Hey Folks,
My name is Richard Stafford, my business partner Kevin Candelario Arita and I grow arabica coffee here on the mainland USA...in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia to be exact. I know, you have heard all the myths that commercial coffee can not be grown successfully in the 48 contiguous states, and certainly not Alaska. Actually, Organic Farms in California pioneered USA coffee growing outside of Hawaii, over a decade ago. They have had some success, but primarily sell to customers who come to the farm locally to shop. Many others in California, Texas and Florida have tried and ceased commercial operations...as being impossible. Not us! If in Atlanta, you can see some of our bean covered coffee plants on display at the Gwinnett Environment and Heritage Center growing happily for thousands of youngsters and visitors. While there, enjoy a cup of our best imported coffee at the new All Things Brewed coffee kiosk in the middle of the gift shop. The gift shop staff will happily show you around the mini-grove flourishing at the Center and answer your questions.
Hawaii sells locally grown coffee, but often, and according to recent state law, it only has to contain 10% Hawaiian grown coffee to be called "Hawaiian Grown"...the rest is from Central America. But I am certain it is great coffee, because I have been there, bought it, drank it, and enjoyed it. It just seems like perfect coffee looking out at a Hawaiian sunset. Twenty-five years ago vineyards laughed at one small new winery just down the road from us here in Georgia. Today, we have 19 commercially successful wineries which have won numerous awards for excellent taste through out the US. We think we might be next!
We believe in the Wright Brothers and their pioneering of aviation. We believe commercial coffee, that tastes great and compares favorably in blind cupping tests, that is Georgia grown will be as good as the next cup over on the table. We do not wish to damage the giant coffee industries, or the hard working people who make it all happen, family growers and pickers, located around the globe along the equalateral belt, but we believe in putting myths aside and living in the world of reality.
So, soon, maybe in April 2015, we will have our first full crop of arabica, Georgia java to market along side peaches, peanuts, wine grapes, and apples. No coffee is ready before its time, but we have enjoyed a mass of white jasmine scented coffee flowers in spring and now our plants are full of green coffee beans that will grow over the next 7-9 months until they change to cherry red and finally purple...their sweetest state! Follow the story on CNN, Telemundo, Univision and hundreds of newspapers and magazines for the day farm to table coffee arrives in the Peach State on a commercially productive table.
Richard and Candelario