A team of our coffee & tea traders made the quick trip into NYC last Monday for New York Coffee Fest! After two years it was so great being back, surrounded by so many awesome coffee & tea people!

Didn’t get to New York Coffee Fest? Read highlights of the show from our coffee & tea traders below!

ANGELICA CORDERO: TEA TRADER

Alternatives reigned supreme on the show floor.  Oat milk, hay straws, plant-based energy, eco-friendly packaging, and non-alcoholic mixed drinks all made an appearance. Confirming that these trends are still going strong in 2022!  Consumer interests continue to shift towards companies focused on health benefits and sustainability.  Natural flavors, functional ingredients, and clean labelling were highlighted by some of the powerhouses of the industry. Their colorful presentations also provided ample inspiration for exciting signature drinks!

The benefits of green tea, particularly matcha, and other botanicals were hot topics.  Buzz words like adaptogens, flavonoids, and catechins offered alternative ways to boost energy and immunity, or promote relaxation and overall health.  Functional herbs and spices used in bold, flavorful drinks are going to keep driving business as the weather gets warmer and Instagrammable iced drinks are added to seasonal menus. 

Keep an eye out for ingredients that make a big color impact like butterfly pea flower, hibiscus, matcha, and turmeric!  I for one am ready to mix up something special right now!

EVAN KLUENDER: COFFEE TRADER

I got my start in coffee at the height of the COVID-19 outbreak. Because of this, my perspective of the specialty coffee world was really only through the scope of a coffee trader. New York Coffee Fest was my first real look into other aspects of the industry that I hadn’t seen before.

It was also a great opportunity to finally meet some people in person! From roasters to cafe owners and equipment manufacturers, I got to meet some really cool people. This experience also provided me with a greater respect for the work that roasters and baristas do. I tasted the fruits of the labor and craftsmanship that go into making a great cup of coffee.

Overall, I found New York Coffee Fest to be a fun, unique and enlightening experience. It provided me with a better understanding of the way our coffee is transformed by the artisans who turn it into something great.

MIKE WARD: COFFEE TRADER

Being back at Coffee Fest after a two-year hiatus was pretty surreal.

It was really nice to see so many people and to know that through everything that’s happened over the last few years, the industry has held together and even grown through it all. The classes were enlightening, but the people I met and friends that I got to catch up with were really my favorite part.

Stay tuned for our RNY On Location next month, recapping our time at the Specialty Coffee Expo in Boston!