The Rise of Vermont's Independent Coffee roasters
Vermont may not be known as a coffee-growing region, but it's certainly making a name for itself in the world of coffee. With a thriving independent coffee scene and a growing number of small-batch roasters, the state has become a hub for coffee lovers and connoisseurs alike. From the rolling hills of the Green Mountains to the quaint small towns of the Northeast Kingdom, Vermont is a state that values quality, sustainability, and community, and this is reflected in its vibrant coffee culture.
The History of Vermont's Coffee Industry:
The history of coffee in Vermont can be traced back to the late 1990s and early 2000s, when a few visionary coffee lovers began to see the potential for a thriving coffee scene in the state. With its commitment to quality, sustainability, and community, Vermont was an ideal location for coffee companies that wanted to differentiate themselves from the large, corporate coffee brands.
Buds Beans is a small batch coffee roastery founded in 2000 in Middlebury, Vermont by William "Bud" Smith in search of a great cup of coffee. The roastery has evolved from a small stove top roaster to a 3 kilogram Diedrich roaster, focusing on providing quality fresh coffee to local customers. The business was passed down from Bud to Leah and Brian in 2017 and then to coffee industry veteran, Daniel and Middlebury graduate, Grace in 2022, who continue the 22-year-old legacy with small batch roasting and a focus on freshness, delivering coffee the morning after roasting. Bud remains as a mentor and coffee guru.
A coffee roaster based in Middlebury, Vermont, offering coffee blends and single-origin coffees from around the world. Established in 2003, the company is dedicated to providing coffee lovers with the finest coffee experiences, sourcing beans from only the best coffee-growing regions and roasting them to perfection. Vermont Coffee Company prides itself on its commitment to sustainable and ethical practices, including working with fair trade and organic coffee producers and using eco-friendly packaging. Whether you're a coffee connoisseur or just a fan of a good cup of joe, Vermont Coffee Company's carefully crafted blends are sure to delight your taste buds.
A coffee roaster located in Vermont that focuses on sourcing and roasting high-quality, ethically-sourced coffee. They work directly with farmers to bring a diverse selection of unique and delicious coffee to their customers. Vermont Artisan also offers a range of teas and brewing equipment, making them a one-stop-shop for all your hot beverage needs. With a passion for quality and a commitment to sustainability, Vermont Artisan is dedicated to bringing their customers the best coffee and tea experience possible.
One of the first coffee companies to emerge in Vermont was Brio Coffee, founded in 2014. Brio's founders, Magda & Nate, who were passionate about coffee and sustainability, saw an opportunity to bring high-quality coffee to the state, and they quickly built a reputation for sourcing top-notch coffee beans from around the world and roasting them to perfection. Today, Brio Coffee is known for its commitment to sustainability, its focus on quality, and its delicious coffee blends.
Another key player in Vermont's coffee scene is Vivid Coffee, which was founded in 2015. Vivid is committed to sourcing coffee beans from the world's best coffee-growing regions, and roasting them in small batches to bring out their unique flavors. The company is also dedicated to sustainability, and works with farmers and communities around the world to promote environmentally responsible coffee production.
Uncommon Coffee, which was founded in 1994 and quickly established itself as one of Vermont's leading coffee companies. Reopening in 2020 in Essex under the ownership of Maya Crowley, Uncommon is committed to quality, sustainability, and community, and sources its coffee beans from some of the world's best coffee-growing regions. The company also has a strong focus on education, and works to educate customers about the coffee-making process and the importance of sustainable coffee production.
Iluminar Coffee is a Middlebury, Vermont-based specialty coffee roaster founded by Daniel in February 2020, just before the pandemic. Grace joined the team as co-owner in 2021 and helped with a redesign that boosted Iluminar's reputation. The company's focus is on providing fresh-roasted, high-quality coffee to local customers. Iluminar roasts in small 7.5-pound batches, allowing for close monitoring of the quality of both the beans and the roast. Freshness is a top priority, with coffee delivered to local accounts the morning after roasting. With Bud as a mentor and roast master emeritus, Iluminar strives to deliver the best possible coffee experience.
Vermont may not be known as a coffee-growing region, but its thriving independent coffee scene is making a name for itself in the world of coffee. From Brio Coffee to Vivid Coffee to Uncommon Coffee, the state's top coffee companies are known for their passion for quality, their commitment to sustainability, and their delicious coffee blends. Whether you're a coffee lover or a connoisseur, Vermont's independent coffee scene is definitely worth exploring.
