With a heritage of growers, exporters, importers, and roasters, Orinoco Coffee & Tea has produced and sold the finest coffees and teas since 1909.

410-312-5292
240-636-5196
Roasted in MD, Delivered to the US
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Coffee is harvested at different times in different parts of the world. Producing regions that straddle the equator, such as Ecuador, can produce throughout much of the year. Arabica coffee grows in a narrow region of the tropics known as the Coffee Belt, which stretches from Central America to sub-Saharan Africa to Asia. There are a number of seasonality maps online, illustrating the various phases of coffee production, from harvesting to delivery. According to Orinoco expert Steve Izzo, those maps are approximations, at best. And that’s because occasionally, your favorite roast may not be available stateside when you have a hankering for a number

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Portable coffee brewers are becoming a take-along staple for campers, beachgoers, backpackers, and more. You may be concerned that whipping up a nice espresso on the open trail could make you the subject of ridicule. Will your fellow travelers roll their eyes and make sarcastic comments about you “roughing it” or call you names like “Smokey the Barista?” It’s possible. But you know what? Let them laugh. We coffee lovers know how important a great-tasting, quality cup of java is to happiness – not to mention survival – and there’s absolutely no shame in attempting to take that satisfaction along with you during

Coffee 101

Professional opinions vary greatly regarding the best way to store your coffee. We’re not entirely sure why. Would you believe that the easiest route is also the best? Leave your coffee in the bag you bought it in, place it in your pantry or cupboard, and close the door. It’s really that simple. The finely ground print Coffee beans are highly susceptible to air, moisture, heat, and exposure to light. Therefore, coffee should be stored in a cool, dry space out of direct sunlight. Keep in mind that coffee begins to oxidize the moment it is ground. So, buy whole beans and grind only the amount you need

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Much like an automated coffee maker, we’ve been programmed to use hot water each and every morning to brew a decent cup of coffee. But one alternative brewing method is staying strong; a method in which time – not temperature – is used to forge a flavorful brew. Cold brew coffee is all the rage in coffee shops and cafes – and even dots the refrigerated shelves of your local grocery store. More and more coffee-lovers have begun making cold brews at home, too. And with good reason – the process produces a balanced and extremely flavorful concentrate that is both healthy and

Blog, Coffee

Drop by your local café on a sunny, spring morning, and you may very well find the employees behind the counter roasting beans while chatting up the early risers. Boutique café roasting is growing by leaps and bounds nationwide, as popular demand for artisanal coffees and advances in roasting technology continue to intersect. But Orinoco Coffee & Tea master roaster Juan-Carlos Ramirez believes this fad may ultimately fade. Visiting a coffee house where beans are roasted on-site is a novelty for the public, he says, particularly for those who have never experienced the process firsthand. There’s a certain nuance to the café roasting scene;

Blog, Fair Trade Organic

To reduce the collective carbon footprint, today’s consumers are placing increased emphasis on social responsibility rather than convenience. But there’s no rule saying these traits must be mutually exclusive. In fact, a number of eco-friendly coffee trends have emerged that consumers can enjoy both in their own homes and while out on the town. Reusable tumblers: Bringing your own mug to the coffee shop? It’s a burgeoning trend that is paying off for a number of coffee drinkers. Many shops now offer discounts for customers who make the effort. It reduces costs for the retailer and is far better for the

Blog, Coffee

A latte art throwdown is a fierce competition where baristas compete head-to-head, pouring designs with milk into cups of espresso in front of a panel of judges. Tensions are high, coffee is hot, and everyone is vying for a shot – quite literally – at the title. Most importantly, throwdowns provide members of the coffee community with an opportunity to gather, socialize, and celebrate their favorite beverage. There are a number of different elements that factor into winning a latte art throwdown, however. Our resident latte art expert weighs in with 6 critical elements:   The Espresso: Winning a latte art throwdown hinges

Blog, Fair Trade Organic

In mid-February, Orinoco Coffee & Tea employees Vanessa McCallister and Juan-Carlos Ramirez visited Chiapas, Mexico, to take part in an annual origin trip organized by Fair Trade USA. Every year, Fair Trade reaches out to its global partners, inviting two team members from each company to take part in a Fair Trade origin trip; an enlightening opportunity to explore coffee cooperatives throughout the world. This particular journey welcomed representatives from six different coffee companies to tour three different Mexican cooperatives: CESMACH, U.E.S.F., and Unión Majomut. Majomut, interestingly, is not just one co-op, but an association that unites coffee-growing families in 35 indigenous communities

Coffee 101

Along with time and temperature, grind is yet another critical variable that can cause excellent coffee to go to waste. There are so many different kinds of coffee equipment available on the market for today’s coffee connoisseurs. From French presses to pour overs to the 10-cup automatic drip machines that have become kitchen staples across the country, there are multiple ways to get our coffee fix and multiple grinds that will ensure it’s a rewarding experience. Failing to select the correct grind for your home equipment can cause over-extraction or under extraction, which alternately results in overpowering and bitter sludge or a

Blog, Coffee

Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance found in coffee, tea, and cacao.  Millions of people worldwide depend on this stimulant for a morning energy boost. And while caffeine does not adversely affect the vast majority of people, for some it can cause digestive problems, anxiety, and tremors, and disrupt sleeping patterns. Decaffeination was invented to remove the caffeine from coffee and tea, allowing those who cannot tolerate it to still enjoy a nice, hot beverage. The biggest challenge to decaffeination is making sure that the end product, such as coffee, retains its flavor and taste qualities that make it desirable. Because coffee beans

Blog, Tea

Are you tired of offering guests a nice cup of tea, only to worry obsessively if it’s watered down, or – worse – watch them wince after a bitter first sip? Keep reading for some key tea steeping tips that will ensure a phenomenal cup each and every time. Before placing the kettle on the stove, there are a few important things to understand about tea, first and foremost. All tea hails from the same plant. That’s right. Whether your pleasure is black, green, white, or oolong, it all comes from the same plant – the Camellia sinensis. And because there is no

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With a heritage of growers, exporters, importers, and roasters, Orinoco Coffee & Tea has produced and sold the finest coffees and teas since 1909.

410-312-5292 (Tel)
240-636-5196 (Fax)
Roasted in MD, Delivered to the US

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