Browse Tag

beverage

5 mins read

The Cultural Significance of Coffee in Africa and Black America

Coffee has a rich and fascinating history in Africa, dating back several centuries. The story of coffee in Africa is one of trade, migration, and cultural significance. The journey of coffee from Africa to America was a long and winding road that took many years, but today it is a staple beverage on both continents.

Coffee is believed to have originated in the region of Ethiopia, where it was first discovered growing wild. Ethiopian tribesmen were known to have used the beans for medicinal purposes, as well as to produce a beverage that was used in religious ceremonies. It wasn’t until the 9th century that coffee began to spread beyond Ethiopia, reaching the surrounding countries of Yemen, Egypt, and the Middle East.

coffee africa

The first coffee plantations in Africa were established in the 16th century by the Portuguese, who had colonized many parts of the continent. From there, coffee spread to other European colonies, including the Dutch and French, who established coffee plantations in what are now known as Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa.

Coffee quickly became an important crop in Africa, providing jobs and income for many people. It also played a significant role in shaping the cultural and economic landscape of the continent. In the 19th century, coffee became a major export from Africa to Europe, with trade routes established between the two continents.

The journey of coffee from Africa to America was a slow and steady process that took many years. The first coffee plant was introduced to the Americas in the early 17th century, but it wasn’t until the 19th century that coffee became a major commercial crop. Today, coffee is a staple beverage in America, with millions of people drinking it every day.

The cultural significance of coffee in Africa and America is undeniable. In Africa, coffee is often associated with hospitality and is a symbol of generosity and friendship. In America, coffee has become an important part of the daily routine for many people, serving as a pick-me-up and a source of comfort and energy.

Coffee has also played a significant role in shaping the history of both Africa and America. For example, in Africa, coffee was an important commodity in the slave trade, with enslaved Africans being forced to work on coffee plantations. In America, coffee was a major part of the civil rights movement, with coffee shops serving as gathering places for activists and leaders.

Coffee shops in America played a crucial role in the Civil Rights Movement by providing a safe and neutral space for activists and leaders to gather and discuss strategies. They were also used as a platform to spread awareness and mobilize people to take action against racial discrimination and inequality.

coffee africa

For example, the famous Greensboro sit-ins in North Carolina were started by four African American college students who sat at a Woolworth’s lunch counter, demanding to be served. The sit-ins quickly spread to other cities and became a catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement. Many other similar protests were also organized in coffee shops, which served as meeting places for activists and leaders to plan their actions.

Coffee shops also provided a safe space for artists and musicians to perform and showcase their work. Jazz and blues music, which were popular among African Americans, often had their roots in coffee shops and provided a powerful voice for the Civil Rights Movement. The music conveyed messages of hope, unity, and resistance, and inspired people to come together and fight for their rights.

Today, coffee shops in America continue to serve as gathering places for people from all walks of life. They are places where people can come together to socialize, work, and discuss important issues.

coffee africa

The legacy of coffee as a tool for social and political change lives on, and its cultural significance cannot be underestimated.

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2 mins read

This Black Owned Herbal Tea Brand Is Promoting Wellness, One Cup at a Time

Zabico Life is a Black owned herbal tea brand created by Gladstone Etienne, a millennial master herbalist and recognized herbal tea connoisseur.

After observing the positive effects his herbal tisanes and herbal detoxes had on his family and friends, Gladstone made the decision to let as many people as possible enjoy their health advantages.

We caught up with him to learn more about his business.

Black Owned Herbal Tea Brand

What inspired you to start your business?

My inspiration for starting an herbal tea business came from my roots and upbringing, and my knowledge of herbalism. I am further inspired by the amazing benefits of herbs, the testimonials I have received from using herbal remedies, and my passion for bringing awareness to the people. Also, my love for God and what he has created for our collective health and healing.

Black Owned Herbal Tea Brand

What differentiates your products from others?

Our ability to combine a broad spectrum of herbal remedies into great tasting products that improve health without the compromise of sugar, additives, or preservatives.

What is your favorite aspect of entrepreneurship?

My favorite aspects of being an entrepreneur are innovation, independence, and the ability to influence and impact lives.

What are the biggest challenges of being an entrepreneur?

My biggest challenge as an entrepreneur is access to capital, the right mix of capital, and continuous strategy retooling to remain relevant and competitive in an ever-changing business world.

What are your future goals for your brand?

The future goals of ZABICOLife are to become the premier go-to brand for herbal teas and to become a brand leader in beauty, skincare, and cosmetics. Also, a future goal is to impact our community through social activism on the importance of incorporating herbalism into our daily regimen.

1 min read

She Created The Largest Black Woman Owned Beverage Manufacturing Business in the U.S.

Nailah Ellis-Brown is the founder and CEO of Ellis Infinity Beverage Company, the largest Black woman-owned beverage manufacturing business in the United States.

In this interview, we discussed how the business grew from her mother’s basement and being sold out of her car, to operating out of a state-of-the-art facility and being stocked in retail locations across the country.

We also discussed some of the details of a recent investment her business received from actor, Kevin Hart.

 

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Tony O. Lawson


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1 min read

Black Owned Tea Brands You Can Purchase Online

People all over the world have been drinking tea for thousands of centuries, and for good reason. Numerous studies have shown that a variety of teas may fight off inflammation, boost your immune system, and even ward off cancer and heart disease.

While some brews provide more health benefits than others, there’s plenty of evidence that drinking tea can have a lasting impact on your wellness.

If you can’t visit your local cafe for your tea of choice, don’t worry, these Black owned tea brands will deliver herbal goodness right to your doorstep.

Black Owned Tea Brands

Adjourn Tea House

Brooklyn Tea

Ivy’s Tea Co. 

Sip Tea Shop 

black owned tea

Hands of Sage

black owned tea

Teas With Meaning

black owned tea

Bea’s Wellness Teas

True Serenity Tea

Black Owned Tea

Jayida Ché

Kim Bees

black owned tea

Orange Street Storehouse

black owned tea

INI Sips

black owned tea

Just Add Honey

black owned tea

Steep & Sip Teas

black owned tea

Teas Please

black owned tea

Elle’s Elixirs

black owned tea

Lady Rose Specialty Teas 

BrickHouse Gourmet Coffee & Tea Co.

black owned tea

Bunka

black owned tea

MoreFya Herbal Tea and Smoke Blends

Cup of Té

The Black Leaf Tea & Culture Shop

Drink Our Hi-G

Just Be Tea

Deeply Rooted

Flora’s Tea Company

Tranquilo Teas

ZABICO Life

Oat Straw Tea Company

Angry Black Tea

 

-Tony O. Lawson


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1 min read

Black Owned Coffee Brands You Can Purchase Online

Last year, we created a viral post about Black owned Alternatives to Starbucks. Unfortunately since then, some of the businesses we listed have gone out of business or are closed temporarily due to the COVID related shutdown.

However, coffee lovers are still in luck since there are several Black owned coffee brands that you can purchase from online and enjoy at home!

Black Owned Coffee Brands

Russell’s Gourmet Coffee

black owned coffee

Signature Blends By Kim Fields 

black owned coffee

Peter’s Brew Coffee 

Blk & Bold

black owned coffee

2 Bros Coffee Co.

Boon Boona Coffee

black owned coffee

Sailor’s Brew Coffee

black owned coffee

Dope Coffee 

black owned coffee

Not So Urban Coffee & Roastery 

black owned coffee

Northwest Coffee Roasting Company

INI Sips

black owned coffee

BrickHouse Gourmet Coffee & Tea Co.

Historic Noir Coffee

black owned coffee

L A Grind Coffee & Tea Bar

Calvine’s Coffee

Kahawa 1893

MochaBox Coffee Company

Happy Beans Roaster

Bad Beans Coffee Co.

Red Bay Coffee

black owned coffee

 

-Tony O. Lawson

 


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3 mins read

Delta Airlines to Serve Wine from Black Owned Winery

During a surprise wine tasting at the San Francisco Delta Sky Club, Delta today announced a new partnership with Brown Estate, the first and only black-owned estate winery in California’s Napa Valley.

And as a toast to Black History Month, Brown Estate is making its first onboard appearance today in a surprise in-flight tasting for customers on Flight 1473 from San Francisco to New York-JFK.

The innovative idea to partner with Brown Estate started with Carlyne Scott, a member of Delta’s black community business resource group (BRG) and BRG Program Manager. Scott originally suggested the winery as a special for Black History Month, and that seed germinated into a larger relationship between Delta and the winery. Delta will feature Brown Estate wines in the winter of 2019-2020 as part of its commitment to supplier diversity.

“Partnering with innovative, diverse suppliers from certified small-, minority- and women-owned businesses like Brown Estate is fundamental to Delta’s strategy to keep climbing year-round,” said Heather Ostis, Vice President — Supply Chain Management. “Seeking employee perspectives and leveraging unique ideas brings us closer to meeting that goal, while creating the highest quality experience for our customers.”

After Scott’s suggestion, a selection of Brown Estate wines were passed to Andrea Robinson, Delta’s Master Sommelier, for consideration in the airline’s seasonally rotating wine menu. Robinson’s year-round wine selection process – including both in-the-air and terra-firming tastings—culminates annually with a final tasting of more than 1,500 bottles over one week. Only the very best selections earn Robinson’s stamp of approval. Two Brown Estate selections made the cut.

Domestic Delta One customers will see two Brown Estate wines on the winter 2019-2020 menu: 2017 Betelgeuse Sauvignon Blanc and 2017 Chaos Theory.

“We are delighted to partner with Delta Air Lines,” said Deneen Brown, president of Brown Estate. “Delta’s all-in commitments to the spirit of inclusion and to their wine program are perfectly aligned with our core values at Brown Estate.”

Chaos Theory, a well-balanced red blend of Merlot, Petite Sirah and Zinfandel, greets the nose with a lively aroma of ripe Rainer cherries, blackberry compote, winter spice and heavy cream. Hints of Asian apple and Meyer lemon are followed by dark chocolate, tiramisu and fresh-baked croissants.

On a lighter note, Brown Estate describes its Betelgeuse Sauvignon Blanc as “endless summer in a bottle” — straw gold in color, with refreshing clarity. Tropical fruit comingles with subtle citrus, fever grass and lemon verbena, while night-blooming jasmine and honeysuckle are complemented by a cascade of stone fruit, lychee, pineapple and guava.

 

Source: Delta

 

1 min read

Black Owned Beverage and Juice Brands You Should Know

The global non-alcoholic beverage market size was valued at $967.3 billion in 2016. It is expected to reach $1189.10 billion in 2023. Here are some Black-owned beverage brands to support.

Black Owned Beverage Brands

Turmeric Magic

black owned beverage

Brooklyn Brewed Sorrel

Füd

2T Water

Liquid Hydration

Teranga Juice

Me & The Bee Lemonade

Black Owned Beverage Brands

Ellis Island Tea

Black Owned Beverage

MoFaya Energy Drinks

J.I.V.E Juice

Spicegrove

black owned beverage

-Tony O. Lawson


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3 mins read

Black Owned Beer Businesses You Should Know

Historically, there have been almost no “official” Black businesses involved in the beer industry. Now, times are changing, and several Black owned beer businesses are making a name for themselves.

Let’s take a look at some of them.

Black Owned Beer Businesses

Rhythm Brewing Company is a New Haven CT based Brewing Co. that produces, “RHYTHM”, its Flagship Lager.

Sankofa Beer Company is a DC-based producer and distributor of premium craft beer, inspired by the founder’s connection to West Africa.

Cajun Fire is an eco-friendly nano brewery based out of New Orleans, Louisiana specializing in making unique craft beverage brews that appeal to the casual consumer.

Harris Family Brewery is a new NANO-brewery headquartered in Central Pennsylvania that will produce excellent craft beer.

Harlem Brewery manufactures craft beverages. Its flagship Sugar Hill Golden Ale and Harlem Renaissance Wit both celebrate the rich history of Harlem.

Blackfrog Brewery is a nanobrewery born in Holland, OH. Dedicated to making great beer for great people.

Khonso Brewing fuses different beer styles together to create a unique beer experience.

18th Street Brewery is currently the second largest brewery in Northwest Indiana. Our beers range from saisons to double india pale ales to double milk stouts to pilsners and lagers.

Brazo Fuerte Artisanal Beer is a new craft beer company that brews world-class, full-flavored session beers for active, passionate beer drinkers

Soweto Gold honors the icons of Soweto, past and present. It embodies the spirit, pride, initiative and tenacity of Soweto, and of South Africa.

Stimela Brewing Co is a South Africa based brewing company that crafts premium beers for people who have a thirst for greatness.

Ukhamba Beerworx is Cape Town’s first Black-owned craft brewery. They produce traditional African Beer.

White Lion Brewing Company is the first craft beer brand to go to market in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Band of Brothers Brewing Company is the third craft brewery in the “One & Only” Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The brewery features the largest taproom in Tuscaloosa.

Harlem Hops is a space for you to gather, socialize, relax, and enjoy the taste of some of the world’s most delicious and hardest to find beers.

black owned beer

One Fermentary & Taproom is a premium beverage destination that crafts small-batch beers with a focus on unique fermentation processes.

-Tony O. Lawson 


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6 mins read

Detroit Based Ellis Island Tea Now Sold Across the Country

Ellis Island Tea specializes in producing all natural ready to drink beverages in the company’s own state-of-the-art beverage production and co-packing facility located in Detroit.

Because taking a local brand national is no small task, we wanted to find out more about the founder and CEO, Nailah Ellis-Brown and her brand made from a 100 year old recipe.

What inspired you to create Ellis Island tea?

Ellis Island Tea was inspired by a recipe created more than 100 years ago by my Great-grandfather Cyril Byron, a Jamaican immigrant who came to America through Ellis Island.

Cyril was a master chef for Marcus Garvey’s Black Star Line, who went on to run Byron’s Catering, one of the largest catering companies in the Bronx in the early 1900’s.

Ellis Island Tea

Cyril always said his recipe was to be “Sold, not told.” That meant bring it to market. I had always wanted to be an entrepreneur so I took those words to heart when the family recipe was passed down to me.

It is a tea loved by generations of my family and now it’s the only Jamaican Sweet Tea in the country, and is sold nationally.

You are currently in multiple retail locations. Briefly explain how you got into the first one.

Yes, Ellis Island Tea is in almost 1,000 stores now, but when I began in business I was selling my tea from a cooler in the back of my car.

Even then I knew this beverage belonged in stores. One day I summoned my courage, walked into Avalon International Breads and asked how I could get on their shelves.

The owner asked me if I brewed the tea in Detroit. When I said ‘yes’, she agreed to give me a shot. The tea did well. About a year later I got into my first Whole Foods store. We took off from there.

How important is proper branding?

Ellis Island Tea has been on the market for 10 years now, but it wasn’t until last year that we truly found our niche and a look that ‘popped’ on the shelves. MSNBC Your Business helped us rebrand, bringing in Skidmore Studio to redesign our packaging.

They helped us define what Ellis Island Tea actually was – Jamaican Sweet Tea – giving us our own lane in the bottled tea category.

We’d been struggling to explain it simply to store buyers and consumers. The new look and positioning really appealed to buyers from Sam’s Club and from HMSHost (the airport concessions giant).

The beverage industry is very saturated. How do you differentiate yourself and stay competitive? 

Ellis Island Tea is naturally differentiated. It is the only Jamaican Sweet Tea brewed and sold in America. Ellis Island Tea is 100% natural and hand-steeped with real herbs. Its beautiful red color and refreshing, smooth flavor sets it apart from any other tea on the market.

While we are in our own category of bottled iced tea, we are still a tea, which is the most sought after beverage in the world next to water.

Millenials, in particular, love iced tea. They are seeking innovative beverages that are healthy and offer unique flavors. Ellis Island Tea offers everything they are looking for, plus it is rich in antioxidants.

 

What is your product distribution status now and where do you see it in the next 5 years?

We are currently sold in almost 1,000 stores, but as of May 15th we will also be in every Sam’s Club in the country.  We’re pretty excited about that! Every time we get national press, we have people around the country trying to find Ellis Island Tea.

We’re finally going to be where anyone can buy it from a store near them. In addition to store shelves, we are expanding in airports working with HMSHost. Ideally, in the next five years we will solidly be a national beverage brand.

What advice do you have for your younger entrepreneur self?

Stay the course. You will succeed. There are times in every entrepreneur’s life when we fear failure and question whether we should ever have gone into business for ourselves.

It can be a very difficult, lonely endeavor, but for me it is worth it. My beverage company is on the verge of major success. The trials and sacrifice will be well worth it.

Find out more about Ellis Island Tea on their website.

 

-Tony Oluwatoyin Lawson (IG@thebusyafrican)