A Grounding Experience: Why You Should Try Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea Co. Products

Image courtesy of Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea Co.

Do you ever wonder why your morning coffee clears away your mental fog? One cup of coffee contains approximately 100mg of caffeine (for context, a Coca-Cola soda can contains 34mg). According to researchers, "caffeine blocks the receptors of a neurotransmitter called adenosine, and this increases levels of other neurotransmitters in your brain that regulate your energy levels, including dopamine" (Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD, 2023). Consequently, coffee can boost one's energy level and attention span. On my recent trip from Stowe, Vermont, to Boston, Massachusetts, coffee proved invaluable, helping me stay alert on the drive.

Image courtesy of me.

My mom and I left The Lodge at Spruce Peak at daybreak. After checking out, the thick fog consumed our rental car. We had to be highly aware of changing road conditions, animal crossings, and traffic as we navigated the winding roads. You might wonder, " Rachel, what is the secret to a safe drive?" For us, it was having stable cell service for the navigation app and a large cup of Vermont Artisan Coffee. Vermont Artisan Coffee's rich blends leave the consumers focused on the day ahead and wanting more delicious brews. I spoke with Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea Co.'s old Chief of Stuff, Holly Alves, to learn more about this Vermont institution.

1. What differentiates Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea Co. from other beverage producers?

Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea Co (VTA) sources our coffees & teas globally and roasts & prepares them locally in our state-of-the-art coffee roastery. Founder & 'Coffeepreneur" Mané Alves has been in the coffee business for over 25 years. He ensures that all coffees are roasted to order, knowing that the fresher the roast, the better the taste. As an agricultural product similar to wine,  coffee crops can yield and taste differently and change from year to year and crop to crop. Mané has personally developed relationships with farmers and co-ops in source countries and travels there searching for the best coffee beans. He also teaches coffee professionals domestically & in the Far East how to taste and cup coffee. Vermont Artisan Coffee Roastery, Vermont Artisan Coffee Bar, Coffee Lab It'l, and CLI's Coffee School are four sister specialty coffee companies housed in the same big coffee barn and owned by Mané.

Image courtesy of Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea Co.

2. How has Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea Co. evolved since its founding?

Mané opened Coffee Lab International in the early '90s, a specialty coffee testing facility to test and analyze other companies' coffees. As a coffee connoisseur, he became frustrated in not finding and enjoying great coffee locally in Vermont, so he bought a coffee roaster in Europe, had it shipped here, and created Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea. 2011 CLI and VTA rented a space in downtown Waterbury, VT., which was severely flooded during Tropical Storm Irene. Believing that climate change was real and that this would happen again, Mané bought a commercial property in Waterbury Center and designed and built the 15,000 square foot coffee barn that houses the two companies today, plus the Café and the coffee classroom. 

Image courtesy of Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea Co.

3. How does Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea Co incorporate its mission and vision into its products?

Two Missions, One Goal: to bring quality coffees & teas from source to cup. Coffee Lab International's mission is to provide the knowledge and services needed to ensure quality coffee throughout the supply chain, from our customers to the end consumer. Vermont Artisan's mission is to provide our customers with the highest-quality, craft-roasted coffees and hand-packed teas. Our vision for the companies is to establish and demonstrate leadership in using and enjoying specialty coffee.

Image courtesy of Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea Co.'s Instagram Page.

4. What is the future of the company?

The future of Vermont Artisan Coffee is to continue our success in bringing great, craft-roasted coffees to our customers whether that be through our Wholesale Business, which sources, roasts, and packages specialty coffees and teas to restaurants, cafes, universities, co-ops, and markets throughout New England, or through our on-site Coffee Bar or our Website, VTARTISAN.COM, we are passionate about specialty coffee and sharing our products and knowledge with others.

Image courtesy of Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea Co.