I like coffee. A lot. So much in fact, our home houses a French press, pour over and espresso machine… ready to brew the perfect cup of coffee for our morning adventures. But what I love equally as much is the driving force behind Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co.
As a lifelong dog lover (and coffee fanatic), I was ecstatic when my friend Jordan Karcher launched Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co. An incredible company committed to using a percentage of sales from their organic fair trade, specialty coffees to support the no kill rescue organizations providing safe-havens for pups between homes. Did you know that every year, approximately 2.1 million dogs are euthanized in the United States animal shelters due to the shortfall of suitable homes, however 90% of these pups are deemed adoptable but simply run out of time. That’s roughly 1.9 million dogs that are killed every year. Fortunately, there are thousands of no kill shelters all throughout the US, but these shelters are challenged by fully relying on public donations and adoption fees in order to remain open. That’s where Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co. steps in to join the fight to save these adorable dogs, young and old, by donating 20% of sales to no kill shelters nationwide.
So how did this amazing company get started? Jordan’s journey to launching Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co. began through two key life experiences. His first experience goes back to a cold winter day in Pittsburgh, where Jordan took his first sip of coffee at the age of 12. From that moment on and for the last 15 years, his passion for the perfect brew has steered him to seek out remarkable coffees all over the world. His second experience happened unexpectedly when Molly, a malnourished brown and white Dalmatian, crawled into his lap at a dog adoption operating on the side of Montana Avenue in Santa Monica. Jordan wasn’t planning, nor prepared, to adopt a rescue animal when he left his house that spring morning, but Molly would forever change his (and more pups in need) life.
After Jordan adopted Molly, he began working with rescue organizations to help in any way possible. While working with the groups as a volunteer, he became more cognizant of the issues facing animals (as well as non-profit animal rescue groups) in the country. The more he learned, the more committed he became to finding a solution to the mistreatment of at-risk animals in our country, which eventually led to the creation of Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co.
Let’s talk coffee. I’ve had the pleasure of trying almost all of the coffee options from Grounds & Hounds’ portfolio and let me tell you – it’s amazing. Jordan and his team are extremely passionate about carefully sourcing the most delicious and sustainable coffee beans from the very best growing regions in the world. Their coffee is 100% Fair Trade (learn more about what Fair Trade is in a nutshell here) and Organic certified. They then roast each and every batch to bring out the beans unique characteristics, ensuring you have an amazing experience each and every time you brew a cup of Grounds & Hounds.
Some of my favorites include their Alpha Blend™, a dark roast coffee made from Arabica beans grown in Colombia, Guatemala, and Sumatra and the Sit & Stay Blend™, a medium roast with notes of clove and chocolate.
I’m extremely proud of the work Grounds & Hounds has done over the last two years they’ve been open for business. You can find Jordan and Molly on their daily walks around the park, enjoying a baseball game or visiting shelters nationwide. Click here to learn more about the wonderful rescue organizations they support around the country and click on the below video to learn more about their amazing mission.
Aprons & Stilettos 