Dear Coffee Buyer

Dear Coffee Buyer by Ryan Brown

Dear Coffee Buyer is one of the few books dedicated entirely to the role of the green coffee buyer. Written by industry veteran Ryan Brown, the book blends travel writing, professional insight, and honest reflection, taking readers from cupping tables in Guatemala to last-minute buying trips across Central America. Along the way, it unpacks the realities behind sourcing: how decisions are made, what quality really means, and how relationships, logistics, and risk all influence the final cup. 

A rare look behind the scenes of specialty coffee, offering clarity on topics like direct trade, seasonality, pricing, and the complexity of moving coffee from farm to roastery.

Special Features

• One of the first books focused entirely on green coffee buying
• Combines storytelling with practical sourcing insights
• Covers varieties, processing, cupping, pricing, and logistics
• Includes perspectives from experienced coffee buyers

About the Author

Ryan Brown has been a barista, roaster, green coffee buyer, digital product manager, and marketer. He founded the revolutionary roasting and coffee-sourcing program at Ritual Roasters in San Francisco, oversaw buying for several origins at Stumptown Coffee, developed Central American relations for the Colombia-based Virmax/Caravela, and created award-winning coffee subscription products at Tonx and Blue Bottle Coffee.

Book Details

• Title: Dear Coffee Buyer
• Author: Ryan Brown
• Format: Hardcover
• Subject: Green coffee sourcing, coffee origins, supply chain
• Publication Date: 2018
• Publisher: Ryan Brown
• Dimensions: 270 x 195 x 15mm
• Weight: 670g