An answer to uncertainty
Beginning this week, we'll be offering some of our best-selling coffee blends and single-origin offerings in a larger, 40-lb box format. The larger box size includes a $40 discount reflected in the retail price, marked down from the 10-lb bag price of the same green. Our goal for this new product size is to help roasters control their weekly cash flow and decrease their up-front costs for green coffee. Instead of having to budget for 60kg bags, you can relieve the initial investment of your green coffee purchase and bring in only what you need, roast and sell it, and then restock quickly.
If you've paid any attention to the news lately, you'll know that green coffee costs are on the rise. This increase in the cost of raw materials has caused concern for everyone, but new business owners and start-ups are especially impacted by these market peaks. In times of uncertainty and doubt in the specialty coffee market, one of our major purposes is to give people the confidence they need to start or scale their coffee businesses. We hope that this new green coffee program does just that.
Get to know our greens
Customers who have purchased green coffee from us in the past know that they can trust our selection and approach. As experienced coffee professionals, we meticulously source, sample, and approve coffees that we know will work for our customers' menus and budgets. We have always tried to offer a nice selection of everything; greens from multiple origins representing the three main growing regions of the world, a mix of processing methods, and a range of price points. Finally, we aim to carry coffees that taste good at a wide range of roast profiles, so you don't have to be an expert to get something great out of the cooling tray.
For years, smaller-volume roasters have turned to us for 10-lb bags of greens because they appreciate being able to explore the world's coffee varieties without having to invest in large volumes. But more and more, we're seeing customers order larger quantities of green coffee because they can have confidence in their selection. They also appreciate the additional resources we offer like references roast profiles to use as a jumping-off point with a new coffee.
In our roasting classes, we emphasize the important job of greens purchasing. The skillset of identifying a great green coffee takes time to develop. Many months of regular practice at the cupping table can help you hone your palate, calibrate with your importer, and know when it's time to "pull the trigger" on a new coffee. Before that skill is developed, though, the task of buying new greens can be intimidating. Many roasters look to us for a curated offerings list that's less overwhelming than an importer's portal and feel that our decision to carry a coffee is like a firsthand recommendation from a friend on a green that's a good bet.
The starting line-up
Our best-selling espresso and cold brew blends were the catalyst for this update. These blends are available year-round, and we work carefully to ensure that the flavor profile and roast targets stay consistent month-to-month, even as the components change. Navigating seasonal changes to coffee blends is a big job, and we're happy to rise to that challenge. Many roasters have come to rely on the sweet and crisp Espresso for Lighter Roasts, rich and decadent Espresso for Darker Roasts, and the fruity yet balanced Cold Brew Blend as flagship coffees on their menu and in their cafes.
We'll also be highlighting versatile single-origins as a part of this program. Coffees that taste excellent at light, medium, and dark profiles so you can maximize your menu offerings while still maintaining a small green coffee inventory. These coffees will also work nicely in blends, they'll act as building blocks that complement each other and help you create something better than the sum of its parts. View the full line-up of forty-pounders here.
We can't predict what's next for the C-Market and the future of Specialty Coffee, but we can try to search for solutions to help our customers stay solvent in the face of shifting tides. We hope this new option provides a bit of relief in your green coffee strategy and keeps you afloat until calmer tides prevail.
Happy roasting!