7-Eleven Adds Second Single-Origin Coffee

IRVING, Texas — 7-Eleven Inc. introduces its second single-origin coffee, this time from the Chiapas growing region of Mexico. Rainforest Alliance Certified, the new premium, sustainable coffee is available exclusively at participating 7-Eleven locations.

The single-origin coffee from Chiapas is made exclusively from beans harvested in the mountainous highlands of southern Mexico, an area known for its dense rain forests and ancient Mayan ruins. The full-bodied, dark roast features notes of cocoa for a smooth, clean finish.

According to the convenience store retailer, 7-Eleven drinkers' taste preferences continue to shift toward darker, richer flavors. With 100-percent Colombian coffee experiencing the fastest growth in its hot beverage lineup, the retailer introduced the darker roast, single-origin coffee from Nicaragua last fall. The new Mexican single-origin coffee is bolder still, with roast levels falling between the Colombian and Brazilian Bold flavors.

"Colombia, Brazil, Nicaragua and now Mexico… these dark roast coffees sourced in Latin America are some of the most popular with 7‑Eleven coffee-lovers," said Nancy Smith, 7‑Eleven senior vice president of fresh food and proprietary beverage merchandising and Convenience Store News' Top Woman of the Year in 2016.

"When we began our sustainable coffee program, we naturally looked for robust flavor profiles that they would love to drink even more, knowing that doing so had minimal impact on the environment. Working with the Rainforest Alliance gives us assurances that we, as a company, are helping to foster sustainable farming practices that protect natural resources," she added.

The Rainforest Alliance Certified seal means the 100-percent Arabica beans for 7-Eleven stores' new coffee are sourced from coffee growers whose farms are required to meet strict standards designed to protect the environment, conserve wildlife and promote the well-being of local communities, the retailer noted.

"The Rainforest Alliance is proud to be working with 7‑Eleven, a company that understands the value of sustainably sourced coffee and shares our belief that everyday actions add up to meaningful impact," said Alex Morgan, Rainforest Alliance global director of Markets Transformation.

All 7‑Eleven coffee varieties, flavors and blends are exclusive, with roasting levels and specifications developed exclusively for the retailer. The global convenience store chain is the fourth largest coffee retailer in the United States.

In 2016, 7‑Eleven began working with Conservation International (CI) to set measurable corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals to reduce its environmental footprint. 7‑Eleven’s CSR mission has three focus areas — planet, products and people. The retailer also joined CI's Business and Sustainability Council, a forum for corporate leaders taking positive environmental actions in their businesses, to explore mutually beneficial ways to further reduce its environmental impact, CSNews Online previously reported.

As part of its CSR objectives, 7‑Eleven will continue to seek out responsibly sourced coffees and other products and packaging with less environmental impact, according to the company.

Irving-based 7-Eleven Inc. operates, franchises and licenses more than 10,700 7-Eleven stores in North America.