Kicking Horse (6)

You’re not the only one who enjoys a morning cup of joe. Around the world, over 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed daily. What seems like a no-brainer beverage for so many of us actually found its footing in Istanbul around 1555, when the first ever recorded coffee house was opened. According to legend, an Ethiopian goat herder first discovered coffee, but it would take a few generations—and people like the Parisians, who helped pioneer cafe culture as early as the 1670s—to make it mainstream. Today, whether you’re a fan of light roasts, dark roasts, blends, single-origin beans, or something else entirely, there are options for all. But just like all ingredients nowadays, it’s always a good idea to ask where your coffee comes from. And brands like Kicking Horse are leading the charge in transparency, fair trade practices, and sustainability.

The History of Kicking Horse

The history of Kicking Horse goes back to 1996, when Elana Rosenfeld and Leo Johnson started selling coffee from their garage in Invermere, British Columbia. Two years later, the brand signed on with Transfair Canada (now known as Fairtrade Canada), and began building awareness for the benefits of fair trade coffee. By 2003, the brand made another important decision: going completely organic. All conventional coffee was discontinued, and Kicking Horse began purchasing and roasting only 100 percent Certified Organic beans.

Kicking Horse Company Mission

Kicking Horse goes way beyond coffee. From its humble origins selling beans from a garage, to being available in the global marketplace, this brand works to be as socially responsible as possible, which means implementing practices that are not only good for people (like sourcing fair trade beans), but for the planet as well.

Benefits of Kicking Horse

With a commitment to sustainability, the planet, and the people who grow its beans, Kicking Horse is one coffee company that’s easy to get behind.

• Fair trade: When the brand started, people didn’t believe it would be able to source only fair trade beans and still run a thriving business. But Kicking Horse proved the naysayers wrong. Fair trade is the only kind of bean found in every bag of coffee.
• Organic: In addition to sourcing fair trade beans, they’re also organic and pesticide-free. That means that you’re not only limiting your own exposure to chemicals, but you’re helping to protect the growers, too.
• Sustainable: Kicking Horse has consciously chosen not to offer single-serve packaging because the brand doesn’t believe it’s a sustainable option … yet. Until they find a solution that meets the rigorous requirements for composting and recycling, you can continue enjoying the large bags of ground and whole bean coffee.

Top Kicking Horse Products

Thrive Market members love their morning coffee—especially these Kicking Horse bags.

Kicking Horse Kick Ass Ground Coffee, Dark Roast

With aromas of dark chocolate and vanilla, you’re bound to have a better morning after sipping a cup of Kicking Horse’s darkest roast.

Kicking Horse Smart Ass Ground Coffee, Medium Roast

Wake up to this bright, chocolatey brew from Kicking Horse. The organic and fair trade arabica beans were roasted in the Canadian rockies and are ready to power your day.

How to Make the Best Coffee (Plus Recipes)

Becoming your very own barista isn’t as hard as you think. We also have some favorite coffee-infused recipes you can try anytime.

Tips for Making Coffee at Home

Skip the line (and the added cost) and brew a cup of coffee at home. Read our guide to find out everything you need for the ultimate barista experience in your own kitchen.

The Ultimate Vegan Coffee Cake

Lots of coffee cakes are meant to be eaten with your afternoon cuppa, but this one takes a more literal approach. There’s half a cup of Kicking Horse light brew in the batter to deepen the flavor.

Coffee-Frosted Cupcakes Are the Ultimate Treat

If you can’t get enough of your favorite coffee, why not add some to cupcake frosting? And here’s another surprise: this recipe is made with a boxed pancake mix so it’s extra easy to whip together.