A Healthy Cup: Why I Love Exhale Coffee

Overall Rating:

4.9/5

Health Benefits = 5.0

Value For Money = 4.9

Taste = 4.9

Sustainability: 4.9

For many of us, coffee in the morning is essential. Whether you need it to wake up or because you love the taste, we all want good coffee, right?

But did you know that you could also have healthy coffee? I recently read a book (Food For Life by Dr Tim Spector) about what foods and drinks are good for your health. And to my surprise coffee was one of them.

The same book also revealed that the instant coffee I was drinking was actually an ultra processed food. So I decided to switch to proper coffee, and that’s how I stumbled across Exhale.

Once I read about them I just had to try their coffee. Because not only have they made it their mission to make healthy coffee for us, but also for the planet.

In my Exhale coffee review I will share with you my experience and thoughts of this sustainanble coffee. But before we get to it…

Who Are Exhale?

This UK-based business was the result of one of the co-founders health journey. Al got told he is developping an autoimmune condition, and the symptons stopped him from living his life.

He did research, which led him to change his diet and lifestyle. Always a coffee lover, he started to roast and brew his own coffee after a relevatory trip to Indonesia.

He knew coffee had health benefits, or at least it could have, if done right. And so Exahale was born in 2020: a coffee brand that makes coffee that is healthy for us and the planet.

Together with his wife Kirsty, Al started his business in their kitchen, after he researched the best way to create healthy and sustainable coffee for years. They realised that healthy coffee goes hand in hand with a healthy planet.

Healthy For Us and The Planet

What makes their coffee healthy for us, also makes it healthy for the planet:

• Organic coffee – non-organic farming practices, such as the use of pesticides, make the produce less healthy for us and the planet, so Exhale only works with organic farms that are certified as such
• Single origin coffees – this means they know exactely where their coffee beans come from, so they can ensure it’s grown to make healthy coffee and are sustainble
• Better than fair trade – they are committed to Fair Trade prices, but actually pay more for many of their coffee beans. This means the farmers don’t have to cut corners to earn a living and can grow healthy and sustaianble coffee
• Water-processed decaf – rather than using chemicals to remove the caffein from their coffee, they use clear glacial water to remove it naturally. This means their decaf coffee is free of these chemicals and their method is also better for the environment
• Plastic-free packaging – they don’t want to be part of the plastic problem, so their packaging is not only plastic-free, but compostable, which means zero-waste

Based In Science

One thing I absolutely love about Exhale is that their approach is based in science. When you read their posts on their website, you’ll find numerous mentions of scientific studies, complete with links to the research papers.

We use the same approach here at Eco HomeLife, because why would you believe our claims unless we can provide scientifice evidence. It’s one of the many reasons I love this small UK-based business.

Exhale also tests their coffee in 9 (!) independet lab tests, to ensure it’s as healthy and sustainable as it could be. That’s the level of commitment I would love to see from all companies.

Scientifically Proven Health Benefits

I have already said that recent studies have found that coffee is actually healthy. And the book I was reading (Food For Life by Dr Tim Spector) confirmed this. I can highly recommend it by the way, if you are interested in eating the right food to support your health.

So when I discovered a British company advertising healthy coffee, I already knew that this wasn’t just a marketing gimmick. But I admit I wasn’t prepared for such in-depth research and transparency.

For me, that’s the sign of a really good company. They don’t just make claims of the health benefits of their organic coffee on their website, they also cite scientific papers and provide you with links to them so you can read them for yourself. I love this!

Brain And Gut Health

The main reason I was looking for a new coffee was my gut microbiome. Having been reading into this topic for some time, I want to make sure I have a diet that keeps my gut microbes healthy, because I know that they will look after my health.

It’s the fibre and polyphenols in the coffee that will keep by beneficial gut bacteria well fed. And while all coffees, other than instant, have some of the same health benefits, Exhale ensure that their coffee has the highest amounts possible.

Common coffee processing methods, such as dark roasting, can reduce the amount of polyphenols. But this coffee is processed in a way to optimise the amount of the good stuff.

This inlcudes compounds that keep our brain healthy. Now this is a health benefit I gladly accept.

Reduces Stress And Caffein Anxiousness

We know that caffein can make you feel anxious, especially when consumed in higher quanties (Liu et al., 2024). But polyphenols in the coffee can reduce this effect of caffein, as one study has shown, cited by Exhale.

And as I have already said, Exhale coffee is optimised to increase the amount of polyphenols as much as possible. So their coffee is less likely to cause you to get anxious.

Antioxidants, a compound found in fruit and vegetables, is also found in coffee, after all, it’s made from the seeds of the coffee bean. Several studies have shown that antioxidants can reduce stress. So coffee, if high in antioxidants, can reduce stress.

And Exhale coffee is high in antioxidants for exactely this reason.

Improved Performance And Protection Against DNA Damage

We all know that caffine is a performance enhancer. It’s why we drink it, it wakes us up and keeps us alert, mentally and physically.

But the polypenols are just as good at that, so both combined ensure you perform at your best.

A cretain polyphenol compound found in coffee, especially in this coffee, can even protect against DNA damage, which means keep you going for longer.

Combined with my healthy diet and lifestyle, the addtion of this coffee can really support my long-term health, which is brilliant.

Taste Test Passed With Flying Colours

Everything I have so far said in my Exhale coffee review is all well and good, but if the coffee doens’t taste good, why would you, or I for that matter, want to buy it? So, does it taste good?

In my opinion, yes, absolutely. I opted for the House Roast, which is a medium roast and has the most polyphenols of all their options. Which is why I chose it.

It tastes milder than other coffees I have tried before, which I really like. Apparently it’s ideal for people that drink their coffee black. I did try it, but for me coffee has to contain milk.

Great Taste, Even Without Milk

Although I have to say, even without milk, this coffee still had an excellent taste. Which surprised me a lot, because whenever I tried to drink coffee black, it tasted too bitter for me. And the bitterness was all I could taste.

I’m not going to attempt to describe what the coffee tastes like, because I find that very difficult. Besides, taste is something so individual that I believe it will taste differently to every single person.

But the fact that even without milk I still liked the taste, even if the bitterness was a bit too much, means it’s a great taste.

Even My Husband Would Drink It (At A Push)

To illustrate this point, I’ll tell you what my husband said. He doesn’t like coffee, he says that it’s just bitter. But because Exhale coffee is healthy, he wanted to try it (with milk and sugar). And while he said he wouldn’t drink it regularly, he did say he could drink it – at a push.

Now that doesn’t sound like high praise, does it? But if you keep in mind that he normally makes a face like a baby that has just been given a lemon to chew when he tries any coffee, you realise it’s actually high praise indeed.

For my part, I’m looking forward to my cup of coffee every evening now, which is something I have never done. I’m considering trying their dark(ish) roast, as it’s supposed to be smoother and ideal if you drink your coffee with milk. I’ll let you know what I think.

They do also offer a decaf version, which I have considered, so I can have a coffee in the afternoon too. Maybe when I run out of my homemade dandelion root coffee, which is naturally caffein free.

Brew It Your Way

What I love is that Exhale offers their coffee in three different grind sizes: medium ground, fine ground, and whole bean.

I bought the medium ground, because it’s ideal to use with a French Press, or Cafetièr, which I have. It’s easy to use and ideal for anyone who isn’t a coffee brewing expert.

The fine ground coffee is ideal for anyone who has an espresso machine. And for those coffee aficionados who want to grind their own coffee each time they have a cup, Exhale offers whole bean coffee.

With so much choice, you can brew your cup of coffee your way and get exactely what you want.

Useful Information And Great Community

Another thing I really like is that they aren’t just interested in selling their coffee, they also want to build a community of likeminded people.

You get a little booklet with your coffee that is full of useful information, about how to brew your coffee, the health experts they partner with, and where to find useful articles about healthy coffee.

But they also send you their weekly newsletter, from which you can unsuscribe with one click, which contains the lastest research, tips on coffee, and fitness.

There is nothing pushy about these emails, and believe me I would have unsubscribed in a flash, if there was. It’s just a great way to learn more about coffee. They also have an Instagram account where you can connect with people that love coffee as much as you.

Value For Money – If A Bit More Pricey

Let’s not beat about the bush, Exhale coffee is more expensive. And so it should be. Think about it: it’s made from speciality grade coffee beans produced through organic farming.

The coffee is optimised to contain as much of the good stuff as possible and none of the bad stuff. At the same time, it’s a really good cup of coffee.

They pay more than fair trade prices, because they believe that coffee farmers should be paid appropriately. They carry out serveral independent lab tests to ensure their coffee is of the highest quality and as healthy as possible.

Their commitment to our environment is a strong as their commitment to making healthy coffee. You can’t do all this on a budget. What you get for your money is real value, for your health, our planet, and your taste buds.

Conclusion Of My Exhale Coffee Review

If you love coffee and want to do something for your health, then this “ridiculously healthy coffee” is what you need. I just bought a bag for my best friend for her birthday.

She has been a coffee lover ever since she spent a year in Italy. I normally don’t get her any coffee, because I know how high her standards are and I don’t want to get her something she won’t like. But I know she will approve of this one. I’ll let you know what she thinks.

I love everything about Exhale: their values, their commitment, their science focus, and most of all their coffee.

If you like coffee, you’ll love Exhale coffee, so give it a go.