More than 60% of American adults drink coffee every day, with the average coffee drinker consuming 3 cups daily.1
But not all coffee is created equal. The quality of coffee largely depends on the caliber of ingredients used. We scoured the market to find the coffee brands that go above and beyond with their bean sourcing and roasting practices.
Here are 11 brands that truly stand out for their commitment to quality.
1. Blue Bottle Coffee
Founded in Oakland, California in 2002, Blue Bottle Coffee obsesses over freshness. They source organic and sustainably grown coffee beans from the top 1% of global harvests. Every batch is taste-tested at least three times before making its way to customers.
Blue Bottle even pioneered a coffee delivery service that gets their beans to your doorstep within 48 hours of roasting. Now that’s dedication.
2. Intelligentsia Coffee
Chicago-based Intelligentsia, one of the pioneers of the “third wave” specialty coffee movement, travels to the source to develop close partnerships with growers. Their Direct Trade program ensures farmers are paid at least 25% above Fair Trade prices. This allows farmers to reinvest in their crops and continuously improve quality.
The proof is in the cup – Intelligentsia’s single-origin offerings are some of the best you’ll find.
3. Stumptown Coffee Roasters
Born in Portland, Oregon, Stumptown is another leader in the Direct Trade model. They were one of the first roasters to put the names and faces of coffee producers right on their bags.
By cutting out middlemen and paying top prices, Stumptown incentivizes farmers to use meticulous practices. The result? Complex, flavorful coffees that showcase the unique terroir of each origin.
4. Counter Culture Coffee
North Carolina’s Counter Culture Coffee doesn’t just source high quality beans – they work directly with farmers to help improve agricultural practices and processing methods.
Their team of coffee buyers spends months living in coffee-producing countries each year. This hands-on approach translates to an ever-evolving selection of stellar coffees.
5. Onyx Coffee Lab
This small-batch roaster based in Arkansas has racked up an impressive array of awards, including multiple Good Food Awards and America’s Best Espresso at Coffee Fest.
Onyx’s secret weapon is their 25,000 square foot solar-powered facility, where they use cutting-edge technology to roast and package their beans with unrivaled precision. Freshness is guaranteed.
6. Ruby Coffee Roasters
Despite being based in rural Wisconsin, Ruby Coffee Roasters has gained a cult following among specialty coffee aficionados nationwide.
Why? Because they source some of the most unique and flavorful micro-lots from the world’s best growing regions. Their limited-edition offerings often sell out in a matter of days. If you manage to snag a bag, you’re in for a treat.
7. Heart Coffee Roasters
Another gem from Portland, Heart focuses on light roasts that highlight the inherent sweetness and complexity of top-tier coffees. Their green coffee buyer travels to origins like Kenya, Ethiopia, and Colombia several times per year to select the best of the best.
If you appreciate nuance and clarity in your cup, Heart’s coffee will make yours sing.
8. Camber Coffee
This Washington-based micro-roaster works with a carefully curated group of producers and importers to source coffees with exceptional sweetness and cleanliness. Camber is meticulous about every step of the process, from roasting in small batches to shipping orders within 24 hours. Their attention to detail shines through in every sip.
9. Brandywine Coffee Roasters
Hidden away in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Brandywine Coffee Roasters has quietly become one of the most respected names in specialty coffee. They’ve won back-to-back Good Food Awards for their Kenya Kiamabara AA, a testament to their knack for sourcing gems.
If you’re looking for coffees that will expand your palate, Brandywine is a great place to start.
10. Passenger Coffee
This Lancaster, Pennsylvania roaster takes a culinary approach to coffee, crafting roast profiles that accentuate the unique flavors of each bean.
Passenger works closely with a tight-knit network of producers to secure lots that possess a distinct sense of place. From bright, citrusy Ethiopias to rich, chocolatey Guatemalas, every coffee is a revelation.
11. George Howell Coffee
Founded by specialty coffee pioneer George Howell, this Massachusetts-based roaster has been elevating beans to an art form since the 1970s.
Howell was one of the first to champion single-origin coffees and lighter roasts. Today, his company continues to set the bar with their “farm-to-cup” philosophy and exacting quality standards. A true coffee lover’s coffee.
The Best of the Best
There you have it – 11 coffee brands that go the extra mile to deliver the highest quality brews. Of course, with so many excellent roasters out there, this list is just the tip of the iceberg.
But one thing’s for sure: life’s too short for bad coffee. Seek out these brands, and your mornings will never be the same.
Souce:
1. National Coffee Association
Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.