Roaster · United States
George Howell Coffee
The roastery of a true coffee elder statesman, devoted to terroir and clarity.
George Howell Coffee, founded in Massachusetts in 2009, is the latest chapter for one of American specialty coffee's true pioneers. Howell founded The Coffee Connection in Boston in 1975, popularised the 'Frappuccino' (later sold to Starbucks), and went on to help create the Cup of Excellence competition and auction in 1999 — a landmark in producer recognition and traceability. His eponymous roastery champions terroir-driven, lightly roasted single origins and freezing green coffee to preserve quality. Few people have shaped the values of modern specialty coffee — quality, transparency, and farmer recognition — as deeply as George Howell.
Origins they source from
Ethiopia
Yirgacheffe
The benchmark for floral, tea-like washed Ethiopian coffee — jasmine, bergamot, and citrus over a silky body.
Guatemala
Antigua
Volcano-ringed valley producing rich, full-bodied washed coffee with cocoa, spice, and smoky depth.
Kenya
Nyeri
The classic Kenyan profile — blackcurrant, tomato, and grapefruit acidity from SL28 on red volcanic soil.
Last updated: June 13, 2026