South African Coffee Brands: Organic, Toxin-Free, Low-Acidity, and More

Searching for Local Coffee Brands?

When it comes to finding a special brew, some wonderful coffee brands can be found right here in South Africa.

From fair-trade to organic, coffee infused with mushrooms, certified toxin-free, and a careful selection of flavours, these brands take local coffee culture to the next level.

Wondering which brands are worth a try?

Here are our six picks of South African coffee brands:

Healthy Coffee Guy – Certified Toxin-Free

Is toxin-free coffee important?

According to research published by biochemical toxin experts in 2020, food supplies in Africa show some of the highest levels of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a harmful myctoxin produced by mould.

Despite known health risks, including liver damage and fetal growth abnormalities from chronic exposure to contaminated foods, AFB1 contamination remains largely uncontrolled and untested in many African food supplies, including African coffee sold in South Africa.

While many researchers have long maintained that mycotoxins in coffee are generally too low to be of practical significance, the risk of a dangerous toxin level still remains unless a coffee brand is actively testing their beans and final products.

The Healthy Coffee Guy is the first company in Africa to manufacture certified toxin-free coffee. Free of harmful micro-toxins such AFB1 and Ochratoxin A, all coffee is lab-tested by a SANAS-accredited food safety laboratory.

Healthy Coffee Guy includes blends that are infused with CBD, medicinal mushrooms, nootropics, and other ingredients for an added boost. The Healthy Coffee Guy collection includes filter grind, house blend and decaf across a range of specialised blends.

Purchase Online: Healthy Coffee Guy

Fabino – Low Acidity

Whether you’re looking for Italian Blends, Mokka, Espresso, Cafe or Decaf, the Fabino range specializes in low-acidity coffee. They are certified organic under Non EU Agriculture ZA-BIO-140 and fairtrade approved.

Low acid coffee is typically less bitter than darker roasts but is mainly chosen for health reasons:

• Reduced heartburn. Low acid coffee is less likely to trigger acid reflux, heartburn, and GERD symptoms in sensitive individuals.
• Softer on the tummy. It may cause less irritation to the stomach and intestines, avoiding post-coffee gas, bloating, and laxative effects.
• Better for dental health. Lower acidity means lower damage to gums and teeth enamel over time.

Purchase Online: Fabino Coffee

Captain Kirwin – CO₂ Decaff

Decaffeinated coffee, better known as decaf, is coffee with most of its caffeine content removed. There’s a couple methods of decaffeination, including chemical use. Concerns have been raised about the health effects of chemicals that many coffee brands use to decaffinate.

Captain Kirwin’s decaff is decaffeinated using Carbon Dioxide. Chemical solvents (such as asmethylene chloride and ethyl acetate) are not used. Captain Kirwin coffee will thus NOT contain trace/residual amounts of these chemicals.

In the CO₂ method, high pressure CO₂ is pumped through the green beans, soaked in water, which draws out the caffeine, but leaves behind the existing natural compounds responsible for flavor and taste practically intact.

Purchase Online: Captain Kirwin

Coffee Unplugged Organic – ECOCERT Organic Standard

Coffee Unplugged is one of few coffee brands in South Africa who are fully audited and certified under the Ecocert Organic Standard (EOS).

EOS ensures that no synthetic fertilizers or chemicals are used in growing or production of the coffee, as well as guarantees on biodiversity and soil conservation. The certification prohibits the use of GMOs and requires transparent labeling, providing consumers with assurance of truly organic coffee that has been audited throughout the supply chain.

The Organic range consists of Arabica beans sourced from certified organic farms in Honduras. Imported beans are then roasted in South Africa for quality control. Beans and filter grind available.

Purchase Online: Coffee Unplugged Organic

Faithful to Nature – Fair-Trade African Blends

Faithful to Nature’s in-house brand, FtN, brings a small range of fair-trade and direct-trade blends. Ethiopian, Rwandan, Tanzanian, medium roast, and dark roast offer flavour and natural goodness for your cup.

FtN coffee beans are pulped on the same day of harvest and sustainably sourced from small scale farmers. Keeping with Faithful to Nature’s eco-friendliness, their coffee is packed in Kraft paper with a recyclable plastic valve.

Purchase Online: FtN African Coffee
Register here for R100 off your first total order over R400

MannaBrew – Caffeine-Free Mesquite Beans

For espresso that gives you the boost of coffee without the caffeine, MannaBrew is a unique blend that uses Mesquite beans instead of traditional coffee beans.

This ‘coffee’ is sourced and prepared locally in the Karoo. Fully organic, ethically produced and high in antioxidants, MannaBrew is ideal for those wanting a caffeine-free alternative that can be enjoyed like any other coffee.