Coffee Road Trip: Raleigh

Larry shows tourists the
silos full of green coffee beans
waiting to be roasted &
distributed to coffee shops

Larry's Beans, a Raleigh coffee roaster that distributes freshly roasted beans on the East Coast, opens its doors twice a year for a free tour. What a treat for coffee shop fans! People of all ages - babies, their parents, their grandparents, 20 somethings, and even a couple of teenagers showed up to see where the magic of coffee roasting  happens. Everyone got to sample different roasts and brews (cold and hot), eat yummy gourmet appetizers, and listen to music by Freylach Time, the Klezmer Dance Band.

 The fans also got to see some of Larry's "greenovations" - little things that add up to an earth friendly business. Their delivery bus runs on biodiesel (recycled vegetable oil), the plant hosts a tank of biodiesel that serves Raleigh drivers, and the plant incorporates extensive use of natural sunlight and other energy-saving practices.

 Larry also explained fair trade practices and how the company partners with the farmers year after year to grow the best beans possible. This has helped Larry's develop unique, tasty, and dependable blends of coffee year after year.

The veggie bus delivers coffee
around the Triangle region



To get an invite to the next tour, you need to sign up for Larry's e-mail list. Larry's Beans are used in Triad Coffee Shops, including Washington Perk & Provisions, Tate Street, and Espresso Doctors (Kernersville). Look for the funny cartoon guy drinking coffee (he's on the bus, too).

Be sure to find out which roaster supplies your favorite coffee shop. Many of them offer tours for their fans!