Finding good green coffee is half the battle. Here's a list of vendors that home roasters actually use, with notes on what makes each one worth checking out. I'll keep this updated as people add recommendations.
US Vendors
Sweet Maria's (sweetmarias.com) — The OG home roasting supplier. Huge selection, detailed tasting notes and cupping scores for every offering, educational content that's genuinely useful. If you're starting out, this is where most people begin. Ships fast, reasonable prices ($6-9/lb for most offerings).
Happy Mug (happymugcoffee.com) — Great prices, solid selection, fast shipping. Their "Misfit" and "Special Mug" categories are bargains. Less detailed descriptions than Sweet Maria's but the quality is consistent.
Burman Coffee Traders (burmancoffee.com) — Wide selection including some origins that are harder to find elsewhere. Good bulk pricing.
Coffee Shrub (coffeeshrub.com) — Sweet Maria's sister company for larger quantities. Same quality descriptions, larger bag options.
Bodhi Leaf (bodhileafcoffee.com) — Curated selection with good variety. Strong on Central American and African origins.
International / Specialty
Royal Coffee (royalcoffee.com) — "The Crown" is their tasting/analysis lab that publishes incredibly detailed reviews. Some of the most transparent sourcing in the industry.
Cafe Imports — Trade-level importer but some offerings available in small quantities through partners.
What to Look For
- Crop year — Fresh crop (current or previous year) matters. Old crop coffee tastes papery and flat regardless of how well you roast it.
- Processing method — Washed, natural, honey, anaerobic — this affects roast approach and flavor more than almost anything else.
- Altitude — Higher altitude generally means denser beans, more acidity, more complexity. Not always, but it's a useful signal.
- Lot size / traceability — Single farm/lot coffees are more predictable than blended regional lots.
Buying Tips
- Start with 1-2 lb of 3-4 different origins. Don't buy 10 lbs of one coffee you've never tasted roasted.
- Store green coffee in a cool, dry place. It keeps for 6-12 months easily. Sealed bags with one-way valves are ideal.
- Sample packs are your friend — most vendors offer them.
What vendors do you use? Any favorites I missed? International members — where do you source green coffee in your country?