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Scoring Specialty Coffee – What do the Numbers Mean? 

This article outlines how coffees are graded and scored under commonly used systems, and works to define “specialty” coffee while examining the nuance and complexity of cup score values. Sections of note include definitions of individual attributes, a breakdown of what cup scores mean, and a discussion of recent, controversial updates to the tools professional graders use to evaluate a coffee’s quality. 

Green Coffee Is Exempt From the New Tariffs. Here’s What Roasters Need to Know
Two major trade actions landed in under a week, and they created a lot of noise. Here’s the piece that matters for green coffee buyers: unroasted coffee (green) is explicitly excluded from the new Section 122 import surcharge currently being collected. If you’re...
Phyllis Johnson on Leadership, Belonging, and Building a More Creative Coffee Industry   
Editor's Note: I first encountered Phyllis Johnson's mind in 2020, working behind the scenes on Royal Coffee's webinar Race & Specialty Coffee. I sat in on some of the earliest conversations that would eventually become the Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity. I...

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Ethiopia Crown Jewel Flavor Breakdown

Ethiopia Crown Jewel Flavor Breakdown

Crown Jewel Buyer Chris Kornman reflects on the differences between our current selection of Ethiopia Crown Jewels. CROWN JEWEL ETHIOPIA ORGANIC RFA GUJI KAYON MOUNTAIN WASHED  Black Tea, Lemon, Caramel, Chamomile, Dark Chocolate  I often think of Guji (the zone just east of Yirgacheffe) as...

Now Hiring – Barista for The Crown: Royal Coffee Lab & Tasting Room

Now Hiring – Barista for The Crown: Royal Coffee Lab & Tasting Room

Now Hiring: Barista for The Crown: Royal Coffee Lab & Tasting Room Passionate about specialty coffee & service? This is for you! Barista Core Responsibilities  Stellar Customer Service Create and serve drinks to the high standards set by the Tasting Room Manager and Lead Barista  Greet...

Logistics Updates: Congestion, Delays, and a Looming Strike

Logistics Updates: Congestion, Delays, and a Looming Strike

Global shipping disruptions are intensifying with ongoing Red Sea blockades and a looming US port strike. Import delays, rising costs, and equipment shortages are expected to escalate, affecting coffee supply chains from Asia to the US.

Ethiopia Shipping Updates

Ethiopia Shipping Updates

Please note: since drafting this update, we have received news that MSC service may be resumed, utilizing feeder vessels to Saudi Arabia. While this is good news, it does not yet change our recommendations on seeking coverage now for your Ethiopian coffee needs. We will continue to share updates...

Queen of Cups – Assume Nothing Drink Recipe

Queen of Cups – Assume Nothing Drink Recipe

by Alisha Rajan  "Assume Nothing!" A mantra for The Crown as we worked towards opening our doors in March of 2019, the phrase became a Menu section, encouraging our visitors to drop their preconceptions and be open to new and delicious experiences. And now it's the title of a drink recipe series,...

Sourcing Green Coffee from Honduras, COMSA & Catracha 

Sourcing Green Coffee from Honduras, COMSA & Catracha 

"Washed milds". This is a term green coffee traders use to describe coffees from Central and South America that are typically clean, sweet, and relatively easy-drinking coffees. We all can fall into the trap of grouping coffees together in a way that removes what makes them special. I do it all...

Interview with Rosalba Cifuentes Tovia of Mayan Harvest

Interview with Rosalba Cifuentes Tovia of Mayan Harvest

I recently sat down with Rosalba Cifuentes, the director and founder of Mayan Harvest, a Chiapas, Mexico-based exporter who has worked with Royal Coffee off and on for the last few years. Rosalba’s a bit of a coffee celebrity, and a familiar face to many in the Bay Area (where she now calls home)...

Royal Coffee is Regenerative Organic Certified

Royal Coffee is Regenerative Organic Certified

Royal Coffee Inc. has proudly announced its recent certification as a Regenerative Organic Certified™ (ROC) importer by the Regenerative Organic Alliance. This achievement marks a significant step in our ongoing commitment to sustainability, ethical sourcing, and environmental stewardship. "Many...

International Women’s Month 2024

International Women’s Month 2024

We’re fortunate to have team made up of incredible humans at Royal Coffee. In honor of National Women’s Month, we are featuring some of them here, and sharing a little bit about what they do here and some life advice.Berit Carlson Accounting, On and off since 1989Favorite Coffee: Yemen Mocha A...

The Crown Gallery Artist Interviews: Alexis M. Brayton

The Crown Gallery Artist Interviews: Alexis M. Brayton

The Crown seeks to give exposure to local and international artists through The Crown Gallery, and hosts new artists every four months. The Crown Gallery is currently accepting submissions for the Spring of 2024 and is seeking artists who approach issues related to environmental sustainability,...

Au Lait of Apricity – Assume Nothing

Au Lait of Apricity – Assume Nothing

by MJ Smith "Assume Nothing!" A mantra for The Crown as we worked towards opening our doors in March of 2019, the phrase became a Menu section, encouraging our visitors to drop their preconceptions and be open to new and delicious experiences. And now it's the title of a recipe series, for you to...

The 2023 Crown Jewel Year In Review

The 2023 Crown Jewel Year In Review

We'd like to give our sincere thanks to our Crown Jewel customers. With your support, we're able to continue to explore the boundaries of specialty coffee and highlight innovative producers around the globe. Here's a look back at the year in Crown Jewels: We released 33 Crown Jewels from 16...

Honey, We Spiced the Miel – Assume Nothing

Honey, We Spiced the Miel – Assume Nothing

by Taylor Brandon "Assume Nothing!" A mantra for The Crown as we worked towards opening our doors in March of 2019, the phrase became a Menu section, encouraging our visitors to drop their preconceptions and be open to new and delicious experiences. And now it's the title of a recipe series, for...

Royal Coffee 2023 Holiday Ordering Info

Royal Coffee 2023 Holiday Ordering Info

Dear Royal Coffee Customer, As the holidays approach, we want to help prepare you with information on LTL freight and outbound shipments. During the holiday season, carriers always expect higher than normal volume, but driver and dock staffing shortages have never been so severe as they are this...