Day in and day out, our traders are constantly cupping coffee and tea so your menu can be stocked with the best and freshest inventory available. To help you stay on trend, our traders picked out their current favorite offerings so you can keep up with the latest in the specialty beverage industry. From green and black teas to organic coffee & more, check out their picks for the best coffee & teas!

Coffee Picks

Best Coffee from Guatemala

Produced near Lake Atitlan, this coffee comes to us from Finca Santo Tomas Perdido, which translates to “Lost Saint Thomas.” It is said the towns surrounding the lake are named after the Apostles because Jesus summoned them to meet with him in “the most beautiful place in the world.” They all met at Lake Atitlan, but once they arrived, they could not find Saint Thomas. After looking for him around the lake, Jesus and his Apostles finally found him where Finca Santo Tomas Perdido is now located. When questioned why he was there, Saint Thomas replied that he simply followed instructions to wait for them in the most beautiful place in the world.

Backed by a great history, this farm is owned by the Torrebiarte family and currently operated by Javier Torrebiarte, a 3rd generation coffee farmer. As they have 125 full-time employees and up to 500 pickers during harvest, this farm consistently produces a great cup of coffee.

This coffee is a favorite of mine because of its rich sweetness. With notes of milk chocolate and brown sugar, this cup shines at a medium to medium/dark roast level for adequate development. Furthermore, this coffee holds a delicious cherry tone that makes it a standout offering. It’s an easy drinker and favorite of many!

Shop TJ’s Pick: RNY # 56564 Guatemala SHB Lake Atitlan Santo Tomas

Best Coffee from Costa Rica

This natural lot comes to us from Los Manatiales in the region of Valle Occidental, Costa Rica. Named for the springs of water throughout its 10 hectares, Los Manatiales is owned by the Rodriguez family and managed by Esnider Rodriguez, a 3rd generation coffee farmer. The farm is located in an exceptional microclimate that allows them to continuously produce very high-quality coffees.

In the cup we found complex, integrated notes of apricot, melon, and toffee with a delicate body and pleasant acidity. The brew had a nuanced, silky mouthfeel and texture with a pleasant, mellow acidity throughout the cup.

Shop Mike’s Pick: RNY # 56616 Costa Rica Alturas de Lourdes Esnider Rodriguez Yellow Pacamara Natural (22lb. Box)

Best Organic Coffee from Rwanda

This coffee comes from the Womens Coffee Extension, a group with 700+ producer members in the Kamonyi District of Rwanda. It’s a relatively new program as it started in 2017. Throughout the years, we have also supported this program by purchasing conventional, or non-organic, coffees. We have also supported this program by purchasing conventional (non-organic) coffees over the last few years, and we couldn’t be more excited to share this coffee with you!

In the cup we found sweet and citrus notes highlighting flavors of orange and red apple. With a recently high “C” market as well as shipment delays limiting offerings from this region, this coffee can be a great addition to your menu and a fine substitute for higher-priced Ethiopian and Kenyan offerings.

Shop Joe’s Pick: RNY # 54777 Organic Rwanda “Womens Coffee Group” Fully Washed

Best Organic Coffee from Java

Located in the Kayumas and Taman Dadar regions of Java, this coffee comes from Koperasi Serba Usaha, a group with approximately 150 members. The co-op has a range of 1st through 4th generation farmers who each produce on 2 – 2.5 hectares of land.

This wet-hulled offering from Java provides a full-bodied coffee with low acidity and notes of bakers chocolate and black licorice. I enjoy this organic coffee best when dark roasted, especially in the morning for that extra boost. If you prefer a lighter roast, then I recommend roasting it medium and blending it with a natural Ethiopian. This will give you those mild fruit and chocolatey notes you want for your Mocha Java!

Shop Rick’s Pick (NJ Warehouse): RNY # 54822 Organic Java Taman Dadar Wet Hulled
Shop Rick’s Pick (FL Warehouse): RNY # 54820 Organic Java Taman Dadar Wet Hulled

Best Organic Coffee from Guatemala

ASOBAGRI, or the Asociación Barillense de Agricultores, was founded in 1989 by 20 Mayan coffee and cardamom farmers. Spread across 80 communities, their 1,400+ members cultivate and harvest coffee on small farms with their own micro mills. The cooperative supports sustainable agriculture by training its farmers in organic production methods and is committed to promoting gender equality throughout the organization.

This Café de Mujeres lot is produced by a group of female producers within ASOBAGRI. Their coffee showcases slightly brighter notes than the traditional lots from the cooperative. Year over year, I am impressed with the Café de Mujeres lots we receive. Overall, they are always nice and sweet with slight acidity, creating a great balance in the cup.

Shop Mike’s Pick: RNY # 56477 Organic Guatemala Huehuetenango ASOBAGRI – Café de Mujeres – Fair Trade USA

Tea Picks

Best Tea Blends

This colorful blend is an absolute fruit bomb! With notes of black tea, peach, and orange, this tea packs a punch. I particularly enjoy Savanah Sunrise on ice, and the small caffeine boost from the black tea is an added bonus.

Shop Mike’s Pick: Savannah Sunrise

Not only does this tea have health benefits, but it also tastes great! I typically enjoy Organic Turmeric Ginger in the afternoon when I want to switch from coffee after a full day of cupping. It has notes of lemongrass, sweet licorice (which I love), and subtle ginger notes. You can’t beat it; I’m a big fan!

Shop Joe’s Pick: Organic Turmeric Ginger

Strawberry Lemonade Oolong contains a variety of ingredients that come together to make a delicious culmination of flavors! A Mao Xie Oolong blended with lots of real fruit pieces, this tea is very special because it produces such a sweet and citrusy cup.

I really gravitate toward this tea because of how refreshing it is. While I believe it shines extremely well as a cold brew, I know that many enjoy it hot as well!

Shop TJ’s Pick: Strawberry Lemonade Oolong

Best Pure Teas

Hailing from Japan, Organic Hojicha is unlike other green teas. It’s comprised of stems and leaves and is put through a high heat roasting process. This production method results in a toasty, earthy flavor profile as well as a lower level of caffeine.

Hojicha is great when I’m craving something thirst-quenching but want something a bit out of the norm. The roasted flavor is refreshing, and it also makes for a great cold brew!

Shop Caitlin’s Pick: Organic Hojicha

A step up from our regular matcha, this offering can do it all! Our Ceremonial Matcha is suitable for traditional tea ceremonies to be prepared as koicha, or “thick tea.” That being said, many of our customers prefer to add it to lattes for a creamier and more premium taste. Hailing from Kagoshima, Japan, this matcha has floral and fruity notes attenuated by a buttery minish.

Shop Mike’s Pick: Ceremonial Matcha

Chamomile can be enjoyed any time of day. However, I enjoy it most in the evening. I especially like the calming effect this tea provides. The mild aroma relaxes me and puts me in a better frame of mind. I also find the body to be florally, citrusy, and extremely pleasant on the palate. When you feel the need to recenter, give this tea a try and include it in your daily routine—you will not be disappointed.

Shop Rick’s Pick: Organic Chamomile Sachets