As many of my friends know, I am a coffee enthusiast. In my opinion, an iced vanilla latte makes everything better. Assuming that many of you feel the same way, I want to share some innovative coffee brands that are not only delicious and interesting, but are also doing good in the world. I am a huge fan of learning about the craft, the process and the stories behind my favorite beverage. So cozy up in this cold wintry weather, grab your cutest mug and get ready to learn about these unique coffee creations.

First, there is Atlas Coffee Club, which delivers a global coffee tour right to your house. Your coffee order includes the prettiest packaging. The gorgeous designs relate to each country where the beans are procured. Additionally, a card is included that tells you the history of coffee in the country, the underlying tastes like dark chocolate or spiced figs, the best way to brew the coffee, the roast level and the growing region, as well as other fascinating facts. For example, the Nicaragua Coffee card describes the cycle of debt there and how Atlas gives the coffee farms advance payments so farmers do not have to take out loans. An additional interesting fact that I learned from Atlas is that almost 100% of Guatemalan coffee is grown in the shade, meaning that there are trees planted to shade the crops, lessening soil erosion, positively impacting the flavor, increasing biodiversity and removing CO2 from the atmosphere. 

Another coffee company that I adore is Chamberlain Coffee founded by Emma Chamberlain. Their mixes are organic and fair trade, meaning they are ethically and sustainably produced. My favorite blend is the Fluffy Lamb Vanilla Blend (each coffee blend has a cute animal character to go with it). The beans are from Nicaragua, Mexico and Peru and are roasted locally in                 California. I also love their Hummingbird Oat Milk Chai Latte. I especially admire this coffee brand because of its relationship with the organization Food 4 Farmers. Chamberlain Coffee and Food 4 Farmers work together to ensure that coffee farmer families in Latin America can reach permanent food security.

Now that you have your coffee, let’s discuss how you are going to make it. I have been captivated by Recaps, a new reusable coffee pod company. Although many coffee pods say that they are recyclable, very few actually do get recycled. Recaps are stainless steel so they can be used over and over again. They are compatible with a Nespresso machine. All you have to do is put a scoop of coffee into the pod and put it into the machine. It has an amazing impact on limiting the amount of coffee pods sent to the landfill, making your cup of coffee more sustainable. 

Next time you go online to order new coffee, I recommend checking out these companies. You can support communities around the world, learn something new, help the environment and taste something delectable. To me, coffee is not only about getting a boost of caffeine. It also is a great opportunity to take a moment for yourself and enjoy something artisan.