Mocha Joe's Coffee Roasters

Overview

Mocha Joe's Coffee Roasters is a specialty coffee roaster and café based in Brattleboro, Vermont, focusing on ethical sourcing through direct trade and certified organic coffees. It supplies over 100 wholesale customers in the Northeast U.S. and operates a café in downtown Brattleboro. The company emphasizes sustainable relationships with farmers in regions like Cameroon and Guatemala, roasting about 125,000 lbs of coffee annually.

History

Founded in 1991 by Pierre Capy and his wife Ellen in Brattleboro, Vermont, initially as a café serving Coffee Connection beans. In 1994, after Starbucks acquired Coffee Connection, they began roasting their own beans, establishing Mocha Joe’s Roasting Company. Over 30 years, it has developed direct trade programs in Cameroon and Guatemala, including an Organic Farmers Cooperative in Cameroon, and maintains a staff of about 7-12 employees.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Coffee is roasted in-house at their facility in Brattleboro, Vermont, with one origin roasted at a time to maintain quality. Green beans are sourced directly from farmers in countries including Cameroon, Guatemala, Ethiopia, Mexico, Peru, and Papua New Guinea. Four full-time staff work on-site with farmers for organic certification and quality standards.

Notable Products

• Cold Brew Blend - Dark roast blend of Cameroon and Brazil coffees, natural and semi-washed processed, designed for cold brew.
• Hometown Blend - Signature house blend offered in bulk and retail, balanced for everyday drinking.
• Ethiopia Light Roast - Organic single-origin light roast highlighting floral notes.
• Guatemala Dark Roast - Direct trade organic dark roast from Guatemalan farmers.
• Mexico French Roast - Organic dark roast from Mexico, known for intense flavor.

Reputation

Mocha Joe's is regarded by coffee enthusiasts for its ethical direct trade practices and consistent specialty-grade roasts, particularly organic and fair trade options. Professionals note its long-standing presence in Vermont's coffee scene and support for farmers through education and cooperatives. Some sources vary on employee count and revenue, but its commitment to sustainability is consistently highlighted without major criticisms.