What Is Nitro Coffee?
Nitro coffee is coffee infused with nitrogen gas. The nitrogen acts as a pressurized propellant so baristas can dispense the coffee from kegs. While it’s possible to make hot-brewed nitro coffee, it must be prepared in small amounts and is therefore uncommon. Cold brew nitro coffee is easy to make in bulk. In recent years, nitro cold brew has increased on menus by an incredible 904%. Nitro coffee is no longer a novel coffee trend; it’s become a reliable coffee shop menu staple. We teach you about nitro coffee so you can incorporate it into your cafe and answer customers’ questions.
Shop All Nitro Infuser BoxesWhat Is Nitro Cold Brew?
Nitro cold brew is cold brew coffee infused with nitrogen gas. Nitrogen gas is completely safe and has been used in beer varieties like porters and stouts for decades. It creates small bubbles in the coffee and gives nitro cold brew its signature thick, creamy texture. The nitrogen also forms a dense, foamy top layer that resembles a beer head.
Experimental baristas at Cuvee Coffee in Austin, Texas created nitro cold brew in 2012. Third-wave coffee shops across the U.S. adopted it, and its popularity grew. You can now find it at major chains or buy canned nitro coffee online, at grocery stores, and from vending machines.
What Does Nitro Cold Brew Taste Like?
Nitro cold brew tastes like a sweet, balanced coffee with a rich mouthfeel. The nitrogen gas reduces the coffee’s bitterness and acidity, and many non-coffee drinkers find it enjoyable. Thanks to its creamy consistency, those who normally favor milk and syrup laden espresso-based drinks can enjoy nitro cold brew without cream or sugar.
Nitro Cold Brew Caffeine
Nitro cold brew has nearly 30% more caffeine than regular drip coffee. On average, a 12 oz. serving of nitro cold brew will contain 207 milligrams (mg) of caffeine. In contrast, a 12 oz. vanilla latte contains approximately 85 mg of caffeine. Some scientists believe nitrogen gas helps the body process caffeine, so nitro cold brew expedites energy boosts.
Is Nitro Cold Brew Bad for You?
Nitro cold brew is considered a healthy drink. Its two ingredients, coffee and nitrogen, pose no risk to human health. Drinking coffee has been linked to a reduced risk of heart failure and coronary heart disease. 78% of the air we breathe is made up of nitrogen. Since smooth and creamy nitro cold brew doesn’t require milk and sweeteners, it helps patrons enjoy the health benefits of coffee without drowning them in unhealthy additives.
Does Nitro Cold Brew Have Alcohol?
No, nitro cold brew does not have alcohol. While it’s served out of beer kegs and resembles a dark beer, nitro cold brew is an alcohol-free drink. Its only ingredients are coffee and nitrogen gas.
Nitro Cold Brew vs Cold Brew
Cold brew is made by steeping extra coarse ground coffee in cool water for 12 to 24 hours, and nitro cold brew is cold brew coffee infused with nitrogen gas. Due to its extended brew times, cold brew coffee is known for its strong flavor. Nitro cold brew offers the flavor richness of cold brew, but the nitrogen gas removes any unpleasant acidic or bitter notes. It requires almost double the amount of coffee grounds to make cold brew, producing a highly caffeinated beverage. Because of the nitrogen infusion, nitro cold brew is more expensive to purchase and create than regular cold brew.
- Nitro Cold Brew vs Cold Brew Flavor - Nitro cold brew is smoother, creamier, and has a foam head that resembles cold foam.
- Nitro Cold Brew vs Cold Brew Production - Cold brew is coffee brewed in cold water. Nitro cold brew is cold brew coffee infused with nitrogen.
- Nitro Cold Brew vs Cold Brew Caffeination - Nitro cold brew and regular cold brew contain the same amounts of caffeine.
- Nitro Cold Brew vs Cold Brew Price - Nitro cold brew is more expensive both to purchase and produce.
How to Make Nitro Cold Brew
Coffee shops make nitro cold brew by pouring cold brew coffee into a keg, infusing it with nitrogen bubbles, and then pushing it through a pressurized valve to yield the same frothy head as “on tap” beer. You can use the same process to make other nitro-infused beverages like nitro matcha, nitro chai, and nitro mocktails. Acquire these three pieces of coffee shop equipment, and you'll be ready to diversify your coffee shop menu with nitro infused drinks:
- Keg - holds the cold brew coffee
- Nitrogen gas - adds the effervescence
- Nitro infuser box - specifically designed to handle the acidity of coffee without rusting or wearing down
How Long Does Nitro Cold Brew Last?
If stored properly, nitro cold brew lasts up to three months. However, experts recommend serving your nitro cold brew within two weeks of preparing it. Refrigerate your cold brew and store it in a keg under pressure with nitrogen to extend its shelf life. Nitro cold brew is also perfect for the RTD (ready-to-drink) canned coffee segment because pure nitrogen keeps bottled and canned drinks fresh.
Manage high traffic times by having batches of nitro cold brew ready to dispense. While there is some initial investment required, nitro cold brew sells at premium prices, which more than compensates you in the long run. From nitro cold brew to nitro mocktails, the equipment can diversify your whole menu and help you convert your coffee shop into a nonalcoholic bar in the evenings.
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What Is Single Origin Coffee?
Single origin coffee beans are grown in one distinct location, giving them a unique flavor and ethical traceability. To keep up with emerging coffee trends towards ethical sourcing and memorable flavor experiences, coffee shops are expanding their selection of single origin coffees. As you curate your cafe menu, use our guide to interpret single origin coffee labels, create a diverse brew offering, and meet third wave coffee consumer demands. Shop All Single Origin Coffee What Does Single Origin Coffee Mean? If coffee is labeled as "single origin" or "single source", it means it's from a single country, region, crop, or producer and carries the unique flavor notes of its growth place. Many roasting facilities lightly roast single origin coffees to preserve their flavors, which often results in a tea-like mouthfeel, surprising those expecting a smoky, bitter essence. The growing demand for single origin coffee from third wave coffee consumers holds the industry to a higher standard. By tracing the beans back to their grower, you can confirm they are fair trade, sustainable, and organic. Purchasing single origin coffee boosts small farmers and allows your customers to engage with the region and culture that made their beverage. What Is Third Wave Coffee? Third wave coffee describes the coffee industry from 2000 to today in the same way ‘millennials’ describes those born between 1981 and 1996; third wave coffee suggests both a timeframe and a shared set of values. Modern coffee shops elevate coffee drinking above mere caffeination, and consumers now view coffee as a pleasure and passion. The third wave coffee movement invites customers to engage with the culture, farm, and process that produced their cup of coffee. It is the third wave coffee movement that launched single origin coffee into prominence. Types of Single Origin Coffee The term single origin coffee can delineate anything from an entire region to a single farm. There are sub-terms within the single origin coffee category, estate coffee and microlot coffee, that distinguish how localized they are. What Is Estate Coffee? Estate coffee, also known as single estate coffee, comes from a single farm, mill, or co-operative. Estate coffee is a more traceable subcategory of single origin coffee. In most cases, a single owner operates multiple mills producing estate coffee beans. Sole ownership provides quality control and ethical accountability. What Is Microlot Coffee? A microlot coffee, or single farm coffee, is a single coffee bean varietal grown at a specified farm. Microlot coffees are the most traceable and niche coffee within the single origin category. Most microlot coffee labels provide details about the lot or paddock where the coffee beans grew. What Is Single Origin Espresso? Since espresso is a grind consistency and brewing method, you can grind any single origin coffee into fine espresso powder and use it in an espresso machine. However, this is not something most coffee shops choose to do. Single origin coffees are usually light roasted to allow their unique, locational flavor notes to shine. Their flavor profiles shift from year to year and don’t combine predictably with milk. A barista must be especially skilled to work with single origin espresso, and the extra care and attention required will slow down the beverage-making process. To showcase the unique flavors of their single origin coffees, most coffee houses coarse or extra-coarse grind the beans and use pour over or cold brewing methods. Unlike popular milk-laden espresso drinks, slow brewing single origin coffee allows their unique, light-roasted flavors to arrest the taste buds. Best Single Origin Coffee Since the appeal of single origin coffee is its traceability, the best single origin coffees are estate or microlot coffees grown by a single producer and/or farm. This ensures that the flavor notes of their region are recognizable, and their origins are known. There is no official measurement for the best single origin coffee flavor profile outside of individual preference. What Is Blend Coffee? Coffee roasting businesses make coffee blends by combining different beans to create their desired coffee flavor and strength. The beans used in blend coffee usually come from different farmers, regions, and even continents. Coffee shops typically use blend coffee for making espresso drinks because they combine predictably with milk in classic coffee shop beverages. Types of Coffee Blends Discover the three most popular types of coffee blends. Breakfast Blends – Breakfast blends are typically highly caffeinated and lightly roasted. Dark Roasted Blends – Low caffeine levels and lots of smoky flavor characterize dark roasted coffee blends. House Blends – A house blend is a coffee shop’s preferred blend. They usually mix predictably with milk and have a straightforward flavor. Single Origin Coffee vs Blend The difference between blend and single origin coffee is that the beans from single source coffee come from one region while the beans of coffee blends may come from different locations. Roasters and coffee houses who want to offer a traceable, high-quality, and unique coffee experience choose single origin beans. If they want to offer standardized coffee flavors year-round, they choose coffee blends. We break down the biggest differences between single origin coffee and blend coffee so you can decide which is right for you. Cost Single Origin Coffee Cost – On average, a 12-ounce bag of single origin coffee is $15. Blend Coffee Cost – On average, a 12-ounce bag of blend coffee is $8.50. Availability Single Origin Coffee Availability – Single origin coffees have limited seasonal availabilities. Blend Coffee Availability – Blend coffees are curated year-round/without limitation. Applications Best Single Origin Coffee Applications – Cold Brew, Manual Brewing, Auto Pour Over Best Blend Coffee Applications – Espresso, Drip Coffee, French Press Single Source Coffee FAQs While the definition of single source coffee is simple, purchasing and brewing single source coffee beans can get complicated. We answer many of the questions roasters and coffee houses pose when they invest in single source coffee. Coffee Origin Characteristics Coffee beans take on the characteristics of their place of origin. While the word terroir is traditionally used in the wine industry, the same concepts apply to coffee. Terroir is how the climate, soil, and terrain of a region impact the wines (or coffee) grown there. So, for example, coffee beans grown on the same lot as banana trees will carry a banana essence, and coffee beans grown by the sea may have a pleasant salinity. When you blend coffee beans from multiple regions together, you lose their distinct terroir. However, single origin coffees keep their terroir. How Much for Single Origin Roasted Coffee? On average, a 12-ounce bag of single origin roasted coffee costs $15. The more specialized the beans are, the more they will cost. Many estate and microlot coffee prices reach the mid-twenties for a 12-ounce bag. Coffee shops should provide as much detail as possible about their single origin coffees, so their customers understand why they’re worth more. Why Drink Single Origin Coffee? You should drink and invest in single origin coffee because it is both ethical and profitable. Drinking single origin coffee supports small producers operating sustainable and ethical coffee bean farms. Additionally, coffee lovers who want to expand their palette and experience unexpected flavors will pay extra to enjoy a cup of single origin coffee. For the modern, values-driven consumer, drinking single origin coffee isn’t just about flavor, it’s about environmental and social awareness. Build brand loyalty when opening a coffee shop by offering single source coffee.
Coffee Brewing Methods
Java, Joe, liquid energy, and brew are just some of the terms used to describe one of the world’s most highly consumed beverages - coffee. Did you know different coffee brewing methods affect the taste and aroma of your coffees? Understanding the types of brewing methods helps you choose the right coffee equipment for your business and improves your staff’s knowledge and success! Shop All Coffee Shop Equipment Click below to learn about different ways to make coffee: Drip Coffee French Press Coffee Espresso Machine Coffee Pourover Coffee Cold Brew Coffee Ways to Make Coffee Once coffee beans have been harvested and roasted, it’s time to convert them into a liquid. Understanding the different brewing methods is essential when running a successful cafe since each technique produces a different flavor, brew time, and caffeine level for your customers’ favorite drinks. 1. Drip Coffee Coffee that comes from a drip coffee maker is brewed through a filter containing the ground, coarse coffee beans as boiling water is “dripped” on top. The filter leaves behind the ground coffee beans as liquid passes through and into a decanter or coffee pot that is then used for serving. Making drip coffee takes more time compared to using an espresso machine since hot water is in contact with the ground coffee beans for a longer period. When comparing drip coffee to pressed, drip coffee can produce coffee in a faster amount of time since water doesn't need to be steeped. How to Use a Drip Coffee Maker Drip coffee makers are easy to use and don't require the mastering of any skills, which makes them ideal for busy diners and restaurants. Just follow the simple instructions below and make sure the decanter is in place before you brew! Place a new coffee filter in the drip coffee maker. Add ground coffee beans to the filter in a ratio of 2 tablespoons to every cup of water. Add filtered water to the reservoir container. Program the machine to brew at a certain time, or press the brew button to start working immediately. 2. French Press Coffee French pressed coffee is intended to be consumed immediately after brewing. Some coffee drinkers believe that making french press coffee produces a beverage that contains a stronger flavor compared to a drip coffee machine since it allows the oils from the ground coffee beans to mix with the water. A french press features a cylindrical glass carafe with a mesh filter inside which separates the ground coffee from the hot water. When it’s time to pour and serve, a lever is pushed down which strains and separates the coffee grounds from the brewed coffee, leaving the grounds on the bottom and liquid coffee above the filter. Before brewing with a french press coffee maker, coffee should be ground to a medium or coarse grind to obtain the best flavor possible. This also prevents any grounds from passing through the filter. A benefit of using a french press compared to a drip coffee maker is that you’re able to regulate the temperature of the water so your beans reach the maximum potential flavor possible when brewing. Also, filters aren’t needed since a pressing screen is used at the very end to separate the grounds from the liquid coffee. How to Use a French Press Follow these steps to make french press coffee: Add ground coffee to the bottom of the french press carafe. Use a ratio of 1 tablespoon ground coffee to 4 oz. of water. Bring water to a boil (about 195 degrees Fahrenheit) and add to the french press carafe. Stir to mix with the coffee grounds. Place the lid and filter on top of the press and steep 90 seconds to 4 minutes depending on your desired flavor. The longer you let your coffee steep, the stronger the flavor will be. Press down on the french press “plunger” with a firm, yet slow motion to strain the beans from the liquid brew. 3. Espresso Machine Coffee Besides the method of brewing, another difference between dripped, french pressed coffee, and espresso is the texture and size of the types of coffee grounds used. Espresso beans are ground much finer than drip and french pressed coffee and resemble the consistency of powdered sugar, which are then brewed using an espresso machine. The ground coffee beans are placed into a portafilter, which is the handled part of an espresso machine that attaches to the machine’s gasket. Next, the brewing process begins when water is pressurized through the beans to produce a liquid. Espresso machines are designed to force a small amount of hot water through the coffee grounds at a very fast speed, and a single shot of espresso can take as little as 20 seconds to brew. Espresso is stronger in taste than other brewing methods. It also has a creamier mouthfeel because a small layer of froth, called crema, is produced during brewing. How to Use An Espresso Machine Follow these steps to use an espresso machine: Grind coffee beans to a consistency of powdered sugar. Pour filtered water into the espresso machine’s water chamber. Use 1 oz. of water for every shot of espresso desired. Add espresso grounds to the portafilter. Use a tamping tool to pack the grounds into the portafilter. Place an espresso cup underneath the espresso machine’s spout to catch the liquid. Place the portafilter into its holder and lock into position. Press the “start” button and espresso will be extracted in as little as 20 seconds. 4. Pourover Coffee The pourover coffee method is a slow, careful technique that requires steady hand pouring. It’s not efficient for large volumes of coffee, but it’s the best method for showing off the flavor and aroma of small-batch single origin roasts. To perform the pourover brewing method, you'll need coffee grounds, paper filters, a gooseneck water kettle, and a pourover dripper. Drippers are funnel-shaped vessels that hold the filter. Some pourover drippers have a carafe that collects the freshly brewed coffee, and some drippers are meant to be placed over a coffee mug. Follow these steps to make coffee with the manual pourover method: How to Make Pourover Coffee Boil filtered water and transfer it to a kettle with a gooseneck spout. A long, skinny spout makes it easier to control the pour. Place the coffee filter into the dripper funnel and rinse it with hot water. Grind your coffee beans to medium or medium-fine and add the desired amount to the filter. Pour a small amount of water over the grounds and let them sit for 30 to 40 seconds. This is called blooming the beans and it releases any carbon dioxide in the grounds. After blooming the grounds, start pouring water over the coffee very slowly. Use a circular motion and make sure to saturate all grounds. It takes about three minutes for the brewing process to be complete. <iframe scrolling="no" width="392" height="226" src="/v/?num=9911&width=600&height=500&embed=1" frameborder="0"></iframe> 5. Cold Brew Coffee The process for making cold brew coffee is a lot different than standard brewing. First of all, the coffee is steeped in cold or room temperature water instead of hot water. The steeping process itself lasts for an extended period, usually overnight. This style of brewing produces coffee that’s highly concentrated with higher amounts of caffeine than drip coffee. Cold brew coffee has become popular for several reasons. It has a smoother taste with less acidity and bitterness than drip coffee. You can also make it in large batches that keep in the refrigerator for periods up to two weeks. This is useful for coffee shops and cafes that sell large volumes of coffee. If you want to learn how to make your own cold brew, check out our large batch cold brew recipe guide. We’ll walk you through each step, from grinding to storage. Whether you run a busy coffee shop, bakery, bistro, or diner, understanding the various coffee brewing techniques is essential to running a successful coffee service. Now that you understand the various methods of brewing coffee, you can create a wide variety of coffee drinks ranging from cappuccinos and lattes to breves and mochas. With this basic knowledge, you and your staff will be able to adequately determine which type of coffee and technique is best suited for your business, as well as your customers’ needs.
How to Start a Coffee Roasting Business
House-roasted beans are becoming a fixture in local coffee shops. Taking single origin beans from far-flung locales and roasting them yourself is the perfect example of the glocalization movement. Glocalization is the call to adapt global and international products to the local contexts where they’re used and sold. But are roasting businesses just the latest coffee trend? Buzz aside, roasting coffee beans in-house allows cafes to offer superior beverages and diversify their sales by offering their roasts a la carte or as a part of a coffee subscription service. Whether you’re operating a coffee shop and want to add house-roasted beans to your wheelhouse, or you’re wondering what it takes to roast coffee beans professionally, we guide you through the steps of starting a coffee roasting business. Shop All Coffee Roasters Use these links to jump to the step of starting a coffee roasting business that interests you: Coffee Education Branding Business Plan Startup Costs Licenses and Permits Insurance Location Supplies Website Advertising How to Roast Coffee Beans Professionally 60% of coffee consumed in the U.S. is from the specialty coffee market, making fresh and sustainable coffee beans an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs. Roasting coffee beans professionally takes more than choosing the types of coffee roasts you want to make. You must acquire equipment, business permits, and marketing strategies. Implement these steps to start roasting coffee beans professionally. 1. Coffee Education Before starting a coffee roasting business, you should have foundational coffee knowledge. From brewing with a French press to an espresso machine, master brewing methods so you can test your coffee beans with each. Consider investing in professional cupping and roasting courses. The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) offers a sensory skill module that helps new roasters identify green and roasted coffee defects and flavor characteristics. If you want thorough knowledge, the SCA’s comprehensive coffee skills education program is right for you. Beyond coffee coursework, taking marketing classes allows you to handle promotion yourself. This makes starting a coffee roasting business more affordable since you won’t have to pay marketing professionals high salaries. The more skills you develop before starting your coffee roasting business, the fewer roles you’ll have to outsource. Once your business is off the ground, you can bring on these staff members to lighten your load. 2. Develop Your Coffee Brand Having a clear and definable brand for your coffee roastery attracts and retains customers. Branding is the process of communicating your values, mission, personality, and identity. It should be evident in your customer service, packaging, marketing, and products. For example, if you roast fair trade coffee beans, your branding should reflect your dedication to ethical and sustainable sourcing. Including information about your brand on your coffee roasting website and packaging is a great way to help like-minded patrons connect with your brand. One branding idea is to focus your coffee roasting business identity on coffee tourism. Just like wine enthusiasts travel to destinations renowned for their wine production, many coffee enthusiasts are visiting countries where coffee is grown. Your state-side coffee roasting business can tap into the coffee tourism trend by offering multiple single origin roasts from other countries. Provide information on the country the beans came from, photos of the coffee farm, and curated snack pairing kits for a coffee stay-cation experience. 3. Write a Coffee Roasting Business Plan Having a thorough business plan is a vital step in roasting coffee professionally. It acts as a roadmap for your new business, consolidating your goals and strategies so you can convert them into action steps. A business plan will help you secure funding for your coffee roasting business because it proves to investors that you know how to make your business succeed. Your coffee roasting business plan should include the followings: Executive Summary - The executive summary provides a brief overview of all of the information included in your business plan. You will need to write it last after you have the rest of the information. Company Description - Your company description expands on the specific strategies and projections provided in your executive summary. Concept and Products - Explain what concepts you have chosen for your coffee roasting business, which types of roasts you’ll sell, and any subscription services you plan to offer. Management and Ownership Structure - Discuss what type of ownership your coffee roasting business will have and explain its managerial structure. Employee and Staffing Needs - Outline how many employees you’ll need to operate your coffee roasting business, and which positions you must fill. Marketing and Competitor Analysis - Identify a target market and complete a comprehensive analysis of your competitors. Then highlight potential competitive advantages. Advertising and Marketing Strategies - List potential advertising and marketing methods that will entice customers and establish brand loyalty. Financial Projection and Summary - Outline sales projections, perform a break-even analysis, and list potential expenses. For an in-depth guide to writing business plans, check out our restaurant business plan guide. Back to Top 4. Raise Coffee Roasting Startup Costs While not as expensive as opening a coffee shop, starting a coffee roasting business still requires capital. A Specialty Coffee Association study determined that on average, a roaster wholesaler and retailer business owner will need $120,000 to cover startup costs. Discover the basic elements you must pay for when starting a coffee roasting business. Location Down Payment - The great thing about a coffee roasting business is you can operate out of your home with the proper licenses and permits in most states. If you’re adding a roasting business to your coffee house, you can make room for your roasting machine without purchasing additional space. However, if these aren’t options for you, you must purchase or rent a location to roast your coffee beans. If purchasing your location, you’ll likely take out a loan to help cover the expense. Expect to make a down payment of around 15-20%. Property Renovations/Construction Costs - Whether you’re purchasing a location or operating from home, be prepared to spend money on renovations. Many states allow entrepreneurs to roast coffee from home as long as the part of their home where they will roast the coffee meets state-specific criteria. Expect renovations to bring your space up to your local health department’s standards. Coffee Roasting Equipment - Your primary cost will be the commercial coffee roaster. A commercial coffee roaster can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $150,000. While you may not require a large unit when you first start out, we recommend purchasing the largest and best roaster you can afford. As the most essential element of your new business, you don’t want to quickly outgrow or wear out your coffee roaster. Coffee Roasting Supplies Inventory - You must factor in the costs of green bean sourcing, packaging, and shipping supplies into your startup costs. As you test and develop your roasts, be prepared for a large amount of initial green bean waste. Employee Wages - You may be able to handle much of the coffee roasting process yourself when you first start out. However, if you plan to run a larger operation, you’ll need employees and staff. With the rise of staffing shortages, be prepared to pay fair wages. Advertising - An advertising budget is needed to run marketing campaigns and attract new customers. Permits and Licensing - Coffee roasting businesses require several permits and licenses, many of which come with fees. POS System - A POS system streamlines the ordering process, inventory management, and sales reporting. Website - Creating a website where patrons can order coffee beans is essential to your success. Provide information about your supply chain, products, and brand, so customers see your value. 5. Get Business Licenses, Permits, and Certifications To start a coffee roasting business, there are several licenses, permits, and certifications you must acquire. We break down the official standards you must meet to roast coffee beans professionally. EPA Requirements - Since volatile organic compounds and harmful particulate matter are released during the roasting process, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in many states requires roasters to have Air Permits if they roast high volumes annually. Check your local EPA requirements to see if an Air Permit is required for your coffee roasting business. FDA Requirements - According to the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), any facility that manufactures, processes, packages, or holds food for consumption must register through the FDA Food Facility Registration page and allow the agency to inspect the food facility. Local and State Requirements - Most states have laws and regulations over the sale of food products enforced by local health departments. If your production is under a certain volume or you sell your roasts under home cottage laws, many states allow you to roast and sell coffee beans from any location with little health department oversight. Most cottage laws do not allow you to sell food online. However, other states require professional coffee roasters to use a commercial-grade kitchen and require random health department inspections. Check your local and state requirements to make sure you’re in compliance. General Business License - While some states require a general business license or permit to roast coffee beans for sale, these licenses are usually found at the city level. Check your local requirements. Form a Business Entity - You must select a legal entity that defines how your coffee roasting business is organized. You have four options: proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and Limited Liability Company (LLC). Business Name Registration - Many states require owners to register their business name. The process of registering your business name varies by state and the type of business entity you chose. Employee Identification Number - Before you can hire staff, you must get a nine-digit employee identification number. Every business in the United States has a unique employee identification number. Sales Tax Permit or Business Number - A state sales tax permit (aka business tax number or tax ID number) may be required to sell roasted coffee beans. If necessary, you’ll create an account number with your state’s taxing agency so they can collect and remix the sales tax. Resale Certificate - A resale certificate (aka seller’s permit) allows you to purchase inventory that will be resold to customers tax-free. When a business owner has a seller’s permit, they won’t pay the sales tax to the vendor they purchase their inventory from. The sales tax is charged to the end-user of the product instead. Occupancy Certification - Most cities will require your coffee roasting business to have a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) before operating out of a commercial building. It is usually offered by the city and county. Before you receive the CO, the building must comply with zoning regulations, building codes, and any additional local requirements. If you’re operating your coffee roastery from your home, you may need to obtain a home occupation permit. Check your local laws and regulations to make sure you’re in compliance. What Is Fair Trade Certification? The Fair Trade certification confirms that a product’s social, economic, and environmental aspects of production comply with Fairtrade Standards for Producers and Traders. As a coffee roasting business, it’s worth obtaining a Fair Trade certification, proving to your clients that your coffee promotes fair pay and ethical treatment of the producer groups in developing countries that exported your green coffee beans. Consumers are willing to pay approximately 3.62% higher premium for Fair Trade Certified coffee, so having a Fair Trade certification can earn you greater profits in the long run. It also sets your coffee roasting business apart from competitors, and it can earn customer loyalty from patrons who appreciate your efforts to promote an equitable global economy. 6. Invest in Business Insurance Insuring your coffee roasting business protects against workplace injuries, property damage, and claims of product liability. General liability insurance is the best insurance for most coffee-roasting businesses. The average coffee roaster spends between $500 and $1,200 to have general liability coverage for $1 million. Your location, number of employees, deductible, general aggregate limit, and per-occurrence limit will determine the price of your general liability policy. Some providers may offer a discount on your general liability policy if you purchase it as a part of a business owner’s policy (BOP). Back to Top 7. Secure a Location for Your Coffee Roastery You must find a space large enough to accommodate your coffee roasting equipment and provide enough room for you to safely roast, package, and ship your coffee beans. If you’re a micro roaster, you won’t require a large commercial space to operate your coffee roasting business. As long as cottage laws in your area allow it, an up-to-code basement or garage will work as a location for a small roasting business. As your business grows, you may require a larger space. There are commissaries that allow you to pay for timed access to commercial roasters. This allows you to complete large orders without having to invest in your own commercial space. 8. Purchase Coffee Roasting Supplies It’s time to purchase the coffee roasting equipment and supplies you’ll need to start roasting coffee and selling it to customers. We’ve rounded up the essential supplies required to start your coffee roasting business. Coffee Roaster - There is a wide range of coffee roasters on the market, but most small roasting businesses can start with a 5 kg capacity classic drum roaster. Choose a model that is compatible with helpful roasting software for the best outcome. Unroasted Coffee Beans - Having a steady supply of green beans you can roast will be essential to your business. Decide whether you want to focus on a particular region of origin or offer blends of different beans. Coffee Bags - Branded coffee bags build brand identity, but if you don’t have the funds when you first start out, purchase flavor-conserving, wholesale recyclable coffee bags. Your first customers will care more about the quality of your product and the sustainability of your packaging than a cool design. Bag Sealer - A reliable bag sealer allows you to seal your roasted coffee inside your bags so it can be sold to customers. We recommend choosing an automatic bag sealer that adds the roasting date to the bags. Sample Roaster - A small sample roaster allows you to test your roasts and judge their quality without wasting all your green coffee beans on a large batch if it doesn’t turn out well. Bean Trier - A bean trier is an instrument that pulls a sample of beans from a coffee roaster so you can view their shade and smell their aroma. It is a long tool shaped like a wand with a hollow shaft that has a slot in it. Roasters insert the bean tier into the beans, rotate it, and collect coffee into the shaft. Roasters can then place the bean trier under a spotlight to evaluate the roast shade. Spotlight - To accurately determine the color of your roast, mount a spotlight with a full-spectrum bulb above your bean trier. Color Meter - For true color accuracy, invest in a color meter. A color meter analyzes the degree of roast, allowing you to create a consistent product. Moisture Reader - A moisture reader reveals how coffee was prepared, how its quality might alter over time, and how it will respond inside the roaster. Scales - You will use scales to weigh green coffee before roasting it, ground coffee before taste testing, and roasted coffee beans before packaging them for your customers. You’ll need a scale with a high weight capacity and a large weighing platter. Look for a unit that is accurate to 0.1g. Coffee Grinder - You’ll need a reliable grinder with adjustable grind settings so you can test your roasts in every grind size. Coffee Brewer - You must have a brewer to test your roasted beans with. Pour over and French press brewers are popular choices. Make sure you can test the method your core customers will likely use. Coffee Roasting Software - There is a lot of wonderful software to help you roast coffee. For the new roaster, Artisan is an excellent choice. It’s free, open-source software compatible with over 30 types of roasting machines and over 50 associated devices. For advanced roasters willing to pay for their software, Cropster is a comprehensive tool that helps roasters with monitoring their inventory, production, planning, quality control, and manage the buying and selling of green coffee online. Cleaning Supplies - You'll need to maintain a tidy space and thoroughly clean your equipment. Safety Equipment - Protect against injury by providing safety supplies. Help reduce the risk of fires by adding a water line with a spray head and an accessible valve. Shipping Supplies - If you plan to run an e-commerce coffee roasting business, purchase shipping supplies so you can fulfill customers’ orders. 9. Create a Website for Your Coffee Roasting Business Having a navigable website is essential to your success. Make sure your product pages offer ample information to guide people. Use descriptive words so customers understand each roast’s flavor profile. Consider offering interactive quizzes to help patrons find a roast they’ll like. Your coffee roasting website should reveal who you are as a brand and guide patrons to purchases. Provide information on your sustainability efforts and on where you source your beans. According to a Label Insight survey, 94% percent of consumers are more loyal to brands that provide supply chain transparency. Lastly, make it easy for customers to subscribe to loyalty programs and email lists from your website. 10. Advertise Your Coffee Roasting Business You can have the best brand, premium products, and incredible customer service, but if no one knows about your business, your efforts will fall flat. Creating a social media presence is crucial to marketing your coffee roasting businesses. Each social media platform favors a different type of content. Optimize your content for each platform by following best practices for Instagram and learning how to create engaging videos for TikTok. If you have a cottage food roasting business, get involved with your local farmer’s market scene. Don’t hesitate to make in-person connections with local gourmet grocers and coffee houses to advertise your roasts. Back to Top Thanks to its comparatively low startup costs, launching a coffee roasting business is a wonderful opportunity for entrepreneurial coffee enthusiasts. Whether you’re a coffee shop owner interested in gaining a competitive edge or a coffee roasting hobbyist looking for a new career, refer back to our guide to start your own coffee roasting business.