According to a 2023 study by Clever Real Estate, Baltimore is among the best coffee cities in America. The research uses a variety of factors such as the average price of coffee, the number of coffee shops per capita, and the search for coffee-related terms in Google. That’s probably the reason why there are multiple Baltimore coffee roasters that serve not only the city but also the Washington–Baltimore metropolitan area. Baltimore business owners have benefited from the interest in coffee among local residents and visitors by offering a variety of blends and specialty coffee products. In this article, we’ll share more about the coffee culture in Baltimore and give you details about some of the top wholesale distributors of quality coffee in the area. If you’re searching for top-notch suppliers for your restaurant, make sure to also check our article about distributors of wholesale meat in Baltimore.
Key takeaway: Baltimore coffee roasters sell their products retail to individual customers or wholesale to businesses. They partner with companies in other cities such as Washington or Philadelphia and sell a variety of specialty coffee products.
Coffee Culture in Baltimore
Latte, cappuccino, espresso, and black coffee are among the most popular coffee beverages in Baltimore. Naturally, local coffee shops also offer a variety of seasonal and other coffee drinks and a selection of teas. Charm City’s coffee culture is influenced primarily by big coffee brands such as Starbucks or Dunkin’. However, there are hundreds of local roasters in the metropolitan area that offer a selection of blends and single-origin specialty coffee.
Although the majority of Baltimore coffee roasters focus on D2C sales or supply their products primarily to local businesses, there are some that also serve a wider range. For example, some coffee distributors deliver or ship their high-quality coffee beans to companies in Washington, Philadelphia, Wilmington, and other large and small cities. There’s a lot of new technology in the coffee industry and multiple roasters and suppliers are benefiting from it. Thanks to eCommerce technologies businesses in the coffee sector can easily sell and ship their products to retail customers and companies nationwide.
Coffee Trends in Baltimore and the US
Just like other niche markets, businesses in the coffee industry need to adapt based on the market trends. Let’s briefly examine some of the hot topics in the coffee sector and the beverage industry as a whole.
- Sustainability. In recent years, fair trade coffee products sourced in eco-friendly ways have had rising popularity and demand.
- Ready-to-go drinks. Convenience has become even more important in today’s busy life. That’s why a lot of people opt for a ready-to-drink coffee instead of ordering and waiting for their favorite coffee drink.
- Specialty coffee. High-end coffee has been a popular trend for decades. In recent years, Baltimore coffee roasters and suppliers all over the country have focused on offering a wider selection of specialty coffee blends and single-origin products.
- New types of coffee drinks. Products like nitro coffee and ready-to-drink coffee cocktails still have a small market share but are rapidly growing.
- Dairy-free milk. Cappuccino, latte, and other combinations of milk and coffee are the most popular caffeinated drinks in the US. A growing number of customers prefer their favorite beverage made with plant-based milk that adds more flavor to the drink.
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Baltimore Coffee Roasters & Suppliers
There are hundreds of coffee shops and distributors of coffee beans that sell their products across the Washington–Baltimore metropolitan area. Some of these businesses focus on a tight collection of carefully selected blends or single-origin products. Others aim to offer a wide variety of flavors and other products such as teas and barista accessories. If you’re looking for Baltimore coffee roasters that sell in bulk at wholesale prices, check out the list below.
Pfefferkorn's Coffee
With over 120 years of history and 5 generations of experience in the sector, Pfefferkorn is among the preferred Baltimore coffee roasters for businesses that look for a combination of quality and value. They sell a variety of coffee products to restaurants, grocery stores, hospitality groups, online retailers, offices, and various other businesses.
Known for: Being one of the oldest Baltimore coffee roasters.
Thread Coffee
One of their main goals is to become the most sustainable supplier of organic coffee in the area. In addition to offering wholesale coffee beans, Thread Coffee also offers products and services like monthly coffee subscriptions to retail customers.
Known for: Their focus on fair trade practices and organic coffee products.
Vagrant Coffee
From a wide selection of wholesale coffee beans to services such as mobile specialty coffee bars for events, Vagrant Coffee has quickly become one of the preferred Baltimore coffee roasters.
Known for: Their carefully selected coffee products and their mobile coffee bar services.
Ceremony Coffee Roasters
The company has multiple coffee shops across Baltimore where they offer a variety of specialty coffee blends and single-origin coffee products. Their wholesale coffee program is focused on more than deliveries. Instead, they offer support for their customers in terms of technical services and coffee education courses. Their ambition is to be among the best coffee roasters in the US.
Known for: Its multiple coffee shops and well-developed wholesale coffee program.
Frequently Asked Questions about Baltimore Coffee Roasters
Whether you’re interested in learning more about the different coffee grades or wish to find ideas for coffee marketing, our blog will help you on your journey. Below are the answers to some commonly asked questions regarding Baltimore coffee roasters.
What Other Cities Are Known for Their Coffee Culture?
Seattle is undoubtedly the city in the US that is best known for its coffee culture. As the birthplace of Starbucks, Seattle has contributed a lot to the development of coffee culture across America. Besides Seattle, other metropolitan areas are also known for their diverse coffee offerings and large number of coffee enthusiasts. Let’s briefly examine them.
- San Francisco. With a large number of young people and a well-developed IT sector, San Francisco is among the leaders in coffee consumption per capita.
- New York City. “The City That Never Sleeps” is expected to have multiple coffee shops. There are also a number of coffee suppliers in New York.
- Miami. Florida’s coffee culture is heavily influenced by Cuban and Latin American culture. Some of the coffee roasters in Miami focus on specialty coffee while others focus on traditional Cuban coffee drinks.
- Boston. The large number of young people is the reason for the multiple Boston coffee roasters.
What Products Do Coffee Suppliers Sell?
Besides sustainable coffee products from different regions of the world, coffee distributors in Baltimore also sell a variety of other goods. Here are the main product categories.
- Cups, stirrers, filters, and other consumables;
- Coffee equipment and machinery;
- Barista tools and other coffee shop inventory;
- Plant-based milk;
- Ready-to-drink coffee beverages and seasonal coffee drinks;
- Coffee condiments like creamer, syrups, cinnamon, sugar, and other sweeteners;
In addition to the various products offered by Baltimore coffee roasters, suppliers also provide services such as latte art training, barista courses, equipment sales, maintenance, and repair.
How to Choose a Coffee Distributor in Baltimore?
When picking a coffee distribution company, their range of coffee products is among the most important factors. Some suppliers specialize in coffee products from a specific region. On the other hand, other distributors import coffee beans from a variety of coffee-producing regions. Additional factors to consider include:
- The services offered by the supplier;
- On-point deliveries and flexibility in terms of delivery;
- Quality of the blends;
- The technology used to automate ordering and other processes;
BlueCart Is the Solution to Help Baltimore Coffee Roasters
With the help of BlueCart, distributors of wholesale coffee beans can easily make their catalogs eCommerce, issue invoices, and automate various processes. Our tools are used by thousands of restaurants and other food service businesses that search for reliable coffee wholesale distributors near them. Schedule a free demo today and find out why BlueCart is your cup of tea!