Reviews › Organic Coffee

organic coffeeHigher Ground roasts organic, fair trade, and shade grown coffee.

By Jan Walsh

Photo by Robin Colter


I start each day with a cup of organic coffee and a touch of organic cream. And I don’t have to go far to find it. Higher Ground Roasters is located in Birmingham. And their coffees are found locally.

Higher Grounds Roasters profits are earned from Fair Trade Coffee, which ensures their growers are able to keep their family owned farms and benefit from economic and educational programs.  As they say at Higher Ground, “Every cup of Higher Ground is a vote for the rights of small-scale independent farmers who grow their coffee organically under the forest canopy.” Higher Ground Roasters goal is a completely sustainable business model. To offset their daily energy usage, they purchase wind power credits through Renewable Choice Energy, which helps subsidize wind farms.  Higher Ground roasts only Specialty grade coffee beans, the top five percent of the world’s harvest.

The company has also created partnerships with many non-profits so its customers can enjoy sustainable coffees from around the world while supporting the preservation of our local environment and local non-profits. My favorite coffee is also a favorite, local non-profit. The Greater Birmingham Humane Society Blend is a complex blend of Bolivian coffees. It is light and refreshing with a smooth and nutty after taste. Proceeds go to the Greater Birmingham Humane Society, which promotes respect for life through education and prevention of cruelty to animals and people. They currently receive no city, county, state, or federal tax dollars and depend largely on the generosity of the public and foundations to help them meet the community's needs. Other Non Profit Partners blends include Access Fund, Red Ribbon – AIDS Alabama, Alabama Environmental Council, River Roast – Alabama Rivers Alliance, Black Warrior Riverkeeper, Cahaba River, Fresh Water Land Trust, Jones Valley Urban Farm, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and Literacy Council.  

Higher Ground Roasters coffees can be found locally at Earth Fare, Piggly Wiggly, Publix, The Fresh Market, Western Supermarkets, and Whole Foods. They also sell coffee subscriptions delivered to your door at HigherGroundRoasters.com.

Published, B-Metro magazine, April 2015