Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!

The Ultimate Clean Coffee Ritual (2025): From Beans to Brew

Purple Star emoji 39 items
My journey with chronic illness taught me a powerful lesson: the little things you do every day matter most. I discovered that my morning coffee ritual—my most sacred moment of the day—was full of hidden toxins, from mold in the beans to chemicals in...
Sections
8
 
 
 
 
 
 

Why You Should Switch to Toxin-Free Coffee: The Science

Your daily coffee is a powerful ritual, but could it be doing more harm than good? For years, I struggled with brain fog and fatigue that I couldn't explain. It wasn't until I dove into the research that I discovered the hidden issue of mycotoxins—to...

 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
Dr. Mark Hyman is one of the leading voices in functional medicine, and this article (and podcast) breaks down the coffee issue perfectly. He explains how mycotoxins, specifically Ochratoxin A, can contaminate coffee beans and why they are so problem...
Mark Hyman Is Coffee Good or Bad for you?
placeholder
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
Dave Asprey is the man who started the entire clean coffee movement. This article is a deep dive into his personal journey and the science that led him to create Bulletproof coffee. He explains in simple terms how mold can grow on coffee beans and ho... https://daveasprey.com/coffee-toxins-mycotoxins/
Bulletproof Coffee Recipe: The Original Keto Coffee with Butter & MCT Oil
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
Ever drink coffee and feel anxious, foggy, or just "off"? While it might be the caffeine, it could also be a sensitivity to mycotoxins. This article from mindbodygreen features insights from several functional medicine doctors on the common, often-un...
Are You Sensitive to Mold? Common Symptoms to Look For
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
This is a question I had for a long time: "If there's mold in coffee, what are the safe limits?" This article does a great job of breaking down the science and the regulations. It explains that regulatory bodies like the FDA and the European Food Saf...
Mycotoxins Myth: The Truth About Mold in Coffee
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
Once you know why you should drink clean coffee, the next question is how to find it. This guide is an incredible resource. It explains key things to look for, like buying whole beans instead of pre-ground, looking for "specialty grade" coffee (which...
The Ultimate Guide to Mold-Free Coffee: What You Need to Know
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
I love this article because it features Dr. Jill Crista, a renowned expert on mold illness. She explains a fascinating concept: coffee naturally stimulates bile flow, which is one of your body's primary ways to detoxify and remove toxins. However, sh...
Dr. Jill Crista on How Coffee Can Help or Harm Your Detox System
placeholder

On My Radar: The Next Clean Coffees I'm Testing

My coffee standards are incredibly high, but as a health advocate, I'm always on the hunt for new brands that meet the mark. This section is my personal 'wish list'—these are the highly-rated, lab-tested, toxin-free coffees that are next in my queue ...

 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
This coffee immediately caught my eye because it's Demeter Certified Biodynamic, which is a standard that goes even beyond organic. It means the farm is treated as a single, self-sustaining ecosystem, focusing on ultimate soil health and ecological b...
Holistic Roasters Biodynamic Coffee (Light Roast) | My Next Lab-Tested Coffee to Try
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
What stands out to me about this "Rise & Shine" blend is that it combines three different single-origin beans to create a perfectly balanced cup. This is a true art form and often results in a coffee that is smooth, rich, and consistent. As a med...
Holistic Roasters Biodynamic Coffee (Medium Roast) | A Balanced Blend for Daily Rituals
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
I'm always on the hunt for a dark roast that is incredibly rich and bold without being harsh or bitter, and this one has some fascinating qualities. This French Roast promises a classic smoky, creamy flavor with notes of bitter chocolate and, importa...
Holistic Roasters Biodynamic Coffee (French Roast) | The Ultimate Clean Dark Roast?
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
This is a perfect article to read in understanding how to read those famed “third party testing” results so YOU KNOW what you are actually getting!  Be an informed consumer and not a mold infested one!
Biodynamic Coffee- Understanding Your Coffee's Lab Tests

Purity Coffee

Purity is one of the brands I trust most deeply. Their commitment to lab-testing every batch for mold, mycotoxins, and pesticides is unparalleled. This is my go-to for guaranteed purity and incredible taste. Your morning coffee is one of the most pow...

 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
If you're looking for the perfect, do-it-all morning coffee, this is it. FLOW is Purity's original, flagship medium roast, and it's what I recommend to everyone starting their clean coffee journey. It’s incredibly smooth with delicious notes of dark ...
Purity Coffee FLOW | The Perfectly Balanced Medium Roast for Daily Wellness
placeholder
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
Calling all dark roast lovers! I know it's hard to find a dark roast that's both bold in flavor and easy on your system. EASE is the solution. It delivers that rich, full-bodied flavor with notes of dark chocolate and roasted marshmallow that you cra...
Purity Coffee EASE | A Rich & Bold Dark Roast That's Gentle on Your Stomach
placeholder
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
This is the coffee for the true health optimizer. PROTECT is a bright, light-medium roast specifically formulated to maximize health benefits, especially for liver support and metabolic wellness. It contains up to 2x the antioxidants of their FLOW bl...
PROTECT: Light-Medium Roast Whole Bean Coffee
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
Finding a good, clean decaf felt impossible until I found this. Most decaf is processed with harsh chemicals, which completely defeats the purpose of drinking clean coffee! CALM uses the 100% chemical-free Swiss Water Process®, so you get a pure, del...
Purity Coffee CALM | The Best-Tasting, Chemical-Free Swiss Water Decaf
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
Do you love the ritual of an afternoon coffee but hate what a full dose of caffeine does to your sleep schedule? BALANCE is the masterful solution you've been looking for. This blend is a perfect 50/50 mix of Purity's flagship FLOW medium roast and t...
Purity Coffee BALANCE | The Perfect Half-Caff for Smooth Afternoon Energy

Kion Coffee

When a world-renowned biohacker and performance coach like Ben Greenfield creates a coffee brand, you know it's engineered for excellence. Kion is built on the foundation of providing the purest, most effective fuel for your body. Their coffee is not...

 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
When I want a truly rich and satisfying dark roast, Kion delivers. It’s bold and has a wonderful flavor without any of the bitterness that can sometimes come with dark roasts. Knowing it's certified organic and meticulously tested for purity means I ... If you crave a deep, rich, and bold cup of coffee to start your day, this is the one for you. Kion's Dark Roast delivers that full-bodied flavor you love, with smooth notes of dark chocolate and toasted walnut, but without any of the harshness or bit...              Get $20 off on your first order of $80+ Click here!
Kion Dark Roast Coffee | Rich, Bold Flavor Without the Toxins
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
Kion is a powerhouse in the biohacking community, and their coffee is a staple in my pantry. Their Medium Roast is incredibly smooth and reliable. I love that their whole mission is built around performance and purity. Drinking this feels like I’m fu... As a staple in the biohacking community, Kion Coffee is built on a foundation of purity and performance. This Medium Roast is their flagship whole bean coffee, and it's exceptionally clean and smooth. It’s made from 100% specialty-grade organic arabi...                              Get $20 off on your first order of $80+ Click here!
Kion Medium Roast Coffee | Ben Greenfield's Clean, Mold-Free Coffee
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
On the days I'm focused on maximizing the wellness benefits of my coffee, I always reach for the Kion Light Roast. It's a known fact in the coffee world that a lighter roast preserves more of the bean's natural antioxidants, and you can truly feel th...        Get $20 off your first order of 80+ Click Here
Kion Light Roast | The Clean Coffee for Maximum Antioxidant Benefits
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
Finding a decaf coffee that's both clean and actually tastes incredible used to feel impossible. So many brands treat decaf as an afterthought, using low-quality beans and harsh chemical solvents to strip the caffeine. As someone who protects my body...                                            Get $20 off your first order of 80+ Click HERE
Kion Decaf Coffee | The Cleanest, Chemical-Free Decaf for Evening Rituals

The Best Coffee Grinders: Unlock Your Coffee's True Flavor

Here is the single most important secret to unforgettable coffee: the magic is in the grind. The moment coffee beans are ground, they begin to lose their precious flavor and aromatic oils. That spinning blade 'grinder' you might have? It violently sh...

 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
The best way to ensure freshness and flavor is to grind your beans right before brewing. The Baratza Encore is the top-rated entry-level burr grinder, beloved by coffee experts for its consistency and durability. It’s an investment that elevates your...
Baratza Encore | The Best Burr Grinder for Fresh, Flavorful Coffee
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
Here's a secret from the coffee world: for under $100, a high-quality manual grinder can outperform electric grinders that cost twice as much. The Timemore C3 is my top pick for anyone who values ultimate grind consistency and doesn't mind a little m...
Timemore C3 MAX | The Best Value Manual Grinder for Perfect Consistency
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
If the Baratza Encore is the king of entry-level grinders, the Capresso Infinity is its toughest and most reliable rival. This grinder is an absolute workhorse, known in the coffee community for its solid construction and incredible consistency. It u...
Capresso Infinity Plus | The Best Alternative to the Baratza Encore
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
If you're ready to make the single biggest improvement to your daily coffee but aren't ready to invest in a high-end machine, this Cuisinart Burr Grinder is the perfect first step. It's one of ahe most popular and accessible burr grinders on the mark...
Cuisinart DBM-8 Burr Grinder | The Best-Selling, Most Affordable Burr Grinder

The Best Non-Toxic Coffee & Espresso Machines

You've invested in the purest, toxin-free coffee beans—so why brew them in a machine full of cheap plastic parts? The final step in creating a truly clean cup is using a high-quality brewer that won't leach harmful chemicals into your coffee. This se...

 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
Many drip coffee makers contain plastic parts that can leach chemicals into your hot coffee. The Chemex is a timeless classic made of pure, non-porous glass. It delivers an incredibly clean, smooth cup of coffee with zero plastic contact, ensuring th...
Chemex Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker | For Pure, Clean Coffee
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
Okay, let's talk about one of the most joyful parts of my day and one of the best investments I've ever made for my health: this De'Longhi La Specialista espresso machine. For the longest time, I was so careful about sourcing the best organic, mold-f...
La Specialista Espresso Machine
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
If you love the convenience of an automatic drip machine, the Moccamaster is the ultimate upgrade. It’s handmade in the Netherlands and engineered to brew coffee at the perfect temperature (196-205°F) to extract the best possible flavor without bitte...
Technivorm Moccamaster | The Best "Buy-It-For-Life" Drip Coffee Maker
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
A French Press is a fantastic way to get a rich, full-bodied cup of coffee, but so many are made with fragile glass. The Frieling French Press is built like a beautiful tank. It's made of double-walled 18/10 stainless steel, which not only makes it v...
Frieling French Press | A Durable, Double-Walled Stainless Steel Press
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
This simple, beautiful Bodum French Press is one of my most beloved kitchen tools. On mornings when I want a rich, full-bodied cup that feels deeply satisfying, this is what I reach for. It allows the hot water to steep directly with my precious, mol...
French Press Coffee Makers

Keep It Clean: The Best Non-Toxic Coffee Machine Cleaners

Coffee oils build up on everything—from your espresso machine's portafilter to your French press—and can turn rancid, making your coffee taste bitter. Urnex Biocaf is my go-to for deep cleaning. It's a plant-based, biodegradable, and phosphate-free p...

 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
This is for the internal parts of your machines that you can't see. Limescale from water builds up in the boilers of your espresso machine and drip brewer over time, which can clog them and ruin their performance. This Biocaf Descaler uses a plant-ba...
Urnex Biocaf Descaling Solution | The Best Plant-Based Machine Descaler
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
Yes, you need to clean your coffee grinder! Old oils and coffee particles get trapped in the burrs and can make your fresh coffee taste stale and bitter. Full Circle makes these brilliant food-safe, gluten-free pellets that look like little beans. Yo...
Full Circle Food-Safe Gluten-Free Grinder Cleaner
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
If you have an espresso machine like a Breville or a De'Longhi, backflushing is a non-negotiable maintenance step to keep it clean. These Puro Caff tablets make it incredibly easy. You just pop one into your portafilter and run the cleaning cycle. Th...
Puro Caff Cleaning Tablets | The Easiest Way to Backflush Your Espresso Machine
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
This is a professional-grade descaler that's specifically formulated to be both incredibly effective and very gentle on the high-end components of espresso machines. While it's not "plant-based," Durgol is a food-safe, highly effective solution trust...
Durgol Swiss Espresso Descaler for All Brands
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
For a simple, affordable, and completely non-toxic descaling option, you can't beat basic distilled white vinegar. A solution of 50% vinegar and 50% water can be run through your drip coffee maker (like the Moccamaster) or the boiler of your espresso...
DIY Coffee Descaler
placeholder

The Cleanest Non-Toxic Mugs for Your Clean Coffee

You've meticulously sourced the purest, toxin-free coffee beans. But have you considered the mug you're drinking from every single day? Many mass-produced mugs can contain glazes with lead and cadmium that may leach into hot, acidic liquids. This sec...

 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
I love Fiesta Ware for its fun, vibrant colors and its long-standing reputation for safety. All of their dinnerware has been certified lead-free for decades and is made right here in the USA. These mugs are incredibly durable, chip-resistant, and com...
Fiesta Tapered Mug | A Classic, Colorful, Lead-Free Mug Made in the USA
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
This is the travel mug for the true coffee connoisseur. While stainless steel is great, some people (myself included) find it can impart a slight metallic taste. The Fellow Carter Move Mug solves this with a special ceramic coating on the inside, so ...
Fellow Carter Move Mug | The Coffee Lover's Non-Toxic Travel Mug
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
This is my "treat yourself" mug; an investment piece that is pure joy to use. Heath Ceramics is an iconic California company known for its stunning, handcrafted pottery and absolute commitment to quality. Their glazes are all lead-free, and each piec... It’s perfect for those slow, mindful weekend mornings.
Heath Ceramics Studio Mug | The Artisanal, Lead-Free California-Made Mug
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
There's something so beautiful about seeing your coffee or latte through a clear glass mug. I love these Bodum double-wall mugs because they make my drink look like it's floating. They are made from durable, thermal borosilicate glass that can handle...
Bodum Bistro Glass Mug | The Best Double-Wall Insulated Glass Mug
placeholder
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
For the mom-on-the-go or for mornings when I know my coffee will get cold before I can finish it, my YETI is non-negotiable. It's made from durable, kitchen-grade 18/8 stainless steel, so there are no toxins to worry about, and the double-wall vacuum...
YETI Rambler Mug | The Best Insulated, Stainless Steel Coffee Mug
 
Merrilee Klusmann profile picture
This is the mug I use most often. Le Creuset is legendary for its quality, and their stoneware is no exception. The exterior enamel is incredibly durable and resistant to chipping and scratches, but most importantly, the interior glaze is non-porous ...
Le Creuset Stoneware Mug | The Timeless, Chip-Resistant Non-Toxic Mug