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Buy Great Coffee and Help Build a Digital Learning Center in Ethiopia

We expected a quick visit. Instead, it became one of the most memorable moments of the entire trip.

Kenya Green Coffee Export Review

One of the most sought after origins in specialty coffee, its profile has iconic savory notes like tomato and punchy acidity.

Brazil: Why It’s Worth Booking Before September

New crop Brazils won’t land until October or November, that’s just the harvest calendar. But spot availability on Brazil macrolots has tightened this summer, and roasters waiting until fall are finding a thinner market. Here’s why it’s worth booking your coverage now

Costa Rica Green Coffee Export Review

Well known for organic coffee production, eco-tourism, and modern processing culture dominated by top quality honeys and naturals, Costa Rica contributes a little over a million 60kg bags annually to the world’s volume of coffee, making up less than 1% of total annual global production.  Despite this, coffee remains a very important crop to the economy of the country with coffee exports valuing at over $422 million dollars in 2024.  

Royal Coffee’s Top 5 Crown Jewels of 2025

Royal Coffee’s Top 5 Crown Jewels of 2025

With more than two dozen Crown Jewels released in 2025, narrowing down a “top five” was impossible, so we didn’t. Instead, we ranked this year’s standouts by cup score, rarity, volume, processing innovation, and legacy relationships. The result is a snapshot of the coffees that defined our year and the producers behind them.

Royal Coffee and Grounds for Health Ethiopia Trip

Royal Coffee and Grounds for Health Ethiopia Trip

Editor’s Note: This field report accompanies Royal Coffee’s ongoing partnership with Grounds for Health, an organization dedicated to providing life-saving cervical cancer screening and treatment to women in coffee-growing communities. Royal is currently raising funds in support of this work, with...

Green Coffee Tariff Updates & Customer FAQs

Green Coffee Tariff Updates & Customer FAQs

Updated November 20, 2025  TL; DR  On Nov 20 2025, the U.S. signed an order that removes the 40% additional duty on certain Brazilian agricultural imports, including coffee.  The relief is effective for goods entered/withdrawn for consumption on or after 12:01 a.m. ET on Nov 13, 2025. Tariffs on...

Royal Coffee 2025 Holiday Ordering Info

Royal Coffee 2025 Holiday Ordering Info

Dear Royal Coffee Customer, As the busy holiday season approaches, we want to help you prepare for successful shipments. During the holiday season, carriers always experience higher than normal volume, and driver and dock staffing shortages tend to accumulate. We have seen recent delays due to...

What Does the Supreme Court Tariff Hearing Mean for Coffee?

What Does the Supreme Court Tariff Hearing Mean for Coffee?

The Supreme Court’s recent hearing on the IEEPA tariffs signals skepticism about presidential trade powers but no quick relief for importers. Refunds appear off the table, and tariff risk, especially for Brazil, remains high. Here’s what Royal Coffee’s CEO took away from the arguments.

Excerpt: Additive Fermentation: “Infused” Coffee is Gaining Popularity and Sparking Industry Debate”

Excerpt: Additive Fermentation: “Infused” Coffee is Gaining Popularity and Sparking Industry Debate”

Co-fermented coffee is a new processing approach where producers add natural ingredients like fruit, hops, or spices during fermentation to enhance flavor complexity. Unlike flavored coffee, these additives interact with the beans before drying, creating unique taste profiles while sparking debate over labeling, transparency, and authenticity within the specialty coffee industry.

Indonesian Coffee Cultivars and Varieties

Indonesian Coffee Cultivars and Varieties

By Evan Gilman With contributions from Surip Mawardi, Tovan Marhennatta, Chris Kornman  Indonesian Coffee Cultivars and Varieties Coffee’s cultivated history on the world’s largest archipelagic state, and fourth-most-populous country, dates as early as 1699, introduced by Dutch...

Celebrating 30 Years of Royal New York

Celebrating 30 Years of Royal New York

We are proud to celebrate an important milestone for our sister company, Royal New York. For 30 years, they have been a trusted partner in specialty coffee and tea, known for their dedication to quality, service, and education.  Coffee, Tea, and The Lab  Royal New York operates across three...

Market Update: Brazil Rains Shift Coffee Prices 

Market Update: Brazil Rains Shift Coffee Prices 

Article Summary: Coffee futures plunged. The sharpest drop in 17 years with arabica down 7.6% and robusta down 10% as rains return to Brazil. Improved weather may boost the 2026 crop, but short-term volatility remains. U.S. imports from Brazil are falling while Vietnam’s shipments surge. Freight...