Last updated on November 21st, 2019
Irving, Texas-based 7-Eleven Inc. has introduced El Salvador Bourbon Single Origin coffee. The retailer that first introduced Americans to coffee in to-go cups, now brews more than half its coffee from Rainforest Alliance Certified beans. The latest brew in its Seven Reserve line of specially curated coffees is the first to be sourced directly from independent family farmers and the seventh to carry the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal.
Available at participating 7-Eleven stores offering Seven Reserve coffees, the new El Salvador Bourbon coffee is a medium roast that has an orange blossom aroma and a flavor featuring a sweet citrus zest and caramel finish.
Bourbon refers to a coffee varietal grown in El Salvador that produces Arabica beans with a smooth and distinctive taste. After disease devastated the country’s coffee production, many local farmers planted Bourbon coffee cherry trees to replace the lost crops and have helped the country regain much of its coffee yields.
The 7-Eleven coffee team hand-selected these flavorful coffee beans from Tacubaya Estate Coffee Farms, an eight-generation family farm located in the highlands of El Salvador.
“This single-origin coffee is a true ‘farm-to-cup’ experience that coffee-lovers can only get at 7-Eleven stores,” said Michelle Cram, 7-Eleven senior platform manager for hot beverages. “El Salvador Bourbon also celebrates a unique time in 7-Eleven history, as we have completed a direct trade by meeting with the coffee farmers. We worked closely with our roasting partners to identify the ideal roast level for this specific bean to ensure we were offering our coffee customers the absolute best cup possible.”
7-Eleven continues to grow its portfolio of sustainable coffees, which now account for well over half of its green coffee purchases. Since 2016, 7-Eleven has introduced Rainforest Alliance Certified coffees from Nicaragua, Mexico, Peru, Sumatra and Colombia, as well as an African blend from Ethiopia and Rwanda, all responsibly grown. Single-origin 100 percent Colombian Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee is now a permanent offering and top-seller on the hot beverage bar.
The Rainforest Alliance is an international nonprofit organization that seeks to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods. Carrying the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal with the green frog means the 100 percent Arabica beans are sourced from coffee-growers whose farms must meet strict standards designed to protect the environment, conserve wildlife and promote the well-being of local communities.
“We know our customers care about coffee crops that are responsibly grown and sourced from small farms,” Cram said. “7-Eleven coffee-drinkers recognize great quality and taste, and the premium Rainforest Alliance Certified coffees have become some of our most sought-after hot beverages.”
7-Eleven continues to seek responsibly sourced coffees, products and packaging with less environmental impact. Future Seven Reserve coffees will include both exotic blends and single-origin brews from top growing areas around the world.
