How to realize that you bought real coffee, and not a fake? A nutritionist tells us

On the shelves of stores, “fake” products, the composition of which does not correspond to reality, are appearing more and more often. Cheese, caviar, honey, olive oil and coffee are the most common of them. And if the taste of some products can be immediately distinguished, then with an invigorating drink things are more complicated.

How not to become a victim of deception of manufacturers of your favorite morning drink? What are the ways to identify “fakes”? Let’s find out together with the experts.

What is fake coffee?

Most often fake ground or instant coffee, since it is much easier to change it than coffee beans. All the more to determine the fake on the taste, as a rule, only real gourmets and lovers of the drink can.

The most harmless deception is the substitution of one type of coffee for another. For example, the package may claim a hundred percent arabica, but in fact it is 60% robusta and only 40% arabica. This is due to the price of production: arabica is a more expensive type of coffee, so many producers dilute it with robusta to make production cheaper.

There are also more sophisticated ways to counterfeit coffee. They mainly concern ground and instant types. For example, some companies add chicory, cereals, root vegetables or nuts to their products. This is due to the cost: the use of cheap raw materials significantly reduces the price of the production process itself.

How to distinguish real coffee from fake coffee?

Nutritionist, nutritionist, member of the National Society of Nutritionists and Nutritionists.

It is certainly possible to distinguish a fake from the original beverage. There are several ways to determine, so that each buyer can choose the most appropriate method for him. I will share the main ways to determine the quality of coffee.

Examine the packaging. Real coffee should not contain any additives in its composition. Another marker can be the region of origin. It is believed that the best quality coffee grows in South and Central America – Brazil, Guatemala, Costa Rica.

Certification. Before buying, it is necessary to check whether the selected package has the appropriate quality certificates, such as Fair Trade or organic certificate. They indicate that the coffee is produced in accordance with certain quality standards.

Pay attention to the presence of notes of fruitiness, chocolate or nuts. If the aroma and flavor seem artificial or harsh, it could be a sign of counterfeit.

Bean quality. Sometimes the very appearance of the coffee beans can give away a fake. Real coffee has an even roast and no damaged or over-roasted beans. They should also be whole and have a nice sheen.

Low price of the product. The questionable appearance of the packaging and the lack of information about the origin of the beans should also alert you.

Health risks

doctor, candidate of medical sciences

A potential disadvantage of instant coffee is the content of acrylamide, a harmful chemical formed when roasting coffee beans. A counterfeit can have twice as much of it, which can damage the nervous system and increase the risk of cancer if the drink is consumed in large quantities.

Due to low-quality ingredients and improper production, fake coffee can make you feel worse, especially if you drink it often.

Counterfeit coffee may contain additives and ingredients that cause allergic reactions. This is especially important to consider for those who have intolerance to certain substances.

When choosing a variety of your favorite beverage, be especially careful. Pay attention to details and do not fall for the low price of the product. Fake coffee, unfortunately, is often found on supermarket shelves, so it is sometimes difficult to identify it among hundreds of packages.