Canada's leading organic roaster — USDA Organic, Fair Trade, roasted in the Rockies. Kick Ass is one of the best value dark roasts in the US market.
Our Verdict4.5 / 5
Kicking Horse delivers organic, Fair Trade quality at mid-range prices. Kick Ass is the standout — it's hard to find a better dark roast at this price point that's also fully certified. A genuine best-value pick.
Certifications
USDA Organic + Fair Trade
Price
$14–$19 per 250g
Roasted in
British Columbia, Canada
Best product
Kick Ass Dark Roast
☕ Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep the lights on and the coffee flowing. We only recommend products we genuinely rate.
About Kicking Horse Coffee
Kicking Horse Coffee was founded in 1996 in Invermere, a small town in the Canadian Rockies. Leo and Elsa Johnson started with a commitment that still defines the brand: 100% organic, Fair Trade sourcing, roasted in small batches. In 2017, Lavazza acquired a majority stake, but the roastery remains in BC and quality has been maintained.
For US consumers, Kicking Horse represents rare value: you're getting certification credentials (USDA Organic + Fair Trade on every SKU) that typically cost significantly more from American specialty roasters. The $14–$19 price point is competitive even without the ethical sourcing premium.
Taste Test
Kick Ass brewed as French press: bold and earthy with dark chocolate in the body and a faint brown sugar sweetness in the finish. Surprisingly low bitterness for a dark roast — the organic beans and careful roasting make the difference.
454 Horse Power pulled as espresso at 18g in / 36g out: syrupy, nutty, with a hint of red fruit in the brightness. Milk softens it into a genuinely excellent flat white.
Three Sisters as a V60 pour-over: bright and clean, stone fruit and light sweetness. Less complexity than specialty light roasts at this price, but pleasant and consistent.
Kicking Horse Products
Editor's Pick
Kicking Horse
Kick Ass Dark Roast
4.6/5
$14–$19
The flagship dark roast. Bold, earthy, with dark chocolate and brown sugar notes. Certified organic and Fair Trade. One of the best value dark roasts on the market.
Yes — Kicking Horse Coffee is USDA Organic and Fair Trade certified across its entire range. All beans are sourced from certified organic farms in Central and South America, Africa, and Indonesia. This is across the whole product line, not just select SKUs — making it one of the most consistently certified mainstream coffee brands available.
What is the best Kicking Horse Coffee?
Kick Ass Dark Roast is the bestseller and our top recommendation — bold, chocolatey, and smooth for a dark roast. 454 Horse Power is the espresso blend (medium-dark) and excellent for espresso machines. Three Sisters is the lighter everyday option with bright, balanced flavour. Most dark roast drinkers prefer Kick Ass; espresso fans prefer 454.
Where is Kicking Horse Coffee roasted?
Kicking Horse Coffee is roasted in Invermere, British Columbia, in the Canadian Rockies. Founded in 1996, the company was acquired by Lavazza in 2017 but continues to operate from the same roastery in BC. Quality and certifications have remained unchanged post-acquisition.
Try Kicking Horse
Start with Kick Ass if you drink dark roast. It's the best certified organic dark roast at this price — full stop.
