Editor's Pick: Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co

Fair trade organic coffee is one thing. Fair trade organic coffee that donates 20 percent of its proceeds to no kill animal rescue organizations is another. That's what dog-lover and coffee enthusiast Jordan Karcher had in mind when he launched Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co.
Stumbling upon a dog adoption event in Santa Monica in 2012, Karcher left with a new best friend that day. It was then that he established a goal of helping save homeless dogs everywhere. With his company, he's able to bring something to the masses that's also able to influence the mission. For each bag sold, 20 percent of its proceeds are donated to no kill rescue organizations that provide safe-havens for dogs who don't have a home.
A fan of breakfast blend coffees, I tried the Morning Walk Breakfast Blend yesterday. The medium blend features beans from Guatemala, Peru and Sumatra and has a slight cocoa flavor with citrus notes. Sold in 6-ounce bags, additional flavors include Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, Columbian, Peru, Mexican Chiapas, Papua New Guinea, Alpha Blend and Paper & Slipper Blend.

Editor's Choice: Dazbog Coffee

You wouldn't think of Russia as a place with great coffee, or at least I wouldn't. Vodka, borscht and gymnastics, definitely, but not coffee. It isn't the right temperature to grow the beans, for one. So when the Dazbog Svoboda blend showed up in the office, I was skeptical.Well, the catch is that it isn't made in Russia, just with a Russian tradition of flavor and fullness. That is something I can believe in.

The coffee is rich and powerful. I am not a coffee junkie. I need one really big cup every day, but I won't stand in line for it and my coffee maker was only $40, so not a huge investment. I usually buy whatever will give me the caffeine I need, and taste is secondary. I don't want to be so dependent on coffee, and it is my only caffeine source.

But, when I can get a good cup, I do appreciate it. Dazbog has my appreciation. 

Being a gourmet coffee roaster, Dazbog slow-roasts coffee daily in small customized batches. A full line of fine estate coffees is available, including varietals (single origin), special blends, decafs, flavors and an extensive line of organics, all only the best 100% Arabica coffee. Dazbog samples coffee from hundreds of farms around the world to select only the best estate and plantation beans.

I have tried this coffee in my $40 machine and at my mom's, because she has a fancy-coffee-drink-maker-thing (official name) and it has held up. It has a deep taste with no bitterness that is associated with burnt beans, and since my bag was pre-ground, it has maintained the flavor despite that grinding. I even bumped my intake up to two cups. 

Now, that is a dangerous cup of coffee.

-Elizabeth

Editor's Choice: Don Francisco

“Is this normal coffee?” my roommate asked while we watched Season 2 of Lost one Sunday morning. “Well,” I said, “it’s Don Francisco organic coffee.” “It’s really good,” she replied. “There’s a hint of chocolate.” Coming from someone who drinks coffee once a month and gourmet coffee never, I think that’s quite a complement to the beans.

The Don Francisco I brewed that morning was delicious, full of flavor but subtle nonetheless. Its fullness is noticeable by those (i.e. my roommate who prefers tea) who aren’t coffee-crazed, and it’s appreciated by some (i.e. me) who consider themselves slightly more informed about the coffee bean.

What’s more, the certification Don Francisco undergoes includes a thorough inspection of the bean plantation. The soil, the trees, the berries, they’re all evaluated to ensure that each farm that provides the beans are truly organic. In fact, each farm must practice organic farming for three years before becoming certified.

Don Francesco offers USDA-certified organic coffee in French Roast and Mayan Blend. For more information, visit www.don-francisco.com.

- Mary