brand coffee? I just bought some but haven’t researched it much.

Hi Taylor! I haven’t heard of that one yet, I’ll check them out.

WoW ! ~ As someone DESPARATELY searching for Mold Free Coffee worth drinking … AND Buying, as they tend to be a bit more pricey, Thank You. I hate spending the extra bucks, then not ENJOYING it 🙁 ( GOTTA Enjoy your Cup of Java 🙂 ) SO, THANK YOU Becca for this article !! I have tried a few of these, but NOT Top Shelf. And Funny!, I live outside Seattle. 😀 Now I am wondering if they offer tours ?? Cheers !! And Btw ~ Im from Illinois, but my mom’s family are all from Milwaukee. 😀 My grandpa had a cabin on Lake Michigan in Oosburg ( sp?) WONDERFUL !! childhood memories. 🙂 ~ especially of coffee being percolated in the morning. THE BEST SMELL EVER !! 🙂

Aw thanks for saying hello, Leslie! Yes I’m familiar with Oostburg! Hope you find a clean coffee you love ☕️

Thank you for the research and this post! I’ve been drinking organic coffee for years and can tell a huge difference. My go-to right now is Wicked Joe. I’m wanting to incorporate a diet free from molds and toxins and this article has been very beneficial!

I’m glad to hear that, Patricia!

Im confused Taylor asked about Fabula and you said you did not try but you have a write up say it is one of your top 3 and you even state a 25% off coupon???

I added it to the guide after trying it based on her suggestion!

Hi, I’m so happy to find a list of clean coffees, thank you! Just curious about your thoughts on creamer? I don’t do dairy but I also have a hard time drinking black coffee, anything that actually tastes good and is still on the healthy side?

Honestly I have not really come across a non-dairy one that actually tastes good and has good ingredients (a lot have weird gums or flavors in them). NutPods are pretty popular but they taste kind of fake to me to be honest! I usually do black or add dairy so I’m not much help haha. I would say maybe blending it up with coconut butter and maple syrup might be yummy!

I can only drink decaf espresso to avoid heart burn. I’ve tried some mainstream “cleaner” non espresso brands, like bulletproof but they didn’t work. Do you know of any espressos that are also clean?

Hi! For each of the brands, I list roast options that they have available. Some have espresso roasts, like Lifeboost and Fabula.

Hi Laura! We only do dairy-free creamer in my house. We prefer an Oatmilk creamer over soy and almond. Our favorites have been Chobani and Silk. We did not like nutpods, Starbucks, Califica or Oat planet. I hope this helps!

Thank you for this article! It was exactly what I’ve been looking for. I just ordered some coffee via one of your links and I’m very excited to try a new option 😆 ☕️☕️ Cheers!

Yay! What brand did you grab to try?!

I don’t know how I stumbled upon your blog, but thank you for the extensive list. I am on the search for a coffee with no mold and no pesticides and this review HELPED A TON. We tried one, and didn’t care for it much, but our second one arrived yesterday and both my husband and I are pleased with the flavor. THANK YOU! PS- We live in your neck of the woods and didn’t even realize it when I was going through your site. lol

Well yay, so glad you’re here! I love hearing from locals too! 🙂

Love your article! I’m in Central Illinois. Bedridden from black mold in our home. Spent $50,000 on remediation and now doctors tell me I have to move out because of the mycotoxins still lingering. Mold has ruined my vision so I can’t read all of your article at once.

What would be a coffee that tastes more like good old Folgers? Something smooth. I really don’t like the taste of Starbucks.. Want to avoid strong aftertaste. I’m on a very limited income but I want to order a few brands and get rid of the mold.

This is all new to me. Right now I drink Chuck Full of Nuts or Maxwell House medium blend. Not a fan of real dark coffees. Bless you dearheart.

Hi Robin, you might like the Fabula medium roast . It’s on the smoother side and not too dark. Code ORGANICALLYBECCA will also get you a discount at checkout.

Thanks for your quick response! We’ll give it a try.

The Institute for Functional Medicine has MD’s who can help with mold and micro toxins detox. There might be some in your area. My husband and I had to do that.

Hi Robin, I find adding a little organic cinnamon powder can help cut the “bite” of the strong taste as well, just a thought.

Hi Becca!! Great list!! Aldi sells organic fairtrade coffee ..have you ever tried it or looked into it? Its $7 for 12oz. Was hoping it would be on this list.

Hi Andrea! I haven’t tried the Aldi coffee. If it’s organic that’s great! But I’m not sure if they go the extra step to test for mold and mycotoxins. Would have to look into it!

I noticed that many of the different coffees listed mentioned a chocolate or cocoa taste. Do these coffees contain or are processed with chocolate? I am allergic to chocolate. Thank you. Peggy

Hi Peggy! No, coffee beans just can have a natural chocolate taste to them depending on how they are roasted. But they’re not made with actual chocolate.

Thank you for your quick reply!!

Hello Becky, I keep referring back to your list after looking at other lists. You did a wonderful job digging up the needed information. Do you happen to have an opinion on which is the least acidic? I’m leaning toward Purity, but Top shelf intrigues me as well. Thank you, Lisa

Hi Lisa, I’d say it depends on the roast, a darker roast will be less acidic generally. But Fabula, Natural Force, and Lifeboost all claim to be lower acidity. I definitely think Natural Force had more of a dull taste and no acidic kick.

I have been buying Healthy Bean coffee. semi-dark, organic, low acid blend infused with matcha, chia, and rooibos tea. Have you tried it or evaluated it?

Hi! I do have a bag of Healthy Bean right now that I’m testing and will add to this guide soon!

Thank you so much for sharing this list! So helpful

Is Newmans Own coffee brand clean?

It’s organic which is a great start but I’m not sure if they do the testing for mold, mycotoxins, etc. you might want to reach out to them and ask!

Thank you. This is very helpful. Can’t get some of these in Canada, but just bought bulletproof and Lifeboost to give them a try.

Me too looking. Did you find a clean espresso coffee

Hi! A couple of the brands have espresso roasts which I have noted under each “roast option” section. Like Fabula and Lifeboost .

Beyond helpful. Thank you so much!!!

I drink organic coffee daily. I was wondering if you had information on which of your top coffee brands has the highest level of chlorogenic acid. Reading about the health benefits of CGA I would like to purchase coffee with high levels of same. Thank you Becca. Anthony Lojo.

Hi Anthony, I don’t know the exact levels of CGA for each of these but in general, lighter roasts have higher CGA. I know the Purity Protect roast was made specifically to have higher CGA so you could start there!

hello Becca, what coffee bean grinder do you use? I would like to get one, but when I start looking and reading reviews I get confused!

Hi Anna, I use a conical burr grinder !

WHAT ABOUT HEAVY METALS ? FOR EXAMPLE CADIUM AND LEAD.

Some of the brands mentioned here do also test for heavy metals like Thrive and Lifeboost. This post focuses on mold mostly. I’d suggest taking a look at each brands test results if they have them available.

I used to get heart burn and GERD from drinking coffee but I loved the taste. I tried so many brands and still got it. Then I found Lavazza from Italy. It’s 100% Arabica, whole beans, USDA approved, and Organic. It’s delicious and haven’t drank any other brand since and no more GERD or heart burn. You need to try it.

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The 5 Best Sustainable Instant Coffee Brands for Every Traveller

Exploring the world is something wonderful: expanding your horizons, learning about new cultures, meeting new people, taking tons of pictures, experiencing marvellous sights, thriving in a new environment, having a lot of fun, and… becoming more wasteful?

Wait that doesn’t sound right!

Even the most passionate sustainability activists find staying “green” on the road difficult . This is especially true for passionate coffee drinkers, who often fall in the wormhole of choosing their daily cup of coffee based solely on the pricing and taste  – not considering how fair-trade their coffee actually is.

Keep this article as your informative personal overview of the five best sustainable instant coffee brands, will keep you energised and warmed no matter which side of the world you’re in. Here they are:

Kickapoo Coffee

Since the very start of the company, Kickapoo Coffee has been focused on sustainable development and making fair trade work. A member of Coop Coffees, an organisation that allows it to work and communicate directly to the farmers, Kickapoo Coffee focuses on building a long-lasting relationship with the growers, nurtured through annual visits.

Importing its own coffee seems to be doing the trick: the company has been winning awards for quality since 2005. In 2016, 97% of their coffee was certified organic.

You can order their coffee from anywhere in the United States with free shipping on any order over $50, but unfortunately they currently don’t offer international shipments.

Conscious Coffees

Conscious Coffee is one certified B Corporation that owes its place on this list to the brilliant brewing process, in addition to its inspiring mission. They import their own coffee, working directly with growers and looking to develop and foster long-term relationships with them. They believe this is a part of the secret formula for great-tasting coffee.

They have also expanded their interest in education, helping consumers learn more about different impacts of growing, harvesting, trading and roasting coffee. This education includes social, economic and environmental aspects. If there’s one thing they’re committed to it is being and staying green.

They have yet to start shipping internationally, so this is another brand to bulk up on before your international trip or to choose if you’re making a US-based tour.

This UK-based company is not only socially responsible, but they also work hard to reduce the carbon footprint of their facilities. Cafeology was started with the ideology of preserving existing resources for future generations, and all business processes comply with the ethical and environmental principles they have set for themselves.

They source their products directly and really comprehend, as well as manage, the entire supply chain. Not unlike the previously mentioned brands, Cafeology prides itself on nurturing long-term relationships with growers.

What really sets them apart is the fact that their organic coffee is certified with a Bird-Friendly Habitat accreditation, besides the Fairtrade accreditation.

Cafeology makes coffee roasting into a science, living up to their name, by using a unique German roasting system that uses a high powered hot air stream to roast the coffee.

They ship anywhere in the UK, and are a good solution for Europe-based travellers.

Another UK company, Cafédirect has truly made a name for itself amongst coffee roasters. They go above and beyond to help improve the conditions farmers and growers are functioning in by investing 50% of their profits into the Cafédirect Producers’ Foundation: a charity working to improve sustainability and livelihood of farmers everywhere.

The amazing part is that the charity itself is run by farmers, because who better knows the reality of the lifestyle. They are given the opportunity to recognise the obstacles and directly have an impact on generating innovative solutions.

If you’re still not convinced on how far Cafédirect takes fair trade, here’s a fact for you: two out of their eight board directors are coffee producers themselves.

Pura Vida Coffee

One of the first to recognise the importance of fair trade and start selling solely Fair trade coffee, Pura Vida Coffee has only been getting better through the years. The vast range of their certificates includes those for Shade Grown and Organic processes spanning the entire product range.

As a company, they are also aware of the environmental impact they have and are actively working on reducing their environmental footprint. But that’s still not the best thing about them.

Pura Vida Coffee has a non-profit organisation named Create Good Foundation focusing on improving the lives of coffee farmers and their families.  

Ordering more than $40 worth of products will get you free shipping, and they ship everywhere in the US.

These are just some of the fair trade brands you should be on the lookout for- handpicked by a passionate coffee drinker for their unique combination of roasting techniques, sustainability strategies and offering of different coffee blends. You can find a more cohesive list of fair trade companies here .

Armed with this knowledge, please help yourself to the deliciousness that is coffee, combined with the pleasure of knowing you have impacted the world positively, no matter where you are.

As a traveler continue to work on your understanding of the world but do it with all the responsibility of a sustainability activist. It’s hard at times but well worth it in the end.

Bon Voyage!  

About the author:  Samantha Rosario is a blogger , mother, and resident of the greatest city in the world, NYC. When not working at a Manhattan publishing house, she’s spending time with her family or putting pen to paper for her own personal pursuits. She is also an avid runner and swimmer and aims to complete an Ironman in 2018.

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17 organic products to stir into your morning coffee

— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission. 

Whether you're trying to incorporate more organic products into your life for sustainability or health reasons , a great place to start is with your morning joe.

Coffee is slowly becoming one of the most at-risk crops as climate temperatures increase . So making small, mindful switches to more sustainable options is one action we can all take to help fight these effects.

Here are some organic coffee beans, creamer, and sweetener options that have been praised by reviewers for outstanding flavor and quality--and that you can feel good about incorporating into your morning routine.

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Organic coffee

1. volcanica ethiopian yirgacheffe coffee.

We on the Kitchen team love Volcanica coffee for a few reasons. First--and most obviously--it's high quality and delicious. The company sources beans from volcanic regions across the globe, which offer mineral-rich soil that results in great tasting coffee.

But Volcanica also prioritizes sustainability and health at the core of its ethos. During roasting, the company uses a Maxon Industrial afterburner to remove smoke and harmful particles that are typically caused by the roasting process. It reduces overall emissions to lessen Volcanica's carbon footprint.

The Ethiopian Yirgacheffe blend is organic, made with Arabica beans from southern Ethiopia. It's a medium-light roast with notes of blueberry and lemon.

2. Death Wish Dark Roast Coffee

Self-proclaimed as "the world's strongest coffee," Death Wish Dark Roast is made from a blend of organic arabica and robusta beans. They're roasted in small batches for a resulting coffee that's low in acidity and smooth in flavor. And with double the caffeine content present in other coffee, Death Wish is a favorite among die-hard caffeine consumers--with over 40,000 positive reviews on Amazon.

3. Tiny Footprint Coffee

If you like your morning joe with notes of sustainability, Tiny Footprint might be your best match.

Not only are these beans certified organic, but the production of them is carbon negative--which means for every four pounds of CO2 created to produce the coffee, 54 pounds of trees are planted in its place. Tiny Footprint is partnered with The Mindo Cloudforest Foundation in Ecuador, a nonprofit organization working to plant native tree species and preserve habitats for animals.

And it's not just good for the planet; Tiny Footprint Coffee has a 4.4-star rating on Amazon for its tasty flavor profile and particularly great cold brew results.

4. Mayorga Organics Mayan Blend

This highly rated medium roast coffee is made with organic Arabica beans that are shade-grown and sourced from Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala. The resulting blend has a unique flavor profile, with chocolate and floral notes and a smooth finish.

Consumers love Mayorga Coffee for its high quality flavor profile--and for the do-good aspect of responsible trade with Latin American farmers.

5. Lavazza Organic ¡Tierra! Whole Bean Coffee Blend

If you already love Lavazza's iconic Italian coffee, the brand's organic and sustainable beans are a no-brainer.

The Tierra blend is made with Arabica beans that are born on shade-grown, organic farms. On each African, Central American, and South American farm these beans are grown on, the Lavazza Foundation actively works with farmers to mitigate the effects of climate change through agricultural techniques. The brand has formed partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the globe to work toward a greener future with better coffee for everyone.

6. Clevr Coffee Superlatte

Less of a traditional cup of coffee and more of a superdrink, Clevr's Coffee Superlatte is a powder that's meant to boost energy and immunity. Each scoop includes Colombian coffee, plant-based creamer, probiotics, and adaptogens like Ashwagandha and Reishi mushrooms to provide a balance of energetic focus and stress relief (plus added benefits like immunity and digestive support).

All ingredients are organic and responsibly sourced, so you can feel extra good about indulging in your hot (or cold) superfood latte.

7. Wandering Bear Extra Strong Cold Brew Coffee

For all those who can't be bothered to wait for their caffeine fix in the morning, Wandering Bear offers a fantastic ready-to-drink cold brew.

Each case is made with just organic Arabica coffee beans and water. So you can choose to indulge in a filler-free black cup, or add your favorite creamer and/or sweetener (more on that later).

Every serving provides 150 milligrams of caffeine, ready to boost you into your morning (or afternoon) routine. And most conveniently, Wandering Bear can be stored at room temperature until it's opened, when you can store it in the fridge for at least 30 days.

8. Mount Hagen Organic Instant Coffee

Another great option for the impatiently caffeinated, this instant coffee is the first of its kind--organic, fair trade, freeze dried coffee--to hit the market.

Mount Hagen's freeze-drying process occurs without the use of any harmful additives or preservatives. And the single-origin beans are sourced from Papua New Guinea, cultivated by fair trade standards where each worker is paid fairly and adequately. 

And beyond ethical standards, this is some of the most highly rated instant coffee you can get, praised by thousands of reviewers and well respected publications. 

Organic creamers

9. laird superfood coconut powder coffee creamer.

If you prefer your creamer with built-in health benefits, Laird is a popular choice.

Made from plant-based ingredients like coconut milk powder and coconut oil, this is a shelf-stable creamer that's great for mixing into coffee, tea, or smoothies on the go. It also contains Aquamin, a type of sea algae that contains beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium. You can opt for the original flavor, or mix it up with one of Laird's other options, like Vanilla, Cacao, or Turmeric.

10. So Delicious Dairy-Free Organic Coconutmilk Creamer

This no-frills option sticks to the basics: A silky texture, unmistakable coconut flavor, and certified organic ingredients. For a vegan and gluten-free option that thousands of reviewers can agree on, you can't go wrong with So Delicious's grocery store staple--especially at such an affordable price.

11. Organic Valley Ultra Pasteurized Organic Half & Half

Prefer real dairy in your coffee? Organic Valley's Half & Half has earned almost five glowing stars on Amazon from over seven thousand reviewers who have praised it for its rich and creamy texture, long shelf life, and humane production. 

Organic Valley produces its milk on family farms, where the cows are raised humanely on open land with small herds of no more than 75 cows for extra attention. That type of treatment results in uniquely rich milk that satisfies gustatory and ethical standards.

12. Sown Organic Oat Creamer

Oat milk fans, we see you. This organic oat-based option from Sown is made with organic North American oats--and not much else. It's unsweetened, so you can cater your coffee beverage to your taste without having to worry about added sugars. Thousands of consumers have praised it for its dairy-like creaminess and versatility for adding in a variety of drinks (and foods).

13. Mastermind Coffee Focus Creamer

Need a little extra jolt before work in the morning? This Focus creamer does more than lighten your coffee; it features stimulating ingredients to get your brain working. Think lion's mane powder for memory and cognition and l-theanine for relaxation and focus. And, of course, all of the ingredients are organic.

Organic sweeteners and syrups

14. bacanha organic raw vanilla syrup .

This all-natural, Parisian vanilla syrup is made with all the good stuff and none of the fillers: pure organic cane sugar, pure bourbon vanilla extract, and water. In addition to coffee and lattes, Bacanha syrups are also great for cocktails and baking. Plus, they come in beautiful bottles that you'll want to show off in your at-home coffee station.

15. Holy Kakow Organic Syrup Variety Pack

If you like to keep your latte flavors interesting, it's worth investing in Holy Kakow's variety pack , which includes Caramel, Hazelnut, and Vanilla varieties. These syrups are similar to the bottles you'll see at your local cafe, but they're handmade in small batches with all organic ingredients, like rich Colombian sugar, Himalayan salt, and organic citric acid from lemons.

16. Daysie Trio

Daysie is a women-founded business that makes tasty organic sweeteners for coffee, cocktails, and more. The trio flavor collection includes Madagascar Vanilla, Salted Caramel, and Coconut Almond--all of which are made with a short list of natural ingredients and zero preservatives. And even better? With each bottle sold, Daysie donates 2.1% of profits to organizations supporting women business owners.

17. Thrive Market Organic Liquid Stevia

For a sugar-free sweetener option, Thrive Market has an organic liquid stevia that's extremely popular among customers. It's free of calories, has a low glycemic index, and won't add any unwanted flavors or aftertastes to your coffee. And a little bit of this stuff goes a long way: Just one four-ounce bottle contains over 900 servings.

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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

Responsible Coffee Snobbery Starts With Organic Farming — Here Are 8 of the Best Conscious Options

We take our coffee without pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides.

Apr. 26 2024, Published 1:50 p.m. ET

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Your parents have clung to their beloved pre-ground Folgers Classic Roast for over two decades, but is it really "the best part of wakin' up"? Maybe you've thought of picking up a bag of Dunkin' coffee grounds in the grocery store as you favor the chain's cold brew. Unfortunately, neither Folgers nor packaged retail Dunkin' coffee grounds/beans are organic .

Caffeine Informer wrote that non-organic coffee " may contain chemicals and molds ." Folgers, for instance, uses pesticides , herbicides, and fungicides, which can not only damage our physical health, but the health of our planet.

According to a 2016 study, there are a slew of negative health effects that have been linked to chemical pesticides, including "dermatological, gastrointestinal, neurological, carcinogenic, respiratory, reproductive, and endocrine effects."

Pesticides can also infect soil, water, and vegetation , according to a 2009 scholarly article. This leads to the death of insects and plants and harms animals like fish and birds, negatively impacting their chances of survival.

Regarding people, "production workers, formulators, sprayers, mixers, loaders and agricultural farm workers" were listed as high-risk groups who come in direct contact with these toxic chemicals.

The best organic coffees that don't compromise on taste or responsibility.

Organic coffee farming not only protects the coffee drinkers, but the hardworking individuals who help bring your lips to the mug in the first place. These eight organic coffee varieties from responsible brands will surely enliven your palette.

Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co. Three Blend Starter Kit

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You'll be barking for Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co. The charitable coffee brand donates 20 percent of all profits to animal rescue initiatives. The company has provided over 24,214 toys, 22,250 vaccines, and 4.2 million meals to pooches in need.

The Three Blend Starter Kit includes three bags of USDA Organic blends (of 100 percent sustainably sourced Arabica beans): Morning Walk Breakfast Blend, Paper & Slippers Medium Roast, and the Alpha Blend Dark Roast.

Purity Coffee FLOW Medium Roast (Whole Bean)

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The Good Trade wrote that buying truly clean coffee all about " lab-tested, certified organic, or biodynamically grown coffee beans," recommending Purity Coffee .

Of its health-focused, regeneratively-farmed, traceable, and USDA Organic coffees, FLOW is a delicious Rainforest Alliance Certified medium roast coffee with notes of "roasted nuts, dark chocolate, and juicy apple."

Counter Culture Coffee Nueva Llusta (Whole Bean)

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TikTok creator @cleankitchennutrition mentioned Counter Culture Coffee in his July 2023 video about avoiding mycotoxins. The Certified B Corporation prioritizes "environmental, social, and fiscal sustainability," building long-term relationships with producers, measuring and offsetting carbon emissions , funding sustainability via its Two for the Future program, and supporting World Coffee Research .

Nueva Llusta is an organic, single-origin light roast coffee from Bolivia with notes of black cherry and hazelnut!

Chamberlain Coffee Squeaky Squirrel Caramel Blend

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YouTube fans adore Emma Chamberlain just as much as she adores coffee. Her company, Chamberlain Coffee , was "created on the basis of sustainability, authenticity, transparency . No pesticides. No b------t," the Gen Z YouTube star-turned-founder told Forbes in 2020.

Check out the Fair Trade, USDA Organic Squeaky Squirrel Caramel Blend ! This medium roast from Colombia, Guatemala, and Nicaragua is "perfect for making a caramel latte or macchiato."

Groundwork Coffee Co. Organic Colombia Light Roast (Whole Bean)

@realfoodology 3 reasons why you should be consuming organic coffee #fyp #coffee #organic ♬ original sound - Courtney Swan

TikTok's Courtney Swan, @realfoodology , listed Groundwork Coffee as one of her personal favorites. The Certified B Corporation only offers coffee that is "certified organic, directly traded, and ethically sourced." Groundwork Coffee works with family-owned smallholder farms and tries to purchase from farms that trusted organizations like Rainforest Alliance have certified sustainable.

The Colombia Light Roast is an AMUCC Fair Trade coffee with tangerine and milk chocolate notes.

Chameleon Organic Vanilla Flavored Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate

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Courtney Swan also favors Chameleon 's cold brew.

"We use only 100 percent organic, Fair Trade Certified coffee beans. Also, our post-brewed coffee grounds are composted ," Chameleon's marketing director, Rachel Fagan, said back in 2018 .

The USDA Organic Vanilla Flavored Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate features Arabica beans sustainably sourced from Guatemala, Columbia, and Peru/Honduras, with notes of Madagascar vanilla, raspberry, and butterscotch.

Peace Coffee Birchwood Breakfast Blend - Ground Medium Roast

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Peace Coffee (@peace_coffee)

Insert LGBTQ+ iced coffee joke here! Peace Coffee is a proudly queer-owned, fair trade, organic coffee company that offers "deliciously do-gooding brews." The Certified B Corporation purchases coffee from small-scale grower cooperatives, gives back via the the Carbon, Climate, and Coffee Initiative , and delivers coffee via bike!

The Birchwood Breakfast Blend is a USDA Organic low acid medium roast with boasting notes of bittersweet chocolate, honey, and cedar.

San Francisco Bay Whole Bean Coffee - Organic Rainforest Blend

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San Francisco Bay Coffee has an Enveritas Certification and a Zero-Waste Certification via Underwriters Labs , proving that it takes social, economic, and environmental responsibilities seriously. Plus, it gives back to its farmers and their communities via the Rogers Charitable Fund .

The USDA Organic Rainforest Blend is a dark roast with notes of "sweet dark berry, dark chocolate, [and a] hint of jasmine."

Organic Coffee — Benefits, Where to Buy It, and the Best Brands

8 Sustainable Coffee Providers So You Can Have Your Caffeine Guilt-Free

Are You a Sustainable Coffee Snob? Check Out These 8 Eco-Friendly Coffee Makers

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Organic Travel Coffee Sampler for Camping and On-the-Go - Variety Pack includes 3 Organic Single Origin Ground Coffee Packet Varieties, Organic Maple Sugar, Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Coconut Milk - travel coffee creamer, 8 Single Server Drip Coffee Filters / Coffee Tea Bags - Includes Travel Coffee Pouch

About this item.

• Includes 3 single-origin organic coffee packet varieties: Guatemalan, Peruvian, and Sumatran.
• 3 travel coffee condiments / coffee creamer / coffee sweeteners: organic maple sugar, organic coconut sugar and organic coconut milk powder.
• 8 individual drip coffee pour over filters included.
• Convenient Zipper Travel Coffee Pouch: Pack and carry your coffee essentials in style with our durable zipper travel pouch. Compact and travel-friendly, it ensures that all your coffee pouches, sweetener / creamer packets stay organized, protected, and ready for your next caffeine fix. Great for travel, camping, RVs, AIRBNBs and gifts.
• Each packet contains approximately 1/4 cup of ingredient - 2-3 servings per packet.
• *Coffee varieties subject to change based on seasonal availibility.

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From the brand

Sprinkle flavor into every occasion with organic spice & seasoning sets and gourmet salt samplers designed for every adventure!

Organic Spice & Seasoning sets designed for travel and adventure! Our spice kits are perfect for camping, travel, dorm rooms, RVs, small kitchens, tiny houses and much more. A great gift for foodies, chefs, beginner cooks, Indian cooking, housewarming, birthdays, moms, dads, Christmas and just about anyone who loves food.

Season Your Adventures

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How did we get our start?

After quitting our jobs and embarking on a cross-country road trip, we encountered many challenges cooking on the road with bulky bottles and spilled spices. We searched high and low for a good travel spice set. And, when we came up empty handed, we set out to create our own camping spice kit.

What makes our products unique?

We specifically designed our spice and seasoning sets for travel and adventure. Our travel-friendly compact spice sets make it easy for your spices go where you go!

Sprinkle Flavor Anywhere

Whole Spice Sets

Product description.

Spice up your kitchen with Cpise's Organic Travel Spice & Coffee Sets ! Our spice sets are offered in multiple options to easily adapt to your cooking style. Mix & match to customize these organic spice sets to fit your needs!

Choose Your Cooking / Brewing Style or Mix & Match!

Organic Travel Coffee Sampler for Camping and On-the-Go

Variety Pack includes 3 Organic Single Origin Ground Coffee Packet Varieties, Organic Maple Sugar, Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Coconut Milk - travel coffee creamer, 8 Single Server Drip Coffee Filters / Coffee Tea Bags - Includes Travel Coffee Pouch

Introducing the Ultimate Travel and Camping Coffee Kit – a travel essential for the coffee aficionado on the move! This kit is your passport to travel coffee, guaranteeing an exceptional coffee experience on the go. Crafted for the adventurous coffee connoisseur, it ensures a delightful coffee journey, whether you're exploring the great outdoors or sipping on simple modern travel coffee during a weekend getaway.

Organic Whole & Ground Indian Spices & Spice Blends

• Organic Whole Indian Spices: Bay Leaves, Cinnamon Sticks (Kortinje), Cloves, Coriander, Cumin Seeds, Fennel Seeds, Mustard Seeds - Brown, Safron
• Organic Ground Indian Spices: Cayenne Chili Pepper - 35k HU, Coriander, Curry Powder, Ginger, Turmeric
• Organic Indian Seasonings / Spice Blends: Garam Masala, Tikka Masala

Includes convenient spice storage bag

• Jute / Mesh spice storage pouch with velcro closure
• Clear view front panel allows for easy identification of spices
• See through mesh back panel provide visibility on back side of pouch
• Great travel spice kit for camping, RVs, vacations, airbnb home rentals!

. Brew your journey, one cup at a time.

About Cpise

The spice trade has long been a global trade. We are a US company based in Zephyr Cove, NV. Our organic herbs, spices and gourmet salts come from all over the world and are processed (non-irradiated, steam sterilized) in USDA certified organic food manufacturing facilities. We believe in transparency and label our products* to help customers understand where their spices are grown.

*Seasoning blends which contain multiple spices are not labeled with country of origin

Premium Organic Spices, Seasoning & Ingredients

That go where you go....

We source high quality, organic spices and ingredients to craft travel sets for every occasion. We want to help you create the best food experiences where ever you are and where ever you go.

Our organic spice / coffee kits are designed from an adventure, discovery and travel perspective. They are perfect for camping, RVs, boats, AIRBNB vacation rentals / homes, tiny homes, small kitchens, stick and bricks homes, dorm rooms and more...

Key Highlights:

• Premium, ORGANIC, Kosher Spices & Ingredients
• Portable, Travel-friendly Packaging: Individual Spice Packets are Resealable
• Right-sized for Adventure & Occasional Cooking: Each packet contains ~ 1/8 cup / 6 teaspoons of spice
• Convenient, Travel Zip Bag with Carabiner Clip

Product details

• Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.5 x 7 x 6 inches; 6.74 ounces
• Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Cpise
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CJPHYN3Z
• #215 in Coffee Gifts

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Understanding Organic Coffee: What Is It & Why Should You Care?

Most people want to live healthier, longer, and more active lives, which is why the food and beverages they consume should merit considerable thought. Many of us tend to opt for quick, easy, and sometimes unhealthy foods and drinks due to the busy nature of our daily routines.

Even with coffee, generic, sugar-filled, and calorie-laden options are often the first off the shelves instead of healthier alternatives, like organic coffee .

Obviously, non-organic coffee has been enjoyed by a majority of consumers. However, drinking too much of it can harm your health and severely damage your body systems over time .

Coffee is the world’s second most valuable traded commodity, next only to petroleum. To put this fact in perspective, more coffee is sold globally than corn and sugar combined .

Clearly, people drink a lot of coffee. Read on to learn what organic coffee is and why you should care.

What is organic coffee?

When talking about organic coffee, it is essential to note that we are comparing it to conventional coffee. Traditional coffee growers use synthetic pesticides and herbicides to manage weeds and pests. In fact, conventional coffee is one of the most heavily pesticide-sprayed crops in the world.

On the other hand, organic coffee farmers utilize farming practices that work in harmony with the environment and promote biodiversity, soil health and other good benefits for the world.

Many specialty coffee farmers do not even require pest control solutions as their coffee grows at high enough elevations, where pest problems are not an issue.

Organic-certified coffees can also be treated with pesticides; however, the organic label on a coffee bag signifies that the pesticides used were also organic (natural) as opposed to synthetic chemicals.

As organic coffee grows in cleaner soil and contains no synthetic pesticide residue, organic coffee is obviously the healthier option.

Another difference is that coffee that is certified “organic” must be roasted on a roaster solely dedicated to organic beans or on equipment that has been thoroughly cleaned between roasts. For this reason, most small-batch roasters either sell purely organic coffees or none at all.

Why should you care?

Even if your own health is not enough to convince you to care — organic coffee is high in antioxidants, which can prevent cancer and inflammation in your body — maybe how it benefits the environment will be.

After conventionally grown coffee beans are treated with chemicals, they then get washed with water, which seeps through the soil, going on to leak back into the waterways and contaminate drinking water.

This process destroys the earth’s water resources and also damages the soil. Do you want your cup of coffee to be part of a vicious cycle with new plants growing in pesticide-laced soil?

Granted, you may not live in a locale that will see the immediate effects of this, but regions where organic coffee grows are cleaner and safer. The land is safe and conducive for the cultivation of flora and for fauna to thrive.

By being a patron of organic coffee, you indirectly support the life and health of the people who produce it than if they were producing conventional coffee.

What is the difference in quality?

No matter what the type of coffee, the quality is determined by many factors , including land elevation, soil, harvest and processing technique, the roasting process, the quality of the water, the freshness of the coffee, and the cleanliness of the equipment.

Factory farming and roasting are usually associated with a drop in quality, as farms and roasters that can’t afford to become organic-certified are also generally operating at a much higher scale.

That being said, as with all organic beverages , the most delicious cup of joe is the one that has received a significant amount of love , all the way from the farm to your cup.

The best-tasting organic coffee, for example, has seen the hard work of many hands, and it has been carefully grown, harvested and roasted so that its flavors are preserved and the coffee is clean and fresh.

It is also something you can feel good about drinking as it is better for your health, the environment and the coffee-growing communities.

Where can you find organic coffee?

If possible, you should opt to purchase Fair Trade organic coffee as it helps to contribute to the global movement working towards ensuring healthy and sustainable living conditions, proper pay and economic growth for coffee farmers.

By purchasing coffee sourced from a local Fair-Trade farm, you are ensuring that everyone in the production chain gets a fair share of the revenue earned.

You get to sit back and sip on your favorite drink, knowing that you bought something that strives to better the lives of poor farmers and their families. This just makes drinking organic coffee all the more enjoyable.

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How to Make Great Coffee While Traveling

Written by Dan

Updated on May 2nd, 2024

Traveling with coffee? You need tips for how to make coffee on the road and on the go. Here’s how to make coffee on a vacation and how to create a coffee travel kit.

This article may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commissions when you purchase via those links — and it's free for you. It's only us (Becca & Dan) working on this website, so we value your support! Read our privacy policy and learn more about us .

Table of contents

• What you’ll need to make great coffee while traveling
• Tips for making the best AeroPress coffee
• Other ways to make coffee while traveling
• What are the benefits of making your own coffee while traveling?
• Other helpful tips to know through your coffee journey
• Why I wrote this guide

While you are planning a trip, you’re probably focused on your experiences, finding a hotel and which sights to see. What about coffee?

I’m a coffee lover and it’s part of my day, every day. In the list that follows, I’ve collected all of the ways I’ve tested out making coffee while I’m away from home, as well as some that I want to try. There are some coffee gadgets I recommend, and some quick tips, too.

What you’ll need to make great coffee while traveling

I’ve put together a lightweight coffee travel kit that you can check out.

Below I’ll go into more detail about how to use all the coffee products, and we’ll let you know if you need some of the specific items in the travel coffee product kit.

Here’s everything mentioned below

Coffee grinder

• Portable travel kettle
• Coffee mugs
• Coffee tumbler

The AeroPress will be your primary source for brewing coffee. It’s small, packs well and it’s great for daily use even when you’re not traveling. We use ours at home as a treat.

Coffee beans

Head over to a cool local cafe or check out the supermarket in a new city for a type of coffee that’s sourced or roasted locally. You’re in a new location so trying the local coffee is something fun and exciting to do.

We recommend cafes in Taipei , Brooklyn, New York and the Dominican Republic , to name a few.

You’ll need some way to grind your coffee ! Depending on how long you’re traveling for, you might be able to get away with having a coffee shop grind your coffee for you.

Immersion Heater

If you don’t have a way to heat up water, having a Portable travel kettle will be your best bet. Be careful, as these things can get dangerously hot, really fast.

If you want to make coffee to help you enjoy your morning, having a great non-breakable travel coffee mug will help your overall experience. Check out this set of two stainless steel coffee mugs you can pack in your bag.

Travel coffee thermos

If you are more of a coffee-on-the-go type of person, then an insulated thermos is what you need. The travel coffee tumbler from YETI is great because it has a double-wall engineered build, so it keeps things hot and cold for a long period of time. It’s also dishwasher safe.

I like YETI a lot, and I swear by their 26-oz. travel water bottle .

Tips for making the best AeroPress coffee

AeroPress is one of the quickest and easiest ways to make coffee. It’s easy to get started, but does have a bit of an intimidating element to it.

Experiment with your AeroPress before you travel

You now have a new coffee making product! Use it and practice, before you need to use it.

At home, I have my water temperature, grind size and roast type all dialed in during my coffee-making procedure.

When I travel with an AeroPress, or when I have to make coffee in a different environment other than my own home, I use the opportunity to experiment and try different brewing methods every morning.

If I don’t have a hot water kettle with a thermometer, I’ll experiment with getting the water to boil and waiting a certain amount of time before pouring the water in, when brewing.

I’ll experiment with different roasts and grind sizes to really dial in to how I prefer to drink my coffee.

Cleaning up your coffee-making station

One of the best benefits of using an AeroPress when traveling is minimal clean up. After your coffee is brewed, unscrew the coffee filter lid and plunge the grinds into the trash, or compost.

It’s really easy, all being said and done. After the grinds are separated from the AeroPress, you can do a quick rinse and then dry it off.

I find this to be one of the most minimalistic coffee-making methods, and everything is non-breakable when you use an AeroPress , which is a huge plus.

Don’t fret the details

Don’t have a gooseneck kettle? No problem.

Don’t have a thermometer? That’s okay, too!

Don’t have a scale to measure out coffee? You got this.

Whichever types of issues arise, you’ll figure it out. You can always make a second cup and try again tomorrow. To learn even more about AeroPress, check out the video to get started.

Other ways to make coffee while traveling

There are other creative and interesting ways to make some coffee while you’re on a trip away from home. Check out these ideas and see if any of these coffee methods will work for your taste.

Reusable Keurig cups

Some hotels and places where you stay may have a Keurig. I’ve never been a huge fan of them because they produce a lot of waste. Most coffee seems to be a bit too watery and in my head I know that it came from a pod.

The coffee with a Keurig never really tastes pure. That could be the age of the device or something else. I’m not sure!

A reusable K-cup would be a great option if you pick up some local coffee and don’t mind using the Keurig machine.

French press

There are a few single-serving French press options that would work well for travel.

Because a French press has two components, the lid and the beaker, it’s easy to pack (if you have a non-breakable plastic French press , as I would not recommend traveling with a glass French press, ever).

The lid of a French press breaks down very small and can fit into a lot of small areas of your pack.

You can fill the beaker with other items, like shirts or other soft items that you’re packing if you need to condense items in your luggage.

A French press is also a great way to enjoy coffee.

For daily use, I don’t like French press because the clean up can get sort of messy; however, a lot of people swear by the taste of French press coffee, and I respect that.

Making cold brew with a French press is a perfect option for you if you don’t have any hot water source or power.

This is an amazing coffee hack for when you’re on the road, and you either have a fridge where you’re staying, or some mildly cold outdoor temperatures (like the trunk of a car at night on a road trip!).

All you need is time (8-10 hours is suggested for brewing cold brew if you’re pressed for time, and between 16-24 hours is considered ideal).

To make cold brew while you’re traveling with a French press , mix your coffee (ground) and water into the beaker and don’t press down on the lid yet.

Right before you are about to serve your coffee, the next morning (most likely), strain the grinds by pressing down on the lid and plunger.

It’s that easy! You’ll be serving cold brew to some very impressed travel buddies in no time.

The JoGo Brew Straw for Coffee

What is the JoGo Brew Straw ? Well, if you’ve ever had “mate” in Argentina , you may be familiar with this metal straw contraption that has a coffee filter at the base. The JoGo has made it into an updated, special and patent-pending version specialized for your coffee .

What does this mean? It means that this new product allows you to travel without a coffee-making contraption, and all you’d have to do is put your coffee grinds into a mug, add water and then sip.

The JoGo is a sustainable and waste-free way to have a cup of coffee while on the road, camping or in an Airbnb anywhere in the world! It can also be used for tea.

We also have the Silicone Tip Color Pack , which are the BPA-free silicone straw tips designed for the JoGo’s flow control, and if you want an a la carte filter , you can order it on its own.

Cowboy coffee 🤠

If you don’t want to travel with any type of coffee-making device or coffee equipment, you can make “cowboy coffee.”

To make it, start with a coarse grind.

Next, boil your coffee and water together for a few minutes. The grinds should sink to the bottom.

Pour out the brewed coffee into a mug, and cup and that’s it. You’re a cowboy coffee pro, and now you see why any ole cowboy can do this while on the road.

Concentrated cold brew

Most stores sell concentrated cold brew nowadays.

If you were once a cold brew newbie and you drank a full cup of concentrated cold brew, you’re familiar with the onset of a caffeine headache and feeling a true overload of intense buzz. That’s because cold brew concentrate should ALWAYS be watered down in its intended ratios.

Concentrated cold brew coffee is generally a good option if you want to save money during travel and not be buying coffee every day.

Cold brew concentrate is also ideal if you have no desire (or time) to make cold brew coffee by yourself, on your trip.

The concentrated cold brew should last you a few days if you buy a bottle, but it does depend on the size of the bottle you buy.

Funny story: I went to a brunch at a friend’s house and poured some store-bought cold brew into my cup and didn’t realize it was concentrated.

I drank probably the equivalent of three or four cups worth of coffee in one sitting. Big oops. Depending on your weight or body mass, this can be sort of dangerous!

My advice is to watch out and read labels when it comes to cold brew. Look for that word ‘concentrate’ on the label, and you’ll be fine.

Coffee tea bags

One thing I can say is that I’ve experimented with making my own coffee tea bags and it didn’t work out too well.

The coffee ratio that I tried wasn’t quite right and it wasn’t my favorite method. It also kind of reminded me of tea, but it was overly very convenient and stress-free in terms of coffee-making methods while on the road.

If this sounds like something that you want to get into, check out Steeped Coffee , or, from the makers of the Big Island Coffee Roasters Espresso Bites comes the travel-friendly Hawaiian Coffee Singles. These coffee-bag sachets just have to be steeped in hot water and then you have a cup of pretty darn good coffee.

Drink tea instead of coffee

I know this is a coffee article, but tea is pretty good.

Tea is also very easy to travel with, and a few tea bags will have that caffeine kick if you’re in a pinch!

Becca has done a lot of research into the caffeine levels of tea (mostly because she’s a caffeine addict). If you want to nearly mimic a caffeine kick with tea in case there’s no coffee around, try these:

• Yerba mate (popular in Argentina )
• Black tea (it comes from Sri Lanka a lot of the time!)
• Green tea (most popular in East Asia, and welcomed around the world)

Instant coffee

Lastly, there’s instant coffee.

Some people actually enjoy instant coffee. During our trip to Merida, Mexico , our first Airbnb had a coffee maker, but no filters, and no good coffee.

We didn’t want to buy a nice bag of ground beans that might go to waste, because we were also planning on being at our coworking space nearby most days, and there was unlimited coffee there.

So, for the days on which we didn’t attend the workspace, we drank instant. First, we got bad instant coffee, from a convenience store, and it was terrible. We then got a bottle of Nescafe instant coffee at Walmart, and used half of it. One of us tolerates instant coffee better than the other (we won’t tell you who).

If you “tolerate” instant coffee, it’s not a terrible backup plan if your accommodation has a way to heat up water, or a hot plate with a pot.

What are the benefits of making your own coffee while traveling?

If you want to save money while traveling, but you love coffee oh-so-much, check out the benefits of making your own coffee while traveling. We guarantee you’ll be enthused to try making your own coffee in your hotel room, Airbnb, hostel or RV.

Did you ever think about how much people spend drinking coffee and going out to cafes?

Don’t get us wrong, because we absolutely love trying new cafes, especially all over the world.

The catch is that this stuff really adds up, between the cost of coffee, and then add-ons like syrups, non-dairy milks, getting a bigger size, and then adding tax and tip, and you could be in for $5-6 in some parts of the world.

On one of our most recent trips to Montauk, in the Hamptons we drank complimentary hotel coffee in the morning instead of going out to chic cafes nearby. If you consider this like a save of $10 between two people per day, you could save $70 from a week-long trip just by drinking coffee in the hotel.

Try local coffee

For making your own local coffee while traveling, try buying roasts and blends from sources nearby.

This is one of our most favorite parts of traveling in coffee regions like Colombia and Mexico. In fact, when we went to Mexico, we found out that Mexico has a robust and growing coffee trade.

We never would’ve known that if we hadn’t started our coffee tour of Mexico City at a cafe like BUNA , where we saw locally-sourced cafes from regions like Chiapas, and the same goes for cool cafes like Quentin .

Our advice here is to support local cafes by buying a bag of coffee, whether beans or ground, and if you’re traveling somewhere in which the language is not English, learn how to say these words in the local lingo. For example, to say ‘ground’ in Spanish is ‘molido.’

Support local businesses

Hand in hand with the above, when you buy locally-sourced coffees, you’re supporting local businesses.

What we really liked in Bogota, Colombia, at cafes like Azahar was that you can learn all about the coffee shops’ relationships with local farmers and coffee-growing families who are supported by the coffee you can buy there.

If you’re heading to a city in a ‘coffee country’ like Bogota, Colombia, check out more photos of local coffee shops and experience a cafe like Colo Cafe .

Have coffee on your own timeline

Let’s say you’re jetlagged and wake up at 4:00am. Wide awake. Cafes don’t open for another four hours and you really want to get your day started.

Good thing you brought your mini coffee-making kit because this way, you’re good to go!

When you travel with coffee-making supplies, you can make coffee whenever and wherever you want.

Other helpful tips to know through your coffee journey

Drinking good coffee is one thing, and making it well is another. It’s why we’re open to experiences like learning about coffee in a coffee brewing class to get better at the art of coffee.

It’s even a third thing to travel well with coffee. Here are some more tips to consider for your coffee logistics during travel.

How to pack your coffee making kit

If your coffee kit is breakable, we don’t recommend traveling with any of it. That’s why we recommend a non-breakable plastic French press and the AeroPress we talked about, above.

Be prepared to declare any international coffee you buy

Upon re-entering your home country, or upon entering a second country on your trip, you may be asked to declare items that were near farms, agriculture, animals and the like.

Keep in mind that if you buy coffee on a coffee farm or if you pick it and roast it yourself or what have you, this might qualify as a good that must be declared. If you wish to err on the side of caution, you can ship coffee home from destinations on your trip, or order them by mail when you get home.

Have a lightweight resealable bag where you can transport your open coffee

No one likes a mess when they open their bag after a flight or train ride! In fact, it’s one of the most disappointing things to realize you didn’t close your shampoo correctly and now it’s all over your clothes in your suitcase.

Traveling with coffee can yield the same type of challenge.

We recommend traveling with a resealable food storage bag , in which even if your coffee bag rips or spills, it’s contained within a sturdy and thick bag that won’t let the smell or the grinds leak onto your clothes or valuables.

Donate your leftover coffee to a local hostel or another traveler

We like hostels and communal spaces where travelers get to share things. One of the perks of a hostel kitchen is that people leave behind food items they can’t take with them, and the newcomers get to benefit. We’ve been on both ends of the occasion!

We stayed at the guest house of a couple of friends, and knew that they had a visitor coming a week after us, so we left our half-used ground coffee in a cabinet for that person. It feels good to pass on the love of coffee, don’t you agree?

Why I wrote this guide

If you’re anything like me, most of your mornings (and sometimes afternoons) start with coffee. In my kitchen, I have all of the brewing methods, like a Chemex , V60 pourover , French press and AeroPress .

They all serve a purpose and I enjoy using them all. But when I travel, I am at a loss. Sometimes I’ll drink the bad hotel coffee in the room or in the lobby. Maybe I’ll skip a day of drinking coffee completely. Or, maybe I’ll pay $5 for Starbucks.

When we’ve traveled in the past, we enjoy visiting local cafes (like in Mexico City! ), and we like working remotely from inside the coffee shops in a travel destination.

Now that times have changed a little bit, we’ve shifted our preferences, and now we like to make coffee at home. We also take it very seriously It’s our morning ritual, we find it satisfying and on weekends we drink coffee together on the couch or at our dining table.

When we travel now, we like to keep that tradition of finding ways to make coffee everywhere . I wrote this guide to share all the creative ways I’ve made coffee when we’ve been away from home, as well as the ones I’ve looked into, and have yet to try. I hope it helps you bring your coffee to wherever your travels bring you.

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Munich: Organic coffee and tea houses

To find a self-respecting restaurant or supermarket snack bar not equipped with a restaurant-size Italian espresso machine can be difficult, and even the tiniest organic corner shop will try to offer you ubiquituous Italian-style coffee drinks. Likewise you can have organic tea bag teas and infusions of usually decent quality. But for the modern nomad on the job, the afternoon chat with friends or the traveller in search of a undisturbed place for a break or observations, the dedicated coffee or tea house is a far more appropriate place to spent hours. Common for all the places listed here that they are closed in the evening – usually around 6pm, some keep open until 8pm. Note that weekend opening hours may be even more restricted.

Viennese-style coffee houses

Oriental-style coffee, italian style bars.

• (Almost) fully organic places

Shabby chic and homely places

Self-service coffee house and deli bars, mingle with the working crowd, more to try.

The headline is misleading – even if an increasing number of cafes see themselves in the tradition of Viennese coffee houses when it comes to the stuccoed interior, the dark wooden furniture, a selection of daily newspapers as well as the menu, they will usually serve Italian-style coffee drinks. The perfect place for breakfast and a coffee break at any time of the day, you will also be served lunch and snacks throughout the day. Expect however to order more of the deliciously handcrafted cakes than you initially intended to.

To my knowledge the only one left by the end of 2020 and my absolute favourite is the newly restored Cafe Reichshof in Haidhausen , covered in detail in my ice-cream post .

Since Iunu stopped serving Turkish mocca the only place offering responsibly sourced oriental-style coffee in Haidhausen is Saladins Souk with its rather irrational opening hours. If it is closed you may move next door to Erbils vegan Turkish eatery.

In autumn 2021 I noticed to my delight that these aren't the only mocca places anymore: The Icedate ice-cream parlour in Maxvorstadt started serving organic coffee, although the price tag of 2.40 EUR the mocca is rather stiff.

Pop in, have a coffee, a chat, a sweet, and pop out again – the Italian bar is the hotspot of a neighbourhood. To my deepest regret its Bavarian incarnation is no more (landlord cancelled contract with the coffee roastery), but Emilo coffee bar in the self-proclaimed Northern-most city of Italy, run by a small scale local coffee roaster of the same name. Though it is situated only a little walk from Isartor or party hotspot Gärtnerplatz in the hip Glockenbach neighbourhood it's mainly frequented by regulars whom the barista, Mr. Filser with his rustic Bavarian charme greets personally. Since only a selection of their coffees is organic you may wish to order organic coffees explicitely. They use organic milk throughout the menu, and the eggs and spelt flour used in their rustic and extremely yummy Bavarian home-made cakes are all organic, too (the only exception are the croissants made by a French bakery). Apart from Italian style coffee drinks you can also order cold brews and shop from the roasters coffee specialities. An insider's tip all worth the detour from your usual route through the city. There's also a newer and more standard branch in Munich's Westend – an important destination for all Oktoberfest visitors. --> in the middle of humming Viktualienmarkt market North of the crossing Reichenbachstraße/Frauenstraße there's Kaffeerösterei Viktualienmarkt , a vibrant market booth with bar tables under a roof. So even if the weather is bad and you're outside there's no reason to give up plans for an Italian style coffee drink made with sustainably sourced (though not organically certified), locally roasted coffee. The milk is organic and comes from traditionally working mountain farms in the Berchtesgadener Land district , packaged by the co-operatively driven Berchtesgadener Land dairy which, in 2017, banned the use of glyphosate for all its farmers, not only the organic ones.

If you prefer your coffee with biodynamic (Demeter) milk head for the Sorry Johnny coffee bar in Haidhausen , conveniently located at the Wörthstraße tram stop. The place has quite unusual opening hours: closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and open during the early evening on Fridays and Saturdays. The bar replaced a vegan clean-eating spot in autumn 2021 which, for a while, prepared my favourite oat-based latte – a coffee preparation that's still available here.

Without the heavy car traffic the area between Max-Weber- and Wiener Platz could be a lovely urban hideaway, with singing tram tracks, an underground station (exhibiting Munich's first horse tram), pleasant shops, cafes and nearby parks. To escape from the agressive passive motorised mobility along Innere Wiener Straße jump into quiet Steinstraße and take a breath at the tiny Coffee Box cafe. Although some of their coffee is roasted by Merchant & Friends in Glonn , none of the beans served here are organic. The milk, however, is organic, as is the ginger and pomegranate juices used in some drinks. For a refreshment in the summer heat have an organic, vegan popsicle.

Not certified organic, but responsibly sourced coffee beans grown with respect for nature by small scale farmers – the coffee roasted at the Alrighty coffee bar in the newly developed, trending Werksviertel will nevertheless give you the comforting feel of doing something right. To find the place leave Ostbahnhof station through the Friedensstaße exit to enjoy a speciality coffee preferably in the sun.

(Almost) fully organic

If all you want is a place where you do not have to fine-read the menu to pick out the organic items your options are limited to the afore mentioned Café Reichshof , near tram stop "Wörthstraße") – and to Café Josefina in the legendary neighbourhood of Schwabing with its bohemian past, a few steps from tube stop Josephsplatz . A cosy day cafe serving Italian-style coffee drinks made with real milk or a number of plant-based alternatives it's not only worth a coffee but also a lunch break. Although nearly all ingredients are organic there are a few exceptions when it comes to the cold cuts used in Italian-style sandwiches. As early as half past seven the place starts serving both, vegan, vegetarian, and omnivore breakfast on weekdays, and since it is quite small it's advisable to reserve a table if you plan to step by on a weekend.

For a fully organic breakfast or coffee near Münchner Freiheit head for the small artisanal (and fully organic) Brotraum bakery happily catering for early birds. The breakfast menu is simple – but you can order additional items like eggs and cream cheese on top or ask for a freshly prepared sandwich or roll of your choice. Don't forget to bring your own bags and containers when you come here to buy bread, rolls or lunch items for take away – the owner is inclined to support your zero waste efforts.

In Neuhausen , about half a kilometre from Rotkreuzplatz a gorgeous health-food eatery cum cafe gROOSartig (a play on the word "gorgeous" and the name of the owner) opened in 2020, offering breakfast, lunch, and coffee breaks based on regional, usually organic, often fairly-traded ingredients. Although the menu is planned with a focus on healthy food the demand for sweets and cakes has resulted in an increasing range on cakes and tarts. The place also has a small shop offering plastic-free artisanal household items.

The Westend has lost a lot of organic or partially organic places after or during the covid 19 pandemic, so I am happy to see a location with a long history of being organic to be revived in this spirit: The new (in 2024) vegan cafe Etisch at Gollierplatz opened in lieu of one of those friendly, crammed owner-run organic cornershops, Nico's .

Its chef (as of April 2024) is in the process of getting a organic certificate for his kitchen, and the owner, Aylin, is planning to obtain a certificate, too. For the time being, many ingredients are already organic, but not all. The pear-chocolate cake I had was soft and far too fast eaten. In addition I had a very decent cappuccino with organic oat milk (the default however is a conventional brand with aggressive marketing). Had I been hungry I'd have given the Turkish-style börek a try. Etisch – the name is a pun of the German words for "ethical" and "table" ("Tisch") – also offers a tempting lunch menu. In addition you can shop for body care, olive oil, the non-alcoholic gin substitute of the otherwise organic distillery "Duke" in Aschheim and other sustainable (though not necessarily organically certified) products.

A small cafe of old, run as a social enterprise just a five minutes walk away from Rosenheimer Platz , Cafe Plaisir moved to a bigger and lighter venue in 2018 – and stopped using organic ingredients for their home-made ice-cream, chocolates, cakes and cookies. Still, tea and coffee drinks and a few more items are marked on the menu with a little heart denoting organic, and eggs – where marked – come from organic farms raising both, the hens and their cockerel brothers. Be patient and kind if the serving personnel does not respond immediately – the shop is a social enterprise run by longterm-unemployed persons.

Not far from Ostbahnhof station Kosy*s cafe promises to be "your second living room". As long as you have some tolerance towards cake stands filled with kitschy sweets guaranteed free from natural colourings and a decidedly vintage feel you can have an organic tea or soft drink, a coffee drink made with organic milk, organic eggs and cereals for breakfast or a hearty lunch often entirely made from organic ingredients in a leisurely atmosphere. The good thing is that organic ingredients aren't shamefully hidden – when it's organic they'll make it transparent on the menu. The bad news: their homemade cakes unfortunately are not organic, not even the eggs.

A few steps away, directly located at Orleansplatz cafe Iunu is a perfect place to meet a friend for a chat or to have a recreational coffee break including a chat with the friendly owner. Some of the coffee, the milk, the tea and a few staples used in the daily changing vegetarian and ayurvedic-inspired lunch set menu like agave syrup, rice and vegetable yogurt alternatives are organic, but unfortunately usually not the veges. The place was my joker for the best Turkish mocca in town, but unfortunately it is no longer being served due to marginal demand. With a small but carefully chosen (though not necessarily organic) range of delicatessen Iunu will also save you when in need for an unplanned last minute gift. On Saturdays the cafe is often unexpectedly closed due to arrangements, so check in advance.

Another cosy living room dubbed Zimtzicke is tucked away in comparatively quiet Elsässer Straße , only a five minutes walk from Ostbahnhof. All their teas, coffees, the milk and eggs are organic. Their lunch dishes, although mainly not organic, are tasty. However, when I enquired about the ingredients of the individual dishes on the menu, the staff wasn't able to tell whether they contained organic ingredients. The tiny place smells lovely of home-make cakes, some of them vegan. A perfect location to warm up after a winter walk in the city, and a pleasant retreat to welcome spring or to enjoy a summer day in the city on a table in front of it.

Another option to mingle with natives is a homely shabby chic neighbourhood cafe cum gallery in the neighbourhood of Au , on the Eastern shore of river Isar near Deutsches Theater. The audience of Café Käthe is mixed, coffee, milk, tea, rolls and cakes as well as most of the softdrinks are organic. They don't serve hot food, but you can have breakfast, sandwiches, cereals, salads and - of course – cake all day. Many but not all ingredients are organic, so ask if you care but be prepared that the service personnel isn't prepared to answer on the spot.

A crowded neighbourhood coffee bar in Obergiesing , Shotgun Sister allows you to meet people from the former working class borough which has been popular among both, students and families alike. All food including the cakes are home-made, with organic fruit and veges, often from local biodynamic agriculture. The cakes are fully organic. If you cannot spot the place at once watch out for the branch of the organic Hofpfisterei bakery chain which is located next to it, a five minutes walk from Giesing station. If you like splash out a coffee on an unknown – as the sister participates in the Hey campaign for fellow citizens in need. Needless to say that vegan and gluten-free options are readily available.

Big enough to almost guarantee a free seat for the visitor-by-chance is Cafe Katzentempel in the Maxvorstadt university quarter . You must however not suffer from a cat allergy as this rather special vegan place is inhabitated by six cats, and the once nice wallpaper on the wall with the scratch pole facing the entrance has already become rather shabby. Most of the softdrinks are organic as are all soy products and the cow milk (on request used for non-vegan coffee and tea-based drinks). The place offers an impressive range of organic nuts and grain milks to be ordered for your latte. The food and home-made cakes may include additional organic ingredients, although they aren't generally organic, just of local origin if possible. Students and apprentices are entitled special prices Tuesday through Friday, and free wifi is available. Depending on your table you may find the slightly aggressive sales presentation of the Katzentempel brand t-shirts disturbing – overall a place to either love or detest.

Further along Türkenstraße you'll find Mr. Ben – a small coffee cum snacks place offering (herbal) tea and soft drinks in organic quality. Unfortunately neither the coffee artisanally roasted in the neighbourhood of Giesing nor the milk and oat milk are organic. There's a small selection of Italian-style piadina sandwiches and freshly home-made cake which occasionally may contain organic ingredients. The croissants used to come from an organic bakery a longer bicycle ride out of town but they were sold out (just like the veggie piadina) when I was there. Orders should be placed at the bar, but you will be served, and return to the bar for payment, preferably (and if the sum is smaller than ten euros only) in cash.

If you prefer strictly vegan places for a coffee break try Siggis which I reviewed here .

Intercultural meeting spots

Kuko Westend

For the no-frills coffee with WLAN or on the go a number of nation-wide operating self-service coffee house chains serve Italian and American-style organic coffee often with organic milk and some more organic items like tea, soft drinks or fruit and nut bars. The market in Munich is quite volatile: The once dominating franchise San Francisco Coffee Company filed for bankruptcy during the covid-19 pandemics and does no longer have stores in Munich. Black Bean never expanded and survived, and Coffee Fellows is now ubiquitous, serving coffee at (among others) fuel and train stations.

Once booming MyMuesli chain, a German web order shop for organic cereals and porridges with offline branches throughout the German-speaking countries also had to close a lot of its shops after a rapid, unhealthy expansion strategy. On the Eastern edge of Viktualienmarkt , a few steps from Marienplatz you'll still find their flagship store which includes a decent coffee bar. No cakes to be had here but Italian style coffee drinks, juices, and of course mueslis, porridges and cereals in case you are a little hungry or in need for an organic breakfast. The major aim of the shop is of course to sell their products but for a quick WLAN or coffee break in the busy heart of the city the functionally styled place isn't a bad option.

My favourite in this category is a small organically certified Munich-based chain: Deli Star brings the spirit of New York-style deli and coffee bars to town, but with a strong focus on the environment: No plastics here, all take away stews and salads come in returnable glass jars, and the coffee on the go in a Recup deposit cup if you don't bring your own. Not every ingredient in their bagels, sandwiches, stews and salads is organic, but all regular organic items are clearly marked BIO on the menu: the cakes (though not the muffins and brownies), most meat products, yogurt, Lemonaid and Adelholzener fruit and soft drinks. Other ingredients like veges and cheese may or may not be organic. The coffee isn't organic, but the milk comes in huge reusable containers from a local organic farm. In general they use a lot of products grown and produced in the region and/or from small-scale manufacturers. Both branches are located in students' hotspots in Maxvorstadt : near the University and at the entrance to the Englischer Garten park.

Campus canteens and coffee bars frequented by those working nearby are excellent places to get in contact with locals – with the disadvantage of opening hours following office hours.

On the eastern side of the railway tracks of Ostbahnhof train station, a few minutes north of the newly developed Werksviertel you'll find day cafe Louka , a friendly no-frills place mainly catering for the office workers and craftspersons working nearby. What you get here: coffee, home-made cakes and sandwiches, a daily changing soup and main course, often vegetarian. If you want to taste simple German everyday standards like Kässpätzle and Schupfnudeln, or the Russischer Zupfkuchen ("Russian pluck cake") cheesecake, this is the place. Not everything is organic here, but both, the coffee, the milk and the plant-based drinks, the eggs, often the veges and the meat are.

Steinhausen is most certainly not a neighbourhood you will have on your travel agenda, but if you come to the Berg am Laim urban train, bus and tram stop the coffee bar on the ground flour of the Süddeutsche Zeitung publishing house is nearby and open to the public. It offers organic and fairly traded coffee and organic lemonades at very competitive prices. Milk, soy and oat drinks are occassionally organic, but better check for the "bio" keyword on the packs as conventional industrial milk still prevails. The sweet and savoury snacks are of unknown provenance so you may prefer to ask. Salads and desserts are being sold in retour jars at a deposit. If you wish to mingle with journalists, developers, printers and all those involved in the production of Germany’s most respected daily newspaper this is the place despite the surroundings.

If you happen to strand in the urban desert of office blocks between the tube stops of Karl-Preis-Platz and Sankt-Martin-Straße head for the Neue Balan campus, a former industrial area where in the past Siemens produced semiconductors. Quite centrally you'll find Balan Deli , a modern yet comfortably furnished day cafe run as a not-for-profit company providing fair employment for an inclusive team of people with and without handicaps. The cafe was founded by the nearby inclusive Montessori school and designed by a Hamburg based artist. You can have a healthy lunch, partially based on organic ingredients, or simply an organic coffee, tea, wine or soft drink, often sourced from local producers, in a pleasant environment. The bread for the sandwiches comes from a local organic bakery. Unfortunately the service staff is not very knowledgeable (yet) about organic and sustainably produced food (when I enquired about the milk they told me it was organic although they actually use the cheaper conventional product of the Berchtesgadener Land dairy which also offers an extended range of organic dairy products), but was happy to ask the kitchen staff about the origin of the chicken in the Thai curry (which was not organic).

For those seriously into tea the ultimate target in town is Tushita Teehaus in the Glockenbach neighbourhood, near the Western exit of tube station Fraunhofer Straße (and a five minutes walk South of Gärtnerplatz ). To taste their around 150 organic and often fairly traded tea and tisane varieties (which aren't exhaustively listed on the menu) can take some time, but you can buy them to take with you. With every order the staff will hold a microscopic tea ceremony for you, and hot water for a second extraction is served in a small thermos aside. In the past they often used too hot water for some of their delicate green teas resulting in a bitter beverage, but this fortunately had changed to the better at my last visit. In addition they serve small vegan dishes as well as yummy home-made cakes, all organic, and there's a Japanese touch to both, the decoration, the food and the subtle focus on Japanese tea and matcha. Consequently the place is frequented by visitors of Japanese origin as well as the occasional Indian gentleman or the German hippie or university professor reading their daily. Given how frequented the place often is there's a quiet, pleasantly concentrated atmosphere to it.

• Kaffeerösterei Viktualienmarkt , Abteilung III/Stand 3/26 , Mon–Sat 8–18
• Sorry Johnny , Preysingstr. 42 , Mon(Thu) 7:30–17(20), Fri 7:30–22, Sat(Sun) 10–22(17)
• Coffee Box , Steinstr. 9 , Tue–Fri(Sat) 8:30(9)–17
• Alrighty , Speicherstrasse 28, Werk 13 , Mon–Fri(Sat) 8:30(9:30)–17
• Café Josefina , Augustenstr. 113 , Mon–Fri(Sat–Sun) 7:30(9)–19
• Brotraum , Herzogstr. 6 , Mon–Fri(Sat) 6:30-16(14)
• gROOSartig , Donnersbergerstr. 8 , Mon (Thu–Fr) 9–17(18), Sat–Sun 10–18
• Etisch , Kazmairstr. 38 , Mon–Fri(Sat) 8(11)–18
• Café Plaisir , Balanstr. 12 , Mon–Fri(Sat) 10(12)–20
• Kosy*s , Pariser Str. 50 , Thu–Sat 10–19
• Iunu , Wörthstr. 30 , Mon–Sat 9–17
• Zimtzicke , Elsässer Str. 25 , Mon–Fri 8–18, Sat(Sun) 10–16(15)
• Café Käthe , Gebsattelstr. 34 , Tue–Fri(Sat–Sun) 8(9)–19
• Shotgun Sister , Deisenhofener Str. 40 , Mon–Sat 8–18
• Café Katzentempel , Türkenstr. 31 , Tue–Fri 11–20 Sat(Sun) 10–20(18)
• Mr. Ben , Türkenstr. 67 , Mon–Sat 7–19
• Black Bean , Pündterplatz 1 , Mon–Fri(Sat,Sun,PH) 7(8)–18
• MyMuesli München , Viktualienmarkt 7 , Mon–Sat 10–19
• Deli Star , Amalienstr. 40 , Mon–Fri(Sat,Sun,PH) 8(9)–18(17)
• Deli Star , Kaulbachstr. 41 , Mon–Fri(Sat,Sun,PH) 8(9)–18(17)
• Louka , Friedenstr. 36 , Mon-Fri 7:30-17, PH closed
• Balan Deli , Balanstr. 73/house no. 31 , Mon–Fri 8–16
• Kaffeebar im SV-Hochhaus run by " Kochmanufaktur ", Hultschiner Str. 8 , Mon–Thu(Fri) 7:30–17(16)
• Tushita Teehaus Klenzestr. 53 , Mon–Fri(Sat) 9(10)–20

In the Westend , a few steps from Theresienwiese Café Gollier is a pleasant neighbourhood day cafe, popular for breakfast and hearty lunch. They promise to use regional, preferably organic products according to availability, but so far I have not had the chance to eat here.

Palmtreeclub

• Palmtreeclub , Augustenstr. 43 , Mon–Sat(Sun) 10–20(18)
• Kuko , Westendstr. 87 , Wed–Fri(Sat) 11(10)–18
• Café Gollier , Gollierstr. 36 , Mon–Fri(Sat) 8(9)–18:30, Sun 10–15

The following places ceased to exist, although you still may find references to them on the web:

• Contains Coffee , Celibidacheforum
• Echt jetzt , Barer Str. 48 (web shop remaining)
• Emilo im Glockenbach, Buttermelcherstr. 5
• Emilo Westend , Gollierstr. 14
• Emilo am Odeonsplatz, Odeonspl. 14
• Emmi's Kitchen , Rosenheimer Str. 67 (vegetarian cafe cum eatery)
• Epique Raw , Max-Weber-Pl. 11 (vegan patisserie shop-in-shop)
• Fritz Brotbar , Nymphenburger Str. 154 (bakery cum cafe)
• Fritz Mühlenbäckerei , Müllerstr. 46 (cafe cum eatery, re-opened in 2020 as bread bar w/ show bakery )
• Himmelherrgott , Waldfriedhofstr. 105 (cafe)
• Die Kaffee-Küche , Weißenburger Str. 6 (cafe)
• Kafehaus Karameel , Nymphenburger Str. 191 (Viennese-style coffee house)
• Lolas Eckcafé , Metzstr. 37
• Kaffee Sonnenschein , Gietlstr. 17
• San Francisco Coffee Company , Nymphenburger Str. 151 (cafe)
• San Francisco Coffee Company , Innere Wiener Str. 57
• San Francisco Coffee Company Ostbahnhof , Orleanspl. 5a
• San Francisco Coffee Company Riem-Arcaden , Willy-Brandt-Pl. (cafe)
• San Francisco Coffee Company Maxvorstadt , Türkenstr. 47 (cafe)
• San Francisco Coffee Company Odeonsplatz , Theatinerstr. 23 (cafe)
• Black Bean , Amalienstr. 44 (cafe)
• MyMuesli München-Pasing w/in Pasing Arcaden, Josef-Felder-Str. 53 (muesli shop)
• MyMuesli München OEZ w/in Olympia-Einkaufszenrum, Hanauer Str. 68 (muesli shop)

Munich: Organic delicatessen, groceries and corner stores

Traditional corner stores in general have been almost extinguished from the streets of Munich, surviving mainly in the form of immigrant grocery stores which unfortunately rarely stock organic items. However, there are a few survivers from the time when organic was an unknown word in supermarket chains: small supermarkets equipped with wooden shelves and as crammed to the brim as possible for orderly German souls. Usually they have everything you need for your daily life, just give you fewer choice between brands and varieties. Sometimes you'll find delicatessen the big players don't stock, and fresh produce is as fresh as from their competitors. Prices may be a few cents higher than the cheapest option in one of the retail chains, but you will be surprised to learn that many products actually are less expensive in a corner shop. In addition you may have a chat with the shop assistants, sometimes the owners themselves, and usually will be given a competent answer to questions you may have. Many of these shops have some tables and chairs where you can have a coffee, snack or vegetarian lunch.

• Traditional organic groceries

Immigrant shops and traditional corner stores

Delicatessen.

• Herbalists and spice bazaars
• Mono-themed speciality shops

The (to my knowledge) oldest full retail organic neighbourhood shop in town, the Lebascha in Haidhausen , was run collectively by a bunch of friendly women until they retired. The shop would have been lost for the neighbourhood if not the distributor had been tieing up strings with the community supported co-operative Ökoesel ("eco donkey" is derived from a pet name for bicycles – "Drahtesel" – as they started up as a bicycle delivery service) in Neuhausen . Since 9th of July, 2022 the base line of the shop has been financed by membership fees (depending on self-assessment), but Lebascha continues to be open for everyone: None-members simply pay (a usually low) market-price, members are entitled to discounts (usually between 12 and 20 percent). With its (conventional) liquorice shop-in-shop (to my knowledge offering the largest selection liquorice in town) the Lebascha also is a hot tip for aficionados. An assortment of loose-weight herbs and spices, and a basic range of loose-weight cereals, nuts, legumes and grains, detergents and soap make the Lebascha the only surviving zero-waste shop near Ostbahnhof. Note that it is closed on Wednesdays and does not accept cards, but members may chalk up and pay later.

A few corners away from tube stop Implerstraße in Sendling the neighbourhood grocery Hollerbusch ("elderbush") offers vegan and vegetarian lunch as well as yoga, pilates or singing lessons in a backroom. The shop is also a delivery hub for the Munich based community supported agriculture project Kartoffelkombinat and offers gravity bins to refill dry food and reduce package waste.

While these small supermarkets cater for all daily necessities including fresh fruits and veges there's no such thing as an all-organic immigrant grocery focussing on the latter and supplementing with a selection of dry goods and delicatessen from their owner's place of birth. The nearest you come is Giesinger Fruchtmarkt near tube-stop Kolumbusplatz . As about three quarters of the fruits and veges as well as most of the Italian delicatessen are conventional you have to carefully watch out for the bio keyword. Apart from organic greens they also offer organic choices for olive oil, wine, pasta and cheese.

A similar owner-run mini market, Varieta am Körner Eck , is located in the Glockenbach neighbourhood, on Auenstraße between the Reichenbach and the Cornelius bridges. The bakery items are all organic, and organic products in the self-service area are clearly marked "bio" on the shelf. The shop offers a lot of directly imported Italian dry food, but unfortunately none of it in organic quality. Also most of the fresh fruits and veges are conventionally produced.

Remember the tales of parents or grandparents about the corner shop they went to as children to buy a single sweet which the shop keeper would put down on a list for their parents to pay later on when they came to shop bread, milk, veges and all the ingredients for the home-cooked meal? The spirit of these shops from the past you may find left in some immigrant shops and this is the reason why I list the Viktualieneck in Bogenhausen in this section. I learned about this crammed greengrocer's shop opposing the newly build neighbourhood of Prinz-Eugen-Park on my quest for shops supporting package-free shopping , but when I went there it turned out a likeable traditional supermarket offering fresh fruits and veges, regional delicatessen, bread and rolls, wine and all kinds of food. About half of it is organic, namely all the bakery products and certainly more than half of the pre-packaged food. Most of the fresh fruits and veges come from a conventional local market garden – the turnaround for organic greens wasn't good enough among his customers, and his emphasis was on avoiding waste the shop keeper told me. Package-free shopping is possible for all fruits and veges as well as all items from the bakery, meat and cheese counter. I cannot tell you whether the shop chalks up for trustworthy customers, but if you are in the vicinity support this shop instead of the supermarket chains nearby.

The upmarket contrast to these somewhat shabby grocery stores is naturally to be found in the posh neighbourhood of the Lehel : Studio Hindiba offers oils, herbs and condiments, olives, all types of rice, the famed ferments of Berlin's Markus Shimizu , a carefully selected range of wines and other predominantly organic delicatessen. For the smaller purse it may be just a beautyful shop to marvel at, but if your budget isn't painfully tight it's the perfect place to shop a foodie gift for someone special.

A few steps from Wiener Platz you'll find Steinbeißer , a cosy owner-driven deli advertising 'regional specialities'. Take this with a grain of salt – the organic Italian olive oil and Scandinavian candies (not organic) are small-scale produce specific to their region of origin, but certainly not from the greater Munich area. Most meat products come from small-scale Austrian farms which are likely to produce according to near-organic principles. Certified organic products unfortunately do not dominate the pleasantly arranged tables and shelves with artisanal products – predominantly foodstuffs and wine, but you may ask the owner about the provenance of his fare.

Wine, pepper and coffee from carefully selected small-scale producers, that's the focus of Grenzgänger ("border crosser"), a lovely shop directly located at the beautiful Bordeaux-Platz in Haidhausen , just opposite Café Reichshof . When you come here during the cold season you may find yourself welcomed by the warmth of a fireplace, and you can get a speciality coffee (14 types of Arabica to choose from) into your own mug. During covid-19 restrictions cream-ware cups aren't provided, so if you come without a mug you will be charged an extra 20 cent for a plastics-free one-way cup. Unfortunately most of the products aren't certified organic, with the notable exception of the Demeter-certified honey and bee wax candles of a local beekeeper who is working in accordance with biodynamic principles, i.e. the gold standard for animal welfare.

Specializing in cheese and supplements – wine, olives, oil, herbs, condiments, to name a few – the Luigino's booth in the Southern part of Viktualienmarkt , opposite the crossing of Reichenbachstraße and Blumenstraße is the perfect place to shop for a picnic or the no-frills romantic candle light dinner. Once an almost entirely organic cheese booth the percentage of organic products on sale has diminished during the past years: mainly due to the advent of artisanal, yet conventional Italian cured meats, partially due to a lesser focus on organic labels on the selection of cheeses. When ordering an Italian-style sandwich to take away you may wish to enquire about the ingredients and probably stick to the vegetarian ones since the Italian cured meat products usually are not organic. The owner once run a delicatessen in Maxvorstand which was replaced by an organic ice-cream parlour in 2018.

Herbs and spices

Not exactly a spice bazaar, but a pleasant spice and herbs shop Gewürze der Welt ("spices of the world") had a long tradition on its former location in Thiereckstraße in the very city centre, but when the historic Ruffini house re-opened after a two-year period of restoration work in 2020, the shop moved back to its roots in the Sendlinger Straße (now) pedestrian area. As the name suggests you will find a world of spices, herbs, blends and condiments, a notable part of them in organic quality.

Munich's first organically certified herbalist is tucked away in a non-descript side road near Sendlinger-Tor-Platz , just a few steps aside the remnants of the Glockenbach neighbourhood's famous queer bars. Light and friendly the Kräutergarten offers all kinds of organic dried herbs, spices, natural cosmetics and the like.

Sonnentor , the leading Austrian producer of organic herbs and spices, has a shop in Munich, too: Located in the basement of Stachus-Passagen , a generally boring shopping mall a level above this central urban train and tube station, it's probably not the shop that you'll find by accident while taking a stroll through the city. Apart from herbs, spices and condiments they also have a selection of natural body care – an easy place to shop for a nice last-minute give-away.

Special shops

The only operating corn mill in Munich with its cosy mill shop is located in a small street a few steps from the tourist hotspots of Marienplatz and Hofbräuhaus . The Hofbräuhaus-Kunstmühle offers all types of flour, bruised grains, semolina, bran and cereals, predominantly of corn grown in the region. An increasing number of these artisanal products are organic, so watch out for the 'bio' keyword on the classic paper bags or the listings of the web shop. These products are also the base ingredients for the artisanal home bakery E. Knapp & R. Wenig next door where you can buy hand-made bread and rolls based on traditional, predominantly Munich recipes. The mill shop also stocks a selection of organic dried fruit, olive oil, raising agents and other baking ingredients as well as dry breads like South-Tyrolean Schüttelbrot.

Another very special mono-themed shop, Hanf – der etwas andere Bioladen , sells everything containing THC-free hemp: beer, lemonades, cookies, bars, tea, ice-cream, chocolates, body care, clothes, liquids, pet food and more. Although the name suggests it not all products are certified organic, especially not in the non-food range, but the sheer number of goods based on this versatile plant is quite impressive. The main shop (which is closed on Mondays) isn't located in the most inviting part of town but can easily be reached from Leuchtenbergring urban train stop. But wait: in 2019 a second one opened at a tourist-friendly location between Isartor and Marienplatz .

• Lebascha , Breisacher Str. 12 , Mon–Tue,Thu–Fri(Sat) 10–19(14)
• Hollerbusch , Daiserstr. 5 , Mon–Fri(Sat) 8(9)–14(18), Mon–Fri 16–20
• Giesinger Fruchtmarkt , Humboldtstr. 27 , Mon–Fri(Sat) 9–20(16)
• Varieta am Körnereck , Körnerstr. 5 , Mon–Fri(Sat) 8(8:30)–20
• Viktualieneck , Cosimastr. 127 , Mon–Fri(Sat) 7–19(16)
• Studio Hindiba , Thierschstr. 23 , Mon–Fri(Sat) 10–19(16)
• Steinbeißer , Steinstr. 25 , Mon–Fri(Sat) 10(9:30)–18(17)
• Grenzgänger , Wörthstr. 18 , Tue-Fri(Sat) 11(10)–19(14:30)
• Luiginos Bio-Feinkäse , Viktualienmarkt Abt. III , Mon–Sat 9:30–19
• Gewürze der Welt , Sendlinger Str. 1 , Mon–Fri(Sat) 10–19(18)
• Kräutergarten , Pestalozzistr. 3 , Mon–Sat 10–12,13–18
• Sonnentor Stachus , Stachus-Passagen , Karlsplatz 1 (basement), Mon–Sat 9:30–20
• Hofbräuhaus-Kunstmühle , Neuturmstr. 3 , shop Mon–Sat 10–18, bakery Mon–Sat 7:30–19
• Hanf – der etwas andere Bioladen , Einsteinstr. 163 , Mon–Fri(Sat) 11–19(16)
• Hanfladen München Tal , Tal 40 , Mon–Tue(Wed–Sat) 12(10)–20

Ceased to exist

The following places shut down and were replaced by other, not organic ones. So don't be confused when you find references to them on the web:

• Foodies , Amalienstr. 87–89 (raw, vegan superfoods)
• Kornkammer , Haimhauser Str. 3a
• Luigino's , Türkenstr. 53 (replaced by an organic ice-cream parlour cum cafe: Bartu )
• Mutter Erde , Amalienstr. 89 within Amalienpassage (traditional organic corner shop offering organic lunch)

Munich: Self-service eateries and streetfood

For an organic or at least partially organic lunch you have far more options than full-fledged restaurants or cafes with lunch options: There are a lot of eateries mainly catering for people working or studying nearby, shopping or travelling. You order your food and drinks at the counter, pay and find a place to sit down with your tray. However, if you come off the peak hours you will often be served, or the staff will offer to bring your coffee to your table after you finished your meal.

Just a few years ago this type of eating opportunity was almost exclusively offered by owner-run organic groceries , usually taking the form of hearty vegetarian wholefood and sandwiches. Nowadays it's a much more volatile market -- hip places come and go more frequent than in other categories. Many of them have opening hours matching those of the cornershops – closed on Sundays, in the evening, and often also on Saturday afternoons.

Near the university (Maxvorstadt)

City centre.

• Near Ostbahnhof station (Werksviertel, Haidhausen)
• Bogenhausen/Englischer Garten

Ludwigsvorstadt and Sendling

• Closed places

The streets near the university buildings in Maxvorstadt are a natural place to look for places offering organic food, and they've seen a lot of shops popping up and closing down. Two long-established, though very different eateries are worth a try, both located in Amalienstraße : the Mutter Erde grocery offering vegan meals and the Pommesboutique grill. The latter was one of the first places in town to take no compromises with regard to meat, but it is following a more laissez-faire approach when it comes to the veges and condiments. So you have to ask about the origin of the latter if you care. All the sausages, burger patties, köfte and other (minced) meat come from an organic farm in the vicinity , and you can choose from a huge range of sauces. If you prefer your fries chewy – this is the place for you. Sometimes the tables are a bit too greasy for my liking, but with a little luck you come along when they have live music.

If you prefer your meat the Mexican way walk around the corner into Schellingstraße for Pureburrito , the second branch of a small climate-neutrally cooking local fast food chain serving burritos, tacos, and quesadillas. Unfortunately only pork and beef are organic, not the chicken, and you will find organic softdrinks of the Bionade brand in the fridge. There's another branch (much) farther up the street, near tube station Theresienstraße . All Pureburrito branches are closed on Sundays.

Build-your-own bowls and rolls with predominantly organic ingredients can be had at (and ordered from) Greens & Grains . Even if the concept can become a little boring after a while it's an easy way to bring vegans, vegetarians and omnivores together for a quick and healthy lunch. If you aren't very hungry it's a good idea to bring along a box to take leftovers home as the servings are huge. The place is self-serviced and doesn't allow anonymous payments, only cards. The second branch at Max-Weber-Platz does no longer exist.

To find organic food late on an evening out is a challenge in itself – night birds usually do not tend to be picky about the origin of calories at this hour. But if you enter the party zone Sonnenstraße (or spend an evening in one of the cinemas) the Bikini Mitte deli and bar comes to the rescue, conveniently located opposite a petrol station. During the day it's a decent, partially organic eatery offering bowls and sandwiches, usually made with organic veges, alongside organic soft drinks of the Proviant and Charitea brands. Bread and meat (apart from the occasional pulled pork) are not organic. Apart from Sunday the place keeps open until midnight, catering until the early hours Thursday through Sunday, and since the bar stocks locally produced organic gin, wodka and amaro (alongside a wide range of conventional spirits) your drinking can always be responsible. The place may be known as "Bon Valeur" to locals as this is its former name (and the name of the company running it).

Just a few steps away, you'll also find the newest Pureburrito branch in the basement of the Stachus-Passagen mall.

The multi-cultural quarter in the vicinity of the central train station with its special mixture of electronic and immigrant shops should be the natural place to find organic food from the Levant, but only in 2020 a happy crowd of young Bavarian chefs with different roots opened Servus Habibi , a pita, hummus and falafel place cum (outside corona) bar serving organic meat and home-made pickles. Unfortunately none of the drinks are organic. Note that the place is closed on Wednesdays. If you are in the mood for falafel on this weekday try Beirut Beirut in Sendling.

When taking a stroll through the Viktualienmarkt market gourmet restaurants like the Tian aren't your only lunch option: A few steps away (opposite Schrannenhalle) you'll find Yum 2 Take , an (evening open) Thai eatery and take-away serving organic meat.

Hearty, fully organic German lunch is being served at the Bistro ÖQ in the back of the Virtualienmarkt branch of the Herrmannsdorfer Landwerkstätten organic butcher's. Usually you will be waited but better keep your eyes open whether it seems more appropriate to order directly from the open kitchen and at the end go and pay there. Naturally this is a place for omnivores and meat-lovers but there's always a tasty vegetarian dish available. The kitchen draws both, from German and Italian countryside kitchen traditions, serving mouth-watering risotti and pasta dishes as well as a piece of meat or fish with side-dishes, following seasonal availability and properly prepared. For the real Munich experience do not miss their potato salad (not suitable for strict vegetarians, though)!

Carnivores and beer-lovers are also catered for a few steps away, in the mumble-jumble of Viktualienmarkt : The market stall of Kleiner Ochs'nbrater ("little ox grill") serves Munich fast food specialities, which naturally means beer and meat. Have a Leberkäs (meat loaf), sausage or pork roast (Schweinebraten) – (except for the beef and some side dishes) it's all organic, locally sourced and tasty – as are the Brezn (pretzel) and the drinks (beer, wine, softdrinks). It can be difficult to find a place to sit down, so watch out before you order a dish on a plate. Even though the Viktualienmarkt is a tourist hot spot, it's one where tourists and locals mingle (opposed to e.g. the legendary Hofbräuhaus). On nice weather days the grill may keep open a little longer than 6 pm. Note that it is closed both, on Mondays and Sundays.

The time of the vegan hotdog shop Organic Garden behind Heiliggeist church is gone, but the former chef of the male German football national team is now running the refectory of the Bavarian state ministry of agriculture, forestry and tourism the which is open to the public for lunch.

If you prefer low-processed plant-based food head for the Glockenbachviertel . Here Noams Deli offers filling bowls and hearty one-pot wonders as stews or curries predominantly (if not only) made with organic ingredients. Bring a jar if your appetite isn't huge, to take the remainders with you, as the clean-eating inspired dishes often are more filling than anticipated. On nice weather days the outdoor tables allow for people-watching while having a coffee drink and perhaps a banana bread, brownie, or raw sweet. The shop with its stylish, polished wooden interior isn't open in the evening, but on the other hand its focus on healthy food may be too much for the night.

There's a second Noams branch in the university town of Gießen .

Near Ostbahnhof station

On the East side of the railway tracks, inside the developing Werksviertel party, start-up, and cultural area there's a Pureburrito branch serving Mexican style street food with organic pork and beef ( see here ). Unfortunately party-goers will be disappointed since it stops serving food by 9 pm.

Haidhausen with its majority vote for the Green Party has several organic hotspots, and one of them is Elsässer Straße East of Bordeauxplatz. A few steps from Haidhauser Oase , next to an organic bakery and opposite the organic neighbourhood grocery Lebascha you'll find Erbil's , the only vegan doner kebap shop in town. Instead of meat you'll get organic seitan, and some (but not all) of the vegetables also are organic. Choose an organic softdrink or beer from the fridge, but have an eye on organic labels since not everything is organic. They also serve organic tea and tisanes and use organic oat drink for coffee drinks. Unfortunately they do not sell baklava for dessert during covid-19 restrictions, instead you can choose from a number of home-made cakes for take away.

More vegan lunch in the form of Israelian-style vegan mezze can be had just a few steps away at Oliver offering an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet at the very competitive price of 10 EUR. The friendly owner assured me that all of the ingredients except herbs and spices were organic. You can also borrow a blanket and picnic basket and take your lunch to the park at Bordeauxplatz . Lunch time stops when everything is sold, and you may of course use your own jars and boxes for take-away. In the afternoon and evenings step by for hand-rolled vegan ice-cream, freshly prepared while you wait: A plant-drink based "batter" is poured onto a freezer plate, stirred with fruit, berries, home-made cookies, nuts and other flavourings you specify, frozen to a thin sheet of ice-cream, rolled up and served in a bowl. When the weather is nice and warm the shop keeps open until 10 pm on weekdays except on Mondays when it is closed.

If you proceed in direction Max-Weber-/Wiener Platz (coming from Rosenheimer Platz or Ostbahnhof you may take the tram) to the tram stop Wörthstraße (and can resist beautiful, fully organic Cafe Reichshof on your way) you'll reach Würzbar . The name of this pleasant ayurvedic vegetarian eatery, cafe and spice shop is a pun derived from the verb "würzen" (to spice up) and "bar" (as bar) and the homonymous suffix "-bar" meaning "to be capable of something". The food is all organic (as are the drinks), but not all of the products for sale are certified. As of July 2022, there's unfortunately no gastro service, but let's hope the eatery will be back soon.

On busy Rosenheimer Straße , a few steps from the Ohne zero-waste shop the Heartbeet salad bar serves salads and bowls. All veges, the ice-cream and some (non-alcoholic) drinks are organic, and at an extra price you can get organic eggs on top of your bowl. It's a heaven for clean-eating lovers, but if you love spices this isn't a place for you. The concept had been a success story during corona delivery and take-away, leading to the opening of branches in Neuhausen and w/in the Feinkost Käfer deli near Münchner Freiheit , but they had to close again. Insist to get your food in deposit dishes if not bringing your own boxes. If you cannot fetch you order by bicycle yourself their delivery service will pedal it to you.

Located directly at Weißenburger Platz Spoon Up offers hearty soups and stews for lunch and promises to use regional, often organic produce. Unfortunately the only organic ingredient visible on the daily menu is meat which is marked as 'bio'.

Bogenhausen and Englischer Garten

There's a second Herrmannsdorfer Bistro ÖQ near Effner-Platz (also see here ).

On the opposite shore of the river Isar, on the Eisbach not far from the famous surf wave near Haus der Kunst you'll find a former public convenience turned into a tiny cafe: Fräulein Grüneis offers no more than a handful indoor seats, during the cold season heated by a small wood oven, but as long as the weather allows for it you may prefer to have your lunch or coffee outside anyway, under the trees of the Englischer Garten park. For lunch you can have a soup, one-pot dish or curry, vegetarian or omnivore. The meat is always organic as is the beer, for soft drinks stick to the charitea brand. Apart from this the owners promise to use as much local and organic produce as possible, but if you want to be certain you have to ask. Avoid the ice-cream, the (small-scale local) Eizbach lemonade and the sweets by the piece, all of them without doubt conventionally produced.

The Yum 2 take Thai restaurant has a second branch on Hohenzollernplatz .

A few meters from tube station Goetheplatz you'll find the mother branch of the Pureburrito chain.

Tube stop Implerstraße is the right direction for the best (and partially organic) falafel in town: The Beirut Beirut is not only a great place for take away, but also offers sufficient seating inside since they moved away from their old shop in Valleystr. While the Lebanese wine unfortunately isn't organic there's a choice of organic spritzers ("Schorle") from local producers. For more Lebanese food you may also pay a visit to their sister restaurant Manouche , now a few street corners away offering Levantine "pizza", coffee, sweets and other delicious snacks.

A short walk from tube stop Großhadern you'll find a Vollcorner supermarket with a work day open, 100 percent organic breakfast and lunch restaurant, before the covid-19 pandemic known as Cucina , now dubbed Vollcorner Deli . Here you can choose between soups, stews, salads, bowls and sandwiches and of course have a coffee drink with a piece of cake.

The Vollcorner supermarket on Schwanthalerhöhe (next to Theresienwiese and hence good to know if you attend the annual Oktoberfest beerfest) has a deli cum cafe which invites for a small meal or snack.

For a more elaborated breakfast or lunch follow Schwanthalerstraße into the Westend neighbourhood and stop by Das Kulinariat . Whether you'll opt for a vegetarian course, a traditional Bavarian organic Weißwurst breakfast or their speciality – Eggs Benedict – chances are high that some of the greens on your plate have been grown right in the surprisingly spacious backyard. Additional veges come from a local organic farmer, and almost everything is organic here in this culinary gem with its light and modern, predominantly wooden interior.

A second Vollcorner Deli opened 5th September, 2019 in the former "Erdgarten" organic supermarket near Pasinger Marktplatz .

• Pommesboutique , Amalienstr. 46 , Mon–Sat(Sun,PH) 10(12)–22(20)
• Pureburrito 1 , Lindwurmstr. 57 , Mon–Sat 11–21
• Pureburrito 2 , Schellingstr. 104 , Mon–Sat(Sun,PH) 11(12)–22(21)
• Pureburrito 3 , Schellingstr. 16 , Mon–Sat 11–21
• Pureburrito 4 , Atelierstr. 14 (Werk 3), Mon–Fri(Sat) 11(12:30)–21
• Pureburrito 5 , Stachus-Passagen , Karlsplatz 11 (basement), Mon–Sat 10–20
• Herrmannsdorfer Bistro ÖQ am Viktualienmarkt , Frauenstr. 6 , Mon–Sat 11:30–16
• Kleiner Ochsenbrater , Viktualienmarkt 11 , Tue–Sat 10–18
• Organic Garden Kasino des Bayerischen Staatsministeriums für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Forsten , Ludwigstr. 2 , Mon–Fri 12–14
• Herrmannsdorfer Bistro ÖQ am Herkomerplatz , Bülowstr. 3 , Mon–Fri 11:30–15
• Fräulein Grüneis , Lerchenfeldstr 1a , Mon-Fri(Sat-Sun) 8(10) until darkness falls
• Yum2Take , Sebastianspl. 8 , Mon–Sat 11–22, PH closed
• Yum2Take , Hohenzollernpl. 1 , Mon–Sat(Sun) 11(16)–22, PH closed
• Bikini Mitte , Sonnenstr. 17 (entrance Josephspitalstr.), Mon–Wed(Tue–Sat) 10–24(3)
• Servus Habibi , Schillerstr. 20 , Tue–Fri 11:30–14:30, Tue–Fri(Sat–Sun) 18(17)–21(21:30)
• Leo's Organic Kitchen (formerly: Byoo ), Westenrieder Str. 35 (1st floor), Mon–Sat 10–17
• Noams Deli , Holzstr. 19 , Mon–Fri(Sat) 9–19(16)
• Erbil's , Breisacher Str. 13 , daily 10–20
• Oliver , Breisacher Str. 4 , Tue–Fri(Sat) 11:30(9)–20(15)
• Würzbar , Wörthstr. 11 , Wed–Fri(Sat) 11(10:30)–18(15)
• Heartbeet , Rosenheimer Str. 109 , Mon–Fri(Sat,Sun,PH) 11(17)–21
• Greens & Grains University , Schellingstr. 23 , Mon–Fri(Sat) 11(12)–20
• Spoon Up , Weißenburger Pl. 5 , Mon–Fri 9–16
• Beirut Beirut , Lindenschmittstr. 18 , Mon–Sat 11:30–20
• Vollcorner Deli , Würmtalstr. 95 , Mon–Sat 8–16 or until empty
• Das Kulinariat , Schwanthalerstr. 143 , Wed–Fri(Sat) 11:30(10)–16(17), closed July 27 through 30, 2022)

The following (partially) organic eateries are closed for good:

• Basic Biobuffet , Herzogstr. 129
• Buxs , Frauenstr. 9 (city centre)
• Greens & Grains , Max-Weber-Pl. 11
• Greeny's , Tal 42 near Isartor (city centre)
• Soupmama , Frauenstr. 2 opposite Viktualienmarkt (city centre)
• Brotzeit bei Herrmannsdorfer , Holzstr. 24 (Glockenbachviertel)
• Annapurna (former Ganesh ), Wörthstr. 7 (Haidhausen)
• Grilly's , Rosenheimer Str. 117 (Haidhausen)
• Iss dich glücklich , Preysingstr. 42 (replaced by the Sorry Johnny coffee bar)
• Heartbeet , Nymphenburger Str. 84
• Heartbeet w/in Feinkost Käfer , Leopoldstr. 57
• Lecker-Bissen , Theresienstr. 27 (Maxvorstadt)
• Little Habibi , Fraunhoferstr. 32
• Organic Garden Signature Store , Heiliggeiststr. 1
• Organic Garden Eatery inside Mercedes Benz Studio Odeonsplatz, Brienner Str. 1
• So Ham inside Jivamukti Yoga studio, Buttermelcherstr. 11–15
• Sweekies , Wendl-Dietrich-Str.4 near Rotkreuzplatz (Neuhausen)
• Bio-Brüder , Ottostr. 67 (Ottobrunn)

Munich: Organic and partially organic restaurants

To find a place for an organic lunch, snack or a coffee break, both served and self-served , requires not more than keeping your eyes open. But the cultured evening out or a sumptuous weekend brunch can be a challenge if you don't know where to head for.

If you opt for 100 percent organic food and drinks, without compromises, within the city boundaries the TL;DR is La Trattoria and Josef .

Greenwashed

Given the French love for quality food one would expect all self-respecting French restaurants to use organic ingredients to a certain extent, but to actually find those which do proves to be harder than expected. In Munich head for brasserie La Bouche in Schwabing , a tastefully decorated place a few steps away from Münchner Freiheit. They promise to use organic ingredients throughout the menu, with three quite excusable exceptions: snails, seafood and Marsala wine.

In fact the exception list varies depending on daily supplies – when I went there the lamb and the duck liver had been added – but since it is all transparent and clearly stated on the menu you can adapt you order accordingly. The food itself is hearty French countryside fare, apart from the risottos (together with the Italian coffee the international touch to the menu) most dishes focus on meat or seafood. Since the main courses are very generous compared to other French restaurants, come hungry or skip the starter. In the meat-based stews we had – coq au vin and an ox liver ragout – the flavours of the ingredients were perfectly amalgamated and harmonic. The entrecote marinated in a pesto of fresh herbs – although perfectly cooked rare – however, did not live up to expectations, too perfumed, too imbalanced (and way too big) for my taste. Although the side dishes – salads, stewed root vegetables, fried potatoes, and similar – clearly play a supporting role they were well done and tasty. And the baguette served together with the starters was clearly one of the best I ever had.

Sadly the wines aren't organic, the soft drinks however are, and the bar offers organic pastis , gin and vodka. Note that the place is closed on Sundays.

German/Bavarian

With its rustic and cosy flair and garden tables under horse chestnut trees during the warm season Zum Kloster in the heart of the former village of Haidhausen a short walk from Wiener Platz makes the perfect surrounding for a laid-back chat with friends. They serve a selection of organic non-alcoholic beverages and up to three dishes on their meat-centric hand-written menu are marked with a star as made with organic meat, eggs and flour, one of them being Spaghetti Bolognese. The dishes are simple, but perfectly eatable home-made fare. Only the salad should better not have been as soaked in rapeseed oil as it was. For take away come with your own container to avoid extra waste. (The covid-19 delivery service was discontinued.)

If heading for the classical Bavarian Wirtshaus – rustic, but perhaps missing the air of the students' and artists' pub present in "Zum Kloster" – the Klinglwirt at the opposite end of Haidhausen near Rosenheimer Platz is the place to go. They serve organic meat from the nearby farm in Herrmannsdorf, organic cheese, bread, coffee, tea as well as Del Fiore ice-cream. Even the side-dishes – mainly potatoes, dumplings, sauerkraut, red cabbage and rustic salads – are now often organic, and vegetarian and vegan dishes have become a permanent part of the menu in their own right. The drinks menu offers at minimum one organic option for most beverages. Little guests are welcomed warmly, among others with a decent menu of their own (most kids will accept happily that the dishes listed there are almost free of greens). The restaurant is a member of Green Chefs , a network of eco conscious and socially responsible chefs.

While the Munich population has strong, yet mixed feelings about the Oktoberfest, the strong beer festival during lent is probably meeting much less negative sentiment among locals. In fact, the political cabaret ("Derblecken") at the opening of the festival, is a major event in local politics. Although the host brewery, Paulaner, does not brew organic beer, the very place of the festival, the Nockherberg restaurant in the Au , offers parts of its menu in organic quality: All organic items are marked green, or (as for the beverages) with the organic label. They use organic flour and milk, the tofu is both, Bavarian and organic, and a selection of traditional meat dishes like the "Böfflamot" (the Munich version of "boeuf a la mode") are made with organic meat. Mind you that there is a decent selection of organic wines and non-alcoholic beverages, but no organic beer.

For the 100% organic experience of Bavarian cuisine take the tram no. 25 from Rosenheimer Platz to its final destination in the suburb of Grünwald . A five-to-ten minutes walk from there you'll find the only organic hotel in reach, Alter Wirt , with its rustic, yet up-market restaurant. Children are welcome and often even allowed a visit to the kitchen, but the place is spacious enough that occasional little guests won't spoil your romantic candle-light dinner. There's a beergarden under horse chestnut trees, and the entire place is a real oasis in suburbia. The menu focuses on the meat- and fish-centric Bavarian Sunday kitchen completed with dishes of Italian origin. The food is extremely tasty, home-made, yet peppered with pleasant little twitches of ambitious chefs. Not the natural place for vegetarians, but if you happen to be the only vegetarian in a group of omnivores, there's a tasty meal for you as well. In addition they offer a range of assorted organic spirits. Early risers may also step by for breakfast.

If you prefer a sandwich and coffee on the go turn to the co-located artisanal Brotzeit bakery.

Fancy a day out in the Bavarian countryside? So why not paying a visit to the Herrmannsdorfer farm about 30 kilometres from Munich? Their up-market 100 percent organic restaurant, the Wirtshaus zum Schweinsbräu , rewards with the finest of Bavarian food traditions.

At tube stop Poccistraße in Sendling , just across the street from the Vollcorner branch in Lindwurmstr. 80 the Goldmarie restaurant serves classical and modern versions of seasonal Bavarian, Austrian and North-Italian dishes – quite palatable, but also a little boring. It's very obvious that the quality of the ingredients makes the difference here rather than the skills or visions of a chef: Usually the meat is organic and – in this case – marked "bio" on the menu. The veges are often organic, too, though not marked. Not organically certified meat and greens come from small-scale conventional farms in the region. Unfortunately the drinks (except for the gin and the herb tonic water) aren't organic. The place itself is often quite crowded.

They advertised "Highclass organic food" in the 2015 print issue of Spy city guide , and you will find them listed as organic on the web, too, but when I rang them up a few years ago the staff ensured me repeatedly: No, we do not use organic ingredients. Since they themselves do not mention the word "bio" on their German website it's likely that lack of command of the English language lead to this misconception. But one must never say "no" – the menu as of April 2024 advertises organic bread (with vegan spread) by Munich's it-bakery Julius Brantner , and with Munich's gastronomy and club icon Sandra Foster of the Blitz restaurant behind it the Roecklplatz restaurant is definitely worth a visit: It is a socially responsible enterprise employing young apprentices in difficult life situations and/or without formal education which in itself deserves support.

International

Not a single word on their menu suggests that Miss Lilly's kitchen in Giesing prefers organic ingredients. But when tasting their huge and extremely yummy home-made burgers or Wiener Schnitzel it's perfectly reasonable that not only the meat (as confirmed by the staff) but also a good deal of the side-dishes are at least partially organic. Although vegetarians are catered for it's very obvious that Miss Lilly's chef prefers meat and does it perfectly. If you come with kids and ask for fries they will be served huge portions – so don't order too many. The place near tube stop Kolumbusplatz serves breakfast until 5 pm and is famous for their home-made American cheesecake – I had the peanut butter variety which was very palatable, but to my taste not as exceptional as I had heard, together with a proper Italian-style coffee. Tuesday to Saturday evening it turns into Moritz bar and restaurant, with a likewise tempting menu specializing in the South-German and alpine cuisines. If you are after an organic alcoholic drink you have to stick to The Duke gins – the wine and gin menu unfortunately does not leave you with much choice.

A wooden witch cottage, with several hideaways, balconies, verandahs to almost get lost in, indoors and outdoors, an open cultural stage, magical sourroundings (almost) under a train bridge – no, the appearances of the bar Gans Woanders near Kolumbusplatz are deceptive: This is not an ancient building, but a brand-new construction opened in 2020. Although the quantity of organic ingredients used in the menu dominated by pizza and cake does not entirely live up to the sustainability promise of the place, you'll find at least organic coffee, tea and lemonades, and I was assured that the potatoes always were organic. Note that the place is self-services and accepts cash only.

In the South-Eastern part of Giesing, near congested Tegernseer Landstraße yet tucked away in a pleasant neighbourhood at Alpenplatz you will find another rustic place, Das Edelweiß . Since it started as an organic restaurant about six years ago you will still find business cards and references describing it as organic, and you can still order organic softdrinks. Unfortunately the concept did not work out, and the focus has shifted from organic towards supporting local and small-scale businesses. Some of the ingredients such as the milk of the Sternenfair brand are produced according to near-organic principles, the tasty artisanal bread may sometimes be made from organic flour, if you come for breakfast on weekends you can have organic chocolate spread, maple syrup and hot chocolate, but you should rather expect artisanal conventional food. When I questioned the owner about it she assured me that she's trying to find a new chef with love for local and seasonal high-quality food, and hopefully a renewed focus on organic principles will follow.

A dedicated family restaurant in the queer and hip neighbourhood of Glockenbachviertel dubbed Kaiser Otto is the place in Munich closest to the cafe latte moms cliche. You may step by for a coffee break during the day, or have breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner while your kids may disappear to a dedicated playground room next to the cafe. The latter is however closing at 7 pm. Weekend brunch with child care has been discontinued during covid-19. The food is not very elaborate, but often made from at least partially organic ingredients. Reliably organic items on the menu are coffee, eggs, bread, a selection of soft drinks as well as the meat served with one of the dishes to have for dinner. Greens, veges and pulses may or may not be organic, so you have to enquire, meat items served until 3 pm are definitely not.

The contrary of a family restaurant, i.e. a decent (American-style) bar cum burger restaurant is The Potting Shed near Münchner Freiheit , a few steps from Brasserie La Bouce . Instead of french fries you're served yummy rosemary-flavoured potatoes, instead of prefab mayonnaise delicate home-made aioli, and the coleslaw was crisp, showing off the (organic) quality of the cabbage. The top of my burger bun was caramelised, adding an interesting twist to the taste, and the patty, announced as medium, still gorgeously pink. Unfortunately they do not do rare burgers which indicates that the meat is minced in advance. All meat products come from a organic-only local butchery, and the delicacy of the food indicates that most of the vegetarian ingredients are organic, too. For those not feeling like having a sumptuous high-calory burger plate (there's one veggie option) there was a tasty seasonal salad (with goat cheese) and a range of tapas, mezze and small starters, decidedly omnivore. Unfortunately the rich bar sports only a few organic drinks, namely an organic Cabernet Sauvignon, The Duke and Lyonel gins (the latter made a nicely balanced jasmin-tea flavoured gin and tonic) and fairly traded cachaça. Soft drinks including the tonic water however aren't organic at all. The bar itself values traditional bar etiquette: an observant yet not obstrusive waiter (who took care of our jackets when we came in), a skilful professional barman, pleasant background music at a volume allowing for effordless conversation (though I cannot say anything about the noise on a Friday or Saturday night), the walls adorned with interesting and tasteful art. Definitely recommended for a civilised evening out.

http://www.sueddeutsche.de/muenchen/restaurant-heinrich-matters-dieses-lokal-hat-muenchen-noch-gefehlt-1.4004553 Heinrich Matters Lammbräu,Scamorza,Fleisch vom Bio-Metzger your all-day restaurant offering breakfast, brunch, lunch, and – except on Sundays – dinner. Closed on Mondays.

Mix the interior of a trattoria in Italy with a Bavarian Wirtshaus, and you'll end up with Hostaria Rò e Buni , a certified organic Italian restaurant in the heart of Schwabing . The name alludes to the dialect words used in the area of Bologna to steer bullocks to the left and to the right, and the tasty food served here has its roots in the country kitchen of the Emilia Romagna - not too fancy, hearty, receiving its fulfilling taste from high quality organic ingredients, many of them (especially the meat) sourced from farms in the greater region. Unlike in many other certified restaurants almost all ingredients are organic indeed, those coming from conventional agriculture are clearly marked with a star on the menu. Vegetarian and vegan drinks and dishes can be easily distinguished by a leaf or flower label, respectively. Although the owner has Italian roots don't order a four course menu (antipasti, pasta, primo e secondo) a la carte unless extremely hungry – the sizes of the dishes are adapted to the German habit of ordering a pasta or main course and perhaps a starter. If you feel Italian stick to the four course tasting menu suggested by the menu, or discuss with the affable publican. Don't leave without having tried their fresh home-made pasta, and an organic grappa to finish. If you fancy slow-cooked Italian meat classics like Osso Buco – here's the place to try. The kitchen closes half an hour before closing time, and the place itself keeps open evenings only.

If you do not want to compromise at all when it comes to organic food and drinks find your way to Sendling : Former Bavarian-Italian restaurant " resihuber " went fully Italian and consequently changed its name to La Trattoria early in 2020. The place is run and backed by the founders of the local Vollcorner supermarket chain and can easily be reached by tube (stop Brudermühlstraße). Unfortunately they do no longer serve breakfast, instead you may order pizza home or (at a small discount) to take away.

The place is also a convenient choice before or after a concert at (or other visit to) the Gasteig HP8 concert hall and cultural centre, with truly Italian food and predominantly regional ingredients catering for all: vegans, vegetarians and meat lovers. After a concert or stroll at the Isar shore you may also step by for a high quality, fully organic drink, both with or without alcohol.

The place survived the covid-19 pandemics as a pizzeria, and staff shortage in 2024 turned it into a half-serviced restaurant, a concept known from smaller cafes and eateries: Have a seat, memorise the number of your table and place your order at the bar. Food and drinks will be brought to your table.

In 2023 the Trattoria got a sister restaurant, the Osteria Biologica Josef which, located in the Glockenbachviertel , is much better accessible from the inner city. During the summer everyone would sit outside in the so-called "Schanigarten", on white garden furniture in lieu of parking lots along the street. The Italian street feeling is matched by excellent food and drinks. An exciting selection of aperitivi and a relatively short menu offering pizza, salads, pasta, and few main courses ensure absolute freshness and tastiness. Most dishes are vegetarian or meat-based (all of them have full meal size), but there are also a few (fully qualified) vegan options – given the shortness of the menu these make up for a higher relative percentage than you may realise at first. As everything is organic, prices are rather up-market, but a delicious pizza with a gorgeous crust (at around 15 EUR) is sufficient for a very satisfying evening. The staff is cheery and helpful. During the colder season there will be brunch, too. Ring in to order a table during opening hours, especially on weekends I strongly recommend this as the online booking system seems to not cover all available tables.

A hidden gem in very upmarket locations, quietly located in a backyard of Maximilianstraße next to the Kammerspiele theater is Max Trenta , a small Italian restaurant with an open kitchen where organic ingredients, often from small-scale farms, are frequently used, though neither promised nor advertised on the menu. Some of the courses are Italian dishes well-known outside Italy but since the friendly owner values the kitchen of his childhood his guests are so fortunate to taste Sardinian specialities like the fregula pasta type and the typical pane guttiau crisp bread which is served as an appetizer. Unfortunately these crackers tasted very bland, not comparable with the organic ones readily available in Munich's organic groceries . The extremely tasty and characterful natural open wines come from a Sardinian winery co-driven by one of the owner's relatives but aren't organically certified. In the summer you can sit outside where there's a little space for kids. Note that the kitchen closes already at 9pm.

Mediterranean/Oriental

No bosses and driven by consensus: Its unusual organization qualifies the Neuhausen based restaurant cooperative Ruffini for a recommendation on its own. Their Italian and Mediterranean food looks and tastes like mother's – it is prepared with love though without the ambitions of a trained restaurant chef. Although they cater for vegetarians and omnivores alike only meat and eggs are organic. Which is sad – the Imam Bayildi I had tasted bland as the eggplants did not have the concentrated flavour of organic ones. On the contrary their home-made croissants – organic or not – are without doubt worth a sin: You'll have to travel far to find equally full-flavoured ones, so take away (or come to shop at their bakery a few meters away). Have an organic ice-cream for dessert – during the warm season it's also offered to take away.

If you love the cooking books by Sam&Sam Clark of the London-based restaurant Moro (which I unfortunately have not had the opportunity to visit) or simply are in the mood for refined yet down-to-earth oriental mediterranean food head for The Spice Bazaar tucked away in a big void between the ticket office of the Bayrische Staatsoper opera house, the Spanish Instituto Cervantes and the Hofgarten garden. In the evening you often won't find a soul on the place before the restaurant, but when you enter a breathtakingly decorated space prided with gold and ornaments is welcoming you – not the bling-bling of an oriental bazaar, but its Bauhaus -inspired interpretation on two floors, the upper one an almost intimate but open gallery. All the meat is certified organic, and you can pick organic wines and soft drinks on the menu, but although many other ingredients most certainly are organic there's no promise to it. The menu and the staff encourage you to share your food with those you came along – in this case all dishes will be placed in the middle of the table and an empty plate will be put in front of each of you. Be warned: the servings here are generous and deliciously spiced so that it's easy to eat far too much. A main course – meat, seafood or vegetarian – with a side dish will satisfy a hungry eater, so rather order less and share, especially if you also opt for one of the tempting first courses. At my first visit we made the mistake of ordering too much (delicately spiced caramellised nuts and bread with gorgeous olive oil as starters for our hungry crowd) so that I cannot say anything about the desserts yet. Prices are upmarket, but if you take into consideration the quality and the quantity they are more than fair.

Opposite the "Osteria Josef " in the Glockenbachviertel you'll find Mary – or rather Das Maria . In fact the restaurant should be called "Maryam" as it specialises in mezze and food (and coffee) from the Maghrib and the Levante. Moreover it has been a famed breakfast spot for many years, serving oriental and orientally inspired occidental breakfast varieties throughout the day, on oriental dishes. The majority of ingredients, staples and drinks are organic and marked as such on the menu, either with an asterisk or with the "bio" keyword.

The place is quite small, so despite its very reliable opening hours and especially during the cold season when outdoor seating isn't an option pre-booking is advisable. Families with babies and toddlers should find a different spot for a family meal as there are no changing facilities, and both, changing and prams are not welcome inside the restaurant.

Japanese/Sushi

With the explosion of sushi take-aways you may have to kiss many frogs on the quest for sushi worth its name. Arguably one of the best sushi restaurants in Munich is the Sushiya Sansaro in the Amalienpassage backyard passage in Maxvorstadt , a three minutes walk from the Northern exit of the Universität tube stop. As you might expect from a restaurant with love for – in this case – Japanese – food they use some organic ingredients (eggs, spinach and pork for example), the soy sauce is organic and you can order organic beer, juice and some wine with your meal. The menu does not stop with sushi, instead you can get a good impression of the Japanese kitchen, both in its vegetarian and its meat-based variety. The place itself is pleasant but often crowded. If you cannot get a reservation do not dispair: You can also order by phone or online and step by to take away, or even better: Bring your own (bento) box, and wait while your sushi is being prepared.

In October 2020 the Werneckhof team re-started on its own with the Salon Rouge fine dining pop-up restaurant near Marienhof , with a focus on organic ingredients. If you plan a small vacation (the six courses menu without drinks comes at approximately 200 EUR) you have however to order a table fast as the place will be there only a half a year.

The latest enterprise of prominent Munich publican, club manager and cooking book author Sandra Forster, herself a vegan, is the Blitz ("lightning") club located within the entrance building to the Museumsinsel island housing Deutsches Museum, the congress hall finished in 1935, formerly used as a cinema. Attached to the club is a Mexican-vegetarian restaurant, with dancing skeletons in colourful costumes adorning the walls. During the warm season enjoy a sugar cane cocktail and yummy fajitas or quesadillas, on a peaceful terrace outside facing the river Isar. About 80 percent of all ingredients used in the kitchen are organic and – if possible – sourced from farms in the greater Munich area. Exotic ingredients difficult to find in organic quality usually make an exception. If you want to avoid eggs and dairy products (which come from animal-friendly farms) do not hesitate to request a vegan meal.

Vegan/Vegetarian

My favourite vegan place, the Gratitude in the humming University quarter of Maxvorstadt , once was fully organic except for alcoholic beverages. While in the beginning the food was simple – raw or inspired by ayurveda – and sometimes a little bland, the kitchen improved vastly over time, reaching the level of Munich's legendary first (though no longer existing) vegan restaurant Zerwirk . Around 2020 the place got into financial troubles, closed for refurbishment, and covid-19 did its job. Now it's back again, as The Gratitude Eatery , with international vegetable dishes, from Nigiri and Tempura to risotto and curries, using sometimes less, sometimes more organic ingredients. You can have organic beer, and there's also an organic white wine on the menu, but I love the place for its fairly priced and not too sweet cocktails (which unfortunately aren't organic).

Between Viktualienmarkt and Gärtnerplatz (i.e. no longer next to Isartor ) you'll find Siggis vegan and fresh food , a 100% vegan place that from the outside looks like a coffee bar. In fact you can step by for a (cup) cake, vegan latte, organic coffee (in a recup.com retour cup if you're in a hurry) or partially organic sandwich but you may also stay and have lunch or dinner served. The kitchen uses a good deal organic ingredients for the quite casual menu offering pasta, sandwiches, bowls, and a few international main dishes. Most drinks are organic, though if you have a latte and specify your favourite vegan milk alternative be aware that the lupin milk isn't. Ask if unsure whether any of the ingredients are organic – the stuff is helpful and willing to enquire in the kitchen if they don't know. Note that the place is closed on Mondays.

An older vegan restaurant is the Max Pett near Sendlinger Tor , run by a former Zerwirk chef. Unfortunately it's only partially organic, which is probably why the kitchen does not live up to expectations. The place is 100 percent non-alcoholic.

Vietnamese/Asian Fusion

Crisp and delicately spiced instead of greasy and cooked to death, this is how the Fei Scho eatery serves Vietnamese food with a Bavarian touch ("Fei scho" is a Bavarian dialect phrase indicating that the counterpart in a conversation should have known/done/recognised something already). The menu of the small place in the Glockenbach neighbourhood consists of a handful of rice and noodle dishes, as well as Vietnamese veg parcels. A few ingredients (namely eggs, chickpeas, and, during the summer, carrots, red cabbage, coriander as well as celery) are organic (unfortunately neither the meat nor the tofu), along with all the wines, the iced tea, the apple juice and the gin and tonic. For a while there was a second restaurant in Haidhausen with slow and forgetful service, but that's past.

• La Bouche , Haimhauser Str. 8 , Tue–Sat 17:30–24, order phone +49 89 265 626
• Zum Kloster , Preysingstr. 77 , Mon–Fri(Sat–Sun,PH) 11:30(10)–24
• Klinglwirt , Balanstr. 16 , Mon–Thu(Sun) 17(12)–23, Fri–Sat 17–24
• Paulaner am Nockherberg , Hochstr. , daily 12–24
• Alter Wirt , Marktplatz 1, Grünwald, daily 12–22, breakfast Mon–Fri(Sat–Sun) 6:30(7:30)–10(11)
• Goldmarie , Schmellerstr. 23 , Tue–Sat 18–23, Tue–Fri 12–15
• Roecklplatz , Isartalstr. 26 , Mon–Sat 17:30–24
• Miss Lilly's , Oefelestr. 12 , Tue–Sun 10–18
• Das Edelweiß , Edelweißstr. 10 , Wed–Fri(Sat) 17(9:30)–23, Sun 9:30–18, order phone +49 89 649 137 80
• Gans woanders , Pilgersheimer Str. 13 , Mon–Wed(Thu–Sat) 10–23(24), Sun 10–21
• Kaiser Otto , Westermühlstr. 8 , Mon–Fri 11:30–15,17–22, order phone +49 89 21 01 96 97
• The Potting Shed , Occamstr. 11 (entrance on Haimhauser Str.), Tue–Sat 18–22, order phone +49 172 799 0006
• Hostaria Rò e Buni , Kaiserstr. 55 , Wed,Thu,Sun(Fri–Sat) 18–23(24)
• La Trattoria , Resi-Huber-Pl. 1 , Sun–Tue(Mi–Sat) 12–22(23)
• Josef , Klenzestr. 99 , Fri–Sun 12–15, Mon–Thu(Fri–Sun) 17(17:30)–23
• Max Trenta , Maximilianstr. 30 (backyard), Mon–Fri(Sat) 12–15(16:30), Mon–Fri 18–22
• Cafe Ruffini , Orffstr. 22–24 , Tue–Sun 10–24, the bakery/grocery shop next door is open Tue–Fri(Sat) 8:30(9)–18(17),Sun,PH 9–17
• The Spice Bazaar , Marstallplatz 3 , Mon–Fri 17–1, Sat(Sun) 15–1(22)
• Das Maria , Klenzestr. 97 , daily 9–23
• Sushiya Sansaro , Amalienstr. 89 (Amalienpassage) , Tue–Fri(Sat,Sun) 18(17:30)–22, order phone for take away: +49 89/2880 8484
• Blitz , Museumsinsel 1 , Tue–Sat 18–1
• The Gratitude Eatery , Türkenstr. 55 , Tue–Sat 17:30–22 (the bar may be open a little longer)
• Siggis , Buttermelcherstr. 17 (no longer in Westenrieder Str. 37 !), Tue–Fri(Sat–Sun,PH) 17(10)–23
• Max Pett , Pettenkofer-Str. 8 , Tue–Sun 11:30–23, kitchen closes at 21:30, Fri–Sat at 22
• Fei Scho Glockenbach , Kolosseumstr. 6 , daily 11:30–22

Of the following places I found testimonies and other evidence for use of organic ingredients, but I have not been able to verify them by a personal visit. If you get there let me know whether they should be listed here, and I'll do my best to eat there, too.

• Broeding , Schulstr. 9 , Mon–Sat 18–24 (wine shop Mon–Sat from 15), closed on PH (gourmet)
• Green Beetle , Schumannstr. 9 , Tue–Sat 12–15,18–24 (vegan-vegetarian restaurant of the Munich society caterer Käfer)
• Heinrich Matters , Luisenstr. 47 , Tue–Sat 17–23, Sun(Sat) 9–17(14) (bar)
• Loretta Bar , Müllerstr. 50 , Mon–Thu(Fri) 8–1(3), Sat(Sun) 9(10)–3(19) (bar)

Bowls and meat, Asian, Mexican, Peruan and what not -- that´s the food at the Katopazzo gastro bar near tube stop University .

• Katopazzo , Amalienstr. 87 , Mon–Thu(Fri–Sat) 17–1(2) (gastro bar specializing in international bowls and meat, offers organic meat)

Shimai at the North-Western end of Theresienstr. Maxvorstadt near Schleißheimer Str. Original Vietnamese Bun Cha mit mariniertem Landfrau Öko-Schwein (16 Euro) vorzüglich gegrillt

• Shimai , Theresienstr. 87 , Mon–Fri 11:30–14:30, Mon–Sat(Sun) 17:30(15)–24(23) (modern Asian)
• Sparkling Bistro , Amalienstr. 89 (entrance from Türkenstr.), Tue–Sat 18:30–23 (kitchen closes 21:30) (gourmet)
• Savoy , Bismarckstr. 21 , daily 17–1

An increasing number of Munich street festivals demands an organic certification of their food stalls: The Tollwood festival has been serving organic food only for many years while stalls at funfairs like the Oktoberfest and or the Auer Dult are required to offer at minimum one certified organic serving. Unfortunately some of the contractors comply only as long as they are forced to and do not even use a minimum selection of organic ingredients in their restaurants – a behaviour that potential guests of the following places should be aware of.

• Chandani Chowk , Rosenheimer Str. 10 (Indian food stall at the summer 2021 Tollwood )
• Khanittha , Atelierstr, 14 , Werk 3, C (Thai food stall at the annual farm fest of the communal organic farm Hofgut Riem – there's hope for this one, however: Their new menu lists at least some organic soft drinks.)

About ten years ago this blog featured the Ratskeller townhall restaurant at Marienplatz which back then had a separate organic menu. The only sad reminiscence of this past are a handful organic beverages: beer, juices and softdrinks. If you happen to choose this place for its gorgeous location inside the townhall ask the waiter: If you are lucky some organic ingredients will be deeply hidden in the menu of the day.

The following places shut down or were replaced by restaurants not using organic ingredients. So don't be confused when you find references to them on the web:

• Arepas , Müllerstr. 44 (Venezuelan)
• Bapas , Leopoldstr. 56a (Bavarian tapas bar)
• Cafe King , Müllerstr. 3 (vegan)
• Daylesford Organic , Ledererstr. 3 (international)
• Das Kranz , Hans-Sachs-Str.12 (gourmet)
• Deli Dosa , Barer Str. 48
• Emiko w/in Hotel Louis , Viktualienmarkt 6 (Japanese)
• Fei Scho Haidhausen , Pariser Str. 17
• Kaede , Sommerstr. 41 (Japanese)
• L'Amar , Pestalozzistr. 28 (Italian)
• Moritz , Oefelestr. 12 (co-located restaurant Miss Lilly's is open during the day)
• Picnic , Barer Str. 48 (Indian)
• Refettorio , Marstallplatz 3 (Italian) – replaced by The Spice Bazaar
• Salon Rouge by Tohru , Speicherstr. 20 , Werk 12, 4th floor (fine dining)
• Schneeweinchen & Rosenbrot , Breisacher Str. 23 (partially organic gastro bar)
• Shibuya Fried Chicken , Hohenzollernstr. 5 (Tohru Nakamura's covid-19 take away)
• Tian , Frauenstr. 4
• Vinipuri 2.0 , Fritz-Endres-Str. 4 (wine and fine dining)
• Werneckhof , Werneckstr. 11 (gourmet restaurant)
• Wood , Occamstr. 6 (clean eating)
• Zerwirk , Ledererstr. 3 (vegan, gourmet)
• 1912 Restaurant & Bar , Schwanthalerstr. 36 (partially organic hotel restaurant)

Dresden: Organic coffeehouses

If you are familiar with Johann Sebastian Bach's Coffee Cantata from around 1735 you've heard about the Saxonian citoyens' love for coffee and a good piece of cake (if heading for a local speciality, try the Eierschecke cheese-cake). With a pinch of irony people will talk about the famous Saxonian "Bliemschenkaffee" ("(little) flower coffee") referring to the thin coffee or caffeine-free coffee substitute during World War II or in the households of the poor. The term refers to the fact that you could see the flowery ornaments on the ground of the (well, not in all cases) Dresden china coffee cup.

The Saxonian's love for coffee hasn't faded since, they still proudly refer to themselves as "Kaffeesachsen" (coffee Saxonians), and most organic supermarkets will serve you a latte or Italian style coffee, both to have on the spot, and to go (in this case don't forget your refillable cup). There are however more pleasant places for a chat with friends, some reading or working time with a delicious cup of coffee.

My favourite day cafe for about seven years, with friendly service and a huge display of gorgeous cakes and pastries, Die Kuchenglocke in Wilheminian Neustadt unfortunately closed in summer 2022. Run by the son of Dresden's first (and to my knowledge only) organic bakers and one of the first organic ice-cream makers in Germany it revived the tradition of Viennese style coffeehouses in the city. In 2022 he took over the Heller bakery, and the cafe had to close. In March, 2023 it re-opened as Café Glocke , and apart from the interior decoration, not much has changed: You can still/again have (and buy to take out) cakes and coffee, and have gorgeous fully organic breakfast(all day long) and lunch. When the weather is nice take the chance to sit outside at the beautiful, comparatively quiet square around Martin Luther church .

The price for a (vegetarian) breakfast, sweet with pancakes or a croissant, savoury e.g. with hummus, roasted veges, bulgur and other spreads, is around 20 EUR but since the servings (especially of the savoury types) are quite generous, you may decide to share as long as you're not on your own. On weekends it is advisable to order a table in advance as the place usually is quite crowded at that time.

The bad news: Effective February 2024 the place stopped accepting cash. Since the Oswaldz cafes have never been accepting payments without data tracking, the number of non-discriminatory organic breakfast and lunch places with a sense for data privacy are alarmingly diminishing in town.

Not far away, on Bautzner Straße , you will find Phoenix Kaffeerösterei , a small-scale coffee roaster cum coffee bar furnished in coffee-coloured wood – ideal for the recreational sip of Italian style coffee. Their coffee is fairly traded, yet not organically certified, although they had organic coffee when they started up in 2006. The milk for a latte or New Zealand style Flat White however is organic. Mind you that their opening hours are quite restricted, usually to Fridays and Saturdays, but they often keep closed on Saturdays, too.

A ten minutes walk west, just before you reach Albert-Platz you can taste the Phoenix coffee all week long at the Oswaldz , a crowded coffee house cum gallery run by an ambitious young team. Before you sit down fetch a service number and put your order at the bar where you can choose from an impressive list of coffee drinks, among others a galao (coffee and milk frozzed together) or a gibraltar (double espresso macchiato). The milk they use is locally sourced and organic. You can also have a sandwich or cake partially made from organic ingredients – eggs and cottage cheese are organic, flour and fruit are not, and since the friendly staff happily answered my questions I'm sure they will equally friendly answer yours. During the warm season they open a pleasant backyard for their guests.

In 2023 Oswaldz rented a second shop next door and turned it into serviced Oswaldz Breakfast Place . All food for both, the cafe and the breakfast restaurant are prepared in its open kitchen while the coffee drinks are made by the baristas at the cafe. The menu is the same for both places as is the privacy-unfriendly decision to refuse payments in cash.

During the warm season there's a third Oswaldz place, the Os2 – Café am Fluss .

Unfortunately there's no organic coffee place inside the Bahnhof Neustadt railway station, but if you have sufficient time you may leave the station building at the rear (Northern) entrance and head for the friendly self-service cafe cum bistro of the VG supermarket Friedensstraße for both, breakfast, lunch (try the hearty Soljanka soup if available), a snack, coffee or travel provisions.

Facing Kreuzkirche on Altmarkt with its white-washed interior one of the few places where the wounds of the Anglo-American bombing by the end of World War II still are visible you will find one of Dresden's first organically certified eating places, cafe cum restaurant Aha . Some years ago they quite controversely decided not to prolong their certification in support of uncertified local farmers following organic or near-organic principles. More than 75 percent of the ingredients they use are still organically certified but they stopped (probably enforced by law) to make this transparent, so you have to enquire on specific ingredients if you care.

The cafe itself is equally popular among students, families and NGO groups. Its walls frequently serve as a gallery for local artists, and the daily menu often reflects and extends the exhibitions. The list of coffee drinks is long, ranging from oriental and Indian inspired spiced coffee to the ubiquitous espresso. If you prefer a cold drink it's alleviating to know that sodas are served with paper instead of plastic drinking straws. The cakes are delivered by the Heller family , but you can also enjoy hearty home-made meals throughout the day (til late), or simply help yourself at the salad bar located under the stairs. Breakfast is being served from 9 am. In the basement there's a well assorted fair-trade shop which cannot follow the restaurant's liberal opening hours and is closed in the evenings and on Sundays.

If you have to spent time in the vicinity of Dresden's central train station, Hauptbahnhof , pay a visit to another fair-trade shop, the Contigo at the Southern end of Prager Straße. Inside the shop there's an organic coffee bar, perfectly suited for the quick espresso in between, or while you're shopping for gifts, fairly traded artisanal work like bags and jewellery, tea, chocolates or coffee. They do not serve food, so you shouldn't come hungry. If you prefer an unconventional coffee drink opt a coffee based lemonade dubbed "Selosoda".

When the Contigo store is closed ignore the Starbucks branch at Wiener Platz and turn instead to the Haferkater porridge cafe facing it. The Berlin-based franchise concept can be found in several German main train stations by now, and the one in Dresden is open on weekends and generally until 8pm. While all prepackaged Haferkater products are organic no promise is made when it comes to the fresh food and drinks, so you'd better ask. Also, ask for returnable cups and bowls if you don't bring your own.

Dresden-Mitte

Not far from Bahnhof Mitte train station and the College of Music the organic co-operative VG runs a self-service Bistro & Backladen – the bistro to the left, the cafe to the right of the entrance. While the lunch is prepared in the open kitchen of the bistro right at the spot, the bakery shop simply sells the cakes (and bread) from local organic bakeries both, to take away and to eat right here in the pleasantly decorated shop room prided with pictures of local artists. Unfortunately the coffee comes from a smale-scale automatic machine – no real enjoyment, but drinkable due to the good ingredients. While the bistro closes at 7pm on weekdays the cafe operates until 8 pm, but choice will be limited the later you'll come.

Near the Blaues Wunder bridge

A visit to the finest bridge in town, the Blaues Wunder ("blue wonder") steel construction can easily be combined with a visit to the arguably finest Viennese-style coffee house in town, the Café Toscana . Observing the bridge and the river you can sit in the winter garden having an organic coffee drink or tea. Your organic latte will be poured together at your table. While a selection of soft drinks and wines, the milk and breakfast eggs are all organic none of the gorgeously looking cakes and confectionery to be ordered from the sales desk are, at least not fully (enquire about what's tempting you). The history of the coffee house named after a Saxon princess customer dates back to the end of the 19th century. Since its re-privatisation after Germany's re-unification it has been run by the Eisold family, a local baker's family now in its third generation.

If you ever happen to strand somewhere between the tower blocks of Prohlis and the Technical University, take the time to visit the city's only organic bakery and confectionery, the Bio-Bäckerei und -Konditorei Heller mentioned afore – if only to have a wonderful ice-cream on the go. When the weather is nice they also have a small outdoor terrace for you to have a coffee and cake or snack. Although the bakery is open on Sunday mornings it's closed on public holidays.

• Cafe Glocke , Pulsnitzer Str. 1 corner Martin-Luther-Pl., Mon–Fri(Sat–Sun) 9(8:30)–18
• Phoenix Coffee Roasters , Bautzner Str. 75 , Fri–Sat 10–18
• Oswaldz , Bautzner Str. 9 , daily 9–18
• Oswaldz Breakfast Place , Bautzner Str. 9 , Thu–Sun 9–14
• Café & Restaurant Aha , Kreuzstr. 7 , Mon–Sat(Sun) 9–22(20)
• Contigo , Prager Str. 2 , Mon–Sat 10–20
• Haferkater , Hauptbahnhof , Western aisle near entrance Wiener Pl., Mon–Fri(Sat–Sun) 6(7)–20
• VG Bistro und Backladen , Jahnstr. 5 , lunch: Mon–Fri 10–16, coffee, cake and snacks from the bakery till Mon–Fri(Sat) 9–19(14)
• Café Toscana , Schillerpl. 7 , daily 9–18
• Os2 – Café am Fluss , Körnerweg 24a , Sat–Sun 13–18:30 (April through October)
• Heller , Wilhelm-Franke-Str. 36 , Mon–Fri(Sat) 7–18(12)

Closed or no longer offering organic options

• Café Dreikönig , Haus der Kirche , Hauptstr. 23
• Hellers Kuchenglocke , Pulsnitzer Str. 1 corner Martin-Luther-Pl., replaced by Cafe Glocke
• Weltcafe , Schillingstr. 7 (Löbtau)
• Café Continental , Görlitzer Str. 1 (no more organic breakfast options)

7 Best Turkish Towels, According to Textiles Experts

These soft and lightweight towels look and feel luxurious.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Best Overall

West elm turkish tassel organic towel.

Demmex Turkish Cotton Beach and Bath Towel

Best on Amazon

Wetcat turkish bath towel.

Best Organic

Coyuchi mediterranean organic towel.

Best for Beach

Sand cloud turkish beach towel.

Brooklinen Super-Plush Bath Towels, Set of 2

Best Waffle

Parachute home waffle towel.

At the Good Housekeeping Institute , we test and review all kinds of bath towels in our Textiles Lab, including the best quick-drying towels and beach towels . In our Textiles Lab tests, we've tested more than 90 bath towels, including several options made with Turkish cotton, for properties like absorbency, dry time, washability and strength. We also shared towels with consumer testers who provided us with real-world feedback. Along with reviewing our towel testing data, we used our textile expertise to research Turkish towels from brands that have performed well in similar product categories to determine which towels are really worth it.

Combining a Turkish towel with a terrycloth towel, this style from West Elm offers the best of both worlds. The front of the towel is smooth like a traditional Turkish towel, while the reverse side is designed with short loops of yarn for improved absorbency and a softer feel overall. Our Lab pros are fans of West Elm products, especially its top-performing sheets , which earned high scores in our Textiles Lab and consumer evaluations for their excellent quality and comfort.

At 28" x 54", the towel is a bit smaller than some of the other bath towels we test, but the terrycloth backing means there's added absorbency , so a bigger size may not be necessary. The 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton can be machine washed and dried for easy care.

We love the short, tasseled fringe and the classic, muted color options. For a chic, coordinating look in the bathroom, the brand also carries matching hand towels.

Dimensions: 28" x 54" | Fabric weight: 300 GSM | Material: 100% organic cotton

Available in 29 colors, including bold and neutral hues, Demmex's Turkish towel is woven with an eye-catching diamond pattern. Online reviewers shared that the affordable towel is comfy, with one who said that it was "so cozy and soft right out of the package." The brand and users said the towel grows even softer with use , and some users have reported that the absorbency also improves after just one cycle in the washing machine.

Because it is thicker than some other Turkish towels, online reviewers said it does take a bit longer for this one to dry after use. According to the brand, the towel is a versatile option for the beach or a bath since it's large enough to lay on and perfectly oversized for wrapping up in after a shower. Some reviewers even said they wear it as a shawl.

Dimensions: 36" x 71" | Fabric weight: Not listed | Material: 100% Turkish cotton

Over 9,700 Amazon reviewers have given this affordable Turkish towel a five-star rating, with several reviewers sharing that it has become an essential for bath time and beach trips . A few also said the versatile towel is also great to pack up and use as a blanket at the park or as a sarong at the pool.

We love that the lightweight cotton towel is pre-washed to help prevent shrinkage in the wash. Some online reviewers said they wished the towel was more absorbent, which is a common complaint of thin Turkish towels, but they appreciate how quickly the towel dries. Several reviewers also noted that when they use it as a beach towel, it's a breeze to shake sand from the surface.

At 38" x 71", the towel is oversize with plenty of room for drying off after a bath or sprawling out at the pool, and there's even an XL blanket size . Plus, there's bound to be a shade that coordinates with your style and decor since the towel is available in a whopping 36 different colors.

Dimensions: 38" x 71" | Fabric w eight: Not listed | Material: 100% Turkish cotton

RELATED: The Best Bath Towels on Amazon, Tested by Experts

This high-quality towel from Coyuchi is made with 100% GOTS-certified organic Turkish cotton, meaning the entire production process — not just the fibers — meets strict organic standards.

Our experts have evaluated other towels from the brand, as well as Coyuchi's organic sheets and pillows , and all performed well in our Textiles Lab and with consumer testers. This style is more expensive than some of our other picks, but online reviewers said the soft towel is worth the higher price tag, with one who described it as "even better than [she] could have imagined."

The towel is yarn-dyed, so it's less likely to fade with regular use, even after laundering. One online reviewer shared, "They’re strong, dry quickly, and the colors are beautiful. Wish I had purchased them sooner!" According to some reviewers, the fringed trim can tangle in the washer, which doesn't impact the overall performance of the towels but does affect the look.

If you don't love the towel after trying it, the brand offers a 30-day refund window and a generous 180-day store credit return policy.

Dimensions: 28 " x 54" | Fabric w eight: 320 GSM | Material : 100% organic Turkish cotton

An oversize Turkish cotton towel is perfect for travel, especially a beach vacation (along with a top-tested SPF , of course). There's plenty of space for you to sprawl out on the sand, but it folds down into a compact size, so there will be room left over in your beach bag too.

Typical beach towels made with looped terrycloth tend to hold onto sand, but the flat weave of a Turkish towel means sand doesn't sink into the material as easily and can be shaken off of the surface when you're ready to head home. Because of the flat-woven construction, some reviewers said the towel is susceptible to snagging.

If you prefer fun patterns or character-themed designs, there are dozens of styles available on the brand's website . Plus, you can choose the even more spacious large or XL sizes.

Dimensions: 37" x 69" | Fabric weight: 240 GSM | Material: 100% Turkish cotton

Though they're not your typical flat-weave Turkish towels, this two-piece set from Brooklinen is made with long-staple Turkish cotton woven into a fuller terrycloth material. They're a GH Seal holder and a favorite of GH analysts and editors who love to use them in their own bathrooms and describe the towels as "so soft and plush." They're loved by our at-home testers too, including one who shared, "It's the best towel I've ever used."

In our evaluations, the towels received excellent scores for absorbency, and they performed well in the wash without major shrinkage or shedding. In comparison to the other Turkish towels featured, these take quite a bit longer to dry after use because they're so absorbent and thick, but they still earned average scores when compared to other bath towels in our drying tests.

Brooklinen offers a generous 365-day and any-reason return policy if you're curious to try them, but there is a $9.95 fee attached.

Dimensions: 30 " x 58" | Fabric weight: 820 GSM | Material: 100% Turkish cotton

During our Textiles Lab tests, we were impressed by just how quickly this 100% Turkish cotton waffle from Parachute towel dried. Testers said the lightweight towel had a blanket-like feel, and gave it high scores for its luxurious appearance. The spa-like style is available in four neutral colors, and there are matching hand towels.

While waffle towels have proven to be less absorbent than terrycloth styles in our evaluations, the textured design increases the overall surface area of the towel, meaning this waffle towel is likely more absorbent than some of the other traditional flat-woven Turkish towels featured. Plus, the towel held up well in our washability evaluations, maintaining its appearance without snags or piling, though it did experience some shrinkage in the dryer. Our testers agreed that the towels were easy to care for too.

Dimensions: 56" x 30" | Fabric weight: 240 GSM | Material: 100% Turkish cotton

How we choose the best Turkish towels

At the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, we evaluate towels in our Lab and with our consumer testers. In recent years, we've tested over 90 different bath towels , including towels made with Turkish cotton, whether they're traditional Turkish towels or extra-soft plush or waffle styles.

When we test towels in the Lab, we analyze absorbency by setting up the towels at an angle and pouring water onto them from a standard distance, catching and weighing the runoff (pictured here); an exceptionally absorbent towel will have little to no runoff. We also consider drying speed by measuring how quickly towels hang dry after being wet with a standard amount of water.

To determine how the towels will hold up to repeated washing, we wash and dry each one a total of 20 times and note any major changes in appearance, damages or shrinkage that occur. We use our Instron machine, which pulls apart towel swatches and measures the force required to break the material, to evaluate their strength. In addition, we work with dozens of consumer testers who try the towels out for themselves and rate characteristics like overall softness, appearance, whether they dried quickly and more.

We reviewed our former towel testing data and used our categorical expertise when evaluating Turkish towels online, considering properties like fiber type and fabric construction, care instructions and product claims. We also chose towels from popular brands with positive reviews from real users or from brands that have performed well in our tests for similar product categories.

What to look for when shopping for a Turkish towel

When shopping for a Turkish cotton towel, here are a few things to keep in mind:

✔️ Size: Consider how you plan to use your Turkish towel — for drying off after a shower or lying out under the sun? Most bath towels are a standard size of approximately 30" x 56", while beach towels tend to be larger at 30" x 60" and up. You can always opt for an oversize style that will provide more coverage or to wrap completely up in.

✔️ Fabric weight: The weight in grams of one square meter of fabric is known as gram weight or GSM (grams per square meter). A higher GSM means the towel is thicker and more luxurious, while a lower GSM indicates a thinner towel that's likely to dry more quickly. Turkish cotton towels tend to be between 300 and 500 GSM, but there are some Turkish cotton towels with higher and lower GSM.

✔️ Care instructions: Review the care label before buying to ensure you're taking proper care of your Turkish towel. Most towels can be machine washed and dried, but some brands recommend cold water cycles or low temperatures for drying, and others may even suggest hang drying to prevent shrinkage or damage.

✔️ Organic certifications: The easiest way to determine if a towel is truly organic is to look for the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification. It outlines strict standards for the entire production process, not just the cotton fibers used. To see if the brand you're shopping for is certified, check the GOTS public database .

Are Turkish towels worth it?

Turkish towels can be a bit pricier than standard terrycloth towels, but we think they're worth it. Lightweight and packable, Turkish towels tend to take up little space on closet shelves, and they're easy to squeeze into your bag for travel and outdoor adventures. Flat-woven Turkish towels tend to dry quickly unlike plush terrycloth styles. And the flat surface makes it easy to shake off sand or debris after using the towel at the beach or park.

Many of them are made with Turkish cotton, which is a long-staple cotton that's soft, luxurious and durable. Towels labeled "Turkish cotton" have performed better than towels made with Egyptian and other cotton types in our evaluations .

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Amanda Constantine is a home and apparel reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute , where she evaluates home goods of all kinds, including towels. She has conducted towel testing in the Textiles Lab, analyzing properties like washability and shrinkage. Constantine has written about the best towels on Amazon, the best quick-dry towels and the best beach towels. For this article, she used her categorical expertise to make picks and referenced former testing data conducted by GH Senior Analyst Emma Seymour .

Amanda (she/her) researches and reports on products in the Good Housekeeping Institute 's Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab, ranging from clothing and accessories to home furnishings. She holds undergraduate degrees in apparel merchandising and product development and advertising and marketing communications, as well as a master of science degree in consumer sciences from The Ohio State University. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, Amanda was a lecturer for the fashion and retail studies program at Ohio State, where she taught fashion and textiles courses.

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