GreenDeals Daily

As one of the world's biggest commodities, your choice of coffee can have a greater environmental impact than you might be able to wrap your head around first thing in the morning. Most coffee today is grown much like any other agricultural crop, in big open fields under the hot sun using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Taking coffee out from under the canopy results in soil erosion, water pollution, deforestation and habitat destruction. Turning it into a global commodity means traders on Wall Street have more to do with the price of coffee than the cost of living where it's grown.

Higher Grounds Trading Company's 100% fair trade, organic coffees are grown using sustainable practices while ensuring a fair price is paid to farmers. Cooperatives in coffee growing regions have a direct relationship with Higher Grounds, cutting out the middleman keeps prices relatively low for you while allowing the coops to put a percentage of revenues into community improvements.

I tried Higher Grounds' Colombian Fondo Paez medium roast and their Jusice Blend. As soon as I opened the bag and the scent hit me I knew I was in for a beautiful cup of joe. The freshly roasted premium beans made a velvety rich aromatic brew that really impressed me. I'm usually a dark-roast guy but the single-origin Colombian medium roast brought out the subtleties of the bean quite nicely.

Price-wise, Higher Grounds is about in line with other premium coffees but with discounts for larger orders and the environmental and social benefits included with every bag - it's certainly a green deal. Here's how I rated it:

• Green: 3.5/4
• Value: 2.5/3
• Quality: 3/3
• Final GreenDeals score: 9/10

Do you drink fair trade organic coffee? Let us know how you get your caffeine on in the comments!