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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
  • 240-636-5196
  • Roasted in MD, Delivered to the US
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Coffee & Tea 101

Protein-Packed Coffee Packs a Punch

Protein-Packed Coffee Packs a Punch

It’s called “proffee,” and it’s taking coffee shops, kitchen counters, and fitness centers by storm. Short for “protein-packed coffee,” this beverage is a burgeoning favorite with health-conscious coffee lovers who want to give their workouts – and their morning java – a jolt, while also packing...

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Tea 101: Tea Varieties – Matcha

Matcha is a powdered green tea that is bursting with energy-giving antioxidants, a unique vegetal flavor, and a 100% natural and unmistakable bright green color. It is made from the leaves of high-quality green teas, and stone-ground into a fine powder. Although foodstuffs, smoothies, and more...

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Tea 101: Tea Varieties – Herbal Tea

Unlike black and green teas, herbal teas (or infusions – or tisanes) do not hail from the Camellia sinensis plant, and therefore are not officially “tea.” They are, however, completely caffeine-free, and are widely believed to provide multiple health benefits, including allergy, indigestion, and...

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Tea 101: Tea Varieties – Green Tea

The origins of green tea can be traced back more than 4,000 years to China, but its story is also predominantly rooted in Japan, Indonesia, and Vietnam. A varietal of the Camellia sinensis plant, green tea is considered to have some of the strongest healing properties of all teas, and contains...

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Tea 101: Tea Varieties – Black Tea

Most widely consumed in the Western world, black tea hails from the camellia sinensis sinensis and camellia sinensis assamica plants. It is, by far, the most oxidized of all teas. Oxidation is a chemical reaction causing tea leaves to brown while simultaneously coaxing out their unique aroma and...

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Tea 101: Origins – Sri Lanka

A Brief History of Ceylon Tea Formerly known as Ceylon, the island country of Sri Lanka launched its tea production in 1867 in response to English demand. Scotsman James Taylor was the pioneer responsible for the Ceylon tea industry. After arriving on the island in 1852 at the age of 17, he was...

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Tea 101: Origins – Japan

A Brief History of Tea in Japan While tea ultimately began to spread wherever Chinese sailors set anchor, the monk Saisho – who had been sent to China as an envoy – is typically credited with the earliest introduction of tea in his home of Japan in the 9th century. But it wasn’t until Saisho’s...

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Tea 101: Origins – India

India remains one of the world’s largest producers of tea, with more than 13,000 gardens employing a workforce some two-million strong. Interestingly, about 70 percent of India’s tea is consumed within the country, itself. And many popular teas enjoyed worldwide – such as Assam and Darjeeling –...

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Tea 101: Origins – China

The origins of tea – all tea – can be traced back 5,000 years ago to China. All the Tea in China History tells us tea was discovered by botanical explorer and Chinese emperor Shen-Nung in 2737 B.C. According to legend, while purifying water under a tea tree, some leaves happened to blow into the...

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Tea 101: Origins – Africa

A Massive Continent Yields Multiple Teas Africa is a relative newcomer to the tea industry, and has used its late arrival to its advantage, building on the experience of those who came before to emerge as a world renowned, tea-producing powerhouse. In fact, Kenya stands as the third largest...

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