Artis Coffee, Inc.

From the arid highlands of Ethiopia to the lush subtropical forests of Peru coffee growers nurture the delicate fruit that yields that world's most popular beverage. They harvest the individual cherries by hand before stripping and drying the green seeds, which are sold on the international coffee market. These green coffee seeds retain their vibrant flavors for up to a year if stored correctly. Upon arrival in the United States they are sent to roasters and transformed into the coffee beans we know and love. But rather than serving them fresh, most U.S. coffee companies roast in large batches in distant warehouses. Between packaging, transport and shelf time, these beans can take weeks or even months to reach your coffee pot. Tragically, by this time they have lost the delicate oils and complex flavors that make them so special. Three friends at Babson College's Graduate School of Business set out to rewrite this story. Arts was born out of the belief that the world should know the true story of coffee. While living in Japan, where freshness and quality are uniquely valued, Founder Alex Lowe stumbled upon the concept of live roasting. Drawn in by the inviting aromas, he witnessed customers selecting their individual orders of green coffee and waiting as it was roasted to their preference. Walking out with his warm bag of coffee, he was unaware that the first sip would forever change his understanding this beverage. He aspired to bring this story home.