Royal New York, headquartered in South Plainfield, New Jersey, is a premier specialty importer and distributor of green coffee and specialty tea. With a reputation for quality, traceability, and education, the company serves roasters, cafes, tea blenders, and specialty beverage producers across the United States. Founded by James Schoenhut, Royal New York operates under a mission to empower its clients with exceptional ingredients and industry-leading expertise.
Company Overview
Since its founding in 1995, Royal New York has grown into a vertically integrated hub for specialty beverage professionals. The company sources directly from producers in over 25 countries and provides logistical, educational, and sensory evaluation services from its headquarters and dedicated education facility, “The Lab at Royal New York.” Through strong relationships with farms, cooperatives, and exporters, Royal New York delivers consistent quality and ethical sourcing in every shipment.
Core Business Activities
Royal New York operates in four interconnected domains:
-
Green Coffee Importing
- Specialty-grade coffees sourced from Latin America, Africa, and Asia
- Organic, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, and Micro-lot offerings
-
Specialty Tea Importing
- Global selection of loose-leaf black, green, oolong, herbal, and blended teas
- Customizable tea programs for brands and cafes
-
Education & Training
- SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) certified courses
- Cupping labs, roasting workshops, and sensory development classes
- “The Lab” – a state-of-the-art learning and research facility
-
Logistics & Fulfillment
- Nationwide warehousing and shipping
- Online ordering platform for just-in-time inventory
- Quality control services and origin traceability
Product Portfolio
Royal New York offers a robust and curated selection:
-
Green Coffee
- Organic Peru Cajamarca
- Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Grade 1 Washed
- Guatemala Huehuetenango Micro-lots
- Colombia Huila Excelso EP
- Rainforest Alliance certified Brazil Natural Process
-
Specialty Tea
- Organic Assam Black Tea
- Chinese Dragonwell Green Tea
- Jasmine Pearl Green Tea
- Honeybush and Rooibos Blends
- Custom herbal and wellness blends
-
Educational Services
- SCA Foundation and Intermediate Certifications
- Cupping and Green Grading Classes
- Roasting Fundamentals with hands-on Probat equipment
Specialization and USP
Royal New York’s competitive advantage lies in its:
- Direct sourcing model with transparent traceability
- Rigorous quality evaluation by Q Graders and Tea Sommeliers
- Investment in client education via The Lab
- Online ordering system with real-time inventory and logistics
- Full compliance with industry certifications and standards
Its dual focus on green coffee and specialty tea positions it uniquely as a one-stop source for roasters and beverage innovators.
Financial Performance
As a privately held company:
- Annual revenue is estimated at $30–40 million
- Sells over 20 million pounds of green coffee annually
- Tea division has experienced 28% YoY growth driven by wellness trends
- Serves 2,500+ active clients across all 50 states
Shipment and Export Insights
- Warehousing and fulfillment centers in New Jersey, Oakland, and Houston
- Ships to roasters and blenders nationwide, typically within 24–72 hours
- Imports from over 150 origin partners across 25+ countries
- Maintains extensive supply chain transparency and lot documentation
Target Markets
Royal New York supports:
- Small to mid-sized coffee roasters
- Tea retailers and wellness brands
- Cafés, bakeries, and foodservice distributors
- Educational institutions and coffee training academies
- Private label clients and boutique CPG brands
The company’s flexibility in batch sizes and education support makes it attractive to both newcomers and established operators.
Capabilities and Infrastructure
- In-house team of certified Q Graders and Tea Sommeliers
- Full-service cupping lab and sensory evaluation center
- Probat sample and commercial roasters
- Integrated CRM and inventory system with client dashboard
- Private label and co-packing capabilities for tea brands
Certifications and Compliance
- Organic Certified by QAI
- Fair Trade USA and Rainforest Alliance Certified Partners
- FDA-registered and food-grade compliant warehouse operations
- SCA Accredited Teaching Lab
Client Testimonials
“Royal New York is more than a supplier—they’re a strategic partner in our growth as a roaster. Their coffees are exceptional, and their support is second to none.”
— Head Roaster, Third Wave Coffee Roasters
“The Lab was instrumental in elevating our baristas’ skills. The courses are hands-on, and the instructors are top-tier.”
— Café Owner, Brooklyn, NY
Recognitions and Achievements
- Voted Top Specialty Importer by Roast Magazine Readers' Poll
- Official education partner of SCA New York Chapter
- Featured in Tea & Coffee Trade Journal and Daily Coffee News
- Hosted over 500 workshops and classes at The Lab since launch
Royal New York continues to set industry benchmarks through its dedication to quality, education, and ethical sourcing, empowering the next generation of coffee and tea professionals with tools, knowledge, and exceptional ingredients.
