Best 5 Coffee Brands That Use the Highest Quality

For so many of us, the importance of a good morning cup of coffee cannot be overstated. The morning brew provides more than simply an energy boost; it also has health benefits.

Coffee remains the most popular beverage in America—even more popular than tap water—with about 66% of U.S. adults sipping the invigorating brew each day, according to the National Coffee Association. We’re talking about a total of 491 million cups daily. That’s a lot of coffee!

While caffeine consumption habits are always evolving, there are a few manufacturers, roasters, and brands that always use the highest quality ingredients. Here, we’ve highlighted the best of the best coffee brands that will deliciously fuel your morning routine.

1. Stumptown Coffee Roasters

Self-described pioneers in direct-trade sourcing, the popular Portland-based Stumptown Coffee Roasters has been buying directly from producers since 2002. Admittedly, the coffee is not cheap, because the company takes pride in paying its suppliers for top-quality beans. Stumptown also preaches transparency, publishing the names and locations of two dozen different producers across four continents on its web site. Its lineup of fine coffees includes 15 single-origin varieties and eight certified organic varieties, including its best-selling Holler Mountain.

2. Intelligentsia

Chicago’s best known specialty coffee company grades its coffees like a credit-rating agency: the more As, the better the beans. The better the beans, the more their suppliers get paid. The proof of this quality control method is in your cup. Intelligentsia is a stickler for seasonal sourcing, buying at peak harvest times and labeling its freshest beans “In Season.” In 2019, over 99% of Intelligentsia coffees came from direct-trade relationships with producers from all over the world. according to the company.

3. Kicking Horse Coffee

If you see Kicking Horse roasts on your store shelves, scoop up those bags—this brew is mighty and committed to serving up excellent coffee. Since 2003, this Canadian coffee company buys, roasts, brews, and sells only 100% organic coffee beans. Acquired by Lavazza in 2017, Kicking Horse Coffee was named Canada’s #1 selling Organic Fairtrade coffee brand 13 years in a row.

4. Death Wish Coffee

The so-called “World’s Strongest Coffee” has picked up plenty of fans since launching in 2012, and even fueled the astronauts at the International Space Station. Using a unique combination of beans paired with a specially designed roasting process, the makers of Death Wish Coffee have created a punchy blend that is extremely caffeinated thanks to both arabica and robusta beans sourced mainly from India and Peru.

5. Caribou Coffee

Caribou Coffee began as a small roastery and shop in Minnesota, but these days the company’s cafes and bagged beans can be found almost anywhere. In 2017, the brand set a clean label standard for its U.S. stores, meaning the company will not add artificial colors, artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, artificial preservatives, MSG, or high-fructose corn syrup to its beverages. Caribou operates cafes in 19 states.